CHAPTER EIGHTY THREE - THE DARKEST HOUR

Max's eyebrows shot up. "Really? What made you change your mind?" Ava took a sip of her wine, considering. "I realized I was doing it for the wrong reasons. To please my parents, mostly. Business... that was for me. I loved the strategy, the problem-solving. It just clicked." Max nodded, his expression thoughtful. "I get that. It's not easy going against family expectations." "Speaking from experience?" Ava asked gently. Max was quiet for a moment, tracing patterns on the condensation of his glass. "Yeah," he finally said. "My father... he had very specific ideas about what a Bennett should be. It took me a long time to figure out who I wanted to be." Ava reached out, covering his hand with hers. "Well, for what it's worth, I think you're doing a pretty good job of it." Max looked up, surprise and something warmer flickering in his eyes. "Even with all my screw-ups?" "Especially with those," Ava said firmly. "You're trying, Max. You're growing. That's what matters." A charged s