The sea breeze, with its salt and coolness, tangled in Avery's hair as she sat on the edge of a cliff towering majestically over a turquoise-blue sea. The sun, in its golden descent, draped the horizon with a cloak of warm and serene lights, cruelly contrasting with the pain Avery felt within.

Avery was weeping, but not with silent tears; it was a heart-wrenching cry, the kind that seems to tear apart the soul of whoever lets it out. Each sob echoed a lost love, moments that would never return, a goodbye she never wanted to say. In her arms, she held Derek, unable to find the strength to let him go.

Derek looked at her without speaking, only taking in Avery's beauty for one last time.

"Derek," she whispered, her voice breaking with every word, "I will never forget all the sensations you made me feel. Each caress, each kiss, each word of encouragement, is etched into my skin, my mind, my soul. You were the wind beneath my wings when I believed I could fly no more."

As Avery spoke, Derek watched her with a blend of sadness and joy. He knew she was hurt, but he also saw in her an unbreakable strength. He saw her as the strong woman he always knew she was, capable of overcoming any adversity, even the loss of his presence.

"I gave you all the advice I could," Derek said, "each piece was a part of you that I wanted to live in me, so that you would always be with me. But now, here, I realize that no matter how much you hold onto me, you must go on your way, Avery, And I, I must find a way to go on without you."

Derek looked at her with a smile she couldn't see. He knew that although their time together had changed, Avery would always find her way back to him. He knew she would be happy again, that she would find new chances to love, to live, to feel.

"Promise me you'll move forward, Avery," Derek whispered. "Promise me you'll find joy, that you'll open your heart to new stories, that you'll live with the same passion we shared."

Avery nodded slowly, her crying now turning into a whisper of acceptance. "I promise I will live, Derek. For you, for us, for everything we were and everything I can still be. I will carry you in my heart, with every step I take."

With these words, Avery stood up slowly, the sun reflecting in her tears like shooting stars. She walked toward the cliff's edge, the wind playing with her hair, holding her heart high—a symbol of a love that would never die—bracing herself for a goodbye that, though painful, was necessary for both of them.

Time contracts, taking us back a year, right to the moment where Avery, heart in her throat, held up the "Missing" poster of Ethan. The reality of the situation loomed over her like an ominous shadow.

Avery ran, panic and adrenaline pumping through her veins, with each step feeling as if the world conspired to slow her down, mocking her urgency with a sense of immobility. It was like those dreams where you run, but the environment seems to swallow your progress, leaving you stuck in place. At every corner, new posters of Ethan stared back at her, his eyes in the photo pleading for an answer she feared she might not have.

"What have you done, Derek? What the hell have you done?" Avery asked herself over and over, each thought a current of fear and despair. Every poster seemed an echo of her guilt, a reminder that maybe, just maybe, she had been too slow.

Upon arriving at her house, her hands shook so much she could barely get the key into the lock. Once inside, the silence of the house was deafening, an emptiness waiting to be filled with answers. With clumsy fingers, she dialed Ethan's parents' number, her breathing ragged with anxiety.

"Mrs. Johnson, it's Avery," she said, trying to keep calm. "I've seen Ethan's poster. What's happened?"

The voice on the other end of the line, broken by sobs, recounted the story: Ethan had been missing since Saturday night. The last they knew, a client had called him to fix their air conditioner, and since then, he hadn't returned. Mrs. Johnson couldn't say more, her voice choked by pain.

Avery hung up, the terror now palpable. "I was too late," she thought, her mind racing at a hundred miles an hour. "Derek, did it get out of hand? Would you kill Ethan?"

The silence of the house seemed to answer with its own echoes, amplifying her despair. Avery, in the middle of her living room, felt the room spinning around her. "What have you done, Derek?" she murmured again, the question reverberating in the air like an unwanted prayer, a plea for a reality she didn't want to face.

The day passed in a state of panic for Avery, each minute stretching into a torture of uncertainty and fear. She eagerly awaited Jake's arrival, needing companionship, an anchor in the midst of the storm that had unleashed in her life.

During this time, she called Chase and Liam. "Have you heard anything from Derek?" she asked, her voice laden with a mix of hope and dread. Both confirmed they hadn't heard from Derek, which only deepened her concern.

"Chase, I think Derek, I think he might have killed Ethan," Avery confessed, her voice hardly a whisper, as if saying it out loud could make it more real.

Chase's response was a heavy silence, followed by an attempt at comfort that did little to soothe her. It was then that the living room clock, an old wall clock rarely used, began to emit a piercing alarm. Startled, Avery jumped up, heading towards it with her heart pounding in her chest. Upon reaching it, she found the clock was off, with no indication that it had rung. She stood there, staring at the clock, feeling reality and her fears intertwine in a macabre dance.

"Am I losing my mind?" she wondered, the alarm now just an echo in her mind. And then, she sensed it: Derek's perfume, light but unmistakable, floating in the air. She spun around quickly, searching for the source, but found only the empty space of her living room.

The front door opened at that moment, and Jake entered, his figure both a relief and a surprise. With her heart still racing and Derek's scent fading around her, Avery locked eyes with Jake, seeking in them an answer, a comfort, something to bring her back to reality.

Jake, upon hearing the situation, looked visibly shaken and approached Avery, trying to console her. "Everything will be okay, Avery. We'll find Derek and sort this out," he said, though his voice carried a hint of tension, a trace of jealousy at Avery's intense concern for Derek.

Recalling the past, Jake couldn't help but mention, "It's just that he was always the bad boy, Avery. Remember how he picked on me in college. Sooner or later, the bad ones pay."

His words were like a blow to Avery. Anger flared within her. "How can you say that, Jake? Derek always looked out for me in college. Not everything is black and white," Avery retorted, her voice shaking with anger and pain. Without waiting for a response, she stormed out of the house, the cold night air hitting her face like a slap of reality.

She walked aimlessly until the sign of a lone bar on the street caught her eye. It was Monday, and the place was nearly empty, which seemed perfect for losing herself in her thoughts. She sat at the bar and ordered a whiskey, the golden liquid reflecting her stormy mood.

Unbeknownst to her, as she walked to the bar, Derek followed at a distance. His presence was a whisper in the night, an invisible guardian. He wanted to approach, to say something, but kept his distance. He knew Avery's life was in danger, and his presence might only make things worse. He watched her from the shadows, his figure a blend of protector and ghost.

From that Monday onwards, Avery became a regular at the solitary bar, her presence a whisper of sadness and determination. The rift with Jake grew like a chasm between them, and Avery, unable to face the normality of her life, decided to take a break from her responsibilities as a university professor. She didn't have the strength to move forward, not with the weight of the unknown pressing down on her.

Throughout that week, her mission became adorning the streets with "Missing" posters of Derek. Each poster was a silent cry, an attempt to bring him back, to find answers. However, this action only heightened the tension with Jake, who saw it as a humiliation. For him, it was as if Avery was seeking out the man who, in their college days, had been an abuser towards him.

On Friday night, Avery found herself back at the bar, now somewhat familiar with the bartender. Knowing her story, he handed her a card with a name that resonated with both hope and curiosity: "Detective Valeria Mendoza."

Valeria, a name that seemed to hold the sweetness and firmness of a woman Avery imagined as her salvation in this sea of uncertainty. She took the card, feeling a glimmer of hope. The bartender assured her that Valeria was the best in her field, someone with an impressive track record of solved cases coupled with a sensitivity rarely found in the detective world. With the card in hand, Avery felt that maybe, just maybe, she was one step closer to finding Derek.

Walking back home, the night wrapping her in its dark cloak, but this time, a familiar sensation made her stop. Derek's unmistakable scent enveloped her, and turning quickly, her heart skipped a beat at the sight of his figure. There was Derek, his face barely visible under the dim light of a streetlamp. He made a gesture, a sign that Avery interpreted as "Check the time," and then he began to walk away.

Heart racing, Avery tried to cross the street to follow him, but a car, appearing out of nowhere, forced her to step back abruptly. The honk of the horn echoed in the night, and when she looked up, Derek was gone. Adrenaline kept her on edge, but now, more than fear, she felt a spark of hope. Derek was close, but why was he hiding? What was he trying to tell her with the time?

She checked her watch: it was 3 AM. Avery's mind spun with questions. What had he done to Ethan? Why were 3 AM significant? She returned home, her mind a whirlwind of conflicting thoughts and emotions.

Upon opening the door, the living room clock, now a symbol of her torment, rang again. With a scream of frustration, Avery ran to it, unplugging it with fury. But like before, it was off. In a fit, she grabbed it and threw it to the ground, the crash waking Jake from his sleep.

Jake came downstairs, finding Avery in a fit of rage. He looked at her, a mix of concern and irritation on his face, but seeing her expression, he decided to say nothing. He simply turned around and went back to bed, leaving Avery in her chaos.

With the house silent once again, Avery took a deep breath, trying to calm down. The clock's pieces, now useless, lay on the floor as a testament to her desperation. She steeled herself mentally, knowing that at dawn, she would contact Valeria. She needed answers, and that detective seemed her only hope of finding them.

At dawn, the doorbell rang, announcing the arrival of Detective Valeria Mendoza. Valeria was a vision of professionalism and beauty: pale skin, eyes that sparkled with a mix of tenderness and sharpness, and a figure that, though imposing, radiated a warmth that made anyone feel at home. Her Latin origin, likely Venezuelan, was evident in her soft accent and the warmth of her smile, which seemed to light up the room upon entering.

With an air that inspired confidence, Valeria introduced herself and asked Avery to recount everything. Hours passed as Avery spoke, unveiling every detail of her recent life with an honesty that only desperation could evoke.

She spoke of her encounters with Derek, how she had cheated on Jake with him, of the threesomes involving Derek, Chase, and Liam. She described the night at Derek's place where, unknowingly, she had invited Ethan to join. She recounted Ethan's blackmail and how Derek had promised to handle the situation. Since then, she hadn't heard from him, though she knew he was close, following her, trying to communicate something about 3 AM.

Valeria, with impeccable professionalism, took notes, her eyebrows raising slightly only once at the details of Avery's sexual life, but she maintained her composure. The ease with which Avery approached these topics was notable, and though surprising, Valeria didn't let her emotions interfere with her work. She kept writing, each word from Avery a thread in the tapestry of this mystery unfolding before her eyes.

Valeria, with her soft yet firm voice, assured Avery that all these pieces, scattered and sensitive as they might be, were crucial to understanding the full picture. She promised to work tirelessly to find Derek and uncover what had happened to Ethan. The detective, with her presence and approach, had transformed the atmosphere from one of worry to one of action and hope.

A month later, Avery's study had been turned into an investigation hub. The walls were covered with photos, notes, and timelines attempting to connect the dots of events, all laid out to unravel the tangle of incidents surrounding Derek and Ethan. Valeria, having agreed to work from Avery's house, not just for the convenience of the space but also to keep her updated in real-time, had become a constant and vital presence in Avery's life.

Between Avery and Valeria, a friendship had blossomed that went beyond the client-detective relationship. Jake, unaware of Valeria's presence, didn't know of her existence since her visits were limited to the mornings when he was already at work. This routine had created a space where Avery could be fully honest without worries of being judged.

On one of those days, while organizing the timeline, Valeria noticed the change in Avery. The liveliness that once defined Avery seemed to have left her. With a tone blending concern and determination, Valeria tried to lift her friend's spirits.

"Avery, you've been letting this consume you for too long. Why not get yourself fixed up a bit today? I'm not saying forget what's happening, but maybe if you feel better about yourself, ideas will flow more clearly," Valeria suggested, her voice laden with the affection only a true friend could have.

Avery, with slumped shoulders and her gaze lost somewhere on the floor, replied, "I don't see the point, Valeria. All of this is my fault. If I dress up, will that change the fact that Derek is missing and that Ethan might be?" Her voice broke before she could finish the sentence.

Valeria moved closer, placing a hand on Avery's shoulder. "Maybe not, but it might help you see things from a different angle. Sometimes, changing our outward appearance can have an incredible impact on how we feel inside. And who knows, maybe that spark will help you connect the dots we've been looking for."

Avery looked up, meeting Valeria's eyes full of hope. "Maybe," she murmured, the idea starting to take shape in her mind. "Maybe if I feel more like myself, I can better understand what Derek is trying to tell me."

"Exactly," Valeria smiled, encouraged by the possibility. "Come on, let me help you. We could start with a small change, see how you feel, and from there, who knows, maybe we'll find a new lead."

Valeria, with a warm and firm hand, took Avery's hand, guiding her out of the study. This time, Avery wasn't the decisive and strong figure everyone knew; she allowed herself to be led, seeking solace in Valeria's direction. "Come, I'll make you feel better," Valeria murmured.

Silently, Avery let Valeria lead her to the bathroom. The atmosphere was tense as Valeria turned on the bath faucet, the sound of water filling mixed with the rhythm of Avery's accelerated breathing. As the water began to flow, Valeria, with gentle yet confident movements, started to undress Avery. Each piece of clothing that fell to the floor was another step towards a vulnerability Avery hadn't shown in a long time.

"Look at yourself, you're beautiful," Valeria said, her words like a caress. "You haven't done anything wrong. I know you're worried about your friend, but he wouldn't want to see you like this." Valeria's voice became more intimate, almost seductive. "I don't like seeing you like this either."

Avery swallowed hard, her nervousness evident as she stood completely naked before Valeria, who guided her towards the bath. "Close your eyes," Valeria softly instructed. Taking the showerhead, she began to wet Avery's hair, her fingers sliding through the strands, making comments about the state of Avery's hair. "Look how ruined your hair is," she said, but her tone was more tender than critical.

Avery, feeling the hot water on her skin and Valeria's fingers in her hair, started to relax, each touch a reminder that she was still capable of feeling peace, even if just momentarily.

Valeria, with a comforting smile, stepped out momentarily only to return with a comb in hand. "Let me help you with that tangled hair," she said, her voice gentle. Avery, for a brief moment, was left alone in the tub, holding the showerhead over her head, feeling the water cascade down her face, washing away not just the dust and grime that had accumulated, but also some of the stress she had endured.

The sound of the water stopped when Valeria returned, and Avery opened her eyes to find the scene transformed. There was Valeria, her figure naked and elegant, slipping into the tub behind her. With her entrance, the water level rose, completely filling the tub. Avery, without a word, felt Valeria's proximity as she tried to get comfortable. When she finally settled in, Avery found herself nestled between Valeria's legs, feeling the softness and warmth of the detective's body against her back, where the intimate contact of her skin brushed against hers.

Valeria began to comb Avery's hair with slow, careful movements, her breathing calm, her presence a sanctuary. "Relax," Valeria murmured, her voice a whisper blending with the sound of water, creating an atmosphere of serenity and connection that Avery hadn't expected.

With a nearly hypnotic patience, Valeria finished untangling Avery's hair, placing the comb aside with a soft click on the edge of the tub. Now free, Valeria's hands found Avery's shoulders, starting a massage that seemed to melt away the accumulated tension. "Breathe, relax," Valeria whispered, her voice a chant mingling with the sound of the water.

Her hands, with an expert touch, extended, gliding over Avery's body with a softness that sent shivers down her spine. They gently touched her breasts, a gesture as light as a feather, then descended down her abdomen with a caress that promised stress release. Then, they ascended again, brushing her neck with a tenderness that made Avery's heart beat strongly.

Avery, with her legs close together, was in a state of semi-consciousness, her mind wandering over the sensations, imagining Valeria's breasts pressing against her back, a constant and enveloping presence. Valeria continued to massage, each movement not only relaxing Avery's body but also playing with her mind, taking her to a place between reality and fantasy.

Valeria, with a tone of pure seduction, leaned in and whispered near Avery's ear, "Are you feeling this? Are you relaxing?" The question, laden with subtle eroticism, resonated in the intimate space they had created.

"Yes," Avery responded, her voice barely audible, confirming not just her state of relaxation but also her surrender to this unexpected moment of intimacy.

Valeria, with expert hands, carried her massage from Avery's neck to her abdomen, passing between her breasts with a delicious pressure that seemed to invite Avery's body to release all tension. Each sweep of her hands was a whisper of relaxation, a siren's song that made Avery mentally repeat "relax" as a mantra.

On one of those downward movements, Avery, in an act of vulnerability, slowly opened her legs, a tacit invitation she wasn't sure Valeria would pick up on. Valeria, with a pause that seemed eternal, stopped her hands on Avery's abdomen, as if evaluating the next step. Avery, in a moment of doubt, began to close her legs, but just then, Valeria continued her descent.

Valeria's fingers, now brushing Avery's thighs, were getting closer and closer to the epicenter of her desire. Avery felt each touch like a spark, Valeria's fingers playing with the edge of prohibition, massaging her thighs but hinting at more. Avery struggled against the urge to turn around and kiss Valeria, while Valeria, with palpable restraint, tried not to give in to her own desire.

Valeria's phone rang, shattering the erotic tension with a rawness that made Valeria jump out of the tub, water splashing. She dressed in haste, her breathing still heavy from the intensity of the moment. "I'll explain later," she said urgently, her voice trembling, and she ran out of the house, leaving Avery in a sea of emotions and sensations, still in the tub, with the echo of her departure resonating in the sudden silence.

Left alone, Avery, with her mind still clouded by the encounter, unplugged the drain of the tub, watching as the water began to empty, carrying away some of the tension from the moment. Sitting there, in the tub that was gradually draining, her mind filled with what had just happened.

Unconsciously, her hands found their way down, exploring the skin Valeria had touched, and there, she discovered a wetness that wasn't just from the bathwater. The sensation of her own touch made her slowly recline, her body still half-submerged, the water now an echo of what it had been.

She started to touch herself, her movements initially timid, but the need made her bolder. Avery, with her eyes closed, let out soft moans that echoed in the bathroom, each sound amplified by the acoustics of the empty tub. Her mind, meanwhile, filled with memories: Derek, his powerful figure over her, his proximity, his touch. These thoughts assaulted her with a force that excited her even more.

She remembered when Derek had taken her in a way that was deeper and forbidden, an intimacy that filled her with a burning, forbidden desire. That memory catapulted her into a state of ecstasy, her fingers now moving with an urgency that mirrored the intensity of her thoughts.

Avery's moans, mixed with ragged breaths, filled the room, reverberating throughout the house, a chorus of pleasure and release amidst the silence that enveloped her.

In the midst of her ecstasy, Avery stopped thinking about Derek. Instead, a new image took center stage in her imagination: Valeria. She remembered Valeria's naked body, the softness of her skin against hers, the firmness of her breasts pressing into her back. In her mind, Valeria was there, her figure a canvas of desire and mystery.

As she continued to touch herself, Avery's moans deepened, resonating with the sensual memory of Valeria. She visualized every detail: Valeria's intimate and perfect flesh, her lips, rosy and full, as if flushed with the same desire now consuming her. This thought, so vivid and erotic, pushed Avery to a point of no return.

With her mind tormented by these thoughts, the intensity of her touch heightened. Avery found herself on the brink of climax, prolonging it with each more decisive movement, rubbing herself with an urgency she had never felt before. In her mind, she was exploring unknown territories with another woman, a world of pleasure she had only imagined until now.

And then it came, a climax that swept through her, intense and prolonged, while in her mind, Valeria became the muse of her pleasure, taking her to an unexplored ecstasy right to the edge of endurance.

The next day, Valeria arrived at Avery's house in her car, finding a renewed version of the woman she had left the day before. Avery, with a radiant appearance, looked beautiful, but her determined gaze indicated that her resolve to find answers about Derek hadn't weakened.

"I found something," Valeria began, her voice filled with urgency. "Some contacts informed me they saw a car matching Derek's description on the same Sunday he disappeared. I was about to head to the location."

Avery, without hesitation, nodded. "Take me with you, Valeria. I need to see this, to find any clue."

The drive was silent, but the air was charged with suggestive glances, a reminder of the day before without the need for words. Two hours later, they arrived at the designated spot. Nearby, the lake, with its calm surface, contrasted with the tension they both felt.

After hours of exhaustive searching in the area, finding not a single clue, Avery and Valeria, tired and disheartened, made their way back to the car. The disappointment was tangible in Avery, and Valeria tried to console her with words of hope.

Just as Avery opened the car door, a familiar sound chilled her blood: the chiming of a wall clock. "Do you hear that? That damn clock!" Avery exclaimed, her voice mixed with frustration and hope.

Valeria, frowning, replied, "I don't hear anything, Avery."

But, driven by the sound, Avery ran in the direction she believed it came from, with Valeria behind, trying to stop her. "Avery, there's nothing there! I don't hear anything!" Valeria shouted, but Avery didn't stop.

The sound led her to an area near the lagoon they hadn't explored before. Suddenly, the clock's chiming stopped, and Avery, thinking her mind was playing tricks on her, halted, her breathing heavy.

Valeria caught up to her, finding her kneeling, on the brink of an emotional collapse. But then, following Avery's gaze, Valeria caught sight of something in the lagoon: the blurry outline of what seemed to be a car under the water.

Valeria, grabbing Avery's arm and lifting her up, said urgently, "Look, there it is. There it is!" Relief and excitement mingled in Avery, finally, a concrete clue.

Valeria, with trembling hands, called the police. With the arrival of night, the place transformed into a scene of red and blue lights, sirens echoing in the air. Avery and Valeria, unable to do anything but wait, watched with a mix of impatience and fear as the rescue teams prepared to extract the car from the water.

The arrival of a coroner's van was like a punch to Avery. Seeing that van, a painful reality set in: Derek had done something irreversible. The presence of the forensic vehicle confirmed her worst fears: Ethan was dead, and Derek, seeing himself implicated, had disappeared out of fear of the consequences.

While technicians worked with a crane to pull Derek's vehicle out of the lagoon's cold waters, Avery kept questioning herself repeatedly, "What was Derek trying to tell me with the time signal?" The pieces of the puzzle seemed to be coming together in a way that not only revealed Ethan's fate but also the complex implications for her as well.

Valeria, aware of Ethan's body in that car, also knew what this meant for Avery: fear, guilt, and the imminent danger of her life being compromised if her connection to Ethan was discovered. Together, though separated by their own thoughts, they watched as Derek's car emerged from the lake, water dripping from its frame like tears of the truth about to be unveiled.

Let's return to the future, where the sea breeze, laden with salt and memories, tangled in Avery's hair. Seated on the edge of a cliff, the sun was setting, painting the sky with its golden farewell.

Avery, at the brink of the cliff, felt Derek's hands, in a final gesture that only she could sense, resting on her shoulders. "You have to let me go," his voice whispered, an echo in Avery's mind.

She fought internally, every part of her resisting the inevitable goodbye. But then, she felt Derek, in one last act of farewell, take her hand and guide it towards the urn containing his ashes. Avery, with trembling hands, opened the urn, beginning to scatter Derek's ashes to the wind.

The scent of Derek's perfume, a fragrance that had always comforted her, became present, enveloping her in an ethereal embrace. Amidst intense sobs, Avery spread Derek's remains into the air, each particle carrying away a piece of their shared story.

Derek wasn't just her lover; he had been her friend, her confidant, someone who had entered her life long before Jake appeared. Derek's death wasn't just the loss of a fiery passion but also of deep friendship, of a connection that transcends romantic love.

In that moment, Avery realized the depth of her grief. Derek, with his departure, had left a void that went beyond the physical. Each speck of his ashes that the wind carried towards the sea was a memory, a shared laugh, a secret whispered in the dark.

Avery, with a heart torn but also strengthened by the promise to move forward, felt a bitter peace. "I'll let you go, Derek," she murmured through tears, her voice mingling with the sound of the waves. "But I'll carry your essence with me. In every smile, in every small victory, in every new adventure I dare to live."

The sun, almost hidden now, cast its last rays over the sea, and the reflection in Avery's tears were like glimmers of hope. Derek, in his final gesture, had not only given her the freedom to let go of the pain but also the strength to embrace the future with all the life she still had to live.

With the now empty urn in her hands, Avery stood up, feeling the weight of her promise. She turned towards the horizon, where the sun had said goodbye, and she too, in an act of love and farewell, bid Derek goodbye, knowing that he, in some way, would always be with her, in every step she took forward.

Returning to the past, reality imposed itself with a rawness Avery wasn't prepared to face. Seeing the forensics prepare two stretchers for bodies, panic overtook her. She tried to run towards the car, now completely out of the water, but what she saw shattered her: Derek, tied to the steering wheel, lifeless. That sight was enough to plunge her into a heart-wrenching cry, a pain that led her to faint, unable to process the sight.

Avery woke up in the hospital, Valeria's hand holding hers, offering silent comfort. In a state of shock, Avery tried to process what had happened, murmuring she had seen Derek. Valeria, with a mix of sadness and determination, revealed the full truth: "Ethan was also in the car, both were tied up, without phones or identification. You hadn't seen Derek, Avery, because since the Sunday they disappeared, both have been there."

Valeria continued, her voice laden with gravity, "My contacts saw a man leaving the area around 3 a.m. that night. I've already informed the police of all this. They're working on the case now."

Valeria's revelation not only confirmed Derek's and Ethan's deaths but also cast a shadow of mystery over how and why they had ended up like this, leaving Avery in an abyss of pain and unanswered questions.

An anguished Jake entered the hospital room, his presence a relief and a complication for Avery at that moment. Valeria had filled him in on everything, and though Jake felt a knot of jealousy at Avery's words, he hid it under a mask of support.

Avery, with tears in her eyes, told Jake, "I lost him. He's not with me anymore. I want whoever did this to pay."

Jake, masking his true feelings, replied, "I'll help you, Avery. I'll be here for you." He stayed with her that night, his silent presence both a comfort and a reminder of the complexity of their relationships.

The next day, Avery was discharged from the hospital. Although Jake had to go to work, Valeria was there to take her home. Upon arriving, Avery and Valeria began disassembling the study; Avery had decided to turn everything over to the police as evidence. Valeria helped her organize the space, a process that, though painful, was necessary.

To unwind, Avery opened a bottle of wine and shared it with Valeria. In that simple act, Avery felt a momentary peace, trusting that the police would find the culprit. They spent the day together, talking, with Valeria trying to lift Avery's spirits, who, despite everything, showed a willingness to recover, to find a new normalcy in her life.

Lost in the flow of a conversation that came naturally, Avery and Valeria found themselves on the couch, talking about everything and nothing, laughing and sharing stories that softened the recent pain. The chat, laden with emotions and memories, slowly brought them closer until the distance between them was almost nonexistent.

The tension in the air became tangible, an electric current that connected them. Neither wanted to stop, and in that moment, their closeness was not just physical but also emotional. Their gazes met, and in that silent agreement, both were on the brink of an act promising to fulfill desires that had been on hold for far too long.

The atmosphere filled with erotic anticipation, their breathing synchronized, and the outside world seemed to fade away, leaving only the space between them, full of possibilities and promises of pleasure.

As the world seemed to stop and desire intensified, Avery found herself reflecting, her mind and body in perfect sync with the moment. Feeling her body's reaction, how her vagina moistened with an ardent anticipation for Valeria, Avery realized something fundamental: life, in all its complexity, always finds room for intimacy.

She thought about couples who claimed not to have time for their sexual encounters, and a truth imposed itself in her mind: "That's just a lack of motivation, of desire." Avery was certain, deeply convinced, that when desire is present, when longing is real, the moment and the place create themselves. "No matter the situation, you always find the moment for intimacy, to fill your body with pleasure," she told herself.

For Avery, a satisfied body not only experiences the world differently but also better. Pleasure, in its purest form, is not just a biological need but an art, a way to transcend the mundane, to find in flesh and soul a profound connection. "It's in those moments of total surrender," she thought, "where we discover that life, with all its tragedies, also gifts us the ability to feel, to explore, to please and be pleased."

This reflection served as a reminder to all those who had set aside passion in their lives for any reason. "If you truly desire it, if you truly seek it, there will always be a moment for ecstasy. And in that ecstasy, you'll find one more reason to live, to love, to feel."

With her reflection culminating in an irrevocable decision, Avery stood up, determined to immerse herself in pleasure. Standing in front of Valeria, she began to undress with a mix of clumsiness and playfulness, a playful invitation to what was to come. Valeria, catching the invitation, took her hand, drawing her close with a tenderness that contrasted with the urgency of the moment. She started kissing Avery's navel, tracing a path of kisses that descended to her intimacy, a first contact that made Avery shiver.

The sensation for Avery was unprecedented; she had never felt another woman's lips exploring her being with such devotion. It was a unique ecstasy, a discovery of pleasures she had only imagined until then. Valeria, with mastery, led her to the couch, undressing her own body and positioning herself over her, their bodies aligning in palpable anticipation.

Before their lips met, Avery murmured with a voice full of desire, "Are you sure you want this?" Valeria, with a seductive smile, replied, "More than I've ever wanted anything else."

The first kiss was a collision of realities, a mix of tenderness and passion. For Avery, kissing Valeria was like diving into an ocean of sensations; every brush of lips, every flick of tongue, was a discovery, a confirmation of unsuspected pleasures. Feeling Valeria's lips against hers was as if the world narrowed down to that point of contact, a universe of passion contained in a single kiss. As their lips met, Valeria's hands slid gently over Avery's body, ensuring that every part of them was touching, from the tips of their toes to the strands of hair, melting into a single entity of desire and pleasure.

The kiss intensified, their breathing grew ragged, and their bodies moved in sync, a dance of caresses and moans. Avery, while kissing Valeria, felt how every cell in her body responded, as if each part of her awakened to a new level of sensitivity. Moans escaped her lips, not just from the kiss, but from how Valeria's fingers explored her neck, eliciting a shiver that spread throughout her entire being.

The intensity of the moment consumed them, each touch, each sigh, each movement, a confirmation that they were exactly where they needed to be, giving themselves over to a passion that promised to take them to the edge of the known and venture into uncharted territories of pleasure.

Now, Avery was above Valeria, their bodies intertwined in a passionate embrace, their lips merging in a deep kiss. Avery, with her breathing ragged from desire, brought her mouth to Valeria's ear and whispered, "Can I explore, you know, down there? I don't know how."

Valeria, with a soft voice but filled with anticipation, replied, "I don't know either, but, discover it with me."

With those words, charged with a burning innocence, Avery, spurred on by Valeria's invitation, began to descend, ready to embark on a new sensory adventure.

Valeria, still with her legs slightly closed, awaited the moment with a mix of nervousness and longing. Avery, with careful and passionate movements, started gently parting Valeria's legs, revealing the intimacy she so desired to explore.

There, in the shadows and soft light of the room, Avery gazed upon Valeria's beauty. The full lips, a secret garden keeping its mysteries, where the clitoris still remained hidden. With a curiosity burning like fire, Avery used her fingers to slowly part those lips, revealing how the clitoris began to show itself, a small button of desire that seemed to await her touch.

The crystalline moisture started to emerge, a testament to Valeria's arousal. Avery, with her lips moistened by her own anticipation, readied her tongue, approaching with an almost reverent devotion. The first contact was a whisper, a promise of pleasure that Avery was ready to fulfill. Her tongue, soft and exploratory, began its dance, and Avery, surprised by the intensity of her own enjoyment, immersed herself in the act with a passion surpassing any expectation.

"This is," Avery tried to say, but her words were lost in the pleasure, in the discovery of a new dimension of desire, where she wasn't just giving pleasure but also receiving it in a way she had never known before.

In the heat of her exploration, Avery, gaining confidence, felt the need to delve deeper into her discovery. Her fingers, guided by a burning curiosity, found their way inside Valeria, fascinated by the texture and warmth that welcomed them. She didn't want to pull away, as if trying to quench a thirst she had never known she had.

Valeria, driven by a mixture of desire and reciprocity, rose and carefully laid Avery down, showing her own curiosity. She began to explore with her mouth, and Avery, with a palpable desperation, surrendered to this new sensation, discovering how pleasure could be both received and given.

The room filled with the sound of their ragged breathing and the soft noises of their intimate encounters. Valeria, in her desire to take Avery to new heights, moistened her fingers with Avery's essence, and with an almost ceremonial delicacy, began to caress Avery's most private area. Noticing Avery wasn't uncomfortable, Valeria advanced, gently inserting her index finger while her thumb remained within Avery's intimacy, her tongue playing with the center of her pleasure.

Both, immersed in this sea of sensations, found themselves in a state of shared ecstasy, each exploring and being explored, a mutual journey towards a pleasure that transcended the physical, filling the room with a tangible energy.

The development of their encounter was a symphony of discovery and pleasure. Avery and Valeria moved around the room, changing positions with a mix of curiosity and fun. Each change brought with it laughter and sighs; some positions were uncomfortable, but finding those that fit perfectly filled them with delight.

"This is, unexpectedly perfect," Avery whispered as she settled into a new position, her voice laden with awe and pleasure.

"There's always something new to try," Valeria replied, her eyes sparkling with the thrill of discovery, "and with you, everything feels right."

Their play took them from the couch to the floor, where they found the freedom to move without restrictions. The wall became a canvas for their explorations, each touch, each caress, a brushstroke in the art of their passion. The shower marked a new chapter, water cascading over their entwined bodies, adding a dimension of freshness and urgency to their union.

Finally, their erotic journey guided them to the bed, where, after exploring and enjoying every corner of the house, they found themselves embraced. The fatigue from shared pleasure plunged them into a deep sleep, their bodies intertwined, their breaths synchronized in the rhythm of satisfaction. In that embrace, they found a refuge, a place where the reality of the outside world couldn't touch them, only the memory of their connection, intense and authentic, resonated in their dreams.

Night had fallen, and Avery, in the midst of her deep sleep next to Valeria, was woken by the realization that Jake was about to arrive. With urgency, she woke Valeria and explained the situation. Valeria, understanding the gravity, began to dress quickly.

As Valeria dressed, Avery heard again the sound of the clock, the one she had destroyed. The distinct scent of Derek enveloped her, and with her heart pounding, she ran towards the living room, leaving Valeria in the bedroom. Upon descending, the clock's sound ceased, and just at that moment, Jake entered.

Avery, in a state of stress, remembered the car scene, Derek dead, but this time, a detail stood out in her memory: Derek was wearing the smartwatch she had given him, a watch that Avery had set up to send messages to her email.

With this revelation, a smile of understanding appeared on Avery's face as she looked at Jake. "I understand now, I understand everything. I know what Derek was trying to tell me."

With renewed urgency, Avery rushed to her laptop, leaving Jake completely bewildered. "Wait, Avery, what's going on?" Jake asked, his voice mixed with confusion and concern.

As she turned on her computer, Avery began to explain, "I gave Derek a smartwatch. It was on his wrist when they pulled the car out of the lagoon. That's the message Derek was trying to send me."

With trembling hands, she opened her email and directed her attention to a specific folder she had set up for Derek's messages. She found an email, sent at 3:00 AM. Upon seeing it, a mix of joy and fear overtook her. "Here it is," Avery murmured, turning the screen so Jake could see.

She began to read the message, each word from Derek resonating with a gravity that chilled her blood, uncovering details that changed everything they thought they knew.

Derek's message, though long, contained in its first lines a truth Avery never expected to read. "Jake... he's the one... the culprit," the email said. Avery, with her heart in her throat, couldn't go beyond those words that hit her like a physical blow.

Turning to Jake, her eyes met his, a look she no longer recognized. Fear overwhelmed Avery as she could only manage to ask, "How could you?" reaching for her phone.

Jake stood up, his voice full of accusation, "You're the guilty one, Avery. I discovered your betrayals, your perverse games. You pretended innocence while rolling around with Derek."

With her phone in hand, Avery watched as Jake grabbed a knife from the table. "Put that down. We can still fix this," said Jake, his tone now threatening.

The terror in Avery's eyes was palpable. Without further thought, she ran towards the stairs, Jake following her, knife in hand, determined to silence her before she could alert the police. In her desperation, Avery tripped near her bedroom, and as she turned, she saw Jake approaching.

At that critical moment, when all seemed lost, a figure emerged like a vengeful angel from the bedroom: Valeria. Her presence, though familiar, carried in that instant a gravity and determination that Avery had never witnessed.

Jake, upon looking up, was blinded by a brilliant, almost ethereal light that emanated from the barrel of the gun Valeria held with a resolve that brooked no hesitation. There was no time for the sound of the shot, for the echo of the fatal decision to reverberate through the room. Jake's death was instantaneous, an abrupt cut to his existence, his last breath captured by surprise and inevitability.

His final vision, that blinding light, obscured Valeria's face, enveloping her in an aura of justice and tragedy. With the shot, Valeria had not only stopped Jake but also closed a chapter of betrayal and pain, leaving behind a silence that spoke louder than any words.

Fast forward to the future, a time after Avery had scattered the ashes into the air, closing a chapter of her life. Wiping away her tears, she tried to muster a smile, preparing herself internally for a new life full of adventure and joy. With determined steps, she walked towards the car where Valeria waited for her.

Upon entering, Valeria, with a voice that combined tenderness and determination, told her, "You'll be okay, love. Together, we'll start anew."

Avery, upon hearing those words, felt a genuine smile form on her face, a reflection of the happiness she found in the promise of a shared future with Valeria.

With an engine that purred softly and the road ahead, they drove away, carrying with them the promise of a fresh start, a loving and adventurous life together.