No note, no goodbye. Just an empty closet and a father who buried himself even deeper in his work.
Mrs. Williams had stepped into the void left by Victoria's departure. She had been Robert Johnson's housekeeper for years, but to Ava, she became so much more. A confidante, a source of unwavering support, the dispenser of warm hugs and homemade cookies when the world felt too big and scary.
Where Victoria had fled from the pressure of the Johnson legacy, Mrs. Williams had helped Ava navigate it. She'd been there for every milestone - first day of school, graduations, first heartbreaks. She'd taught Ava to be strong, to stand up for herself, to never let anyone - not even her father - dictate her worth.
And now, even with Robert gone, Mrs. Williams was still there, offering guidance. But was her advice about the contract marriage truly wise? Or was it a well-intentioned but misguided attempt to help Ava claim her inheritance?
