A few weeks passed, and Ava's recovery was swift. Her wounds were healing, and physically, she was regaining her strength. But emotionally, something felt off. As the days went by, she noticed that none of her family had visited her, not even a call. The silence gnawed at her, and she decided it was time to go home.
Kayden, always eager to help, was handling their discharge papers. Meanwhile, Jia offered to assist Ava in packing her belongings.
While folding Ava's clothes, Jia broke the silence with a curious question. "So, you and Kayden are childhood sweethearts?"
Ava froze, her brow furrowing in confusion. "Who told you that?" she asked, her voice sharp.
"Kayden told me," Jia replied casually. "Actually, it was when he was trying to get you admitted here. I thought it was sweet."
Anger flared in Ava's chest. Her lips pressed into a thin line as she turned to Jia. "Give me a minute," she said coldly.
Jia blinked, puzzled, but nodded. Ava stormed out of the room, heading straight for Kayden.
"Kayden!" she yelled as she approached him in the hallway.
Startled, Kayden turned to her, his expression a mix of surprise and amusement. "Ava, what's the matter? You know you're still recovering. Why are you yelling in the hospital?"
Ava wasn't in the mood for his teasing. She shoved him lightly in the chest. "Who gave you the audacity to tell people we're childhood friends?"
Kayden's face shifted from playful to serious. "Oh… that," he said, rubbing the back of his neck. "I was just trying to help you out. You were in a critical condition, and they needed—"
"Just shut it!" Ava snapped, cutting him off. Her voice trembled with anger. "I appreciate you saving me, but calling me your family was out of line. I don't even know you, Kayden. We were just victims of the same nightmare. From now on, keep your distance from me."
With that, she turned and walked away, leaving Kayden standing there, stunned and crestfallen.
Kayden watched her retreating figure, a pang of guilt stabbing at his chest. He had only been trying to protect her, to make things easier for her during a vulnerable moment. But he hadn't realized how much his words would hurt her.
Moments later, he spotted Ava leaving the hospital, her belongings in hand. Curiosity tugged at him, and he decided to follow her.
When Ava arrived home, she knocked on the front door, her heart pounding with anticipation. But instead of her parents, one of the maids answered.
"Good afternoon, young mistress," the maid greeted politely, her tone detached.
"Where are my parents?" Ava asked, her voice tinged with impatience.
The maid hesitated before replying. "I'm afraid you can't enter the house. If you need any information, I was instructed to direct you to the house under your name. There, you will find the answers you're looking for."
Before Ava could say anything else, the maid shut the door firmly, leaving her stunned on the doorstep.
Confused and deeply unsettled, Ava clutched the address scribbled on a small note the maid had handed her. She had no choice but to follow the lead.
When she arrived at the address, she knocked hesitantly. The door opened to reveal Mrs. Aurora, one of the family's longtime maids.
"Mrs. Aurora!" Ava exclaimed, her voice a mixture of relief and urgency. "Where are my parents? I've been trying to reach them, but their phones aren't going through. What's going on?"
Mrs. Aurora's face fell, her hands trembling slightly as she opened the door wider. She looked down, unable to meet Ava's eyes. "I... I'm so sorry, young mistress," she stammered. "We lost both of them."
Ava's world seemed to tilt on its axis. Her knees buckled, and she reached for the doorframe to steady herself. "What… what do you mean, 'lost' them?" she whispered, her voice barely audible.
Tears welled up in Mrs. Aurora's eyes. "They're gone, Ava. Your parents passed away."
The words hit Ava like a thunderclap, leaving her reeling in shock.
Ava stumbled back, her breathing shallow as the weight of Mrs. Aurora's words pressed down on her. The world around her blurred, and a deafening silence filled her mind.
"How…?" Ava finally managed to croak, her voice barely above a whisper.
Mrs. Aurora hesitated, wringing her hands nervously. "It happened shortly after you disappeared, young mistress. Your parents searched endlessly for you. They hired investigators, put out notices, and even involved the police. But as time went on..." She paused, swallowing hard. "They were targeted. Threatened. We believe it was connected to your kidnapping."
Ava's hands clenched into fists. "Why didn't anyone tell me?"
"We… we didn't know where you were," Mrs. Aurora said softly. "Your parents left instructions that if anything happened to them, this house and their assets would be transferred to you. They wanted to make sure you had a safe place to come back to."
Tears streamed down Ava's face as the realization sank in. She had been fighting to survive, unaware that her parents were risking everything for her.
"I want details," she said, her voice trembling but resolute.
Mrs. Aurora nodded. "Come inside, young mistress. There's much you need to know."
Inside the house, Ava was led to her father's study. The familiar scent of old books and leather hit her as she stepped in, a bittersweet reminder of the countless hours her father had spent there. Mrs. Aurora handed her a sealed envelope with her name on it.
"It's from your parents," she said softly.
Ava's fingers trembled as she opened the envelope and unfolded the letter. Her father's neat handwriting filled the page:
Our dearest Ava,
If you're reading this, it means we are no longer with you. First, know that we love you more than anything in this world. Everything we've done, every decision we've made, was to protect you. We knew there were risks, but losing you was never an option. We don't want you to blame yourself for what has happened. Instead, we hope you'll find the strength to move forward and uncover the truth behind our fate. You're stronger than you realize, Ava, and we believe in you. The house is yours now, along with everything you need to continue the fight we couldn't finish. Trust no one except yourself. Remember, you're never truly alone.
Love always,
Mom and Dad
Ava stood frozen, her mind racing as the weight of her parents' letter sank in. Every word felt like a dagger to her chest, each sentence an echo of their sacrifice. She stared at the paper in her trembling hands, her legs threatening to give way beneath her.
"Ava!" Kayden's voice called out from behind her.
She turned slowly to see Kayden and Jia standing in the doorway. Kayden's eyes were filled with concern, while Jia hovered uncertainly, unsure how to comfort her.
"Ava, what happened?" Kayden asked gently, stepping closer.
Ava opened her mouth to speak but no words came out. Her knees buckled, and Kayden rushed forward, catching her before she could fall.
"I… they're gone, Kayden," she whispered, her voice cracking. "My parents… they're gone because of me."
Kayden wrapped his arms around her, pulling her into a firm embrace. "No," he said softly but firmly. "This isn't your fault, Ava. None of this is your fault."
Tears streamed down her face as the dam of emotions she had been holding back broke. She clung to Kayden, her sobs muffled against his chest.
Jia stepped closer, her expression empathetic but cautious. "Ava, I know this is overwhelming," she said softly. "But you're not alone in this. We're here for you."
Ava pulled back slightly, looking up at Kayden with tear-streaked eyes. "Why? Why are you both here? Why do you care so much?"
Kayden knelt to meet her gaze, his hands resting gently on her shoulders. His eyes were unwavering, filled with a quiet determination. "Because I made a promise to myself the moment I met you. I swore I'd protect you, Ava. No matter what happens, I will always be here for you. I promise never to leave your side."
His words, spoken with such sincerity, broke through the walls Ava had been building around herself. She felt a glimmer of something she hadn't felt in weeks: hope.
"You mean that?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Kayden nodded. "With everything I have."
Jia smiled softly, stepping closer to place a comforting hand on Ava's back. "And you've got me too. We're a team now. Whatever comes next, we'll face it together."
Ava looked between the two of them, their unwavering support pulling her back from the edge of despair. She took a deep breath, wiping her tears away.
"Thank you," she said, her voice steadier now. "Both of you. I don't know what's ahead, but I know I can't face it alone."
Kayden smiled. "You don't have to."
Later on, Kayden pulled out some jokes to lighten Ava's mood. She couldn't help but smile. It was a small moment of respite from her grief, but it gave her a glimmer of hope.
"Thanks, Kayden," Ava said shakily. "Just being here with me made me feel a little better." Her voice was soft, tinged with the pain she was still processing.
Kayden's smile was gentle, his eyes filled with sincerity. "That's what friends are for. I hope you can see me as family now, and we'll get through this together."
Ava nodded, feeling a sense of relief. For the first time since the tragic news, she felt like she wasn't entirely alone. She would face this new reality with Kayden by her side. Exhausted, Ava closed her eyes and fell asleep.
It was near nightfall when she woke up, her mind still clouded with questions about her parents' death. Kayden had stayed by her side, offering quiet comfort. As they talked, he answered her questions as honestly and gently as he could, providing some solace in the midst of her grief.
Just then, Jia entered the room with a warm smile, carrying a tray with tea and cookies. "Hey, Ava, I thought you might need something to lift your spirits," Jia said softly.
Ava smiled weakly, grateful for Jia's kindness. "Thanks, Jia. That's really sweet of you."
Jia sat down beside her and handed her a cup of tea. "I'm here for you, Ava. We all are."
Kayden nodded in agreement. "We'll get through this together, Ava. As a team."
They chatted for hours, the three of them finding small moments of normalcy amid the grief. Eventually, Jia excused herself to help Mrs. Aurora clean up the rooms, leaving Ava and Kayden alone.
Curiosity got the better of Ava, and she gently asked, "Kayden, what about your parents?"
Kayden's expression turned somber. He took a deep breath before answering, his voice quiet and distant. "It's a long story, Ava, but I'll tell you if you want to know."
Ava nodded, sensing the weight of what he was about to say.
"My parents were killed by a man named Michael Black," Kayden continued. "He was a powerful, ruthless man who eliminated anyone who got in his way. I was just a kid when it happened. I was forced to run for my life, but his men caught up to me, and..." Kayden trailed off, his face hardening with the memory. "That's how I ended up meeting you."
Ava's eyes widened in shock, her heart aching for him. "I'm so sorry for your loss, Kayden. That must've been so hard for you."
Kayden gave her a wry smile and waved off her sympathy. "It's okay, Ava. I've learned to deal with it. Let's just focus on the present, okay?"
Ava nodded, touched by his strength. Together, they joined Jia for dinner, and despite the heavy conversation earlier, they managed to enjoy a pleasant meal. Later, they went to bed, each of them silently processing everything that had happened.
The next morning, Ava made the decision to visit her family lawyer, Mr. Thompson. When she entered his office, he stood up and offered a warm smile.
"Ava, my dear, I'm so sorry for your loss. Please accept my condolences."
Ava thanked him and took a seat, feeling the weight of the moment. "Mr. Thompson, I want to know about my father's will. What did he leave me?"
Mr. Thompson hesitated, a troubled look crossing his face. "Well, Ava, your father made some changes to his will before he passed away. He transferred all his property to a man named Michael Black."
Ava's eyes widened in shock. "What?! Why would he do that?"
Mr. Thompson shook his head, his expression full of regret. "I'm afraid I don't have an explanation. Your father didn't provide any reasons for this decision."
Ava's heart raced, a mixture of anger and confusion swirling inside her. "But what about me? What did he leave for me?"
Mr. Thompson sighed, looking down at his papers before replying, "The only property left for you is the house you're currently living in. Everything else was transferred to Michael Black."
Ava stood up, her mind reeling. "I don't understand," she whispered, barely able to process what she had just heard. "Why would he do that?"
She left Mr. Thompson's office feeling frustrated and determined. She had to uncover the truth behind her father's decision—and Michael Black's involvement in it.