Chapter 13%
Not the bite of the air through my coat, not the sting of wind on my face. I felt nothing except the pressure of the letter Ava held like a dagger.
Marcus’s hands gripped the wheel tight as we sped through the dark, headlights carving the way toward the bar Sophie found in Ava’s tagged location.}]
Some upscale rooftop lounge in the city. Loud. Neon. Exactly her kind of stage.}
“I should’ve protected it,” Marcus muttered, again.
“Stop talking,” I snapped, barely above a whisper. “You can apologize after we get the letter.”
He went quiet.\
In the back of my head, the silence Sophie left behind still clung to me like fog. She didn’t cry when we left. Didn’t fight.”
But the look she gave me, that quiet fear in her eyes was worse than any words.
I told her I’d come back.
But I wasn’t sure who I’d be when I did.”
The bar was exactly what I expected. Too loud. Too crowded. A rooftop jungle of empty flirtation and expensive perfume.>
Marcus and I pushed through, ignoring the glares, the stares. I could feel people watching us, probably wondering why two exhausted adults stormed into a playground of twenty–somethings like we belonged here.}
And then I saw her.
Ava was perched on a velvet bench, wearing something gold and low–cut, her legs crossed like a queen at court. A drink in one hand. The letter in the other.}
The envelope was open.
My heart slammed against my ribs. I lunged forward.
But Marcus pulled me back.
“Wait,” he said. “Let me-“0
“No,” I hissed. “She took it from me. I’m taking it back.“}
I crossed the floor before he could stop me.}
“Ava,” I said, low and controlled.}
She turned with a smirk already curling at her lips. “Well, well. I was wondering how long it’d take you to show up.“>
She raised the letter like a toast.}
“Put it down,” I said.”
“Or what?” she purred, sipping her drink. “You’ll cry at me?“>
Behind me, Marcus caught up, his expression stone.}
“You’re drunk,” he said.”
Ava’s eyes gleamed. “I’m fun.“}
Marcus froze. “Ava. Enough.“}
“Oh, enough? Now you’re suddenly the good guy?” Her laugh was hollow. “You didn’t care when I found it. You were too busy trying to ‘keep the peace.” She turned to me. “He saw me go through Isabelle’s drawer, Callie. He didn’t stop–me.“}
I looked at Marcus, who was looking away.}
“Give it to me,” I said again, stepping closer.}
She leaned back, folding the letter deliberately. “It’s fascinating, really. Isabelle’s last words. So poetic. Want to hear my favorite part?“} My fists curled.2
She didn’t wait.
“You were always the one he looked at. Even when I stood beside him. I wasn’t blind, Callie.”
My stomach flipped. “Stop.”
But Ava’s voice rose, eyes scanning the crowd for effect.
“If I’m gone, then know that you were never a shadow. You were my mirror.”
That’s when I slapped her.”
I didn’t think. I just moved.”
The sound cracked across the rooftop like a whip. Ava gasped, stumbling back, the letter fluttering from her hand like a dying bird.”
But before I could grab it anything, she lunged forward, protecting it with a wild, shaking hand.
“You crazy bitch!” she screamed.”
People turned. Phones lifted.
I didn’t care I at them film I at them can what hannane whan vou mase with a dead woman’s last ummie
D
I didn’t care. Let them film. Let them see what happens when you mess with a dead woman’s last words.
Ava backed away, hand at her cheek, mascara already running. But her expression wasn’t hurt, it was triumphant.
“Ava, enough,” Marcus hissed.
Ava smirked. “Still think I’m trash?”
“You should thank me. I brought her back to you.”
“What are you even saying?” I said, losing patience.”
“I reminded Marcus of what he lost, Callie. You think you ever really had a place in this family? In fact, you were just the substitute. The nanny who got too comfortable.“W
I reached for the letter. She pulled away.
But Marcus stepped between us and said, “Stop.”
His voice wasn’t loud, but it was final. Something in Ava’s expression cracked.}
She wasn’t expecting that.
“You’re choosing her?” she asked, eyes darting between us.
He didn’t answer.
So she screamed.
“Help! She hit me! I’m being assaulted!“}
It all happened in seconds. A bartender rushed over. Someone called the police. I stepped back, heart pounding. I didn’t want another scene, but the damage was already done.
Ava dropped the letter.
It fluttered to the floor.
But before I could move, she grabbed it again, shoving it down her shirt with a sick grin.D
“You’ll never get it,” she hissed.
The sirens wailed in the distance.
Marcus turned to me and whispered, “Leave. Now.”
“I’m not leaving you.”
“Yes, you are, You’ve done enough. Let me handle it.”
“I can’t let her keep it.”
“I’ll get it back. I promise.“M
But I didn’t trust promises anymore.
Still, I ran.
Out of the bar, into the night air, heart slamming. I didn’t look back. Not until I reached the car, hands trembling as I gripped the wheel. A few minutes later, flashing lights lit up the rearview mirror.
I watched Marcus being led away in cuffs.”
He didn’t resist.
He looked right at me through the police cruiser window and gave the smallest nod, like this was the only thing he could still offer me.§
