CHAPTER 32

He then handed them a dagger and a gun before they escaped into the forest. Romano, facing overwhelming odds, fought valiantly before he was ultimately killed. The children, now orphans, were taken in by their uncle.

As the narrative returned to the present, tears streamed down Ava's face. "If he never wanted you involved, then why did you become entangled in this?" Marc asked bitterly, sympathy evident in his voice.

"Revenge," Noah replied quietly. "Once you're in, there's no way out until death."

***********

"Marc, I love him. I know you've always wanted the best for us and that you want us to be safe, but I'm genuinely happy and feel secure when he's with me. Please understand—you've always been a father figure to me, and I'm begging you as a daughter. Noah is the one I want. Please," Mia implored, her voice raw from crying.

"Sweetheart," Marc began, his tone softening, "I've always wanted the best for you, and though I know you're adults now, you're still like children to me. If this is your decision, I will respect it. But remember, once you choose this path, there's no turning back. Both of you must be careful and strong."

"Thank you," Mia whispered, hugging him tightly. All eyes then turned to Ava.

Ava took a deep breath, her voice trembling with the weight of her decision. "I want to be with him too, Dad."

Marc sighed, nodding in reluctant acceptance. "The choice is yours, and I hope you won't come to regret it. But understand this—if either of you hurts my daughters, there will be consequences."

After a tense dinner, Marc departed, leaving the room heavy with unspoken emotions. Mia and Noah soon followed, leaving Ava and Xavier alone.

Ava, after placing the dishes in the dishwasher, walked into the living room to find Xavier staring out the window, lost in thought. Her mind raced with thoughts of the immense burden he must carry. Overwhelmed with emotion, tears welled up in her eyes as she approached him and wrapped her arms around him.

Startled, Xavier hesitated before hugging her back, soothing her with gentle words as he rubbed her back.

"I love you, Xavier Knight," Ava whispered against his chest, her voice filled with vulnerability.

His breath caught at her confession. Closing his eyes, he felt an overwhelming rush of emotions—joy, relief, love. He tightened his embrace, whispering back, "I love you too, my love."

Ava lifted her head, their eyes meeting briefly before they sealed their love with a tender, emotion-filled kiss, a promise of their commitment to each other.

After a few days, Ava found herself seated in a café, absorbed in a book while leisurely sipping her iced Americano. The cool bitterness of the drink was a soothing backdrop until an all-too-familiar voice disrupted her solitude.

"Ava, is that you?" Britney Adams called out, her tone laced with insincerity.

Ava looked up from her book, and suddenly, the iced Americano tasted far more bitter than before. Of all days, she thought, suppressing a sigh.

"Oh, hello, Ms. Attention-Seeker-Bully-Adams," Ava replied, placing her book down. She always found amusement in playing with people like Britney.

"Speaking of attention seekers, I heard you're dating Xavier," Britney began, her voice dripping with condescension. "Just so you know, you're not his type. And tell me, have you slept with him yet?" She smirked, eyeing Ava with thinly veiled malice.

Ava let out a dry chuckle. "I always knew you saw me as a mirror, didn't you? But let me clarify something—I'm no mirror, and as for my sex life or love life, neither is any of your concern, you bitch."

"Oh, someone's touchy," Britney retorted, her smirk widening. "But for your information, even if Xavier has slept with you, he likes it rough—so rough you wouldn't be able to walk for two days. And I highly doubt a delicate little flower like you could handle it."

Ava smirked, though Britney's words had stirred a spark of annoyance. "Is that so? Funny how I didn't notice. Just a week ago, after we were together, he was so rough I could barely walk for a week. But I guess that's not rough enough, is it? And as for being a delicate flower, I may be one, but I'm definitely not like you. Do you know what flower you remind me of? A Rafflesia—the world's ugliest flower."

Britney's expression soured, clearly irked by the comparison.

"And by the way," Ava continued, her tone dripping with sarcasm, "you don't need to respect me so much that you stand here like a servant. You must've missed how I slapped you last time, huh?" She flashed another smirk.

"Oh, and one more thing," Ava said, pulling out a dollar bill and placing it on the table. "A tip for my servant." With that, she walked out of the café, leaving Britney fuming as she ranted incoherently.

A few days later, it was Xavier's birthday. Ava had meticulously planned everything for the occasion in his bedroom. He would be arriving any minute, and in just thirteen minutes, the clock would strike midnight.