CHAPTER 48

But amidst the apparent calm, a heavy awkwardness hung in the air between Xavier and Noah. The unspoken tension between the two men lingered, thick as a storm cloud on the verge of breaking. Noah couldn't shake the resentment he felt toward Ava for leaving Xavier in a state of despair, for forcing him to endure those years of heartbreak and loneliness. He had watched his best friend suffer endlessly because of her, and now, she was back as if nothing had happened. That wound was still fresh in Noah's heart, despite the quiet facade he tried to maintain around her.

Then, one afternoon, fate forced Noah and Ava to confront the unresolved emotions between them. Xavier and Mia had gone off to handle some business, leaving Noah and Ava alone in the house. The atmosphere between them grew increasingly uncomfortable, the silence only amplifying the tension..

"So, you're back with Xavier, and he's forgiven you," Noah said sharply, his tone laced with resentment.

"Yes," Ava responded, her voice tinged with defensiveness, "but Noah, I was pregnant. I couldn't shake the fear that the children wouldn't be safe with him. I've witnessed the brutality of your world. You all kill without remorse, like beasts. Even now, after all these years, I'm still not comfortable with your involvement in the Mafia."

"Oh, so you think running away from him was the best choice?" Noah's voice grew more intense, his frustration evident. "And you believe the kids aren't safe with him? Do you truly think that being part of the Mafia is merely about killing people? Ava, do you even understand why we do what we do?"

"Yes, Noah, I do understand," Ava shot back, her voice rising in anger. "I grasp the concept of revenge because your parents were murdered. But the cycle of violence should end at some point. How long will you continue this bloodshed?"

"You've never understood him, have you?" Noah's words cut through the air like a blade. "For all these years, he's been the one who stood by you, despite everything."

The harshness in Noah's tone struck Ava deeply, causing her to flinch. "Do you really want to understand why he kills?" Noah's voice was almost a growl as he seized her arm and dragged her towards one of the guest rooms. He yanked open a closet, revealing a hidden stairway. Ava stumbled after him as they descended into a dimly lit basement. When Noah flicked on the lights, the room was revealed as a high-tech nerve center, cluttered with computers and stacks of files.

Noah grabbed a pile of documents and tossed them onto a table. "This is what we do," he said, his voice heavy with conviction.

"A massive shipment was scheduled to be transported to five different countries this week," Noah continued, his voice grim. Ava's heart pounded in her chest as she listened. "But this wasn't a shipment of drugs or weapons. It was a shipment of children and women. Human trafficking. This is what we're fighting against, Ava."

Noah's eyes were filled with an unspoken rage. "And within these shipments, there are always three bounties." He pulled out a file and slammed it onto the table.

Ava's breath caught in her throat as she saw the pictures inside. There she was, captured in candid shots, unaware and vulnerable, stalked like prey.

"And you think the children aren't safe with us?" Noah's voice was cold as he inserted a USB drive into one of the computers. A video began to play on the screen, showing a small girl being subjected to unspeakable torture by four men. Ava's tears streamed uncontrollably as she watched the horrific scene unfold. Her fingers dug into the edge of the table, her nails digging into the wood.

"Do you know who this man is?" Noah's voice was harsh. "He's the one who placed the bounty on you. He would have claimed you if Xavier and I hadn't taken him down."

Noah's voice trembled with emotion as he continued. "My parents and his parents sacrificed their lives to put an end to trafficking. Just last week, we ended it, even feigning our own deaths to ensure a peaceful life for you. Every child in the world is safe from these monsters now. And you think our own children would be at risk? He would lay down his life to protect you and your children, and yet you ran away like a coward."

Noah's anger was palpable, his voice rising in frustration. "He endured hell for three years searching for you, and you should be grateful that your children are growing up in a world where they are protected from these horrors. Yet you turn your back on him."

Overwhelmed by emotion, Ava fled the room, retreating to her own sanctuary, where she locked the door and broke down in tears.

Meanwhile, Mia and Xavier were seated in a café, nestled in the back booth.

"Will you tell me why you brought me here?" Xavier's voice was tinged with irritation.

"Just be quiet. Amelia said she wanted to meet us here because she has something crucial to discuss about Ava," Mia responded, her eyes scanning the room for her sister.

"There she is," Mia said, spotting Amelia approaching. Amelia gave her brother a brief, affectionate peck on the cheek before sitting down beside him, her expression apologetic.

"You mentioned you had something important about Ava," Xavier said, his voice tense.

Amelia opened her bag and produced a file, placing it on the table. "Every year, we review each other's patient records. I came across a file from my senior, Dr. Drake. It's concerning Ava."

Mia's eyes widened as she snatched the file and began to read. Xavier's gaze was fixed on her, his heart pounding with apprehension.

"What's in the file?" Xavier's voice was fraught with anxiety.

"This doctor," Lia said, her voice barely a whisper, "is the same one Ava saw before she left. Apparently, she doesn't have asthma as we were led to believe. Dr. Drake lied to us."

Lia took a deep breath before continuing. "She had cancer. Specifically, a rare form of lung cancer. When I confronted Dr. Drake about it, he admitted that he had advised Ava to abort the children so that she could undergo treatment, but she refused. Her refusal made her condition even more perilous, but the good news is that she survived."

Xavier's mind raced as he processed the new information. The realization about the medication Ava had claimed was simply vitamins and the scar on her right breast now made sense. Mia's face was etched with sorrow, understanding the extent of her friend's suffering.

Xavier's heart ached as he thought about the secrets Ava had kept hidden. How many more truths lay buried beneath the surface? The weight of her suffering and the sacrifices she had made burned through him, leaving him both devastated and determined to support her through the aftermath of her silent struggle.

Upon arriving home, Mia and Xavier were greeted by a painful sight: Noah was berating Ava, who was crying in anguish.

"Nothing will change now, Ava. What's the point of seeking forgiveness now?" Noah's voice was filled with bitterness and frustration.

Xavier's eyes narrowed, and his anger surged. He strode over to Noah, gripping him by the collar with a fierce determination. "No one speaks to my wife like that," he said in a dangerously low tone. "Not even you, my best friend."

Noah's anger was tempered by a trace of regret, but he simply said, "Look at how much he cares for you," before turning to take Mia's hand.