Tension unfold

The next morning, after an exhausting night of tense silence, Kiara noticed that Ava seemed more subdued than usual. She sat by the window, staring out at the sprawling grounds of the Cole estate, lost in her own thoughts.

"Are you sure you're okay?" Kiara asked, her voice soft as she approached her friend.

Ava blinked, as if coming back to herself. "Yeah, I'm just... tired," she admitted, offering a weak smile. "I don't know how much more of this I can take."

Kiara didn't need to ask what she meant. The constant tension with Damien and his family was wearing Ava down. Kiara had seen the flicker of exhaustion in her eyes ever since she arrived, the constant strain of living in a house that didn't feel like home, surrounded by people who didn't understand her.

"I get it. Maybe we should go visit your mom today," Kiara suggested. "She misses you, you know."

Ava hesitated, her fingers curling around the edge of the table. "I'd love that... but I don't know if it's a good idea."

"Why not?" Kiara pressed, taking a seat beside her. "You need some fresh air, and I'm sure your mom would love to see you. Besides, you're not the only one who's bored around here. I'm about ready to lose my mind with all this quiet."

Ava looked up at Kiara, her expression softening. "You know what? You're right. It's been too much, and I've been avoiding her because of everything with Damien. But I really need a break from all this... from him."

"Exactly," Kiara replied, her voice firm with reassurance. "Let's go. You deserve a little bit of peace for once."

Ava finally nodded, relief flickering across her face. "Alright, let's go see her. And you can stay with me for a while... I'm exhausted from dealing with all of this, Kiara. I can't take much more."

Kiara smiled warmly. "You've got it."

---

The Visit

The drive to Ava's mother's house was a quiet one, with the only sound being the occasional hum of the engine and the distant chatter between Kiara and Ava. When they arrived, it was clear that her mother had been waiting eagerly for the visit. She practically ran to the door to greet them, a wide smile on her face.

"Ava!" her mother exclaimed, enveloping her in a tight hug. "I've missed you so much. It's been too long."

Ava smiled faintly, hugging her mother back. "I've missed you too, Mom. I needed this—some time away from all the... chaos."

Kiara gave them a moment before excusing herself. "I'll be right outside," she said, knowing Ava would need the time with her mother.

---

A Surprising Encounter

Meanwhile, back at the Cole estate, Caroline paced in the sitting room, her thoughts racing. She wasn't particularly fond of the quiet after the eventful dinner, but the sudden silence left her wondering what was going on. As if on cue, she noticed movement in the hallway.

Her eyes narrowed as she saw two women—Ava and a stranger—approaching the door.

"Who's that?" Caroline muttered to herself, her curiosity piqued. She had seen Ava with a friend before, but this woman was different. She was much more confident, more self-assured than the usual people who entered and exited Damian's house.

When the door opened, and Ava and Kiara stepped inside, Caroline couldn't hold her irritation back. She stood with her arms crossed, her lips curling into a disdainful smile.

"Well, well," she said, her voice dripping with mock sweetness. "What a surprise. You bring a friend into my house without even asking for permission, Ava?"

Ava froze, caught off guard by Caroline's sudden presence and harsh tone. But Kiara wasn't about to let her friend take the heat alone. She stepped forward, her jaw set in defiance.

"She's my guest, Caroline. She's here with me," Kiara said, her voice steady and unwavering.

Caroline's eyes narrowed. "Your guest? In my house? How quaint." Her gaze swept over Kiara, taking in her appearance. "Didn't think you'd bring anyone like her. Seems like Damian's taste is a little... off."

Kiara took a step toward Caroline, her posture unapologetically firm. "I don't take insults well. If you want to continue being rude, you're welcome to leave."

Ava's heart raced, knowing Caroline was only getting started. But Kiara wasn't backing down.

"You should watch your tongue," Kiara continued, her voice like steel. "Not everyone here is as scared of you as you seem to think."

Caroline's smirk faltered for a moment, but she quickly regained her composure. "We'll see about that."

Before the tension could escalate further, a voice rang out from the doorway.

"Is there a problem here?"

Damian entered, his voice cold and commanding, instantly putting a stop to the argument. His gaze shifted between Caroline and the two women.

"Damian, this—" Caroline began, but he cut her off with a look.

"I don't need an explanation, Caroline," he said coolly, his eyes lingering on Ava and Kiara. He addressed Ava first. "I told you, you don't bring people here without my permission. You should have told me you were having a guest."

Ava opened her mouth to respond, but before she could speak, Damien's voice grew firmer. "I don't want this happening again, Ava."

Kiara stood tall, her eyes flashing with defiance. "Maybe you should trust her judgment, Damian," she said, taking a step toward him. "Not everyone needs to get permission from you."

Damian's gaze turned colder as he looked directly at her. "Stay out of it, Kiara," he warned in a low voice. "I'm giving you a week to decide if I can trust you, but this... this behavior? I don't tolerate it."

Kiara didn't flinch, but Ava could feel the tension between the two of them building. She hated it. She hated the way Damien acted like everyone in his life was a pawn, including her.

Ava's voice broke the silence. "Kiara can stay. And I don't need permission to see my own family."

Damian's expression darkened, but he said nothing more. Instead, he turned to his bodyguard, Michael, who had appeared behind him.

"Watch them, Michael," Damian ordered. "Keep an eye on Kiara. I need to know if she's someone I can trust.