Ava Sterling

Chapter 19: I Just Want to Leave

(Ava's POV )

I didn't come out of my room.

I didn't want to.

Not after what happened last night.

Not after Damien dragged me back here.

Not after Richard reminded me that I was nothing but a pawn in their world.

I just wanted to get out.

But there was no escape.

And that realization?

It broke me.

---

A knock on my door.

I ignored it.

Another.

Still ignored it.

Then—Sophia's voice.

"Ava, come on. You can't stay in there forever."

I clenched my jaw, pulling my blanket over my head. Watch me.

She sighed. "Okay, fine. But if you starve to death in there, I'm not responsible."

I waited until I heard her footsteps retreat.

Then I sat up, pressing my fingers to my temples.

I felt exhausted.

Worn down.

But I wasn't leaving this room.

Not today. Not after everything.

Because if I saw Damien, I might actually kill him.

---

I don't know how long I sat in bed, staring at the ceiling.

Thinking.

Wishing I could rewind time.

That I could somehow undo all of this.

But then—

The door swung open.

And standing there, in his expensive suit and cruel smile, was Richard Sterling.

My stomach dropped.

He walked in, closing the door behind him with a slow, deliberate motion.

I sat up, my body tensing. "What do you want?"

Richard clasped his hands behind his back, watching me like I was nothing. "I heard you've been sulking."

I glared. "I don't want to be here."

He chuckled. "That's unfortunate, Ava. Because you are here. And you will continue to be here."

I clenched my fists. "You can't force me to stay."

He tilted his head. "Can't I?"

I swallowed, hating how cold his eyes were. "This isn't right."

Richard sighed. "You are engaged to my son. You are part of this family now. It's time you start acting like it."

I shook my head. "No. I'm only here because of your threats. Because you forced me into this."

He smirked. "And yet, here you are."

My breath hitched.

"Let me make something very clear," Richard continued, his voice low, sharp, deadly. "You will stay in this house. You will do as you're told. And you will not embarrass this family."

I felt suffocated.

I wanted to scream.

To fight back.

But then—

His voice dropped to something even darker.

"And if you even think about running," he murmured, "I'll make sure your mother and brother suffer for it."

My heart stopped.

I stared at him, shocked, horrified. "You wouldn't—"

He smirked. "Try me."

Something inside me shattered.

Because I knew.

I knew he wasn't bluffing.

I knew he would destroy my family just to keep me in line.

Tears burned in my eyes, but I refused to let them fall.

Richard sighed. "Now, be a good girl and get ready for dinner."

I didn't move.

Didn't speak.

He chuckled, shaking his head. "Pathetic."

Then he turned to leave.

But just before he reached the door—

It flew open.

And standing there—**face like a storm, eyes burning with fury—**was Damien.

---

His gaze cut straight to me, taking in my red eyes, my shaking hands.

Then—he turned to his father.

"What the hell are you doing here?" Damien's voice was low, lethal.

Richard raised a brow. "Handling a situation."

Damien's jaw ticked. "She's not your problem."

Richard smirked. "She's my investment."

Damien took a slow step forward, his entire body coiled with rage. "Get. Out."

For the first time, Richard actually looked amused.

He glanced between the two of us before finally chuckling. "Careful, son. You're starting to sound like you actually care."

Damien's fists tightened. "Get out," he repeated.

Richard held his gaze for a long, tense moment.

Then—he walked out.

I let out a shaky breath, my chest aching with everything I was holding back.

And then—

Damien turned to me.

---

His eyes were still burning with anger.

But I didn't care.

Because I was furious too.

I pushed off the bed, stepping toward him. "I don't need you to protect me."

Damien's jaw clenched. "Clearly, you do."

I laughed bitterly. "Oh, really? Because last night, you just stood there and let him talk to me like I was nothing."

His expression darkened. "I didn't like what he said."

I scoffed. "Then why didn't you stop him?"

He exhaled sharply, running a hand through his hair. "I—"

"You what?" I snapped. "You didn't care enough? You only decided to step in now because what? You got jealous? You didn't like seeing me cry?"

Damien didn't speak.

And that?

That made me even angrier.

"You're no better than him," I whispered, my voice breaking. "You're both just playing games with my life like I'm some pawn in your stupid world."

Damien's eyes flashed. "It's not like that."

I swallowed, stepping back. "Then what is it, Damien?"

He didn't answer.

Because he didn't know.

Because for once, Damien Sterling didn't have a smug comeback.

I scoffed, tears spilling over. "I hate you."

Damien exhaled, his jaw tight. "I know."

"Then leave me alone."

He hesitated.

Just for a second.

Then—he turned and walked away.

And this time?

He didn't come back.

---