Chapter 16 - A Glitch in the Will

Ava’s POV

As I stood in Holly’s hospital room, still rattled from the confrontation with my father and stepmother, a strange chill clung to my skin. Something wasn’t adding up.

I glanced at Holly, her face filled with concern, and tried to shake off the feeling, focusing instead on her. But just as I was about to sit, Holly’s hesitant voice broke the silence.

“Ava… there’s something I need to tell you,” she whispered, eyes darting to the door as if expecting someone to overhear.

“What is it, Olly?” I asked, giving her hand a gentle squeeze.

She took a shaky breath. “I overheard something… something our father's wife said. I wasn’t sure if I was dreaming or if it was real, but I think—she said something like, ‘If he didn't do what he did, their mother would still be alive and I wouldn’t be married to him.’ I—” Holly shook her head, her brow furrowed in confusion. “I can’t be sure it’s exactly what she said, but… it sounded like that.”