12

A gentle smile was spread across his face as he watched her, clearly lost in thought while staring at him. Ava was completely mesmerized by the man in the wheelchair before her. Then she heard his voice.

"Miss, here you go…" he said, handing her the phone.

Snapping out of her daze, she quickly composed herself and reached out to take the phone from him, forcing a polite smile.

"Thank you so much…" she said with a soft grin.

He returned her smile and replied, "You're welcome. Just be careful....phones like yours are delicate. A small fall could do real damage, and they’re not cheap."

With that, he started wheeling himself away, intending to leave.

There was something in the warmth of his tone that made her pause and glance at him again as she turned the phone in her hand. Without thinking, she called after him.

"Um… I mean…"

He stopped and turned around slowly, eyes meeting hers.

Smiling again, she said, "Thank you, truly."

He gave a small smile and replied, "It’s nothing, really."

He was about to leave again when Ava stopped him once more.

"Did you attend the whole event too?" she asked, curiosity in her voice.

He nodded slowly, saying nothing.

Still puzzled, she added, "I didn’t see you receive any gifts. Or maybe yours didn’t get to you?"

He smiled again and replied, "Don’t worry about that. The gift meant for me went to someone who needed it more. If I had the means, I would’ve done what you did...helped others like me. Still, I’m grateful I got to attend the event you organized. It meant a lot, and it gave me hope. It showed me that good people still exist in this world."

Ava stared at him in surprise. So people like her did exist. She offered him a bright smile and said, "That was such a kind thought. If you don’t mind, I’d really like to know your name. Also, I’d love for you to register with our foundation, please."

He smiled again, eyes watching her carefully, and said, "Looks like you're getting tired from standing."

She adjusted her long dress and looked around for a place to sit. Spotting a chair nearby, she began walking toward it with a slight limp. Before she could reach it, he had already wheeled over and brought it to her.

She looked at him with gratitude and a warm smile as she sat down.

"Thank you," she said again, facing him.

She adjusted her shawl, brushing back a few strands of hair blown by the breeze, then added, "Okay, now I’m listening. Tell me your name."

The man removed the beanie from his head, revealing his full face. Seeing him clearly caused a flutter in her chest.

He noticed her reaction...he had done this intentionally. He had his reasons.

Sitting up straighter in his wheelchair, he finally said, "My name is Jaxon. But about registering with your foundation… I’m not sure I can."

"Jaxon," she repeated softly, then continued, "Please don’t decide so quickly. Just think about it first. We really want people like you here. Please, Jaxon."

The way she said his name made him lift his gaze to her face again. A slow smile curved his lips.

"Alright," he said. "I’ll consider it, Miss."

Ava beamed. "You can call me Ava. That’s what everyone calls me at home."

Jaxon smiled again. She was clearly so open and trusting. He could already tell...it wouldn’t be hard to win her over.

"Okay, Ava," he said, repeating the name with a knowing tone.

She looked at him when he said it. Ava...it sounded so different coming from him, and it warmed her. The look in his eyes made her glance away quickly, heart pounding. They sat in silence for nearly a full minute before they heard Arabella calling out.

“My dear, where did you go? I’ve been looking everywhere for you. You had me so worried!”

Ava quickly stood up and hurried to her. "Oh, my sweet Arabella, I’m so sorry! I’m right here. I told you not to worry...I wouldn’t disappear."

"How could I not worry?" Arabella said, still flustered. "Lara and I have been looking for you since earlier. Why did you come sit over here?"

Only then did Ava turn back, ready to introduce Jaxon to Arabella...only to find the space empty. Jaxon was gone.

She blinked, surprised. Where did he go? He was just here…

Arabella noticed her searching and asked, "What’s wrong? Did you see something?"

Ava exhaled deeply and replied, "Let’s go, Arabella. We need to get to the hospital and check on Lavinia."

Arabella nodded, linking her arm through Ava’s, and they walked off together...though Ava's mind was still far away, trying to understand where Jaxon had disappeared to so suddenly.

***

Brownsville

Her phone rang again. She glanced at the number but didn’t pick up. She knew he would never leave them alone. He would never let her keep Mery. Would they even let them stay in this town, or would they have to flee again?

She couldn’t hand Mery over to a man she knew would ruin her. Nor could she return her to her biological family, knowing how dangerous their life was.

She knew Mr. Samuel Johnson would never stop until he destroyed Mery’s family. And she couldn’t let that happen... not while she was still breathing. It was better they kept moving from town to town, just her and Mery. From the moment he placed that child in her hands, he’d made a mistake.... because Mery was now her daughter. Forever. She would never tell her the truth, never let her believe she was anything else.

The phone rang again, interrupting her thoughts.

Isla stared at the screen. There was nothing she despised more than unknown callers. On the third ring, she sighed and picked up... if only to face whatever trouble it was head-on.

Laughter came from the other end before a voice said, “Isla... where’s Mery? I hope she’s doing well.”

She almost didn’t respond, then forced herself to say, “Good afternoon, Mr. Samuel.”

“You haven’t answered me. Where is Mery?”

She couldn’t say anything. How was he still getting her number? Clearly, she needed to take Mery and leave again...fast....before he caught up to them.

“I know you can hear me, Isla. Mery is a responsibility I trusted you with. I know you love her more than anything, and that’s why I’m trusting you to keep her safe. But I intend to fulfill my dream....marry Mery, give her everything she’s missed from her own family.”

She cut him off sharply. “Mr. Samuel, at your age, how can you seriously be thinking of marrying a girl like Mery? Come on. Just let us be. My love and care are enough for her. Please, just....”

He interrupted coldly. “Isla, since when do you get to tell me what to do? Don’t forget, I placed Mery in your hands twenty years ago. So it wouldn’t be difficult to take her back. Don’t think you can disappear in this country...I’ll find you wherever you go.” He hung up without waiting for a reply.

Isla stared at the phone, deep in thought. There was no one....absolutely no one...who could take Mery from her. No matter how powerful or wealthy he was, Mery was her daughter now, no matter the cost. Her anger boiled as she stood, as if ready for battle.

At the Hospital

They arrived to find Lavinia’s mother sobbing, with Granny trying to console her. Lucian rushed over to meet them. Harper clung to Sam, her eyes red from crying. It was a heartbreaking scene.

Ava hurried over and sat beside Sam, trying to comfort both him and Harper.

Lucian explained to Arabella that Lavinia was undergoing surgery... she’d been in a serious accident.

Everyone looked anxious, voices hushed, their worry hanging heavy in the air.

Mount Pleasant

Mason sat in the sitting room, eating before heading back to the market. He paused when he heard a rustling sound from one of the cardboard boxes nearby. At first, it was faint, but then it got louder... definitely movement.

He stared at the box, food forgotten. Then, like a kitten, a little girl crept out of it.

He blinked in surprise. A laugh almost escaped him. “Typical Dahlia,” he muttered to himself. “Of all the places to hide... What if something heavy had fallen on the box?”

He shook his head, smiling, and called out, “Come on out, Dahlia. Willow’s not around.”

Dahlia quickly climbed out. Just then, Bella stepped outside, having overheard Mason. She wasn't surprised to see Dahlia crawling out of a box... just amused.

But her smile faded when she noticed the way Dahlia held her hand.... eyes watery with pain.

“Oh no... what happened to her hand?” Mason asked, concerned.

Bella joined them. “She was already hurt when she came in. Let me see it, Dahlia,” she said gently, leading her inside.

The burn on Dahlia’s hand was severe. Bella looked close to tears as the girl explained how it happened. The thought of someone pouring hot water on a child just because they didn’t give birth to her... it was horrifying.

Mason, luckily experienced with herbal remedies, quickly mixed a soothing paste and applied it to her burn. Bella gave Dahlia a plate of fried sweet potatoes, and once she’d eaten, sleep took over.

Bella carried her to bed and sat beside her, watching her breathe, heart aching with protectiveness.

Later, when Mason returned, ready to head back to the market, she sat beside him.

“She’s asleep, right?” he asked.

Bella nodded slowly, then turned to him, voice low but urgent. “Mason, are we just going to stand by and let them keep hurting this girl? Can’t you reconsider what I said the other day?”

He went quiet, thinking. After a moment, he sighed. “Alright. When I come back, I’ll talk to her father. If we have to go to the village chief, we’ll do that too. I understand you now. You’re right... staying with Willow is dangerous for her. And I know you meant well. Don’t worry, Bella. I promise you... this time, Dahlia isn’t going back to that house.”

She smiled through the relief that washed over her. Her hope was finally coming true.

Later

He gave Barrister Noah a cold look, then dismissed him with a wave. Leaning heavily on his cane, he stood and faced the young man before him.

“I trust you, Noah.... completely. I know you won’t let me down,” the elder man said, his tone both stern and full of hope.

The man was around seventy, but his presence still commanded respect.

To be continue....