Chapter 6

The following morning, a loud, insistent knock echoed through the house, startling both Ava and her mother from their restless sleep. Ava’s mother went to the door, and upon opening it, she found herself face-to-face with a stranger.

"Who are you?" she asked, her tone protective.

The man’s gaze darted around the room, his smile thin and unsettling. “I’m a friend of Ava’s,” he said smoothly. “I just need a moment of her time.”

Reluctantly, her mother allowed him in, but Ava’s heart sank when she entered the room and saw who it was. Sebastian stood in her living room, a smug smile on his face, his eyes gleaming with an unsettling mixture of malice and satisfaction.

“What are you doing here, Sebastian?” Ava’s voice was laced with anger and dread. “How did you find out where I live?”

Ignoring her questions, Sebastian closed the distance between them, reaching out to touch a lock of her hair with a mockingly affectionate gesture that sent a chill down her spine. “That’s not the issue here, my love,” he whispered, his voice dripping with quiet menace. “I came here to make sure you don’t forget your place.”

Ava’s pulse quickened, but she stood her ground, refusing to let him see her fear. “What are you talking about?” she demanded, her voice tight with anger.

Sebastian leaned closer, his words barely above a whisper, but each one cut deep. “If you so much as breathe a word to Mr. George about our past, or about my secrets, I’ll make sure you end up right back in jail. That’s a promise.”

Ava took a step back, her stomach churning with a mixture of dread and fury. She had fought so hard to build a new life, and now Sebastian was threatening to tear it all down.

“And don’t think about running,” he continued, his tone casual but the threat unmistakable. “Because I’ll be keeping an eye on you. And remember, Ava—I know where your mother lives.”

Ava’s fists clenched, the force of her anger surprising even her. She lifted her chin, her gaze fierce. “Get out of my house,” she said, her voice low and steady. “I want you gone, and I never want to see you again.”

Sebastian smirked, his gaze dripping with contempt. “Be careful, Ava,” he warned, his voice laced with venom. “You wouldn’t want anything…unfortunate to happen to your dear mother.”

The implication in his words was unmistakable, and Ava felt a surge of protectiveness course through her. She took a deep breath, steadying herself. “If you hurt anyone I care about, I will make sure you pay for it,” she vowed, her voice trembling with emotion. “You may think you’re untouchable, but you’re wrong.”

Sebastian chuckled, clearly amused by her threat. “Oh, Ava,” he sneered. “You’ve always had a fiery streak. But remember, there’s only one of us here with the power to ruin lives. Be careful who you cross.”

With a final mocking glance, he strolled to the door, pausing to glance over his shoulder. “I’ll be watching.”

Moments later, her mother knelt beside her, wrapping her arms around her daughter. “Ava, my darling,” she murmured softly. “What’s happening? Who was that man, and what does he want?”

Ava looked up, her eyes red and swollen, the fear and heartbreak raw in her gaze. She knew that keeping her mother in the dark would only put her at greater risk. She took a steadying breath, then began to tell her mother everything—the tangled web of her past, her time in prison, her history with Sebastian, and the nightmare that had followed her ever since.

As her mother listened, her face paled, but her grip on Ava’s hand remained steady. “We’ll face this together,” she said firmly, her voice filled with quiet strength. “No matter what comes, we’ll find a way.”

And as Ava clung to her mother, she felt the tiniest spark of hope—a hope that perhaps, with the love and support of those who truly cared for her, she might be able to escape the clutches of her past and finally find the freedom she had fought so hard to achieve.

As the day stretched into the golden hues of late afternoon, Ava and her mother sat close, drawing strength from each other’s presence. Their quiet solace was interrupted by a gentle knock at the door. Her mother rose to answer, her heart pounding with a mix of worry and hope.

When she opened it, Mr. George stood on the doorstep, his face lined with concern and an apology in his eyes.

"Ava," he said softly, stepping inside, his voice filled with an emotion he rarely showed. "I'm so sorry I didn’t come after you yesterday. I was… at a loss for words.” He paused, struggling to find the right ones now. “Can you at least tell me what happened between you and Sebastian?”

Ava’s gaze dropped, memories of Sebastian’s cruel threats rushing back. She drew in a steadying breath, lifting her head with a newfound resilience. “The past is behind me, George,” she replied, her voice steady and resolute. “It’s my future I’m focused on now. I can’t let the mistakes I’ve made dictate what lies ahead.”

Mr. George’s expression softened, and Ava stepped closer, looking deeply into his eyes. “But there is something you should know,” she said, her voice trembling slightly. “I am innocent of the crime for which I was arrested. My only crime was trusting someone I shouldn’t have.”

His face was a mixture of shock and sadness, but as he studied her, he saw the unflinching sincerity in her eyes, the unwavering truth she held within. He reached for her hand, giving it a gentle, reassuring squeeze. “I believe you, Ava,” he said, his voice full of conviction. “I see the good in you—the courage it took to rebuild after everything. And that, not your past, is who you really are.”

Ava felt an overwhelming sense of relief, as if a burden she had carried alone for so long had been lightened by his faith in her. “Thank you,” she whispered, her fingers tightening around his. “Your belief in me means more than you could ever know.”

They sat together for a while, letting the silence speak of understanding and unspoken promises. Ava knew then that she would need to confront Sebastian. His threats still lingered like shadows on her mind, and until she dispelled them, she couldn’t truly escape the grip of her past. But with Mr. George by her side, Ava felt a glimmer of hope that together, they could face any darkness that lay ahead.

As evening began to settle in, Mr. George turned to her with a quiet resolve. “Ava,” he said gently, “I’d like you to move into the mansion with me. I want to make sure you’re safe.”

The offer took Ava by surprise, and a hint of unease flickered in her eyes, but she felt an undeniable thrill at the idea of leaving her troubled past behind and stepping into a new life. She nodded, feeling warmth fill her heart. “I’d like that, George. I just need a few moments to gather my things,” she replied, glancing at her mother for reassurance.

Her mother’s face softened with pride and encouragement. They worked quickly to pack Ava’s belongings, gathering them into a few small suitcases. With a mixture of excitement and uncertainty, Ava bid her mother farewell, promising to visit often, and set off with Mr. George for her new life at the Harrington mansion.

As they arrived at the grand estate, its sprawling lawns and stately columns bathed in twilight, a sense of both awe and apprehension settled over Ava. The mansion felt like another world, one that she was not yet sure she belonged to.

As she and Mr. George unloaded her things, Alexandra appeared on the porch, her expression one of pure disdain. She stalked toward them, her eyes fixed on her father with a seething glare.

“What is she doing here, Dad?” Alexandra demanded, her voice low and sharp. “You can’t be serious. You’re bringing her into our home?” Her words dripped with contempt, and her posture radiated a silent ultimatum.

Mr. George stood tall, his tone gentle but unwavering. “Alexandra, I love you dearly,” he replied, his voice steady and calm. “But my happiness matters too. This is my house, and if you and Sebastian can’t respect my decisions, you’re free to return to your own home.”

A flicker of shock crossed her face before anger overtook it. With a final look of defiance, Alexandra turned on her heel, her footsteps echoing down the corridor as she stormed off, slamming her hand against the couch as she passed it in a display of frustration.

Unbothered by her tantrum, Mr. George led Ava upstairs to a room unlike any she had ever seen. The space was adorned with elegant furnishings, and the view stretched over the estate’s endless gardens. It felt both luxurious and safe—a sanctuary far removed from the life she’d known.

“This is your room, Ava,” Mr. George said softly, his voice warm with kindness. “I hope you’ll be comfortable here.”

Ava’s eyes shimmered with gratitude as she took it all in. “Thank you, George,” she said, her voice barely more than a whisper, filled with gratitude and wonder.

Left alone in her new sanctuary, Ava let out a breath she hadn’t realized she’d been holding. She felt a tentative sense of hope blooming within her, a fragile feeling of possibility she hadn’t dared to entertain for so long.

But that night, as the house lay in silence, a shadow slipped into her room, shattering the tranquility. She jolted awake to find Sebastian standing there, his eyes burning with a mix of anger and desperation.

“You can’t marry him, Ava!” he hissed, his voice filled with incredulity and fury. “That’s my fiancée’s father! My future father-in-law! You have no right to be here.”

Ava sat up, narrowing her eyes at him, her voice calm but laced with a deadly edge. “Is that so?” she replied, crossing her arms, a faint smile curving her lips.

“Well, isn’t that convenient for me? I suppose that means I’ll be my ex’s mother-in-law after all.” Her words dripped with sarcasm, and she let them linger in the air, relishing the way they rattled him.

Sebastian’s face twisted with horror, a flash of revulsion crossing his features as he realized the implications of her words. He took a step back, fists clenching at his sides.

“You’re twisted, Ava,” he spat, venom dripping from every word. “This isn’t who you are—you can’t do this to me. You can’t destroy everything like this.”

“Oh, but Sebastian, dear,” Ava murmured, her voice dropping to a dangerous whisper as she leaned closer, her gaze unyielding. “I most certainly can. You’ve pushed me into this corner, dragged me back into your filthy schemes. I’m simply doing what you taught me—surviving.”

His eyes widened with a mixture of anger and fear as he stumbled backward. He opened his mouth to protest, but words failed him. For the first time, he looked truly defeated, the reality of his crumbling power settling over him.

“Leave my room, Sebastian,” she commanded, her voice unflinching.