Chapter3:Open doors
1373 Words
The farther they drove, the more unfamiliar the roads became.
The crowded streets of the city slowly disappeared behind them, replaced by long stretches of quiet asphalt lined with towering trees and neatly trimmed hedges. The endless chorus of honking cars gave way to an almost unsettling silence.
Ava rested her forehead against the cool window, watching the scenery blur past. It felt as though they weren't just leaving the city, they were leaving the life they had known behind.
Beside her, Evelyn folded and unfolded the strap of her handbag in her lap.
"Are you alright?" she asked softly.
Ava forced a nod.
"I'm fine."
It was a lie.
Nothing about the last forty-eight hours had been fine.
Her father was not responding to treatment.
Their home no longer belonged to them.
And now they were driving toward the house of a man neither of them had seen in years.
The taxi slowed to a stop before enormous black wrought-iron gates.
Ava blinked.
The gates stretched farther than she could see, guarded by stone pillars crowned with intricate carvings. Security cameras watched every angle.
A uniformed guard stepped out of a small security booth.
"Good afternoon."
Evelyn rolled down the window.
"I'm Evelyn. He's expecting us."
The guard checked a tablet before nodding.
The gates glided open without another word.
Ava stared.
Beyond them lay a winding driveway bordered by flowering hedges and towering palm trees. A marble fountain shimmered beneath the afternoon sun, water dancing effortlessly into the air.
Luxury cars occupied the circular driveway as though they belonged in a showroom.
At the end stood the mansion.
No.
Calling it a mansion almost felt insulting.
It looked more like a private estate.
Cream-colored walls climbed toward a slate roof, while floor-to-ceiling windows reflected the sky. Balconies wrapped around the upper floors, and white columns framed the entrance like something lifted from a magazine.
The taxi looked painfully out of place.
Ava turned slowly toward her mother.
"Mom..."
Evelyn looked at her.
"Are you sure this is his house?"
Her mother let out a nervous laugh.
"I was wondering the same thing."
The taxi stopped beneath the grand entrance.
Before the driver could reach the trunk, the front doors spun open.
A butler stepped outside, dressed in a black suit.
"Mrs. Evelyn."
He bowed slightly.
"Welcome. Sir has been expecting you."
Ava’s eyes flickered to her mother. They held each other’s gaze for a brief moment before Ava turned and stepped outside.
"If you'll follow me."
Crystal chandeliers hung from impossibly high ceilings. Marble floors gleamed beneath their feet. Expensive paintings decorated the walls, while fresh lilies filled the air with a soft fragrance.
Everything was spotless.
Ava hugged her handbag a little tighter.
She didn't belong here.
Neither did her mother.
Footsteps echoed somewhere above.
The butler smiled.
"Sir."
Ava looked up.
A man descended the staircase, one hand tucked into the pocket of his tailored trousers.
Her breathing stopped.
No.
It couldn't be.
Each step brought him closer.
The sharp cut of his jaw.
The broad shoulders.
The black shirt with the sleeves rolled to his forearms.
Then his eyes met hers.
Dark.
Unmistakable.
The world around her disappeared.
The scent of expensive cologne.
Warm fingers grazing her skin.
His mouth against hers.
The dim lights of the hotel room.
A voice asking if she was sure.
Her trembling answer.
"Yes."
The memory crashed into her all at once.
She had left before he noticed.
She had slipped money onto the bedside table because she couldn't bear the thought of facing him after what she'd done.
She hadn't even looked back.
And now—
He stood a few feet away.
Her mother's son.
Her stepbrother.
Cassian
Her heartbeat pounded against her ribs.
"Ava?"
Her mother's voice sounded distant.
She blinked.
"What?"
"You've gone pale."
"I'm... fine."
She wasn't.
Not even close.
The man reached the last step.
His expression never changed.
If he recognized her, he didn't show it.
"Evelyn."
His voice was smooth and composed.
"It's been a long time."
Evelyn's eyes immediately filled with tears.
She stepped forward and embraced him.
"I'm so sorry."
He hesitated before returning the hug.
"It's alright."
He offered a small smile.
"We're here now."
She nodded repeatedly before turning toward Ava.
"This is my daughter, Ava."
Ava's mouth suddenly felt dry.
"This is Ava."
His eyes settled on her.
"Nice to meet you, Ava."
As though they had never met before.
As though he hadn't memorized every inch of her body only two nights ago.
Her throat tightened.
"Nice... to meet you too."
The lie nearly choked her.
Evelyn smiled.
The butler cleared his throat politely.
"I'll have your luggage taken upstairs."
"Thank you," Evelyn said warmly.
She walked ahead with the butler, admiring the house as they disappeared down the hallway.
Ava remained rooted to the spot.
She could feel him watching her.
She turned to follow her mother.
A firm hand caught her wrist.
Her breath hitched.
He didn't pull her closer.
He simply leaned in enough for only her to hear.
"The money you left..."
His voice was barely above a whisper.
"...wasn't even complete."
Something slipped into her handbag.
Folded bills.
The exact money she'd left behind.
"I don't need it."
He released her wrist before she could react.
Then he walked away as though nothing had happened.
Ava stood frozen.
Heat rushed to her face.
Did he have to remind her?
Of all the things he could have said...
She gripped the strap of her handbag until her knuckles turned white.
"Miss?"
The butler's voice startled her.
"This way."
She swallowed hard and followed.
Her room was larger than the apartment she'd grown up in.
The bed alone looked big enough for four people.
A balcony overlooked endless gardens.
Fresh flowers rested on the bedside table.
The wardrobe was already empty, waiting for her clothes.
She barely noticed any of it.
All she could see was him.
His face.
His voice.
His hand slipping the money back into her bag.
A knock interrupted her thoughts.
"Ava?" Evelyn peeked inside.
"They're serving tea downstairs."
"I'll be there."
She splashed cold water across her face before forcing herself downstairs.
She could do this.
She had to.
The living room felt warmer than the entrance hall.
Sunlight poured through the tall windows.
Tea and pastries had already been arranged on the coffee table.
Conversation came easier for Evelyn than it had in years.
"I've blamed myself every day," she admitted. "When your father and I separated, everything happened so quickly. By the time I found where you had gone, your father had already moved away. Every lead ended the same way."
"You don't have to apologize anymore," he said.
"I still will."
A faint smile crossed his face.
"I had a good life. I finished school. Inherited Vale holdings. Things worked out."
Evelyn reached across the table and squeezed his hand.
"I'm proud of you."
He inclined his head.
"Thank you."
Ava sat there, no word leaving her mouth, wrapping both hands around her teacup.
Every now and then, she caught him looking at her.
Never for long.
Just enough to make her pulse race.
The butler entered.
"Sir, the remaining luggage has been moved upstairs."
"Good."
"And dinner will be served at seven."
He nodded.
"Make sure they're comfortable."
"Of course, sir."
"I can handle myself" Ava said suddenly.
The words had escaped before she could stop them.
“Can you?” Cassian snapped back
"I mean..." She cleared her throat. "You've already done enough by letting us stay here. I can take care of myself."
"I wasn't suggesting otherwise."
A warm flush spread across Ava’s face as she avoided her mother’s eyes.
Before she could respond, he turned to the butler.
“See that they have everything they need.”
“Yes, sir.”
Cassian set his teacup down and rose to his feet.
“There is one more matter I’d like to discuss.”
Evelyn leaned forward immediately.
“Of course.”
His gaze swept over the room before settling briefly on Ava.
“But it can wait.”
Without another word, he turned and strode out of the room, leaving behind more questions than answers.
- Writer
- chap_listContents
- likeADD