Ava’s POV
“Didn’t you come by last night?” Rachel asked, her forehead wrinkling as she looked me over closely.
I glanced away for a second, my thoughts racing. “Yeah, I did stop in. I told your daughter I’d come back with something to help.”
Her gaze stayed on me, her voice dropping to almost a whisper. “You came back later too, didn’t you?” she pressed, her tone quiet but laced with doubt.
I opened my mouth to respond, but a sharp voice cut through the air. “That’s enough.” Steve was stepping in close, his eyes fixed on Rachel. “Your daughter’s asking for you. Go check on her.”
Rachel’s eyes went wide, and she hurried off without another word, rushing back into the room, a spark of excitement crossing her face.
I turned to Steve, keeping my voice low. “Why’d you cut her off like tha
