Around 7:30 a.m., Ava hadn’t gotten up or prepared for the day. She hadn’t slept a wink the night before...her mind consumed by what had happened between her two suitors, Lucian and Jaxon.
Arabella had been surprised not to see her come downstairs. She knew Ava valued punctuality and was always up early, no matter how tired or unwell she felt.
Arabella entered the room gently and found Ava still in bed. She sat beside her, her face glowing with a soft smile. All her life, Arabella had only one child, a son she lost when he was very young. Since then, she had poured all her love and affection into Ava, loving her like her own daughter. Without disturbing her, she adjusted the blanket over Ava’s sleeping body and quietly left the room, closing the door behind her.
***
At the foundation o
