Eight Years as His Bodyguard

Chapter 5

It wasn't him.

Ava regained consciousness the moment she opened her eyes.

She hadn't died, but neither had she managed to see Daniel.

The sound of Eric peeling an apple filled her ears, stopping only when he noticed her awakening.

"Feeling better?"

Ava didn't answer, leaving only Eric's voice in the hospital room.

"Those words were just for show. Don't take them seriously. The Smith and Harris families have business ties. A merger. Couldn't let things get ugly."

"Whatever you go through, I'll make it up to you. Just bear with me for a while. Once I'm married, everything goes back to normal. The way it was before. You and me."

He said it so casually. Like it was guaranteed.

Ava only felt sorrow.

He was rotten to the core. Anyone who loved him was bound to suffer.

Moreover, he seemed convinced she would never leave him, no matter what mistakes he made.

But he was wrong. She'd come to him with an agenda from the start. She would leave dramatically, presenting him with a parting gift.

Yet for now, she could only obediently reply, "Alright."

That word again. Eric was growing tired of hearing it.

But her docility was for the best, at least ensuring it wouldn't interfere with his marriage plans.

Perhaps out of guilt, his voice softened uncharacteristically. "Bought you the newest protective gear on the market. Don't be mad, okay?"

Ava shook her head. "I don't need that. I only want one gift."

Eric's interest piqued. "What is it?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.

Lowering her gaze, Ava feigned vulnerability. "No one will be with me in Elyndor. But I've grown used to having you by my side..."

Her hesitation only made Eric more curious, and he listened patiently.

"I don't need anything expensive. Just something of yours. Could I borrow your necklace? It'd be like having you there with me."

As the words left her lips, Ava's palms grew sweaty. She didn't dare blink as she met Eric's gaze, terrified he might detect something.

Hearing her request, Eric looked surprised, his expression shifting. But eventually, he nodded. "Alright. But I'll give it to you when you leave. Okay?"

Ava immediately realized her mistake. Too early. She'd tipped her hand. Now he'd be watching. Her mind was racing when Eric went out to take a phone call.

Ava immediately made a call. "Mike, monitor the chip's location constantly and keep me informed."

"Understood, Ava. Be careful. The Harris family is dangerous."

Tears welled up in Ava's eyes. "I know. See you then."

No sooner had she spoken than Eric's voice interrupted.

"Who are you meeting?"

Ava made some brief, non-committal remarks before hanging up.

She forced her usual faint smile. "Mike, you know. He lives in Elyndor. Since I'm going anyway, I thought I might as well see him."

Eric responded with an indifferent hum, as if it were just a casual question.

After the doctor confirmed it was just a concussion requiring rest, Eric quickly got her discharged.

The moment they arrived home, Ava realized why he'd been in such a hurry. As they reached the entrance, Stella's high-pitched voice rang out from inside. "Eric, you promised I could have anything, right? Then I want this!"

With that, she held up a glittering glass artwork. It was a butterfly emerging from its cocoon.