SPECIE OF LOVE

DONE

*CHAPTER 16 --- DONE

*Damien's POV*

I came out of the car like a flash.

My heart stopped the second the woman at the door turned to look at me.

*SHE’S THE EMPRESS.*

*MRS. VICTORIA COLE.*

*MY MOTHER.*

Thoughts crashed through my mind. I was going crazy—_I’m definitely crazy_—because how did my mom know Marie’s house?

“Oh, I see,” she said, mocking me. “Her knight in shining armor is here.”

_Oh no._

“Come,” she laughed mischievously. “Maybe she’ll open the door for _you_.”

Fear gripped my throat. I didn’t know what my mom had already done. What she was _capable_ of doing.

I ran to the door and hit the bell harder than usual. Once. Twice.

“Ava! Ava, please open up!” I begged, my voice breaking.

The door swung open just as I raised my fist again.

It’s Marie. She looks like she just rolled out of bed, hair messy, eyes heavy with sleep. Mom stepped back and covered her mouth with her palm, irritation written all over her face at Marie’s yawn.

Marie stared at us, unimpressed. Then she stepped out, locked the door behind her, and disappeared for a second. She came back with a plastic chair, dragged it in front of us, and sat with her legs crossed.

She gave us _the look_. The _YES, HOW CAN I HELP YOU?_ look.

“Hey, Marie, how are you feeling?” I asked, genuine concern bleeding through.

“If that’s what you came all the way here for, I don’t think you should be here,” she snapped. “Because you just disturbed my sleep. Who comes all the way—” she checked her wrist, though she wasn’t wearing a watch, “—early as 10 a.m., just to ask how I am?” She hissed.

“HOW DARE YOU—” Mrs. Cole thundered.

“How dare _you_—”

Marie didn’t let her finish. “Please, who are you? And you know what? Finish whatever gibberish you have to say, because _I_ have manners.” She said it unapologetically.

Mom burned with rage and raised her hand to slap Marie—

But Marie caught her wrist mid-air.

Immediately, two men in black suits stepped out of *THE EMPRESS’S CAR*. They pried Marie’s hand off the Empress’s and, before I could blink, one of them scooped Marie up.

Marie groaned in pain.

I dropped to my knees. “Mom, please! She’s sick! Mom, you’re not wicked—please!” I begged. “That’s how Marie is. She’s blunt. She didn’t mean to be rude.”

Marie was crying now.

Suddenly, Ava rushed out of the door and knelt in front of my mom.

“MRS. COLE, please! She’s sick, ma. She’s hurt. You want me, right? Take me, please!” she pleaded through tears. She looked pale. Too pale.

I immediately pulled Ava up. She squeaked in pain.

“PUT HER DOWN,” Mom ordered the man in black.

She pushed the door open and walked in without permission.

And of course—

Does she need it?

*She’s the EMPRESS.*

We all followed her in, except the man in black.

*THE EMPRESS WAS ALREADY SEATED.*

Ava pulled her hands from mine. She helped Marie to a chair, then ran to get water. She bent in front of Marie, offering it.

Marie took it. “Mama, you worry too much. But I’m fine now, okay?” She wiped Ava’s tears and tugged her to her feet, making her sit next to her.

My heart kept pounding.

I’d never seen Ava in her _baby mood_. And Marie… Marie was handling her like a pro.

“Hey, you,” my mom started, pointing at Ava. “What was our discussion?”

Ava knelt.

“Hey, stand up. I don’t need your kneeling. I know your type—gold diggers. Have your seat,” Mom said, irritated.

Marie opened her mouth to talk, but Ava looked at her, pleading with her eyes.

“Ma, I already packed my things,” Ava said, pointing to her luggage. “I just want Marie to be fine. She’s sick, ma.”

She took a shaky breath. “Ma, I know you don’t like me, but the extent you went to was wild. How could you pack *MISOPROSTOL* in a typhoid medication pack just to destroy my womb?” she asked, crying.

“Hey!” my mom thundered. “Yes, I don’t like you, because I know people like you. But I won’t stoop so low as to destroy your womb. That is beneath my standard, don’t you think?” she said authoritatively. “If I wanted you dead, all I need to do is say the word.” Her eyes flashed. “So I don’t know what you’re talking about. And besides, MISOPROSTOL is used for abortion. I don’t know about _destroying wombs_. So the question now is—”

Her voice dropped to ice.

“*ARE YOU PREGNANT?*” she thundered.

“*NO!*” Ava thundered back.

“And that gives me more reason to be confused as to why you’d want to abort a baby that isn’t there—or destroy my womb!” Ava’s voice rose. “And now my sister mistakenly used the drug. _Twice._ TWICE!” Ava shouted again. “Now she’s sick. And it’s not her fault. Neither is it mine. But you, Isabella, and the doctor who made the _mistake_ of putting MISOPROSTOL in a typhoid pack—because I know he’ll say it’s a mistake. And who the hell makes such a *DEADLY MISTAKE*?!”

Marie patted her back.

I was shocked. My whole life was playing out in front of me, and I wasn’t even given a chance to talk.

“You’re not pregnant?” I asked, voice barely a whisper.

“No, I’m not,” she said angrily. I could see fire in her eyes.

But I didn’t care.

“What do you mean you’re not pregnant?” I asked again, louder.

She stood up. “I SAID I’M NOT PREGNANT!” she yelled.

This is it. She’s pushed me to the wall.

“I’m the anonymous caller,” I said, anger finally breaking free.

“Oh, you’re the one?” She laughed bitterly. “Well, I thought it was your mother. And I _also_ thought I was pregnant, but I did the test and it proved negative. So whatever was happening between us? It’s over. I’m saying this in front of your mom. Please, you people should leave me and my family. I’ll travel when my sister is healed. Use the door when you’re through.”

She turned and walked inside.

Marie stood up too.

“Get dressed. I’ll be waiting for the both of you,” Mom said, her voice cold. “We’re going to the doctor’s. I’ll call Isabella to meet us. He definitely has a lot to explain. And we’ll test _you_ to know whether you’re really pregnant or not.”

Marie walked in after Ava.

*DONE. DONE. DONE.*

It kept ringing in my mind.

I just figured out what I feel for her, and she ended it without even letting me name it.

My heart kept beating fast.

_Is she really not pregnant?_

_Is Mom really not behind the MISOPROSTOL?_

Thoughts danced in my mind like demons.

-----

*Ava's POV*

“Marie, find something to wear. We’re going to the hospital,” I said, forcing my voice to stay steady.

“But you’re pregnant, Ava,” Marie said, worried.

I shook my head. “The doctor wouldn’t want to say the truth about the MISOPROSTOL, so he’ll just lie that it’s a mistake. And he won’t say I’m pregnant either

"But"

I cut her off "Marie dress up please"

*AUTHOR'S NOTE

comment DAMAVA as soon as you're done reading and as always loviesss 😘 RIDE DINE AND READ ❤️