AVA'S POV
In life, everyone had their fears, weaknesses, or even setbacks. It was a given, an almost constant existence that no one seemed to escape. For me, I always pretended they weren't there, like I had nothing I was afraid of or nothing that made me weak. It was peak gaslighting. What made it worse was that I was doing it to myself. I told myself I had no fears or weaknesses. But that was a lie.
Otherwise, my hands wouldn't be shaking now, my chest almost constricted as I tried to process Gideon's words. My so-called brother had just informed me that he was in New York. It couldn't be true. It should not be true. I was shaking now, so much so that the phone in my hand threatened to slip out of my hold.
But before that could happen, Gideon spoke again. “Ava? Are you there?”
I snap
