Chapter 218

Ava’s POV

Seeing his face, the memories slammed back—the pain, the sleepless nights, the endless tears. He'd kicked me out, thrown me away, after all my love. I'd convinced myself I wasn't good enough, strong enough. That I needed to do more, like I told Mikayla. But I had done enough. I'd forgiven him countless times, bared my soul, trusted him with my broken pieces. He'd shattered that trust, that love, in a single, cruel moment.

Anger flared, a burning rage. I wanted to explode, to scream at him to get lost. But then… it vanished. Like someone doused me with ice water, leaving only a dull ache, a hollow emptiness.

I walked away. Each step felt liberating. The weight of that anger, that hurt… exhausting. Letting it go didn't fix anything, but I could breathe again.

Ricardo's mansion stretched endlessly, opulent yet cold. I felt like a ghost. Mom was still out with her "friend." I felt guilty for my harsh words earlier. Dislike was one thing, hate… another. I didn't hate her.

"Still the angry lioness?"

Isabella sat by the window, gazing at the darkening sky.

I sighed, approaching her, each step heavy. "I wasn't angry at you… or maybe I was. I'm just angry at everything. So much is happening, I don't know what to do. I'm sorry."

She didn't turn. "We've both said that a lot lately. Before, you said it to defy your parents. Now, we say it because we hurt each other—intentionally or not."

Her words settled into my weary heart. Then, softer, "He looks so lost."

Curiosity and concern pulled me forward. Grayson stood by the fountain, staring at the water where a mother duck and her ducklings floated. His hunched shoulders, distant eyes… it twisted something inside me. I looked away quickly.

"I called Rickon. He's arranging a flight. I leave tomorrow," Isabella said, glancing at Grayson. "Maybe things are just too different now."

She left, leaving me with that familiar sting of abandonment. Just like I'd walked away from Grayson.

I watched him, a statue by the fountain. Then, he moved. Slowly, hesitantly, he knelt, dipping his hand in the water. He gently touched a duckling. A dark thought flickered—would he hurt it? But he lowered it back into the water. His hand lingered, watching it rejoin its family.

From afar, his face was unreadable, but I sensed the turmoil, the regret, the shame. A mix of emotions churned within me—pain, hurt, anger… and a flicker of something softer. Pity? The embers of a love I knew would never fully die.

I hugged myself, trying to hold it together. How much had been lost? How much had we broken? Maybe Isabella was right. Maybe there was no going back.

No.

I shook my head, pushing away the thoughts. My feet carried me down the hall, my heart pounding. I hesitated at the door, then pushed it open.

The room was dark, quiet. Then I saw her.

Isabella was curled in bed, small and vulnerable, unlike her usual fiery self. Something inside me cracked.

I climbed in beside her, wrapping my arms around her. She relaxed. We didn't speak.

"I don't want you to go," I whispered.

She sighed, turning slightly. "Lilian…"

"I mean it," I murmured, holding her tight.

"It's not that simple," she said, after a long moment.

"I know," I admitted. Nothing was ever simple.

She faced me, eyes glistening. "You hurt me, Ava." Her voice was tired, worn.

"I know."

She searched my face. "And I hurt you, too."

I nodded. "Yeah."

We lay there, breathing the same air. "I'm sorry," I whispered, truly meaning it this time.

She laughed, a soft, broken sound. "We've said that enough to fill a book."

I smiled, though my chest ached. "Maybe. But I still mean it."

She nudged her forehead against mine, like she used to. "No more fighting. No more hurting each other."

"Agreed."

Silence, warmth, a moment where nothing else mattered. Then, my phone buzzed.

I wanted to ignore it, but I couldn't. Damien.

I froze.

Isabella turned, eyes narrowing. "What is it?"

"It's from Damien."

My stomach dropped. Pictures filled my screen. Grayson, Mom, Dad, Elaine, Rickon, Monica, Ricardo petting a tiger… and me, hugging Isabella.

"This is another level of…" Isabella began, but another message popped up: "I am everywhere. And with a single word, I can make any one of you the target."

A chill ran down my spine. Another message arrived: a location. Seven words: "Meet me there in an hour. Alone."