Chapter 12
Chapter 12
52%
AVERY’S POV:
“Avery…” my mother called out. Ignored her and continued.
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“When I was helping you with contracts, bringing in clients, and doing you’re turning your back on me. Please, I need you until the police figure out what’s going on.” I blurted out, my emotions boiling over.
every
rything you asked, you always had a new task for me. I’m in trouble again, and
My mother’s face crumpled, and she dissolved into sobs. Seeing her like that shattered me. I loved her so much, and knowing I’d caused her pain was unbearable. The weight of my regret crushed me. I shouldn’t have spoken those words; they’d tumbled out before I could stop them.
“Mun, I’m…” I tried to apologize, but she wouldn’t let me get the words out.
“Shut up, Avery!” Her face twisted with rage as she stormed back toward me. The slap landed before loven registered her movement. My cheek stung, the sound echoing in the room.
“How dare you!” she spat, her voice venomous and low. “You think you can manipulate me with guilt over your own despicable actions? You’re an ungrateful, wretched child!” Her face twisted in contempt, her eyes blazing with fury. “I regret the day I gave birth to you,” she snarled, each word dripping with malice. “You’ve been a constant source of pain and disappointment. I wish I’d never laid eyes on you.”
“I didn’t mean to say those hurtful words, Mum,” I tried apologizing again. It was too late.
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“Get out of my house!” she shrieked, her face purpling with rage. She lunged at me, her fingers closing around my ripped blouse like a vice. With a savage jerk, she dragged me toward the door, my feet stumbling to keep up. She flung me outside, slamming the door behind me with enough force to rattle the windows. The sound echoed through the night air like a crack of thunder.
I stood there, frozen in shock, as the cold night air slapped me in the face. My heart lay in shattered pieces, my mind reeling from the brutality of her rejection. I’m completely alone now, abandoned by the one person who was supposed to love me unconditionally.
The cool air stung my skin, seeping into my wounds, and I hissed at the sharpness of it. Fatigue weighed me down, my thoughts tangled and heavy, my body on the verge of collapse, I tried to make my way toward the exit, but each step sent jolts of pain through the cuts on my feet. I limped, struggling to stay upright.
Then came the low hum of approaching vehicles, their sound disrupting the silence of the night. My instincts screamed at me to hide. I darted behind a nearby tree, crouching low and clutching the rough bark as I peeked out. What if they found me? What if it was Axel’s men?
The cars parked in a single line. Doors opened in unison, and from my vantage point, I watched as Astrid bolted from the house. She rushed toward one of the cars and threw herself into Chase’s arms. He caught her easily, holding her close as he kissed her deeply, passionately–the way he used to kiss
- me.
My heart pounded, wild and erratic, as if trying to break free from
. My breaths came in shallow gasps, each one burning my throat. I wasn’t just she was clinging to, the depths of his betrayal. She didn’t see the predator
crying for myself anymore–I was crying for Astrid. She didn’t know hiding behind that polished smile. And yet, she looked so happy, so blissfully unaware, I almost envied her ignorance.
One of Chase’s guards, Cantell, moved to load Astrid’s luggage
into the van while my mother appeared at the door. She smiled warmly at Chase and even hugged him briefly before stepping aside
and Astrid inside.
I bit down on my lip, forcing myself to
to let
away
There was no going back–not now, not ever. I couldn’t risk being seen. The last time I’d gone to Chase for help, he’d sent me straight back to Axel. Until I figured out the truth and found a way to hold him accountable, I couldn’t face either of them.
1 exhaled shakily and limped away.
The
fo ht stretched endlessly, I had been walking for hours, fear my only companion. Every time a car passed, I ducked into shadows, trembling, or
my aching body into a sprint when sensed someone following too closely. I had no money, no food, no plan. Vulnerability clung to me like a second skin, marking me as an easy target.
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Chapter 12
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But my brain wouldn’t let me stop. It whispered a single, relentless mantra: “Keep moving, or you’re dead.”
As the first hints of dawn began to pale the sky, a hospital came into view. Rellef washed over me, fragile and fleeting. I stumbled toward the hospital entrance, my vision swimming. A doctor in a white coat glanced my way, and I whispered hoarsely, “Help.” The world tilted as I collapsed, the cold ground swallowing me into darkness.
+5
When I woke, the antiseptic smell hit me first. My head throbbed, but the sharp pain in my body had dulled. I blinked at the IV drip hooked to my arm, sterile white walls confirming I was in a hospital.
A young nurse noticed me stirring and hurried out, returning moments later with a doctor.
“I’m Dr. Connor,” he said briskly as he leaned over me, shining a small flashlight into my eyes. “How are you feeling?”
“I’m fine,” I murmured, though it was far from the truth. My body felt like it had been pieced back together, but my heart remained shattered.
He frowned slightly but didn’t push. After checking my heartbeat with his stethoscope, he straightened.
the
I sat up slightly, noticing the hospital gown I was wearing. My torn clothes were gone. Dr. Connor must have noticed my confusion because he spoke again.
“Your clothes were torn beyond repair,” he said gently. “The nurses cleaned you up and dressed your wounds. We wanted to make sure you were comfortable.”
“Thank you,” I said,
y voice breaking with gratitude.
“Just doing my job,” he replied, adjusting his glasses. He hesitated before leaning in again, his hands resting on the rail of the bed. “We didn’t find any ID on you. Can you tell us your name?”
“Avery,” I managed, my voice barely audible.
He nodded, jotting something on his clipboard. “Your injuries are minor, but your body shows signs of prolonged stress and fatigue. Do you have any family we can contact?”
The question hit me like a slap. Family. The image of my mother’s twisted, enraged face flashed in my mind. “No,” I said quickly. “No one.”
His expression softened, but he didn’t press further, “Alright. Can you tell me what happened? Do you
need help?”
W
**********************
****************
That question unraveled me. A stranger’s concern broke through the e armor I’d been clinging was the last time someone asked if I needed help?
“Hey, it’s okay,” he said gently, offering me a tissue. “You’re safe now.
to
Tears spilt down my face as a sob wrenched free. When
wwwwwww
* VT
-Sniffling, I wiped my face and tried to steady my voice. “Please,” I managed, “I need the police. I was kidnapped,,. I escaped.”
I
mediately.
His eyes widened in shock, but he nodded quickly. “Of course. Nurse, call the police department immediately.”
The petite brunette nurse rushed out. Overcome with relief, I lunged forward, clutching Dr. Connor in a desperate hug. “Thank you,” I whispered over and
over.
He patted my back awkwardly, his voice calm. “It’s okay. You’re going to be okay ye
Relief surged through me as I clung to the thought of justice. The authorities would uncover the truth–Axel Blackwood, Chase, all of it. They had to,
When that’s done, I’d finally have the chance to rebuild my life.
But even as the thought steadied me, a cold shadow crept into my mind. What if they didn’t? What if Axel’s reach extended farther than I could imagine?
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Chapter 12
I couldn’t shake the feeling that this was only the beginning, that the road to freedom would be far more dangerous than I dared to hope.
