Chapter 11
Chapter 11
AVERY’S POV:
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“Mum, I was kidnapped by a stranger,” I began, my eyes
barely managed to escape. Please, we need to call the polico the last shred of hope I had.
every shadowy corner, my gaze darting back and forth to ensure we were truly alone. “I
I don’t know what’s going on, but I’m so scared,” I begged, my voice shaking as I clung to
Their reaction caught me off guard. I had braced myself for concern, for sympathetic hands reaching for phones to call for help, for warm arms enveloping me in comfort. But instead, they stood frozen, their faces impassive, their eyes unyielding.
My mother’s icy blue eyes bore into me with a look so detached it hurt more than my bruises.
“What nonsense are you talking about?” she asked, her voice clipped and dripping with disbelief.
“Mum, I’m not joking.” I took a shaky step back, my voice cracking as I narrated the entire incident. My disheveled appearance, the bruises and cuts on my skin, and my bloodshot eyes should have been enough to convince her. How could she not see something was wrong?
My mother, Lyra Russell, stood unmoved, arms folded tightly across her chest. Even in this moment, I couldn’t help but notice her beauty–something I’d always questioned why I didn’t inherit. That went to Astrid.
Astrid, my younger sister, was a perfect replica of Mum. Blonde hair, straight and shining, with Dad’s warm chestnut eyes. Meanwhile, I looked like I didn’t belong in the family. My wavy, mixed–colored hair–black at the roots and red at the tips–always drew attention, even when I was in prison. My kivi- green eyes and petite 4’8 frame made me look like someone from a different world, Astrid, at 5’5, Dad, at 6’1, and Mum, at 5’3, fit neatly into the image of perfection our family embodied. I was the anomaly.
“Mum,” I pleaded again, my voice breaking as I reached for her hand. She snatched it away like I was something dirty. Her manicured fingers curled tightly against her chest, keeping a deliberate distance from me.
“Where’s Dad? Where’s Grandpa? I need them,” I begged, hoping for a shred of support.
She let out a bitter laugh. “It’s bold of you to even set foot in my house after the shame you brought to this family.”
“What are you talking about, Mum?” I asked, genuinely confused. I had always strived to be perfect, careful with every decision, and never wanted to compromise my family’s well–being. The worst thing I had ever done was go to prison–but even that was for a reason. For love. “I’ve done nothing but…”
“To destroy us? Because that’s exactly what you did. Do you even know what your father went through to clean up the mess you made?” she spat.
“Always the selfish one,” Astrid chimed in, stepping forward for the first time. Her voice was sharp, her posture rigid. “Everything Dad built crashed because of you. He had to seek help from people he despised just to keep afloat.” She sneered at me. “He hates you, Avery. We all do. We’re better off without you.”
Her words broke me more than anything. “I’m sorry,” I whispered, my knees giving out beneath me. should have been better. Please, just help me now, and I’ll make it right.
cald
“I’m sorry
for all the pain I caused this family. I
I knelt there, tears streaming down my face, pooling on
second, I thought I saw a glimmer of softness in her eyes,
Por. My
crouched down, her face inches from mine. For a fleeting
but her
extinguished that hope.
“I’m
g things right.”
“It’s too late, Avery,” Astrid said.In what way?” I asked, my voice c
- me.
cautious.newne
I felt a spark of curiosity ignite with dashing with a hint of victory. “By being everything you couldn’t be,” she replied.
Astrid’s
gaze locked onto mine, her eyes
My head shot like they
P, my heart filled with so many emotions. “Does that include marrying Chase?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper. The words felt torn from my soul, leaving me vulnerable and exposed.
She smirked, flashing the massive diamond ring that sparkled on her finger. “Yes, it does.”
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Chapter 11
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My heart sank. “Astrid, you don’t understand,” I said, trying to keep my voice steady. “Something horrible is happening, and I need your help. Please. Chase isn’t who you think he is. He’s dangerous. He sold me ”
Astrid rolled her eyes, brushing me off like I was beneath her. “Spare me the theatrics. Chase told me you’d say something like this. Honestly, you’re pathetic.”
“You’re going to believe him over me?”
“Absolutely,” she snapped. “Because you’re a liar and an actress. And frankly, I don’t know why I’m still having this conversation.” She turned to Mum. “I’ll finish packing. Chase is sending someone over shortly to move me to my new home.”
“No,” I breathed, shaking my head. “Astrid, you can’t. You don’t know him like I do.“”
“I know enough,” she shot back. “Unlike you, I know how to appreciate what I have. Chase loves me, Avery. And it’s about time someone gave him the respect he deserves.”
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She shoved me off with a look of pure disgust. “Don’t touch me. Your stink,” she said, scrunching her nose before walking away. Her white dress swayed as she disappeared upstairs, leaving me in a silence that felt like it might crush me.
She yanked her arm free, her eyes blazing. “Don’t touch me,” she snapped. “You stink of failure.” With that, she turned on her heel and disappeared up the stairs, her white dress swishing like a closing curtain.
I turned back to Mum, my chest heaving with the effort to keep myself together. “What about Dad? Grandpa? They’ll understand. They’ll listen.”
A flicker of something crossed her face, but it was gone before I could place it. “Your grandfather died of a heart attack the night your scandal broke. His heart couldn’t handle the shame of seeing you plastered across every news outlet. And your father…” Her voice faltered, just for a moment. “He’s on life
support.”
“That can’t be true,” I wept.
“You killed him,” she interrupted coldly. “And if you care about the little that’s left of this family, you’ll leave first thing in the morning.” She tossed a first- aid kit at me. “Fix yourself up before that gets infected,” she gestured to my cuts.
I stared at the kit in my hands, numb. A maelstrom of emotions swirled inside me, but abandonment stung me the most. Desperate for answers, I unleashed a torrent of words, my tongue moving of its own accord without filter as I sought answers to ease the ache.
“Why?” I whispered, my body trembling. “Why didn’t you visit me? Not once. Not in prison. Not in court. Why didn’t you ask what happened?”
