Ava's Echo: A Betrayed Heart Returns

e first thing I felt was

body, but the

owner, Ava, was a ghost hau

ay after a final, desp

ion was

ve

. Downstairs, the low murmur of voices confirmed my location. I was

e had been

d here for a final

of the grand stair

ite, her face a mask of delicate grief. She was clinging

with a tenderness he h

as sickenin

l, stood beside them, his hand on Chloe's shoulder. He looked at her

perfect, gri

he unwanted

airs, my steps silen

topped. Three pairs

ool of authority. "You're finally down

oice flat. "I'm not here to

th tears instantly. It

e trembling. "I know this is hard for

f between me and Chloe, a protective

ne sharp. "Chloe is grieving. We all

ess laugh. "Is that what you were showi

turned

ect, theatrical soun

" he boomed. "You come into this house, on the day

hen it's the truth," I sa

nally cracked. He c

you think, Ava,

xactly what I think

ther's chest. "Dad, she's always hated me. She's

f what? Your talent for crying on cue? Or your

dness, your ambition, your complete lack of familial warmth for years. I thought sending you to the best sch

shaking fin

n her little finger than you have in your entire

ut to the lingering spirit of Ava. I could

of her pain. The r

me, his face a mixtur

ining a cruel strength. "I'm sorry, but

vering the fina

that you, with your ambition, nev

in the air, hea

ghter, the protective lover, the disappoi

the end. They though

were

s the b

ch my eyes. It was the first genuine express

dy. "Then you won't mind when I take ba

t over them,

last