Ava's Echo: A Betrayed Heart Returns

lowed my declaration

e as if I'd grow

f disbelief and pity. He took a step towards me, his hand raise

ipping with false concern. "You're not well. The

hed for

motion, I gra

l. His eyes widened i

wis

in the cavernous living room, fol

tching his broken wrist, his

sound of fear this time,

wed, "AVA! WHAT

beside Mark, my face inches from his.

m. "You wanted to avoid a scene? But

n to Chloe, who was hiding behind

" I mused aloud. "Ah

e one my father used for his most important work. On it sat a sleek, co

ickered to life. "I believe the accusation was corporate

ging to my reputation. You must have been so scared

... I don't know what

sk. "You planted fake emails, didn't you? And a few encrypted files on a hidden partition. Made

he letter opener hel

stumbling into

me! You're ins

whisper. "Or am I just playing your game? You wanted to fra

ngers open. I pressed the handle

ly soft, "and you're going to try and stab me with it. When

ide with terror

"Because if you don't, I will use it on you m

was whimpering. "Dad, do

state of stunned rage, finally mov

ur sister this in

ce him, a picture of wounded in

mimicking Chloe's trembling tone perfectly. "She

cene. Chloe, holding the letter opener with a shaking hand, l

farcical reversa

er opener. It clattere

stammered, looking between me and her fa

bt in my father's eyes. For the first ti

opener, then to Mark whimpering

And a confused

he demanded, his voice

gasped from the floor. "She broke my

sion was replaced by a familiar coldness. It was easier for h

nting at me. "You a

arning, his hand shot out and

head to the side, and a sharp,

ent quiet f

impact, it wasn'

as A

mine, but hers, washed ov

r father a drawing, only for him

ampionship, only to be told by her father that i

hool, and her father's only comment being, "

hloe, her heart breaking in silence be

, "You're the daughter I should have h

as revealed, being slapped by her father in this exact same way. Th

Her spirit had shattered, leaving behind

the

y calm. The last vestiges of Ava's sorrow and we

ed was her miss

face my father. I touched my c

e that," I said, my voi

d finally let go, entrusting everything to me. She ha

ust a new soul in

va's Ve