Seven Years of Poison

l is she?" he muttered, running a hand through his perfectly styled hair

ankle. He needed Ava. He needed her calm, competent prese

t ache, but a dark stain was spreading on the towel wrapped around her waist. She knew, with a horrifying certainty, what was happening

hole sordid mess exposed to the Stones? Or go to Jake, the architect o

ous, insistent vibration again

is asking for a specialist. You're the closest thing

e didn't care. He was calling in

she could find, and walked out of the house like a ghost. Each step was an agony, a sharp r

was waiting for her at the entrance.

. "What took you so long?" He didn't even look at her, his ga

cubicle where Chloe was lying on a gu

ly transforming into a gentle croon. "She'll tak

not a doctor," Ava said,

," he dismissed, waving a hand impa

making it out to be. A seed of doubt planted itself in her mind. Chloe had 'fallen' down the stairs

m. He took it immediately, his entire focus narrowing to her. He sat on

do a job. A wave of dizziness made her sway on

sked, her brow furrowed with concern.

he nurse said, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "Miss Hayes. She was in here last month for the same thing. 'Fell'

a looked at Jake, who was still fawning over Chloe, completely oblivious.

s bleeding, losing a part of herself, for a man who was being played by a woman faking

ere?" Jake's sharp voice cut through her

this young lady needs to be looke

ine. She's just being dramatic." He looked at the hand on her stomach. "You got

carriage," Ava whispered, the

e silence. The nurse gasp

n unreadable for a moment before it ha

You're not pregnant. You're just trying to pull the attention away from Chloe. It's

He didn't just doubt her. He accused her of being a manipulative lia

dull echo of the agony in her soul. She would do what he wanted. Sh

she woul

He had just handed her the blade and pointed to the rope tha