Chapter 78
I wanted to laugh and cry at the same time, my tears falling uncontrollably. The emotions were too tangled–grief, anger, bitterness- but beneath it all, a strange sense of anticipation took root. I was starting to look forward to the day Hugh would finally learn the truth, to the look on his face when reality shattered his illusions.
He walked alone into the study, the weight of unease pressing down on his shoulders. The dim light from the computer screen illuminated his tense features as he sat down. The USB drive his assistant had handed him was still plugged into the port, standing out against the sleek black casing of the computer.
His hand gripped the mouse, hovering over the file icon. The cursor drifted back and forth, hesitation written all over his face. His breathing grew heavier, frustration brimming just beneath the surface.
In the end, he didn’t open the file. Instead, he slammed the mouse onto the desk and cursed through clenched teeth. “Ava! You damn woman! Once the hospital confirms those results, I’ll make sure you regret everything!“}
But even as the harsh words left his mouth, the unease gnawed at him. He stepped onto the balcony, lighting one cigarette after another, smoking through the night like the answers he was searching for might rise with the smoke.
Early the next morning, the hospital called. The air was cold when he arrived, but nothing could prepare him for what was waiting. The moment Hugh stepped through the doors, a brutal punch struck him square in the face, sending him stumbling back. His childhood friend, Charles, stood in front of him, his face contorted with fury.}
*Hugh! Do you even realize you killed Ava?!” Charles‘ voice was sharp with both accusation and pain.§
Hugh was caught off guard, his first instinct to fight back, but before he could, a stack of papers was shoved against his chest. The top page was stamped with the words: [Death Report.]}
Charles‘ expression twisted further, disappointment clouding his eyes. “Do you have any idea how much Ava suffered before she
died?”
The words hit like a slap, but Charles wasn’t finished.
*Everyone knew Ava was terrified of heights. And yet, you forced her onto that drop tower.” His voice shook with rage. “Because of her fear, she went into premature labor on the spot. But that wasn’t the worst of it–the strain, the posture, everything caused a five–centimeter tear!
Hugh’s fingers tightened around the papers, his knuckles white, but Charles didn’t stop.
*She bled out, Hugh. There was barely any left in her body when they found her. Even in her final moments, she was trying to protect the baby. But do you know what happened?”
Charles‘ voice cracked slightly before he forced himself to continue. “Because of an old injury–one she got from saving you–her hands couldn’t hold on. All she could do was watch helplessly as her baby died right in front of her.”
Hugh’s face paled, his mind reeling, but Charles pressed on, every word like a hammer driving the truth deeper into Hugh’s chest.
“Hugh, you bastard! Do you know how much Ava gave up for you? She saved your life, stood by you when you had nothing, bore your child–and you repaid her like this?! All because of Sienna?!*
Hugh’s brow furrowed in confusion, his mouth opening slightly, but no words came out.
“What old injury?” His voice was hoarse, uncertain.
Charles stared at him like he was seeing a stranger. “Are you serious? We grew up together! Everyone knew Ava had feelings for you the moment she transferred to our class.“”
His chest heaved with the force of unspoken years of resentment. “Do you remember when your mother tried to jump off the building with you? It was Ava who grabbed you. A tiny girl like her holding onto you for thirty whole minutes!”
Hugh’s breath caught in his throat, but Charles wasn’t done.2
“She was so small, Hugh! She nearly slipped off herself, but she held on until help came. By the time they got both of you down, her right hand was crushed beyond repair.” Charles‘ voice shook with emotion. “She was in surgery for hours–all to save you. And what did you do the moment you woke up? You started dating Sienna like none of it ever happened!“&
The memories–blurred and faded by time–flickered at the edge of Hugh’s mind, but Charles didn’t give him space to think. “When Sienna left, I thought you’d finally see Ava for who she was. I thought you’d treat her right. But you? You actually killed her.” Charles grabbed my lifeless right hand from under the sheet, lifting it in front of Hugh’s stunned face. The scars along my wrist- jagged and pale from years of healing–stood out against the cold skin.!!
“These scars,” Charles said, voice low but trembling with fury, “are from that day. The day she held onto you so tightly, her skin tore open against the wall.“%
Hugh couldn’t move, couldn’t even defend himself when Charles‘ fist crashed into his face again. The second blow sent him staggering back a step, but Charles didn’t wait around for a response. He stormed out, slamming the door behind him, leaving Hugh standing there–stunned, silent and unable to breathe under the weight of everything he’d just heard.
The room fell into stillness. Hugh’s brow furrowed deeply, his mind clawing through distant memories.!!
He remembered that day. The rooftop. His mother’s trembling hands as she gripped him, trying to pull him with her into the void. The despair and drowsiness from the sleeping pills dulling his senses.!
And then–a pair of small hands. Soft, trembling, yet impossibly strong. Holding onto him with everything they had.
He couldn’t see her face then, his vision too blurred from the drugs and tears. But there was a voice–gentle, steady, whispering words of comfort over and over again. That voice kept him from letting go.
