"A knock at the door… and my life changed forever."
— Ava Morales
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Ava's Point of View
"Can you shut her up already?" I heard my father roar as I approached the door. Avie must have been crying.
"Ava, I want Ava!" Avie's small, hiccupping voice broke through the air.
"Ava will be home soon, I promise. Please stop crying, Avie," Anastasia soothed, though she sounded just as panicked.
My heart clenched. I hadn't meant to make them worry.
When I finally opened my eyes at the hospital and realized it was already past 8 p.m., I panicked. I rushed out without waiting for discharge or even finding my clothes. Still wearing the patient gown, I bolted straight home. My sisters must have been calling all day.
I didn't know if I should be angry at the men who had hit me and taken me to the hospital. It wasn't exactly a hit-and-run, but still… The memory of their hushed conversation in the hospital room lingered in my mind. Who were they? And what were they planning? I was curious, but not tonight.
Tonight, my sisters came first.
"Guys! Avie, Ana. I'm so sorry for making you worry," I said as I rushed inside.
Avie ran straight into my arms. I dropped to my knees and hugged her tightly as her sobs grew louder. Anastasia stood a little apart, trying to hold herself together, but I could see the tears trembling in her eyes.
I beckoned her closer with a soft smile. She gave in, running into the hug, and her composure finally broke.
"I was so scared, Ava," she whispered between sobs. "I thought something bad had happened to you. We kept calling, but your phone was switched off. I couldn't stop thinking something terrible happened."
I kissed the top of her head. "I'm so sorry, Ana. I didn't mean to make you worry."
She pulled back just enough to look at me. "Then why are you in a hospital gown? What happened?"
"I had a minor accident," I admitted, "but I promise I'm fine."
"And your phone? Why was it switched off?"
"I got mugged earlier. They took it."
Before Anastasia could say more, my father's voice cut through the room. "Y'all are so loud. It's annoying."
He lay half-sprawled on the couch, drink in hand. Once upon a time, he was a loving, caring father. But that man was gone. The sight of him only fanned the anger already simmering in me.
I turned back to Avie, who had finally calmed down. "Have you had dinner yet?"
They both nodded.
"It was very difficult getting Avie to eat," Ana confessed, rolling her eyes. "She said she wouldn't until she saw you. I had to tell her you'd be angry if she didn't eat anything."
Avie giggled softly, and I couldn't help smiling too. She had grown so attached to me since I'd stepped into the mother role after our mom fell sick.
"It's late," I said gently. "Both of you should head to bed now."
Once they were tucked in, I finally retreated to my own room, exhaustion pressing down on me. Tomorrow would bring another storm. I needed rest if I was going to face it.
The next morning, a knock echoed at the door.
"Hi, good morning. Do I have the right address for Miss Ava Carter?" a male voice called politely.
I froze. Visitors were rare.
Anastasia opened the door, and I wiped flour from my hands as I left the kitchen, half-baked cookie still in my mouth.
At the doorway stood a tall, sharply dressed man in a neat suit. Too neat for our neighborhood.
"Miss Ava," he greeted when he saw me.
I frowned. "Yes, that's me, but it seems you already know that. Who might you be?"
He shifted uncomfortably, a nervous smile tugging at his lips. "I don't know if you'd want your sister to hear this."
Ana folded her arms across her chest, standing firm. "I think I can handle anything you want to tell Ava," she said smugly.
I couldn't help but smile at her bravado, even though I was nervous. Bad news had been our constant lately. The last thing I wanted was for Ana to carry more weight on her shoulders. But seeing her stand there with such confidence… I let her stay.
"I think we'll be just fine hearing what you have to say," I told him, turning back.
He cleared his throat. "Well, alright then. First of all, I'm the stranger who rammed into you yesterday. And while that was a complete accident, we have a contract for you. One that should be of benefit to you, too."
His tone was dead serious.
My heart stopped.
What was this man talking about?