Chapter 18: I don’t need your help.
Ava crumbled onto the bed, her tears spilling over as sadness and frustration intertwined, gripping her chest like a vice. "Why can’t you just let me go?" she muttered. "What should I do?"
Her mind swirled with confusion and despair until a sudden memory flashed—Dylan’s harsh accusation that her father had killed his parents. Ava stopped sobbing. ’Could that really be true?’ she thought, her heart pounding as her brow furrowed in disbelief.
It didn’t make sense. The Williams and Brooks families had been inseparable for as long as she could remember. They always supported each other. People in town would talk about their strong bond with admiration.
"No, this can’t be true," she mumbled, her eyebrows knitting. "Papa can never kill his best friend. Something is amiss."
The sharp ring of her phone shattered her thoughts, jolting her out of her reverie. She glanced at the screen and saw her best friend’s name.
"Lola!" A fleeting smile appeared on her face, but the smile was quickly replaced by tears as emotions surged within her. It had been so long since she had spoken to her best friend.
In her past life, Ava had abandoned everything—her family, her career, and even her friendships—all in a desperate attempt to win Dylan’s attention. But what had she gained? Only heartache and betrayal.
This time, she would take control of her destiny—a future where there was no Dylan and his manipulations.
Blinking her tears away, she took a deep breath and answered the call. "Hello? Lola? How are you?"