Chapter 44: The flicker of doubt.
Gianna lay crumpled on the floor, playing the victim effortlessly. She whimpered softly, cradling her hand as though Ava had injured her.
Dylan immediately rushed over to Gianna and pulled her up, wrapping his arm protectively around her. "Are you okay?" he asked, worry evident in his eyes.
Ava’s heart sank as she watched the scene. Her hand still ached from Gianna’s assault, but the pain in her chest—the emotional wound cut much deeper.
Gianna shook her head. "I came to check on her, but Ava got furious with me and pushed me." She looked up at Dylan with wide, pitiful eyes, ensuring he would see only her side of the story.
Ava’s blood boiled. Her body was still weak from her own injuries, but the injustice of it all gave her a surge of energy. "Stop all this drama, and get lost," she spat.
But Dylan’s fury was immediate. "Ava! When did you become so cruel?" Dylan snapped, his arms tightening protectively around Gianna. "She only wanted to check on you, and this is how you repay her?"
Ava’s lips curled into a bitter, knowing smile. She wasn’t surprised. She had been through this before. And here it was again. He would never take her side, never see-through Gianna’s lies.
"Why are you smiling?" Dylan hissed. "Are you happy hurting her? Say sorry to her...now."
"Dylan don’t bother her," Gianna said in a falsely sweet tone, placing her hand gently on his arm. "She has been through a lot. I’m sure she didn’t mean to hurt me."
"That doesn’t excuse her behavior," Dylan countered. "No matter what she has been through, she has no right to lash at you." His eyes bore on Ava fiercely. "Say sorry to Gianna – now."
Ava snorted. "You didn’t even ask what actually happened. You just assume I’m the one at fault. What if Gianna was the one who hurt me? Would you still be so quick to defend her? Would you ask her to apologize to me?"