Chapter 95
Chapter 95:
Ava’s eyes widened as she tried to control her emotions.
She nodded and mumbled…
“D-Dad p>
After talking with her parents, Ava returned to her friends.
“Happy?†Luke asked.
She nodded and glanced at her mother, who was beaming beside Gamma Harper.
Dad, I fulfilled my promise today, Ava thought, tears welling as she remembered his face and the emptiness of his absence.
“I’ll be back in a few minutes,†she told her friends, who offered her reassuring smiles.
Ava wandered away, looking for a quiet spot to catch her breath. A waiter pointed her toward the balcony, and she followed his directions.
Once there, she drew in a deep breath. Below, the forest stretched out under a sky scattered with stars; the moon cast a gentle glow over the scene. Ava watched the trees swaying in the night breeze, her heart aching as memories of that terrible evening returned.
She remembered her father lying on the ground, helpless—he’d tried so desperately to move, to save himself, but fate had turned against him. They came for him in the war, and she had been forced to watch as they took him from her.
A sob caught in her throat. A hand touched her shoulder and offered a tissue. Looking down, she recognized Luke’s watch reflecting the moonlight.
“Thank you, Luke,†she whispered, pressing the tissue to her eyes and biting her lip to steady herself.
“My father…†she began, voice quivering. She paused to steady her breath, eyes on the dark forest. “He couldn’t save himself in the war. They killed him—I saw it with my own eyes. He wanted to live. We were a happy family… but he had to die p>
She broke down in tears again; the tissue was useless, already soaked through.
Ava felt strong arms circle her and pull her against a broad chest. In the darkness, she assumed it was Luke. She pressed herself closer, crying into the fabric of his shirt. His fingers threaded gently through her hair, soothing her.
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“My father entrusted me with a promise—to always care for my mother. I kept his promise today,†she choked out.
“Sshh. You did wonderfully. You’re a good daughter, and you proved it,†the man murmured.
Ava froze at the unfamiliar voice. Luke’s tone was warmer, kinder—this was different.
She drew in a shaky breath, realizing she was against someone else. A familiar, sharp cologne brushed her senses, and her heart pounded.
Slowly, she lifted her head—and stopped. Ian Dawson’s face appeared under the moonlight as it slipped from behind a cloud. She jerked back and hastily wiped her cheeks.
“I—I didn’t expect you,†she stammered, avoiding his gaze.
Ian watched her, eyes dark. He had seen her slip away from the party and collapse in tears. He regretted earlier harsh words when she had mistakenly called him Luke, and he felt a pang of guilt for how he’d spoken of her father.
“Why are you out here?†Ava whispered, turning her back to him.
Ian frowned, discomfort flashing across his features at her unease. He moved to stand beside her at the railing, drew a packet of cigarettes from his pocket, and tapped one out.