Chapter 33: chapter 33

Chapter 33Ava’s POVReality finally sank in. The intensity of the matter left an indescribable heavy feeling in my heart. My shoulders began to weigh on me as the realisation drained through me, travelling through every organ and cell to reach on the ground.The denial my heart clutched on began to ebb away. The truth taking it's place and spreading pain to the entire organ.My mind came up with so many questions and apparently zero answers. I wrapped my arms around myself, whilst shaking my head.Thoughts about the woman I grew up loving turned sour and stale.She had been in my life for as long as I could remember. For 14 years I knew no real friend other than her. For 14 years I called her mum.I loved her for 14 years, I adored her for those years. For 14 years she had been my world, a role model that was nearly perfect and all real before me.For 14 years my eyes refused to see her for who she really was, a fake. She had been my only family for those 14 years. Memories came flooding back full force, swarming my mind. I wanted to get rid of them all, but they kept on showing.One particular memory stood out though. I remembered her telling me a story about a woman who was her best friend. She said that they had been like sisters but one day unavoidable circumstances pushed them apart.I could still feel the sadness and pain in her voice as she narrated the story. The tears she had shed as she expressed how much she missed her best friend. My heart broke for her then and I knew that she would have done anything to be united with the said person.I still remembered how we hugged tightly, with her giving promises that made me feel special at that time.'Ava honey, losing someone special to your heart to natural circumstances hurts. But losing them and realising later that something could have been done hurts even more. I want you to know that I would never put you through that. You are my baby and it will remain so until the day I die. ' The words played in my mind.It didn't matter that I couldn't remember them with accuracy, but I still had the basis of what she had said that day. The realisation that she meant to break and do the exact thing she said she wouldn't gnawed and scratched deep inside my heart. How could she settle to hurting me this way?Why on earth would she do this to me. All those memories we made together, were they all fake to her? Did they mean anything to her?She fucking lied to me for 14 years. She played me for a fool for 14 years. I trusted her with everything I had, and it took only one day for her to up and go, faking her own death. She was supposed to be my fucking mother for goodness sake. What sort of a mother does this to a child of her own?Did she even think how much this would affect me? Evil, that was the only answer my betrayed mind managed to come up with. She was supposed to be there for me, hell she had repeatedly said she loved me. Turns out every word about love her lying tongue ever uttered was nothing but a scam.I wanted to assure myself that maybe we were missing something, maybe all this was a misunderstanding but then why was I feeling this way?My insides were in chaos, like a storm was brewing inside. I was aching inside, the pain that I felt made me incapable of everything. I wanted to cry, I wanted to just let the tears flow but they wouldn't form. I wanted to say something, anything but I couldn't get a word past my quivering lips. My voice box gave out on me and I could only swallow a gulp of saliva loudly.Is this how betrayal felt like? like someone ripping your heart over and over again. My throat closed up on me, my trachea letting little air pass through. I struggled to breathe, the pain was all too much to handle.I wanted to tear my hair out bits by bits, scream like a maniac, but my wandering mind wouldn't allow me to react and let the steam go. The steam kept on burning me, increasing the ache all over my body.How could my insides burn and feel damp with unshed tears at the same time? Why had she done it in the first place? Why would she go through the trouble of faking her death? Was I that much of a nuisance to her that she had to leave me like I never existed?But then why would she stay with me for all those years and just decide to leave one day?Ray's Pov.It was killing me to see Ava like this, so lifeless. She was mute, it was as if her tongue had become heavy in her mouth.Her eyes glazed over with unshed tears. He eyebrows drew together, making her appear even more stressed. You could see wheels and gears turning in her mind. This whole ordeal was obviously draining energy from her body. I wanted to hold her and whisper sweet nothings to her. I wanted to assure her that all would be okay, but would she allow me to touch her?I expected her to break down and cry herself out, but none of that was happening. She wouldn't shed even a single tear, and that scared me a lot.Bryson was watching closely, torn in between just like I was. I could see how his arms were itching to hold her to his chest but he wanted to give her space at the same time. He kept on glancing at me, then her clearly thinking about what and how we could help our girl.From one secret to another...Surely my parents had to have known this would mess her up once it got out. Or maybe they thought it would never be revealed.'Give me your phone Ray. ' She suddenly spoke, her voice accompanied by a cold grim tone. She didn't even look at me, she only stretched her right hand to get the phone. It was odd to me that she would ask for my phone at this time.It made me wonder what exactly she was up to. Not wanting to upset her, I handed the unlocked phone to her.I didn't look to see what she was doing but when she pressed the phone on her ear, I knew she was calling some..Oh no, she was calling mum, was it really a good idea to want to speak to her.'Where are you? ' She questioned over the phone in a calm voice.'Come to Jack's hotel right now.' She paused. I couldn't here the reply from the other side. She clutched the phone tightly in a death grip, pressing it impossibly on her ear.' I don't care how busy you are, fucking come to the hotel right now, oh and bring your fake husband too.' She remained still where she stood. I could see pain behind those eyes, beneath her soul. It was drowning her and morphing into something more, anger. How was I supposed to help her when she pushed it all on her insides.She needed to vent it all out, letting out the steam that had taken over her organs and consciousness was the only way she could feel better. Unless she shed tears of hurt, we didn't know how to reach to her and help her. I couldn't believe she had just cussed, she was really pissed. Knowing mum, she prolly knew something was very wrong, she would be here in no time.We waited silently, occasionally throwing quick glances at Ava. She sat on the area rug, with both her palms covering her scrunched up face.Mum and dad arrived 30 minutes after the call. They had called back asking for the room number.Once they were in, I expected hell to break loose. But boy was I wrong. Ava remained calm and cold, not even looking at them. The only thing she did at that time was turning her eyes on the white double doors, eyes sending a cold glare at my parents. She fixed her stare at my mother as she approached Ava where she stood.Even when mum hugged her she didn't push mum away or pull out, she just sat there saying nothing. Dad stood by the door staring at my girl, it's like he figured something was different about Ava.'Why? 'Ava asked, turning her head away and staring past everyone and into space like before.'What do you mean Ava? ' Mum asked, seeming confused while she sat beside Ava on the blue carpet. Her blue hand bag that matched with her heels, was placed by her feet. Then looked at Ava, giving her the attention she so much wanted.'Don't fucking pretend, I want to know why? ' Ava's voice sounded even colder, but with some kind of an edge in her icy tone.'Ava honey, what are y..' 'Shut up mum! ' Bryson hissed, he was very much mad at her. I couldn't help but feel like something else was bothering him.'Don't you talk to your mother like that Bryson Romans. ' Dad scolded, taking a step closer to Bryson.'Or what huh? what's the worst you can do? ' Bryson challenged, clenching his hands into fists and staring dead on my father's deep set eyes.This was getting out of hand, I couldn't let it. Mum was already crying, seeming confused by everything that was going on. I didn't pity her in the slightest though, she had caused all this. Like Ava and Bry, I wanted her to spill the beans an shed some light into this very darkness they had brought upon us.'Who are you mum? ' This time I was the one who questioned. Earning a more confused look from my parents. I signed in frustration, a couple of swear words crossing my brains as I looked at the both of them.'What is going here? you are asking me all this meaningless questions when I'm the one who is supposed to ask. ' She looked at the three of us, wiping her tears with the back of her hand messily.'Why are you in the same room huh? it's clear you slept together, the three of you.' Her manicured index finger with a blue painted nail pointed at us. 'You've been acting strange lately, stealing glances at each other when you think your dad and I weren't looking.Are you fucking?'Mum finally exploded, taking it all out on us.Bryson laughed with mockery, disbelief in his voice. 'Are you kidding now? ' Bryson asked carelessly, shaking his head as if what mum said wasn't making any sense to him.'Bryson..' Dad warned.'No dad, she asked a question and I will answer with a yes or no, right after she answers mine. ' Dad stood unfazed by Bryson's statement.'You don't get to make any demands here. ' Dad pointed out.'I was merely offering a deal to your wife' He pointed at her, holding his arms out in mock surrender. Ava remained seated, with her shoulders pulled down by gravity of the feelings she was experiencing.'What is wrong with you? you're clearly disrespecting your mother Bryson, you have never done this before ' His voice was going higher with every utterance. His hands flailed, his lips set on a very thin line. One more word from Bry and dad would reach his boiling point.'Is it because she's your adoptive mother? ' Dad shouted, prominent veins showing on his forehead.'No. ' Bryson coldly answered.'Because she's a fucking imposter.'