Chapter 109

Seeking help

“What’s up, Ava?”

+15 BONUS

We rarely talk. Most of the time, it’s just a message here and there. All of them consist of him

letting me know he has sent a package and me thanking him for it.

I know it’s dangerous, but he’s the only one I can think of to help me right now. I won’t lie. The

second note has totally scared the crap out of me.

“I need your help, Reaper,” I simply state. There was no need for small talk. Plus, from what I’ve

learned about him, he doesn’t like them.

It took some time before I finally had the courage to call him. I’ve been debating whether I should

go to the police or him. Finally, reason won over. The last time I was in danger, the police weren’t

able to help. Reaper knew what was happening the whole time.

I reasoned that maybe he would be able to help me catch whoever was after me.

“Okay, what is it?” he asks curiously. Probably because I’ve never asked him for anything.

“Someone seems to be after.”

“Oh, is it about the notes you’ve been getting?”

I am shocked, but not at the same time. See? This is why I thought he would be the best person to

help me. He was a step ahead of me.

“Yes,” I answer. “Do you know who’s behind it, and how do you even know about them?”

I crossed my fingers, hoping that he knew. It would be even better if he was in the process of

taking care of the problem for me. After all, didn’t he promise me his protection?

“I have my sources… I don’t know who’s behind them, but my source tells me that the person who leaves

them usually wears a mask and a long black coat. From what he gathered, he thinks it’s a

woman.”

I try to think about which woman would want to harm me, but I come up short. This past few months, I’ve

offended a lot of people, with Emma being the most recent. It was just hard to tell who could hold such a

big resentment that they would threaten me.

“Why didn’t he stop whoever the person is?” I ask.

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I mean, it’s reasonable. If you see a strange person leaving such notes, you stop them

“He didn’t think much of it until the second note. That’s when he started getting suspicious”

I can’t really blame him. I didn’t think too much into it until the second note, too

“What do the notes contain?”

“Give me a second. Let me send you a picture.”

I snap a picture of them side by side and then send it to him. He’s quiet while he’s studying them.

I can’t help but think of how I could get into trouble if the police ever found out.

Reaper was still in hiding, and the police were still on his case. I took a risk with him. A risk that could put

me in prison for being his accomplice and hiding his whereabouts.

In my defense, I don’t really know where he’s hiding, and we rarely communicate, but I don’t think that

would be enough to convince the jury of my innocence.

“Looks like whoever it is has a grudge and wants to hurt you,” he finally says.

“Gee thanks Sherlock” I tell him sarcastically. “I’ve already gathered that…you know, with the whole say

goodbye to your loved ones thing”

I didn’t want to be snappy, but I was on edge. It’s scary to know someone is planning my death. It’s even

scarier because I’m pregnant. If I die, my baby dies, too. I can’t have that.

“There’s not much I can gather except that,” he sighs. “Who have you offended in recent months? Who

do you think could be angry enough to want revenge? Let’s start there.”

“I honestly don’t know, Reaper. You seem to know everything that goes on around me, so you know that

I’ve made a lot of people angry these past few months.”

“Okay then. Just send me a list of those you’ve crossed, and I’ll see what I can do. Okay?” he asks.

I nod my head before realizing he can’t see me. “Okay”

“Don’t worry, Ava. We’ll catch this bastard. There is no way I’ll allow him o

+15 BONUS

I don’t get up from my spot on the couch There were a million things to do in the house, yet! didn’t have

any energy left in me. Plus, with all my thoughts and fears, I couldn’t focus, even if I wanted to

I don’t know how long I was there before I heard keys juggle and then my front door open. I turn around

when I hear footsteps. Mom and dad walk hand in hand.

I smile at them. Those two were so in love that they were always joined at the hip most of the time. It was

really cute.

“Hey,” I greet them as I sit up right.

Mom takes a seat next to me while dad takes the one on the opposite.

“Hey too, baby,” dad says.

“Hi, my love,” mom greets back.

I will never get used to the look of love in their eyes. It was everything for me. With them, I didn’t have to

wonder or guess. It was written all over their faces.

“What do I owe the pleasure of your visit…Not that I don’t like having you guys here or anything

like that.”

They give each other a look before Mom turns to fully face me.

“Well, there are a few things we would like to discuss,” she says, and I nod my head.

“First of all, I just want to thank you, my darling.” She begins with teary eyes. “Ethan called us yesterday.

I know he has done awful things to you, but you don’t know how good it felt talking to him. He told us that

you’re the one that pushed him to get in touch with us and after thinking

about it, he realized he couldn’t do without family and we are his family.”

I smile at her. Ethan and I mainly communicate through letters. Only once in a while does he call.

I haven’t gone to see him since that first time, but I know that will change once the baby is born.

He or she deserves to know their father.

“It’s nothing, mom.”

“No. It’s something,” she insists. “Thank you so much because I had missed my son.”

I cringe at that. It’s still weird hearing her call him that, given that I’ve slept with the man. I will

never get used to that.

3/4

+15 BONUS

I hug her and peck her cheeks. “Anything for you guys.”

We hug for a while before we let each other go. Dad waits until Mom dries her tears

“What is the other thing you wanted to talk to me about?”

He clears his throat. “Right. We want to introduce you to society as our daughter and heir.”

I knew this was coming somehow, but that doesn’t stop my mouth from hanging open.

“Are you sure?” I stammer.

I wasn’t really sure myself, but I’ve been postponing it for so long. They’ve wanted to announce our

relationship for so long, but I’ve been dragging my feet. I wasn’t ashamed of being their daughter; I just

didn’t want the scrutiny that came with being their daughter.

“Yes. It’s time, and I want the whole world to know that you’re our child.” Mom says. “It’s a

blessing that we were able to find you. I just want us to share that with the world.”

I think about it for a while. What was the use of denying them? There were already rumors, given

that Noah and I have been seen with them on numerous occasions.

“Alright then,” I finally give them my answer.

Mom squeals and literally launches herself at me. “Thank you so much. I’ll start the preparation.

Maybe we can go old school and hold a ball in your honor.”

I just smile at her. We talk for a little while. It mostly consisted of her telling dad and me the ideas

she has for the ball.

I want to be happy and excited, but I can’t. Not when I still don’t know who the new threat is.