Ava

The knock on my bedroom door was urgent, rapid—like a heartbeat. I swung it open to see Rose, her face pale, eyes wide with panic.

“Ava!” she gasped, clutching the doorframe. “Holly… There's blood in her room. She’s not responding.”

The world tilted. My chest tightened as I rushed past her, feet barely touching the floor as I ran. My mind raced, dread gnawing at every thought. Not Holly. Please, not Holly.

We burst into her room. My sister lay crumpled on the bed, her skin pale, blood smeared on her lips and sheets.

“Oh God, Holly!” I dropped to my knees, pulling her into my arms, her head lolling against my chest. “Wake up, please!”

“Call Joe!” I shouted to Rose, panic making my voice sharp. “We need to get her to the hospital!”

Rose’s hands shook as she pulled out her phone, dialing frantically. “Joe—meet us out front. We need to get to the hospital. Now!”

I cradled Holly, tears blurring my vision. Rose grabbed a blanket, and we carried her downstairs. In the chaos, footsteps echoed behind us. Orion.

“I’m coming with you,” he said, grabbing his coat.

Before I could answer, Chloe’s voice cut through the tension. “No!” She clutched his arm, eyes wide with faked fear. “Orion, please. What if… what if my ex comes? I can’t be here alone. I’m scared.”

Orion hesitated, his jaw tightening. His gaze flickered between me and Chloe.

“Stay with your mistress,” I said coldly. “She needs you right?” I didn’t wait for his reply. For the first time since this drama started, I hated Richard for forcing his son into my life. He's nothing but a coward. And I hated Orion, for coming back…why didn't he stay dead?

We bundled Holly into the car, Joe speeding through the empty road. My heart pounded with every passing second. I couldn’t stop staring at her, the blood staining her lips. What had she taken? How did this happen?

---

At the hospital, everything was a blur of white coats and harsh lights. Doctors whisked Holly away, leaving me and Rose in the sterile waiting room. My hands were still stained with her blood, my sleeping clothes disheveled.

I didn't care about any of that. I didn't care if I looked like a mad woman. I just want my sister to be alright.

Rose touched my shoulder gently. “Will you be OK alone? I need to head back to the mansion. I’ll grab some clothes for you and… I have that meeting at the company. She'll be fine, Ava, OK?”

I nodded, barely hearing her. The door closed behind her, leaving me alone with my thoughts. Minutes felt like hours.

My phone buzzed in my pocket. Mason. I almost didn’t answer, but my fingers moved on their own.

“Ava?” His voice was a lifeline.

“I’m… I’m at a hospital,” I whispered, tears choking me again.

“Are you hurt? I’m coming. Which one?”

I told him, my voice barely audible. After what seemed like an hour, the door swung open. Mason found me instantly, his eyes full of concern. He crossed the room, pulling me into his arms without a word.

I collapsed against him, the sobs I’d been holding back finally breaking free. “I’m sorry,” I choked out. “You’ve seen me cry more than you’ve ever seen me smile and we just met you.”

He held me firmly. “Don’t apologize. I’m here. Whatever you need.” He pulled back slightly, looking at me with concern. “Ava, what happened? Who’s in the hospital?”

I swallowed hard, trying to steady my breath. “It’s Holly. My sister.” My voice cracked as I spoke. “We found her unresponsive in her room. There was blood—she… she wasn’t responding. I don’t know what happened.”

Mason’s face darkened with worry. “Blood? What do you mean? Was she injured?”

“I don’t know,” I whispered, shaking my head. “She was just… lying there. I don’t even know if she’s… okay.” I broke off, feeling fresh tears burn at the back of my eyes.

Mason’s voice softened as he whispered reassuring words, his grip on me tightening slightly.

“I don’t know why this is happening. She was fine when I tucked her in last night,” I said quietly, my heart aching with the uncertainty. “They’re still checking her out. But… It seems bad, Mason. I can feel it.”

He held me closer, rubbing soothing circles on my back. “She’s strong, Ava. She’ll make it through this.”

We sat together, his arm around me, grounding me in the storm.

“Thank you for coming,” I whispered, wiping my tears.

“Always.”

We fell into a quiet, broken only by the distant hum of hospital machines.

“Do you… do you think she’ll be okay?” I asked nervously, my voice barely above a whisper.

“She’s your sister. I have no doubt she's strong. Like you.”

I tried to smile, but it felt hollow.

The door opened suddenly, and the doctor walked in. My heart stopped.

“She’s stable,” he said. Relief flooded through me, but his next words froze me in place. “She ingested something that a patient with her condition should avoid—quinine. It’s in tonic water. Do you know how she got it?”

Quinine? My mind raced. “She wouldn’t… she knows better. Someone must’ve—”

The doctor raised an eyebrow. “She’s still in intensive care. You’ll have to wait before you see her.”

I nodded, my thoughts a whirlwind. Quinine. Who would give her that?

I sank back into the chair, the weight of his words pressing down on me. Mason held my shoulders, squeezing it reassuringly but that didn't ease my worry.

Someone had slipped quinine into Holly’s drink? Something that is dangerous to her health? My mind raced, fear curdling into suspicion.

My servants would never. I made sure I was clear on my instructions regarding what Holly should and should not take. How did this happen? Orion? Chloe? Why? Why would they want to hurt her? I'm their enemy, not my sister. Haven’t I made that clear enough?

The more I thought about it, the more furious I got. I will make them pay for even attempting this. I will make them bleed if that's the last thing I'll ever do.

While I was lost in thought, my phone buzzed again. Another message. Another storm.