Ava

No. It can’t be him.

My heart froze the moment I saw those eyes—cold, black, and all too familiar. Memories I’d buried deep began to claw their way to the surface. Peter Duncan. His name echoed through my mind like a curse.

I tried to blink it away, to pretend he was just a product of my imagination. Maybe my mind conjured him. But I knew better. The past doesn’t stay buried. It waits, lurking, ready to drag you back under at the worst possible moment.

But I never expected to see it this soon inside my house.

I could almost hear the whispers from middle school: “Gutter girl.” “Smelly.” “Trash.” And Peter? He was the conductor of that cruel nightmare, always in the center, his smile twisted with malice. Sixth grade was hell because of him. He made sure of it.

But I’m not that girl anymore. I’ve built walls, fortresses around myself. I’m Ava Miller—strong, successful, untouchable. But in an instant, those walls began to crack. “Ava?” His voice slithered through the air, and I fought the urge to flinch. “Ava Rodriguez? Oh my God, what a small world. It is you.” I stepped back, every instinct screaming danger. My mind raced. Why now? Is this some twisted part of their plan? I could barely breathe. Orion’s voice cut through the fog. “Ava, you’re shaking. Are you cold?” I couldn’t answer. I couldn’t trust it. Not him, not this. I felt like a pawn, like everything was spiraling out of control. I took another step back. No. Don’t let them see you break. Chloe’s voice dripped with sarcasm. “Did you have some fling with him or something? Is that why you’re acting this way? Are you scared your cheap ways will come to light?” I clenched my jaw. You have no idea. But Orion snapped at her, his voice low, protective. “Stop it, Chloe.” He was... defending me? That only made it worse. Don’t trust it. Orion glanced at me, puzzled. “You two know each other?”

Orion, oblivious to the tension, smiled, his arm gripping me tighter as I staggered a bit. “Well, that’s great.” “So, Peter, how do you know my wife?” Orion’s arm around my waist was protective, but the touch felt like a chain, not comfort. “Your wife?” Peter’s eyes widened, mock surprise playing across his face. “Oh, we were... friends in middle school. You could say I knew her better than anyone.” His words were daggers. Only I could hear the venom beneath them. You don’t know me. Not anymore. I mustered up courage and forced a smile. I am not that child anymore, he won’t see me break. “Yeah... we did go to the same middle school. So, what are you doing here? My voice sounded steadier than I felt. Before Peter could answer, Orion chimed in, his tone casual. “Oh, I forgot to mention—Peter’s my assistant. He’s been of great help.”

Assistant. The room tilted. Of all the people, it had to be him? Was this some twisted joke? Did Peter know who I was when he took the job? Did they dig into my past to bring him back into my life? Is this their twisted move to throw me out? My stomach twisted with unease.

Peter’s eyes locked on mine, and a slow, calculated smile spread across his face. “Small world, isn’t it? Ava and I go way back. I can’t believe this.”

I forced another smile. “Yeah... we do.” My voice was tight. “So, when exactly did you move to this part of L.A?” I said, trying to sound as casual as possible.

Peter’s smile didn’t waver. “It should be three years now. I never knew this was where your family moved to. I would have met up with you sooner. I’m thrilled to see you after all these years, Ava.”

Of course you are. My hands clenched at my sides.

Orion glanced at me, his eyes studying me carefully, he leaned closely and told me to go upstairs since I had something to do.

I didn’t argue. I couldn’t stay in that room a second longer. I have no doubt they are all in on this. So this was his next move after poisoning my sister?

“It was... nice meeting you again, Peter,” I lied through gritted teeth.

“The pleasure’s all mine.”

Liar.

As soon as I got to my room, the door clicked shut, and I collapsed against it, shaking. My body remembered what my mind wanted to forget. The cafeteria taunts, the trips, the humiliation. I barely made it to the bathroom before falling to my knees. My stomach twisted violently, and I threw up, every heave bringing back the ghosts of middle school.

No. I won’t let him do this to me again.

I staggered to the sink, gripping the porcelain as if it could hold me together. I scrubbed my hands until they were raw, until my skin burned. Erase him. Erase the past.

Tears blurred my vision. My mother had uprooted everything, changed states so I can escape the trauma. I’d rebuilt myself from the ashes of that scared, broken girl. I wasn’t Ava Rodriguez anymore. I was Ava Miller—strong, successful, powerful. I won’t be that little girl again. I won’t let him walk all over me.

I stared at my reflection, eyes blazing. “You are not weak. You are not that scared kid anymore. You’ve survived worse. You’re Ava Miller, and you won’t let them win.”

The words were a lifeline, a mantra. I repeated them until the trembling stopped, until my heartbeat steadied. I will protect myself. I have influence now. Power. He can’t touch me.

After a few minutes, I forced myself to stand. Something nagged at the back of my mind, a thread of memory pulling me toward something more important. The reason I came home.

The box.

My eyes scanned the room as I searched for it. After a few minutes, I found it tucked in the corner, covered in dust. I had tried over the years— tried every code I could think of. Birthdays, anniversaries, all failed. But now, a new possibility burned in my mind.

With shaking hands, I pulled the box closer, dusting it off. This time... this time it will work. I entered the numbers, my breath hitching.

Richard’s birthday.

Click.

The lock opened.