So Gullible

It was sunset. The daylight had faded, the sun dipped beneath the horizon, and the night crept in. Ava walked through her neighborhood, her steps slower than usual. She was home earlier today—not by choice, but because Mrs. Perez had insisted she leave. Ava had tried to hide her reddened cheek, but Mrs. Perez had caught sight of the faint print of fingers marked across her skin.

“Who did this to you, Ava?” she’d asked, stunned.

Ava instinctively reached to cover her cheek, but Mrs. Perez caught her wrist, gently but firmly, stopping her.

“Answer me, Ava. Who did this?”

Faced with her boss’s fury and concern, Ava knew there was no point in lying. She told her what had happened, leaving out one detail—the strange, powerful man who had silently come to her defense.

Mrs. Perez was livid. She knew Ava like the back of her hand. The girl wouldn’t have deliberately spilled water on anyone, let alone provoke someone. Guilt twisted in her gut for not being there. She clenched her fists. If she had been present, she would’ve put that rich brat in her place.

As Ava reached her street, she spotted a red sports car parked in front of her house. Her eyes lit up instantly. She knew that car.

A delighted smile broke across her face. She ran inside and barely had time to catch her breath before her eyes landed on the figure in the living room. A young woman sat poised on the single-seater, her sleek black hair tied in a high ponytail. Her blue, strapless bodycon dress barely covered her thighs, legs crossed confidently, eyes fixed on her phone.

“Hazel!” Ava called out, grinning wide.

The woman looked up with a matching smile. She sprang to her feet and rushed toward Ava, wrapping her in a tight hug.

“My sweet cousin,” Hazel whispered, running her hand affectionately through Ava’s hair.

Ava chuckled softly, clinging to her. Tears brimmed in her eyes, but she didn’t want to let go. To Ava, Hazel’s arms were the safest place in the world.

After a long moment, Hazel finally pulled away. Ava already missed her warmth.

Hazel gently wiped a tear off Ava’s cheek with her thumb. “Come on now,” she said softly. “You know how much I hate seeing you cry.”

Ava couldn’t help it—more tears rolled down as she leaned into Hazel again.

“I missed you so much,” she choked out, hugging her tightly.

Hazel’s smile faded. She could tell—this wasn’t just about missing her. Something was wrong. She tilted Ava’s chin, studying her face. Her brow furrowed. One cheek felt off—hot and slightly swollen.

Without a word, she angled Ava’s head and froze at the sight. The faint imprint of a slap was still visible.

Ava tried to pull away, but Hazel’s eyes widened in disbelief.

“Who did this to you?!” she snapped.

Her voice shook with rage. Ava reached out to cover Hazel’s mouth, trying to shush her, but Hazel stepped back.

“Tell me, Ava. Was it your boss? A customer?” Hazel’s voice rose. “I swear, if you don’t tell me, I’m going down to that damn coffee shop right now and I’ll burn it to the ground!”

Ava flinched. “Hazel…”

Hazel’s hands trembled, her voice a mix of fury and pain.

By then, Emma, Dylan, and Charlotte had rushed into the room, alarmed by the shouting.

“What’s going on, Hazel?” Emma asked anxiously, looking between them.

“There’s a huge problem, Aunt Emma!” Hazel shouted. “Why the hell would you let Ava work? Huh? Even if she insisted, why didn’t you stop her? She’s not the type to fight back, and you know it!”

Charlotte’s eyes narrowed at Ava while Hazel pointed to her cheek.

“Someone slapped her. And Ava, being the sweet soul she is, wouldn’t say a word unless we pulled it out of her!”

Everyone fell silent. Hazel didn’t care.

She turned to Ava, her voice gentler now. “You’re coming to college with me. Everything’s ready. You just have to move in.”

The room gasped.

Ava’s lips parted, but no words came out.

Charlotte was the first to speak, trying to keep her voice steady. “But… Hazel, Ava’s only twenty.”

Hazel snapped her head around. “So am I, remember?”

Emma and Dylan exchanged glances. Emma hesitantly began, “Hazel, we really can’t afford to sponsor two children—”

“I didn’t ask you to,” Hazel cut her off sharply. “My mom and I will handle it.”

She draped an arm around Ava and guided her to the couch.

“Get me an ice pack, Charlotte.”

Charlotte frowned, but Hazel’s commanding tone left no room for refusal. She stomped toward the kitchen.

Emma and Dylan lingered for a moment before Emma followed Charlotte.

In the kitchen, Charlotte paced like a caged cat. Her eyes burned with frustration. No. I won’t let this happen. Ava can’t come to college. She just can’t.

When she heard someone approaching, she spun around. Emma entered.

“Mom, you’re not going to let this happen, right? Ava’s not going to college… right?”

Emma sighed, walking past her to pull out ingredients. “It’s done, Charlotte. There’s nothing your father or I can do. Hazel’s made up her mind.”

Charlotte’s hands clenched into fists. Her nails dug into her palms.

If Ava goes to college, what happens to me?