CHAPTER FORTY THREE: The Woman I Have Become.

By the time Ava drove into the Cardwell mansion's wide driveway, evening shadows stretched across the manicured lawn. Golden light spilled from the tall windows, painting warm rectangles on the gravel, as her driver slowly eased the car in.

She found her grandfather in the living room, newspaper spread across his lap, his silver head turning toward the doorway every few moments like a faithful dog waiting for its master's return.

"You should go shopping," he had declared three days earlier, casting a theatrical glare at her walk-in closet. His hands had gestured dismissively at the rows of designer dresses and shelves of imported shoes.

"This is your debut of sorts, into high society and I want you to look perfect." His fingers had already been dancing across his phone screen, scrolling through contacts.

"No, no, you don't have to do that!" Ava had lunged for his phone, her cheeks burning as she ended the call mid-ring. "I'm so sorry," she'd mumbled into the device before hanging