Chapter 247

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Ethan.

When I got the news from one of the inmates that Ava had been shot, I felt like my heart had been split wide open by a sledgehammer. Everything in me died when he told me that there was no further news, but the grapevine believed that she was dead because no one could survive that shooting. That, and the fact that her family kept quiet about it and there was no official report that was released,

I love Ava, and I love my baby even more. Knowing that they both hadn’t made it almost drove me to insanity.

I waited the whole time with my heart in my throat. I waited for my parents to reach out and give me the bad news. When night arrived without a word from them, I was convinced that the rumors must be true somehow. Otherwise, why would they take so long to make contact?

I barely slept an inch the whole night. Worry and anxiety were constant companions, driving me to the edge of insanity and filling my head with painful thoughts.

At one point, I cried to God. Praying that he could somehow do a fucking miracle. I didn’t believe in any deity, but at that point, I was willing to believe in anyone who would tell me that they were both alive and okay.

My cellmate, the guards, and other inmates gave me pitying looks. I felt horrible, I looked horrible, and I was pretty sure that I was fucking dying inside.

When morning came, I could barely keep my breakfast down. The images of one adult-size casket and another tiny one kept wreaking havoc inside my head. It’s all I could think about. It’s all I saw.

My heart skipped a beat when I was called into the warden’s office. I didn’t say anything when I saw my parent’s lawyer.

When he told me that I had been pardoned for a few hours, a ray of hope started rising inside me. On our way to the hospital, that small ray bloomed into something bigger when Christopher, the family lawyer, told me that Ava and the baby were alive but in the ICU.

I thanked whatever power that had done it. They were alive, and that’s what mattered the most.

“Ethan, are you okay?” Mom’s voice brings me back to the present.

I stare at her, wondering how the fuck I got so lucky. Most women in her position would have kicked me out of their lives, but she didn’t. Neither did my father.

My eyes search for him. They finally land on him. He was a few feet away from me, and he had his hand clamped on Rowan’s shoulder.

Rowan looked ready to kill me as his eyes seared me with hate. I didn’t mind at all. The feeling was fucking mutual, given how he treated Ava in the past.

I watch as he turns around with Noah, and they follow a nurse.

“I’m just relieved, Mom,” I tell her as my eyes tear up.

I was so happy. I hadn’t lost them. There was still hope for them.

“I love you, Ethan,” she says as tears fall down her face.

I hate watching her cry. I hate seeing her heart break. I can see it in her eyes. The possibility of losing Ava was killing her.

I pull her into my arms since they had removed my cuffs.

“I love you too, mom,” I breathe. “And don’t worry. Ava and the baby are going to be just fine. You’ll see”

“You have a daughter,” dad says, and mom and I let each other go.

“What?” I stammer.

They both give me a radiant smile. “You have a baby girl. Her name is Iris.”

The tears I was holding back? Yeah, I couldn’t hold them back any more, so they fell freely down my face.

“Who named her?” It was a beautiful name, but I was afraid Ava would be pissed that they named our baby without consent.

"Noah,” mom answers. “Apparently they were discussing names one day and they settled on Iris if she was a girl and Kaden if he was a boy.”

My breath gets caught in my lungs, and my parents notice this.

“What’s wrong? Aren’t you happy with the name?” dad asks.

“It’s not that. Iris is a beautiful name. It’s just that I once mentioned to her that I loved the name Kaden.”

Mom gives me a watery smile, and Dad gives me a side hug.

We were in bed that day. I just happened to mention it to Ava. I told her if I ever had a son, he would be named Kaden. The fact that she took me into consideration and decided to give the baby a name I loved in case it was a boy meant the fucking world to me.

Before any of us can say anything, a nurse calls for me.

“We arranged it. You’re her father; you deserve to see her,” mom says.

I nod at her and follow the nurse. After they’ve dressed me up, she leads me into a room and straight to my daughter.

Seeing her so small with tubes attached to her brings me to my knees.

“Is she going to be okay?” I choke out.

I didn’t know I could ever love someone so much that it felt all-consuming, but I was wrong. Right there, Iris becomes my world. I doubt anyone could ever be as important to me as she will ever be.

“Yes. She’s doing well so far, and we’re confident that she’ll be okay,” she answers with a kind smile.

I know every father probably thinks the same, but damn, Iris was really beautiful.

I touch her tiny face, unable to believe that Ava made such a perfect being. She was everything to me and she now owned my heart.

I thank Ava because if she hadn’t convinced me when she told me she was pregnant, then I would have given up on the best gift anyone could ever give me.

I might be in prison for the next few years, but I will do everything I can to protect her, and because of her, I will be on my best behavior just so I can be granted parole.

I spend a few more minutes with her before Mary, as she introduced herself, tells me it’s time for me to leave.

I feel fucking heartbroken to leave my daughter, but I have no other choice. The few minutes I got to spend with her were the best moments of my life.

Next, I get to see Ava. Fuck, I love her so much. Seeing her like this hurts me in ways I can’t explain. I will forever regret ruining my chance with her, but I’ve come to realize that everything happens for a reason. It may not make sense, and maybe it never will, but there is a reason behind it.

I was holding her hand when mom came and told me that my time is up. I sigh, but nod.

“I’ll always love you, Ava. I hope you know that.” I tell her still form, before kissing her lips.

It takes everything for me to leave, but I remember that I promised Iris to get out of prison early.

Leaving her room, I go and hug my parents. The guards were just about to cuff me when Letty’s voice spoke from behind.

“Ethan?”

I turn around and face her. We’d become friends during my time with Ava. She was like the sister I never had.

“I’m still pissed at you, but I’m glad that you’re okay. I’m sorry I haven’t come to see you”

“It’s okay Letty I understand.”

“Can I hug you? I’ve missed my friend.”

I nod my head, and she launches herself at me. I hug her close to me, feeling almost whole, but not quite.

“Take care of yourself,” I whisper.

“You too, Ethan,” she whispers back. “I’ll come see you once things settle.”

“I’m looking forward to that.”

I release her only to find Travis glaring at him. I glare back. I also hated him for the way he treated Ava. I just never understood why Letty was still with him.

I hug my parents one last time before letting the guards cuff me.

As they lead me back to prison, I pray for another miracle. One that entailed Ava waking up from her coma and Iris surviving.

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I just wanted to thank you all for your love and support for this book. I couldn't have done this without you, my loves so I decided to show my appreciation by giving you a free chapter. Thank you, also, for your understanding. You've all been so patient with me, despite my irregular updates. Take care, and stay safe.❤