Chapter 04

AVA 

I knew my day was about to go bad when I saw Maddie approaching my locker. I brace myself for a fight, since I’ve already lost a title dear to me, there was no point in avoiding confrontation with her any longer. 

If she wants a fight, then a fight she will have! 

“Here, take your blasted earrings and stay the hell away from me!” She blurted out, thrusting two pairs of familiar earrings into my palm. 

I stared wordlessly at her, out of anything I ever expected her to say that never crossed my mind. Especially with tears streaming down her face. 

Puzzled, I looked at the earrings, dropping them on impulsively the second I saw the blood stain. I ran after Maddie, catching up to her by her locker.  

“Maddie, are you okay?” I know it’s stupid to be concerned about her after everything she put me through, but I have never seen her so shaken up.  

She slaps my hand away, glaring at me. “What more do you want? My earrings? You might as well take it all because I can’t wear them anymore!” 

My confusion worsened, none of her behaviour made sense to me. Following my instinct, I carefully pushed her hair out of the way. 

My body went still with shock, and I realized I just got an answer to my question of why there’s blood stain on the earrings. 

There’s no doubt that she yanked the earrings from her ears, and why she would do something like that only adds to my growing puzzlement. 

“I said stay away from me!” She hissed, pulling her hair back and walking away. 

I stood there for several seconds, watching her go. Then I turn around, halting as Caden walks to his locker. 

He didn’t look in my direction, not once. He took out a book from his locker, then left the same way he came. I swallowed nervously, hearing the roar of my heartbeat in my ears.  

At that moment, I knew. I don’t know how, but I knew that he had something to do with Maddie's odd behavior.  

I attended class that day still thinking about the whole interaction with Maddie, and then the ‘no interaction’ between Caden and I. 

Caden has never spoken a word to me, like never. Despite being close in age and growing up together, we were never friends. So why he would scare Maddie like that didn’t make sense to me. 

I know the history of the Tukha’s family, his father Dane Tukha used to be in charge before he died, and the title of Don went to his uncle. 

My hand goes to my throat, with how he clearly hates me, how he treated Maddie and the teacher, I fear for my future. 

My thoughts drift back to Asher, making my way out of class. My stomach grumbled, reminding me I didn’t have breakfast due to being in a hurry this morning. 

I walked into the cafeteria, noticing that people were moving away from me. At first I thought I was imagining it, until I found myself seated alone. 

What makes it crystal clear is the fact that the tables close to me remain empty with no one attempting to occupy it. 

My chest tightens more as I glanced around. My eyes collided with Maddie’s, who sharply looked away from me like my gaze burned her. 

It’s safe to assume she told everyone what Caden did to her. Speaking of the devil, he strolled into the cafeteria with Asher. 

Asher was doing all the talking while he carried on like he wasn’t even listening. However Asher stopped at my table when he noticed me. 

As expected, Caden went to occupy an empty table alone. It dawned on me then, he has always been the odd one out, the weird kid who couldn’t look anyone in the eye. 

My vision blurred as I looked down at my meal, my throat contracting. 

“He wants me isolated, that’s how much he hates me,” I mumbled to myself. 

“What?” Asher echoed his confusion. 

I looked at him. “I don’t want to be with Caden when I grow up. Did you see what he did to that teacher? To Maddie and…me.” 

“And you? What the hell are you talking about?” Asher sprang to his feet, darting a look at his cousin. 

“That day, I confronted him about almost killing our teacher. He choked me…” I admitted, sobbing.  “Go see Maddie’s ears, ask her to show you what he did to her.” 

Coming over to my side, Asher moved my collars out of the way to take a look at my neck. When he backed away from me, his eyes were filled with anger. 

I was on the verge of telling him to forget about it when he stalked toward Caden. Dragging him out of his seat, Asher’s fist slammed onto his face. 

Everyone stood up, watching as Asher got on top of his cousin, punching him repeatedly. My heart skiped, bracing for Caden to defend himself. 

It never happened. He’s no doubt committed to keeping the image of innocence. After being done with him, Asher stood up, his knuckles bloody. 

“Think about that the next time you think of hitting someone ever again,” he sneered at him. 

Grabbing my wrist, he dragged me out of the cafeteria. I looked over my shoulder at Caden, and he still hasn’t gotten up from the floor. 

“Why didn’t you tell me this before?” Asher hissed, as I dragged him to the fountain to wash off his hands.  

“Because I was afraid this would happen. I hate violence okay, you shouldn’t have hit him.” I scolded, searching for a handkerchief to wipe his hands. 

“It’ll dry.” He said, taking back his hand. 

“You know what’s crazy? I knew my fate was going to be decided by my Dad one day. Which is why I didn’t care about being betrothed to him. I didn’t mind it, as long as it meant getting away from the violence.” 

“But knowing what I do now, I don’t think I can ever marry Caden. I don’t want to be with him, he scares me.” 

I broke down, letting him pull me into his arms and console me. 

Which he did until my tears subsided. Using the back of my hand to wipe my face, I looked ahead, wondering how I could convince my parents to break off the betrothal without causing a war between two families or worse, 

ending up with the same fate I am trying to avoid. I looked at Asher when I felt his hand lace through my fingers. 

He gave me a squeeze, then hurried away to talk to some girl passing by. I laughed, shaking my head at him.  

Drawing in a shaking breath, I decided it didn’t matter what the outcome was, I’m not going to marry Caden Tuhka!