Chapter 05

AVA 

It’s one of the nights when Dad joins us for supper. Usually he’s working late. 

I knew the demanding nature of his job, it’s something I grew up with and accepted. Watching my parents interact from across the table, I smile. 

Sometimes it hurts that people have the wrong opinion about my parents and their marriage just because Dad happens to be the second in command of a mafia empire. 

Don isn’t like that too, he treats Asher’s Mom with so much respect. It was one thing I admire from the world I was thrust into. 

“There’s something I want to say.” I blurted out before my courage fails me. “I don’t want to marry Caden Tuhka, not now… not ever.” 

My declaration was met with silence. When Dad dropped his spoon, it made a sound that made it 

 seem like someone dropped a glass or something. 

“Why?” He finally asked, paying all his attention to me. 

“Isn’t it obvious? Ava is definitely concerned over his recent behaviour, as she should. This is someone she is going to spend the rest of her life with, I have been meaning to talk about it.” 

Hearing Mom’s support made hope bloom in my chest, the fact that I didn’t have as much push back as I thought, gave me the

courage to continue. 

“I am flattered that the Tuhka’s empire finds me worthy enough to consider me as their future daughter in-law, but I’d like to decline, Dad. Please tell Don that you want to put an end to the betrothal between Caden and I.” I pleaded, my voice cracking with emotions. 

“Thane and I will straighten the boy up, you don’t need to worry about him.” Dad answered with a hint of dismissal. 

“No!” I stood up, unzipping my hoodie to show them the mark his fingers left on my neck.

“Can you see that Dad? Mom? Caden did this to me. The day he attacked our teacher, I went to confront him about it, to ask him why he would do that.” 

“The next thing he did was grab me, he choked me, Dad. Are you still going to tell me there’s nothing to worry about?” I snapped, running into my bedroom. 

I flung myself on the bed, weeping into my pillow until I heard a knock on the door. 

“Please go away, I want to be alone.” I shouted uncaring at whoever was on the other side. 

“Ava Heavens, will you let your mother in this instant?” She yelled, inserting her motherly dominance. 

I hate when she does that. Dragging myself off the bed, I unlocked the door only to throw myself back down. 

“Did Dad send you here to tell me I have nothing to worry about?” I sat up, looking at her from the corner of my eyes. 

“Because you didn’t see the crazy look on his face when he attacked that teacher. And poor Maddie, I know she isn’t nice or anything but she didn’t deserve that.” 

“You know what’s worse? Everyone at school has started to avoid me. If I continue to associate myself with him, my social and high school experience will be ruined. I won’t have any friends…” 

“Shhhh,” she tries to calm me down. “We believe you, Ava. You have no reason to lie against him, plus we could see the mark. The only thing your father and I are upset about is that you kept this from us.” 

“Because I didn’t know what to do.” I dropped my head on her shoulder. “Please, tell me Dad will break off the betrothal.” 

“Trust him,” she dropped a kiss on my forehead. 

As I snuggled against her, a knock on the door interrupted. 

“The door is unlocked,” I called out. 

“Ma’ams,” the guard bowed in respect before carrying on. “Don ask me to escort you and Miss Ava to the mansion.” 

“Sure, give us a second.” Mom replied, straightening up. 

My heart dropped, dreading the absolute worst. I wanted to beg Mom not to take me along with her, but even I know that this was above her. Once Don requested to see someone—which he doesn’t do often. 

He just orders them, so it’s best to just go. We went through the outside exit instead of the passageway connecting both houses. 

We arrived at the private living room of the Tuhka’s family. Seeing everyone there made my anxiety level spark up. 

Asher’s grandmother was there, along with other members of the family, my eyes lingered on Aunt Beatrix a second longer, she’s so cool. 

She’s hardly around as she oversees the shipments coming through the sea, according to what I heard Henshal tell one of his friends. He brags about being the heir all the time because he knew Caden wouldn’t last long as one. 

“Caden, come forward.” Don instructed, his voice sounding deadly and causing a shiver through me. 

Caden kept his head down as he stepped forward per his uncle's orders. I cling to my Mom, afraid he might attack me. 

But Don stripped that protection from me when he asked my Mom to take a step back, leaving me at the center with Caden. 

“Caden, is it true that you lay your hands on Ava?” He demanded. 

Caden nodded, instead of answering. 

“Use your words boy!” Aunt Beatrix yelled at him, causing him to jump a little.

“Yeah…” his response was faint, barely audible. 

“Why?” Don inquired. 

There was no response from Caden, he remained motionless with his head still looking down. 

“You have been way out of control for the past few weeks. When you showed interest in taking charge as the heir of the empire, I thought finally you will do your late parents and this family some proud.” 

“But I was wrong, you abuse your power, use it to  terrorise innocent people. We don’t do that Caden! We punish only those who take from us or who are dangers to us and other people. You don’t deserve to be the heir.” 

“Thefore I stripped you off that title and I’m declaring Asher as the new heir of the Tuhka’s empire. He showed how responsible and brave he is, by holding you accountable for your actions…” 

“What?” Henshal hissed, rising to his feet. “Are you shitting me right now?” 

“Henshal, language.” Grandma scolded him, growling. 

“Are you telling me none of you are seeing the injustice happening right now? I’m the first son! Six years older than this brat, who still happens to be in high school. And yet you choose him as the heir? Is this a joke?” 

“Let’s deal with your jealousy and bitterness letter Henshal, because neither are you fit to be my heir. Back to you Caden, your betrothal to Ava is hereby broken off. She is no longer bound to you,” Don Thane declared! 

Happiness and relief rushed through me. Caden's head snapped up for the first time, displaying an outward reaction for the first time. I glanced at my parents, mouthing the word ‘thank you.’ 

My eyes drift back to Caden staring unmoving at  his uncle. I swallowed nervously, making my way to my parents' side. 

There’s something about the way he was staring at Don that alarmed me. No one said anything for a few seconds, as if afraid to break the silence. 

“Caden, you’re dismissed. Take a few days off to reflect on your mistake, I expect better behaviour from you henceforth.” Don ordered, dismissing him. 

Keeping his head down once more, he slowly retreated back to his quarters without saying a word. For some reason, his silence seems to scare me more!