CHAPTER 3_ A New Hope

After a few hours of being to herself and cursing her fate, Ava was determined to punish Agnes and Matt for what they did to her and her unborn baby. She gently got out of bed but staggered a little. Her legs haven't moved for a month after she fell into a coma.

Luckily, she didn't injure her spine from that fall or break any major bones. The old maid saw her trying to move but rushed forward to stop her.

“No ma'am, tell me if you need anything and I'll get it for you..”

“I want to leave.” Her eyes were red and swollen. She shrugged off the maid's hold on her and took a step forward only to stop after the door opened.

The intimidating dark and tall figure strode into the room. His grey eyes pinned on her little and slender frame, he moved his head a little gesturing for the maid to leave.

After she did, he settled his gaze back on Ava.

“Who are you? I need to leave this minute..”

“I'm Ryan, Ryan Manchester. And also your savior” He proudly declared.

Ava's lips parted. His last name was very familiar, if she wasn't mistaken, then he is Matt's uncle. The same one who she heard was the black sheep of the Manchester's family.

“And you can't leave, You're dead and you've even been buried..” He continued.

Ava was left confused at his words, she pinched herself just to confirm if she was truly dead or the man before her had hit his head somewhere before now.

“W—hat do you mean by that? I need to go see Matt!” She snapped at him, she stubbornly tried to walk past him only for him to get a hold of her arm.

“Everyone including your husband thinks you're dead and your burial was held a month ago. So what do you think is going to happen if you go back to your husband when you're meant to be dead?”

Ava was even more confused about everything, she finally relaxed and allowed Ryan guide her back to the bed. He made her seat and he took the next empty spot beside her.

“Who pushed you off that terrace? I know someone tried to kill you and not suicide like the Cops claimed it to be..” His voice low and tender. He pinned his gaze on her. “You're the only one who can get them punished..”

Ava's gaze dropped to her clasped hands, the last thing she wanted was to be around the direct family member of the man who had tried to kill her.

“W—hy do you want to know that? How am I sure that you're not going to try to kill me too?”

Ryan chuckled. “I wouldn't have sat beside your bed everyday, or hope for you to wake up if I wanted to kill you.” he paused. “So, Ava. Tell me everything I need to know..”

Ava lifted her head up to face him, she could see the sincerity and honesty lurking behind those grey orbs.

“M—att and Agnes pushed me..”

She spent the next twenty minutes giving every details to him. She noticed that he was constantly staring at his phone whenever she spoke. “Are you recording our conversation?” She inquired, a string of doubt settling in her mind.

“You don't have to worry about that. Leave this all to me..”

Ava stood to her feet when he did the same, she reached her hand to his arm to stop him from leaving. “What are you going to do to them? This is my fight, I think it's right if I'm the one to carry out my revenge on them..”

There was a sudden stretch on Ryan's lips. He tilted his head to the side.

“You want revenge on my nephew and I have every resources to give you your desired revenge but it comes with a price..”

Ava gulped down, there was nothing more pricey than the child that she already lost in this battle. “Name it..” She dared.

Ryan's brows shot up, he leaned down a bit to stare at her more closely. She looked innocent yet fetish and a bit conniving. “How old are you?” he asked, although he already knew how old she was.

“It's rude to ask a lady for her age..” She snapped. “By the way, I'm 24..”

“You'll be 25 in the next two months..” Ryan pointed out. “Let's get married. You want revenge and I want a wife to escape my arranged marriage..”

Ava stared at his outstretched palm, this means that she was given only seconds to think about a decision. She doesn't have anything attached to her maiden name. She was only where she is today because she got married to a rich man, now a wealthy man was asking her to be his wife.

“You can think about my offer for the rest of today, I'll respect whatever answer you give—

“I accept your terms. Let's get married..” Ava cut in sharply.

****

Few days later..

The double doors to the large living room was pushed open by two maids. They bowed their head accordingly to acknowledge the presence of their master and his woman.

Ryan's father had proposed a lunch meeting to discuss family related matters. Ryan knew quite well that his father only called for this meeting to discuss about his arranged marriage.

“Young master, come this way. Your father and the rest have been waiting for your arrival..” The old butler ushered with a smile but as soon as he saw the lady standing next to Ryan, his face turned white instantly.

Ava noticed his reaction. “Come,” She heard Ryan say before he took her by her hand. Although he had already informed her about her fake death, the butler's reaction was so hard to ignore.

They both followed behind the butler who was shaking in fright like he had seen a ghost even though he's literally seeing on right now.

“Ah, son. I thought you won't be able to make it here today.”

The older man chirped. His almost grey hair was neatly kept, his eyes held the same hue as his son Ryan, he looked like the older version of his son. He opened his arm for his son and surprisingly, Ryan walked in to honor his father.

He received a gentle pat on his back and stepped back. And that was the moment Eric noticed the lady who came with his son. He was left speechless.

“I believe I haven't introduced you to Mia yet. This is Mia Manchester, my new wife..”

Ava smiled sweetly at her father-in-law. She brought her hand forward for a handshake but he didn't budge, he was still in so much shock from the look on his face.

“It's nice to meet you father-in-law, Ryan has said so much about you..”

Meanwhile..

In one of the rooms in the Manchester's ancestral home, Matt pulled away from Agnes, he pulled up his pants and buckled his belt.

Still panting slightly, his gaze settled on her body which was barely cladded.

“You are gonna be the end of me, you know that right?” He grinned as he picked up his suit jacket from the bed.

“Oh fuck, yeah!” Agnes murmured sitting up on the bed, she reached for her black gown on the bed and began putting it on. “Zip me up..” She stood before Matt and the latter fondled with her zipper until he got it right. “I wonder what your uncle looks like, do you think he'll like me well enough for you?”

Matt scoffed. “You mean Uncle Ryan? The chances of him coming over is very slim. It's almost like stealing the eiffel tower”

There was a rasp knock on the door before it was pushed open. It was Mrs Chase, Matt's mother and also Ryan's older sister.

“What are you two doing? Your uncle has arrived and I heard he came with a woman. Come on, let's go pretend to be happy downstairs..”

Matt and Agnes exchanged glances. The Eiffel tower can be stolen after all.

****

Eric finally snapped out of his daze, he shakily brought his finger to point at Ava whose smile hasn't faded yet. “H—how is it possible? S—he's dead!” He finally found the voice to speak.

“Uncle Ryan,” Matt called out. A deep fake smile stretched on his lips. “It's been a while, I had no idea that you would be able to make it here today..”

Ryan didn't budge or respond to his nephew's greetings. He waited until Matt walked to stand before him. “I see you haven't progressed since the last time I saw you. I also heard about the death of your wife, it seems she couldn't keep up with your behavior so she committed suicide..” Ryan paused. “That's pretty nasty” he continued.

Matt's face fell immediately, he should have known any better. His uncle had never stopped back from saying spiteful comments about him.

“But uncle—

“Have you paid greetings to your aunt yet? Or should I spank your ass in front of everyone?”

Matt was confused at first, he knew his uncle was still single, the lunch was even set up to talk about his marriage. Just before he could retort, his eyes fell on the feminine hand outstretched to him.

“Hi, I'm Mia. Your uncle's new wife. It's a pleasure to finally meet you..Kiddo” Ava said softly with a bright smile on her lips.

Matt, Agnes and Anna were left in a state of shock for more than a minute until the two ladies screamed their lungs out.

“G—host!”

“What is going on, honey?” Ava lifted her head to Ryan with a soft and innocent look on her face. “Why do they all think that I'm a dead person? Is there something that you're not telling me?”

Ryan shook his head gently. “Don’t stress yourself with minor things like this. Come, let's get your belly filled.”

The four souls in the living room watched the two leave for the dining room, it was only at that moment they finally snapped out of their shock.

“M—att, I'm not the only one that saw Ava right?” Agnes stuttered, her face was all sweaty and her eyes wide open in fright.

“No, it can't be. We buried Ava a month ago, she must be rotting under the ground by now. That lady has amber eyes but Ava's eyes are brown.” Anna tried to give herself some hope. “But why would Ryan get himself a wife that looks like his nephew's late wife?!” Anna snapped.

“To haunt us..” Agnes whispered, she immediately cleared her throat on seeing the old man present there. “I mean, there's a possible explanation to this, I'm sure of that.” She corrected herself but deep down, her anxiety was growing.

For Ryan to appear with a woman who looks like the late Ava, it means that he knows something. Something only her, Matt and Anna should know about.