Chapter Three

Ava's pov

Bile rose in my throat alongside the hottest rage of ever felt in my life. Seeing my grandmother sit in the living room on her highly exalted chair with my aunts sneering beside me just made me want to wipe all of them off the earth's surface.

However, I couldn't that.

Even if I had the power, which I didn't, I still couldn't.

Because I need them.

Admitting it ripped my heart into multiple pieces but I really had no choice. If I was going to keep my mother alive, I needed them.

“I….I got…a call from the hospital.” I stuttered, avoiding their eyes.

Grandma Ava chuckled under her breath like the witch that she was.

“What's the problem with your sick mother now? Is she finally ready to die?” She asked, her tone filled with mockery.

More tears stung my eyes but I managed to hold it back, at least with my face down.

“They said she….” I choked on my tears for a second and they finally rolled down, despite holding back.

“They said she only has a limited time to live before taking her off life support and I have to come see her.” I forced out.

“So, how is that my business? You don't have legs to walk anymore?” She spat back at me.

I sniffed back the tears in my eyes and gripped my shirt tight for help.

Asking for help from my family really made me feel like a lowly beggar.

“I…I was….I was wondering if you could come with me….to…convince them to…to…give her…more time….”

The room fell silent for a second and I bit my tongue, regretting my decision to ask for help in the first place.

Then Grandma Ava broke the silence.

“Fine. But you can't ride with us in the car. I don't want your miserable smell soiling my car.” She agreed.

My heart leaped for joy but I couldn't show it. I only lowered my head until she brushed past me to the garage.

Just like she said, she and my grandfather took the car while I had to race them down to the hospital. Of course I had no problem doing that, I would do anything for my mother even if it meant going to the ends of the earth.

By the time I made it to the hospital, my feet were caked with dust. Sweat trickled down my face and made my dress stick to my body, exposing the lines of my curves.

The nurses at the front desk waved upon seeing me. I was no longer a stranger to them.

“Your grandparents are in the room with your mother.” They said with a smile.

I nodded and hurriedly rushed to join them.

But to my greatest surprise, I found the last person I expected as soon as I opened the door.

His black hair, deep gruff voice and wide shoulders were more than enough signs to identify his presence.

Rage instantly shot through me as I entered.

“Brent?” I called his name out in anger. The slow steps I took into the room fueled my rage with more heat.

He whipped my face at me and heck, the bastard was smiling.

“He's your father, you should never call him by his name.” Grandma Ava's voice cut into my thoughts.

“This deadbeat, abusive, cheating man would never be enough to be father!” I yelled with rage.

Brent, the unfortunate bastard, my mother's mate who cheated on her with her best friend and kept abusing her for years until she ended up in a coma was standing right there beside her lifeless body.

My eyes instantly went red with rage. All the memories of him bringing his other woman, who was my mother's best friend into our home and beating her up filled my head.

The awful memories from my childhood with him and his mistress rushed back into my head like a flood and tears pinched my eyes while my fists balled into a punch.

“Ava, I….”

“What are you doing here?” I seethed with anger. The mere sight of his face sent sparks flying in my head and all I could think of was how to make him pay for hurting my mother.

“He's here to speak to you about….” Grandma Ava tried to interfere but I quickly shot her a hard glare.

“This is none of your business, grandma. This bastard is mine to deal with.” I snapped without a care.

Then turned back to him.

“What are you doing showing your face around my mother?” I watched as his breath flickered for a second before he lifted his hands up.

“I know you're mad and angry at me which is fine, you have every reason to be angry.”

“You're damn right I do.” I cussed under my breath.

His eyes whipped to my unconscious mother and I almost gorged them out immediately.

“I have an offer for you.” He suddenly lets out and before I could help it, laughter breaks through my lips.

I laughed so hard that tears started to fall from my eyes and my stomach started to hurt. Everyone in the room stared at me like I was crazy but I didn't stop until I saw anger flashing on his face.

“You have an offer for me? Well, go ahead, let's hear it.” I answered, tilting my lips upwards.

“I'm ready to accept your mother's rejection.” He dropped and the entire room fell silent.

My hair blew in my face and for a second, I thought I was dreaming or hallucinating.

Did I really hear that correctly?

“You said what?” I asked, leaning closer to him.

“You heard me, Ava. I'm ready to accept your mother's rejection and help her heal faster….”

I wanted to jump and scream at his offer. I mean, it would literally save me and my mother but my father….that deadbeat wasn't one to be promised and judging by the cunning look on his face, I could tell he had an ulterior motive up his sleeves.

“What's the condition?” I asked, beating him to it.

“You'll get married to the man I choose for you. Simple.” As he said those words, my face instantly flashed to my grandmother.

Did she really plan this gimmick to push me into marriage?

Why the hell was this old woman after my life?

“Look, we both know what this would mean for you and your mother. If I accept her rejection, she'll heal faster and be out of here and you'll get to live your life without sticking your face in those chemicals all day long.” He explained before I could even breathe a word.

I stayed silent, not knowing what to say. My eyes darted to my mother's unconscious body, her pale face stabbing my heart.

“She rejected you years ago. When you brought that other woman into our home.” I started, digging all the painful memories I'd buried in the past.

Brent opened and closed his mouth for a lack of words.

“She rejected you back then because you hurt her and now you're going to dangle this silly offer before my face like a dog just to get what you want?”

The pain in my heart hit harder when I let the words out.

Why was the universe so against me?

Why was I even born into a dysfunctional family like this in the first place?

“You can't eat your cake and have it.” My grandmother snorted behind me and goodness! I've never felt the urge to smack anyone on the face as much as I did at that moment.

“Think about it, Ava. Your mother will finally have a second shot at life and you can be happy together. All you have to do is get married to the man of my choice and you'll be fine.”