The door creaked open and for a moment my chest lifted hoping, praying it was Nathaniel. But instead…“Ava…” My mother’s voice cracked. She rushed to my bedside, her arms already reaching for me. “Oh, my child.”Behind her, my father trailed in, looking older than I’d ever seen him, eyes heavy with stress. And just a step behind them came Aunt Margaret.My throat tightened. “Mum? Dad?”They sat on either side of me, their hands pressing mine, but before I could say a word, Aunt Margaret’s voice cut through the room.“Well, look at you now, Ava.” Her eyes swept over me, cold and critical. “Flat on a hospital bed, the whole city spitting your name like venom. And why? Because you never learned to be smart. Always letting your heart drag you into disasters.”“Margaret...we already spoke about this...DON'T” my mother tried to hush her, but Aunt Margaret only raised her voice.“No, let her hear it! Maybe this time she’ll learn.” She crossed her arms, glaring down at m
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