All Chapters of The Man I Was Meant to Hate: Chapter 21 - Chapter 30

Ava's Point Of ViewIt is the smoke in my lungs as this masked man passes through the broken wall--grey dust or whatever, raging like a storm he has left. He picks up his gun, too slowly- too slowly--as though it is too heavy to aim at me. The barrel snaps directly on my chest. My breath stops. Liam moves before I even do. He puts his powerful arm around my waist, and drags me at the waist far behind him, so quick that my shoulder is banging against his back. His voice is deep, and sort of shrill, and trembling with the restraint he is endeavoring to maintain. “Ava, don’t move.” The masked guy just freezes. Not due to Liam but because of me. His fingers are twitching as his hand shakes on the gun. He says my name with a cracking voice. My heart is racing wildly against my ribs. I know that voice. Not really familiar. But I have heard it--though I have all the memories and all the pain. It runs up my spine like a lost echo. Liam stiffens as the man steps closer. His entire

Ava's Point Of ViewWhen I fall on my knees next to the coffee table, Liam is still holding my hand. My fingers won’t stop shaking. It is as though the room is spinning once more, as it did the time I discovered the body of Ethan several months ago- as though the past is taking on the aspect of claws and it is shredding me to pieces. My bag is next to my foot and the foundation half-unzipped and I am reaching into it as though I am trying to find air. In the first place, I drew out my wallet. Then a drug I was not conscious of. Then an ancient pen Ethan had stolen out of a hotel due to his preference in the way it was written. My breath continues to come out of me in brief spurts. Liam stands next to me, not saying anything, but I can feel him as though he were a shield behind my back. Then I feel something cold with my fingers. Metal. I freeze. Slowly I draw out the necklace. The slender silver chain is floating on my shaky hand. I have taken it a hundred times since Ethan

Ava’s Point Of ViewLiam’s shout is the last thing I hear before a rough hand clamps over my mouth, cutting off my scream. Fingers dig into my cheeks, forcing my jaw shut as I’m yanked backward into the shadows. My heel scrapes across crushed glass; my shoulder hits a hidden panel in the wall, and it swings open with a low groan.A hidden hallway.A place someone prepared long before tonight.I try to twist away, but the man behind me is stronger. He shoves me deeper into the narrow passage, his palm sealing my mouth so tightly I taste dust and the salt of my own fear. The air in the hallway is stale, choking, and as I stumble forward, my nails drag along the rough wall, scraping skin from my fingertips. The sound is sharp and helpless.Liam’s voice roars my name again, furious, terrified, echoing through the house.My heart punches at my ribs. “Liam—” I try to scream into the man’s hand, but it comes out muffled, swallowed.“Don’t fight,” he growls in my ear, his breath sour against

Ava's Point Of ViewI can still taste my scream on my throat, as I continue running. I do not know how many years I have been running over the woods on my heels. My legs are numb, and my lungs are pained, and every time I turn back I think I can see moving shadows. The fellow that assisted me in escaping is missing--he advised me to continue on, but not to turn back, but go to that farmhouse to that lantern in the yard. I didn't think he was serious. However, at this point, I do not honestly believe anything to be a luxury I cannot enjoy. I know only that there was a crack of branches, a heave of foot, and a sigh other than my own, behind me when I screamed. I did not stay long enough to determine who it was. I just ran. Lastly, the trees begin to become thin. I fall into an opening, and tremble and shake my knees. It is across a dirt road, near the end of a rather long, old and silent lane, and the farm house is leaning forward a little, as though it is weary of supporting

POV: AvaI grab Ava’s hand tight. My fingers are shaking too. She gulps and continues to stare between me, her mother and Cassian. I am able to know how freaked out she is: heartbroken, betrayed, scared and I know she feels like she has already been sold before she got an opportunity to fight.I come up and lean my body against hers, the way to protect her. Thou mine, I whimper, deep and fierce. Whatever they may say, whatever they can promise. I’ve got your back. I will struggle against every individual who attempts to claim you.Her mother smiles feebly, though it is chilly. You believe your attitude is relevant, Liam? The papers are signed. Threats do not alter the fact that something has been done.Ava lays the forehead on my chest and shouts. “Liam… I… I don’t know how to fight this. I myself do not even know who I am any longer.I hold her face and wipe off wet hair on her cheeks. You are all, I say, raw-voiced. You are a brave, strong person... and you are not alone. Not while