NovelAppChapter 0491 Giving her car one last look, she steps in. She then stops for a while as her eyes move around the space.
It's probably been years since she last stepped foot in this house. The last time | think she did was after she was shot during dad's burial.
Her eyes are haunted. | can see the shadows playing behind them. The burden of the tarnished memories she carried of this house and the people in it. Would Gunner carry the same shadows because of me? Because of | what | did? | didn't want that.
I wasn't around much after she and Rowan got married, but | was there when we were younger. I'm not proud to say just like everyone else, | ignored her. We were supposed to be sisters, yet | treated her like she didn't belong. Just like everyone else.
~ Looking at her now, | see what Mia was talking about. Ava was still haunted. Still scarred by
J Err ER ER ER Ss RE how she was treated since she was a child.
She didn't deserve any of it.
“I'm sorry” | whisper, my voice clogging with emotions.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtHer haunted stare becomes confused as she focuses on me. “For what?” “The painful memories you are probably battling right now,” | answer. “We didn’t treat you well. You were a kid, and even though Travis and | were following our parents, we had a choice to treat you differently when we got older. I'm sorry for the pain and heartache this family has caused you, Ava. I'm sorry we scarred your heart and soul.” 1 She tries to fight it. It's in her eyes. She tries to push down the tears and emotions. She doesn’t want to be weak. | get her. Especially in a place that has a lot of painful memories for her.
"Emma, why are you taking so-" We turn to mom, who was now frozen as her eyes fixed on Ava.
| “Ava?” she asks as if she needs confirmation.
As if she’s not sure if this is real or not.
“Hi” Ava gives a little wave while answering in an unsure voice.
By just looking at the way she keeps shifting from one foot to the other. Or the way her hands are trembling, and she keeps playing with her rings. Or even the way she’s holding herself stiffly. | can tell she’s uncomfortable here. That it has taken everything in her to come her.
Would it be weird if | said | was proud of her for taking this uncomfortable yet needed step? “W-Would you like some tea?” mom asks in a trembling voice.
| know Ava being here is huge for her. For a long time she has wanted to mend things, but Ava wouldn't let her.
“No, thank you” she whispers, and mom's face falls. “This is all | can handle today, m-maybe next time?”
“Absolutely!” Mom all but yells in an excited voice.
The fact that she said ‘maybe next time’ gives mum hope. It gives me hope too. Hope that they can fix things between them. She wasn't the best mom to Ava, but she did raise her...
and she loved her in her own way.
“I'll be going, bye,” with that, she rushes out as if hellhounds were after her.
I look at the door and then back at mom who has a silly smile on her face. It just showed how happy she was that Ava had come.
Like | said, it was a bold step for Ava to come here. The one place that caused her a lot of pain. If she could take that bold step, then why couldnt I do the same for Gunner? He is my son, and I'll be damned if | give up on him.
An idea strikes me at that moment, and | rush outside to catch up with Ava before she can leave. It is freaking crazy, but it's a start. One that | am hoping will bear good fruits.
“Ava, wait," | shout, just as she was starting to
pull away.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏm“Is something wrong?” she asks, after stopping the car.
| shake my head. “I was just wondering if you still have your house. The one neighboring Calvin.” I cross my fingers hoping she says yes.
Hoping she hasn't sold it yet.
“Yes,” her brows scrunch down in confusion.
Breathing a sigh of relief, | close my eyes for a brief second. “Could you rent it to me? Please.
It's time | fixed things.” Her eyes widen for a fraction before they begin shining.
“I could rent it to you, but there is no need. You can use it for however long you need, Emma.
Just come by when you are ready and I'll hand over the keys.” | feel my eyes tearing. “Thank you so much.” ‘Gunner deserves to know his mother. I'm
grateful that you've finally pulled your head out of your ass and are willing to fight for a relationship with him.” she beams, making me chuckle at her choice of words.
She's right though. Instead of moaning about how shitty the world has been to me. It is time | fought for my son, and that begins by getting my life back together and proving to him, I'm worth being his mom. 3
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