Chapter 044

~~~Ava~~~ I sat on my bed, surrounded by a whirlwind of thoughts. Sandra's and Evan's master plan, which we had discussed earlier, swirled in my mind like a vortex. I lit a cigarette, taking a long drag as the smoke coursed through my veins. My mind racing, I knew I had to outsmart them, to stay one step ahead of their game. As I blew out a stream of smoke, a knock on my window interrupted my thoughts. I knew exactly who it was - Lydia, the only person daring enough to sneak in through my window. I rolled my eyes, getting out of bed to let her in. She jumped inside, a mischievous grin spreading across her face. "What is it you want this time, Lydia?" I asked, exhaling another plume of smoke. "You know what I want, Ava," she said, her eyes sparkling with intrigue. "Stop playing dumb and listen up, because I've got some juicy gossip for you." I raised an eyebrow, intrigued despite myself. "Don't worry, I already know what you're going to say," I said, trying to sound nonchalant. Lydia's grin faltered for a moment before she recovered. "Oh? And what do you think I'm going to say?" she asked, her voice laced with curiosity. I took another drag on my cigarette, blowing out the smoke as I replied, "That Hailey Kilman has given birth?" Lydia's eyes widened in surprise. "Well, not just that...but it gets even better. Aiden is the biological father of the child." I raised an eyebrow, my interest piqued. "Isn't he supposed to be?" I asked, playing devil's advocate. Lydia shook her head, a sly smile spreading across her face. "Not necessarily, Ava. You see, Hailey was already three months pregnant before their fake marriage. Which means...Aiden might not be the father, right?" My eyes widened as the implications sank in. "Right," I said, my mind racing with the possibilities. Lydia's words hung in the air, her serious expression underscoring the gravity of the situation. "Exactly. And now, six months later, she gives birth to a child with Aiden's DNA. Which is impossible… And I guarantee you that no amount of intimacy after their fake marriage could change the baby's DNA if Aiden wasn't really the father, unless….. they've known each other long before their fake marriage." My mind racing, I felt a thrill of excitement as the puzzle pieces began to fall into place. The implications were staggering. "That means...Hailey was probably cheating on her ex-husband with Aiden, while he was cheating on her with her stepsister," I thought, a mix of emotions swirling inside me. A sense of satisfaction washed over me as I realized that Sandra wasn't the only one with secrets. "Well, the good news is it's not just Sandra who was doing a dirty job," I mused, a wry smile spreading across my face. "She was just the one who couldn't cover up her tracks properly." The thought sent a shiver down my spine. How deep did this web of deceit go? And what other secrets lay hidden, waiting to be uncovered? Lydia's eyes widened in surprise. "Ex-husband? You've been digging deep, Ava." I smiled, feeling a sense of satisfaction. "Let's just say I've been doing my homework, Lydia." I walked down the street, the black hoodie I wore pulled up to cover my hair. I lit another cigarette, the smoke curling around my face as I exhaled. The nicotine rush calmed my nerves, but my mind remained on high alert. I gazed at Lydia, her request making my skin crawl. "Now can I get what I really want?" she asked, her eyes gleaming with anticipation. I forced a fake smile, trying to hide my disgust. "Sure, but could you hold on for a minute? I just need to get some food down the street." As I stepped out, I breathed a sigh of relief, grateful to escape Lydia's clinginess. I decided to take a stroll down the street, enjoying the cool night air. As I walked, the city lights blurred together, casting long shadows behind me. I felt a sense of unease, like I was being watched. But every time I turned around, there was no one there. The feeling persisted, making my skin prickle with goosebumps. I took another drag on my cigarette, the smoke burning my lungs. But I didn't care. I needed the distraction, the momentary escape from the turmoil brewing inside me. The night air was cool and crisp, but I felt like I was walking through a storm, the winds of chaos howling around me. But as I walked, I sensed someone following me. My heart racing, I took different turns, trying to shake off the stalker. Fear gripped me as I realized I was being herded toward a dead end. I spun around, ready to face my pursuer. "What do you want?!" I yelled, grabbing a nearby stick. But instead of attacking me, the stalker fell to his knees, his head bowed. "Young master, it's me. I was one of your father's loyal workers. I've been looking for you for ages." Surprise washed over me, followed by curiosity. "What?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper. The stranger stood up, his intimidating height making me feel small. "When your dad died, we all dispersed. But I've been searching for you, young master. And when I saw you planning attacks on your father's killer, I knew I had to join you." I dropped the stick, my mind reeling with questions. Who was this stranger? I thought. A wave of nostalgia washed over me as I thought about my dad's guards. As a mafia lord, he had an army of loyal men at his disposal. I remembered the imposing figures, always lurking in the shadows, their eyes watchful and alert. But amidst the sea of unfamiliar faces, I couldn't pinpoint this stranger. Who was he, really? And what drove him to seek me out after all these years? The questions swirled in my mind like a vortex, leaving me with a sense of unease. I felt like I was standing on the precipice of a great unknown, staring into an abyss of secrets and lies. A shiver ran down my spine as I realized that my life was about to take a dramatic turn. "Wow, things just got even more interesting," I said, my voice laced with a mix of excitement and trepidation.