Ava's POV
The fire. It wouldn't leave my mind.
What really happened?
I knew it—Melissa. She had to be behind it. No one else hated me enough to burn down everything I loved.
Now, I have to start over. A new museum. A new plan. Pretending it didn't hurt. Just moving on.
But I couldn't stop thinking about Nico.
He's hot. Too hot.
And then Ethan's words—"You're not his type."
What did he even mean by that? I look good. I know I do—especially now that I can walk with both legs, no crutches. So why did it bother me so much?
Maybe because a part of me wanted to be Nico's type. Maybe because I wanted him to want me. And maybe… he already did.
But still—Ethan's words echoed. Loud. Annoying.
One of the workers burst into my room.
"Miss Ava! Your dad tripped and fell. Your mother already called the doctor!"
"What?" I shot up and ran straight to his room.
Dad was lying on the bed, pale and still—like he could slip away any moment.
"What happened?" I asked, but he was too weak to answer.
A doctor walked in, but it wasn't ours. Not the family doctor.
"Where's Dr. Matthews?" I asked, frowning.
Elara jumped in. "I panicked… I called someone else. I was too scared. But I'll reach out to Dr. Matthews now."
I didn't argue. I just nodded. "Please. Just make sure he gets better."
An hour dragged by. The new doctor finally gave Dad something that helped. He could talk again—but barely.
"Ava…" he whispered. "I can't see you, honey."
"I'm right here," I whispered, grabbing his wrist.
"My sight… it's worse. Everything's blurry. I can't even see your face."
Tears welled up in his eyes. Mine too.
I turned to Elara. "Why didn't you tell me his sight was getting this bad? You know Dad wouldn't say anything himself."
"You were going through a lot," she said calmly. "I didn't want to burden you. He's my husband—I can take care of him."
Of course. Always playing the saint.
Melissa was nowhere to be found. Probably out spending Dad's money like she always does.
I stayed with Dad the whole day. I didn't want to leave his side—not now.
The next day, I went to check how the new museum was coming along. The site was quiet, dusty, but something about rebuilding gave me hope.
Still, I hadn't stopped worrying. So I called Doctor Matthew to check on Dad.
He rang me back a few hours later. "Ava, I really need to tell you something."
I stepped away from the site and answered.
"What's wrong?"
"I noticed something strange," he said. "Are you sure your dad is still taking the meds I prescribed?"
"What do you mean?" I asked, heart picking up pace.
"His eyesight—just like that, it's gone? That's not from the meds I gave him. I suggest you look into it. Closely."
"Okay… thank you, Doc." I hung up.
My mind was racing.
Different meds? How?
I didn't understand—but I was going to find out.
But Elara wouldn't hurt Dad. At least, I didn't think she would. Still, I needed to be sure.
So I started watching. Quietly. Carefully.
One day, when Melissa forgot to lock her room—or maybe she thought no one would dare check—I slipped in.
There it was. A small bottle of pills tucked in the drawer, barely hidden. I didn't know what they were, but something felt off.
I took them straight to Doctor Matthew.
"Please," I said, handing it over. "Tell me what this is."
A few days later, Doctor Matthew called.
"I ran the tests," he said, voice low. "Those pills… they're not meant for your dad. In fact, they can worsen his vision—fast."
My stomach dropped.
"Are you saying someone gave them to him on purpose?" I asked, barely breathing.
"I'm not sure yet," he replied. "But someone wanted him weak."
I ended the call and just stood there, frozen.
It wasn't just a feeling anymore.
Something was really wrong in that house.
I had to transfer Dad to Doctor Matthew's hospital. That was the safest thing to do.
But now, who's going to handle his company?
I had no answer. Just pressure building in my chest.
Elloria's Enterprises needed someone—someone who knew what they were doing.
And I wasn't ready to let it collapse.
I have to juggle everything now.
Take care of Dad. Watch over the company.
Find out who was behind his sudden illness.
But I couldn't do it alone.
I needed help. And the only person I could trust right now… was Nico.
I went to Nico's house. It'd been a while since I last saw him.
He opened the door, eyes softening when he saw me. "Little angel… where have you been?"
"Dealing with family issues," I said, my voice barely above a whisper.
His expression shifted. "Is everything okay?"
"No," I admitted. "I need your help, Nic."
He didn't hesitate. "I'm here, okay? Always."
I told him everything—Dad's sudden illness, the pills, Melissa's drawer.
When I was done, he was silent for a moment. Then he spoke, voice firm.
"We'll find out who's behind this. But your safety—and your dad's—comes first. You have to act normal, like you don't suspect anything. Let them think they're winning. Meanwhile, we dig."
I sat across from Nico, my hands wrapped around a warm mug I hadn't even touched.
"I've moved Dad to Doctor Matthew's hospital," I said quietly. "He's safe now. And I'm handling the company—for now."
Nico nodded. "Good. That's a smart move."
"But I still don't know who exactly is behind this. I need to find out what they've been up to. I want proof. No more suspicions."
"You'll get it," Nico said. "But we do this quietly. No sudden moves, no warning signs. You act like everything's fine. Smile at them. Be polite. Let them think they've won."
I looked at him. "And you? Will you help me dig?"
He reached across the table, brushing his fingers against mine. "Every step of the way, little angel."
I smiled lightly. "Let's find out the truth."