KIERA'S POV
It has been a week since I last saw Alex. After he was taken away in an ambulance that fateful day, I never heard from him again. While a part of me is still anxious about him approaching me at any moment, whether during the daylight or the night, I must admit that life has become significantly more peaceful without him.
The last four months have been a harrowing experience. Four months ago, Lara packed my belongings and dropped me off at a man's house. A man I had never met before. He welcomed me into his home but left shortly after, I mean that same day not returning for nearly two months.
On the very day of his return, he forced himself on me. It was the second time of me getting raped. I was left devastated, in pain, and in tears. He even brought another woman into the house and slept with her right in front of me. This became a grim routine and regular occurrence. He would beat me, assault me, and entertain other women while I was forced to bear witness. Those two months felt like an eternity in hell, and now that I have escaped, I pray never to return to that nightmare. This past week has been a respite, and I sincerely hope I never see him again.
Tomorrow is Ava's wedding. A rather abrupt affair. I haven't had a chance to speak to her. The last time I saw her was on the day her in-laws visited. I hadn't seen her often before that, either. I yearn to ask her why she is rushing into marriage. As far as I knew, her boyfriend was Elias, yet I am certain her fiancé is not him. I had so many questions, but when I inquired about her from Samantha, our helper, she said Ava had left for work shortly after the guests departed.
*****
As I scroll through my sketches, lost in thought, I await Ava's return. She is coming back today for her wedding, which is set for tomorrow. I have always loved drawing, but during my time with Alex, I had no opportunity to pursue it.
"Kieraaaaa!" Ava bursts into my bedroom, leaping onto the bed and pulling me into a tight embrace. After disengaging the hug, I am met with her radiant smile.
"Ava..." I respond, attempting to speak, but she interrupts me.
"I've missed you so much, Kiera. Get up, get up. As soon as I got back, Mom insisted I check out the outfits first, but I had to see you before anything else. You have to come with me so we can look at them together," she exclaims, her face alight with joy as she pulls me up.
"Hey, hey, Ava. Slow down," I say, resisting her enthusiasm. "This fiancé of yours isn't Elias, is he?" I ask, already guessing the obvious answer.
She scoffs and settles down onto the bed beside me.
"Look, Kiera. Elias and I ended things a while back. It's been a month already," she explains.
"And in a month, you met someone else and decided to marry him? Doesn't that seem a bit too fast?" I reply with bewilderment, troubled by the whirlwind speed of her life changes.
"Things happen," she laughs, brushing off my concern.
Just as I am about to inquire further, we hear a quick knock on the door, and Lara enters.
"So, you're just chatting away when you have things to do?" Lara retorts, her voice sharp, directing her disapproval at Ava.
Before Ava can reply, Lara turns to me.
"And you!" She turns to address me. "Don't you realize that she's getting married tomorrow and needs to finalize a million details? Instead of helping her in any way you can-what am I even saying? There's definitely no way someone like you can help out-here you are wasting precious time!" she screams.
"Mum, this is too much," Ava exclaims, her voice rising. "I came in on my own, and I was the one who started the conversation!"
"I'm not siding with you, Ava. You're definitely at fault here," Lara states firmly.
"Lara, we're sorry," I interject with a smile, attempting to lighten the mood as if we're engaged in friendly banter rather than scolding. "Ava, go ahead and take care of everything you need to."
"We're going together, Kiera. I need you to assist me. Besides, you also need an outfit," Ava insists, returning to her previous excitement.
"An outfit for a ceremony she won't attend?" Lara questions incredulously.
Ava's eyes widen with disbelief. "What do you mean Kiera won't be attending my wedding? This had better be a joke!"
"She's bad luck, and I don't want her near any of this," Lara says sternly.
"But Lara, how can I miss my sister's wedding? Please, please, please don't do this to me. Pleeaaseee!" I beg her playfully.
You might wonder why I am addressing her this way when she harbors such disdain for me.
Initially, my aunt was the kindest person when she took me in after my parents and brother's tragic death. She cared for me as though I were her own daughter, and I loved her dearly. I trusted her decisions completely.
But that all changed when I discovered, at the age of eighteen, that she had tricked me into signing away the deed to my parents' house. She had sold it. When I confronted her, she dismissed my concerns, accusing me of being an ingrate. Instead of gratitude for her care, I had dared to question her motives.
Since that moment, her treatment of me turned cruel, and the dynamic shifted irreparably.
I knew it was because I had confronted her about her selling the property, and she was probably ashamed to treat me well the way she used to. I thought to apologise to her for that and let go of the grudge; then maybe things would be back to normal, but I wasn't interested in accepting the fact that what she did was selfish.
About three years later, she sold me off to Alex, who would take me to hell and bring me back to life.
Now that Alex was out of the story-which I hoped would last forever-I wanted to get back into Lara's good books and let peace reign between us.
I continue begging her childishly, and so does Ava, till she finally accepts for me to attend the wedding.
*****
We get everything prepared for the next day and celebrated Ava's bachelorette party happily, and it was so much fun.
On the big day, Ava was overjoyed. I could see it in her clearly, but things turn upside down later when I go into Ava's bedroom to check if she's all dressed and ready for us to head out to the venue, but I don't find her inside.
At the window, I see a rope made with different fabrics of torn clothes and realize that Ava had run away.
Lara suggests an alternative that strikes dumb me completely.