Chapter 39

Chapter 39

AVA

I left Tamy’s mother’s house with a heavy heart, clutching the small bible she had given me for strength. The streets seemed colder, the air sharper, as I made my way to the cafe where Denis had demanded we meet. My mind was a whirlwind of fear and anger. How had it come to this? My life had become a tangled web of lies, and Denis was at the center of it all.

The cafe was nearly empty when I arrived, its warm interior a stark contrast to the turmoil within me. Denis was already there, lounging in a corner booth with a smug smile on his face. His casual demeanor only fueled my rage as I walked over to him.

“Ava, glad you could make it,” he said, his tone dripping with insincerity.

“Cut the crap, Denis,” I snapped, sliding into the seat opposite him. “What do you want?”

He leaned back, a predatory gleam in his eyes. “I’m here to help you, Ava. I can make all these accusations disappear. But there’s a price.”

My stomach churned with dread. “What kind of price?”

His smile w