AVAIt had been two days since Uncle John barged into my room, furious, accusing me of God knows what. The confrontation left me shaken, but more than that, it fueled my resolve. Time was running out—every moment Liam spent in that asylum felt like a lifetime, and I couldn’t bear the thought of him being there any longer. I had to find a way to get him out. But how? The walls around him, both literal and metaphorical, were thick with deception and lies. And I was running out of time.I was pacing my room, phone in hand, when I finally decided to call Mark. He was more than just an employee—he was Liam’s personal health care giver, someone who knew Liam well and had been close to him before everything fell apart. If anyone could help me, it was him.“Mark, it’s Ava,” I said as soon as he picked up. “Ava," he greeted, his voice sounding both cautious and concerned. "Any news about Liam? I have been hearing the news concerning his residence at the mental assylum, how is he? When will he
AVAAs I walked through the mansion, my heart pounded in my chest, the weight of what I was about to do pressing down on me.The mansion was eerily quiet, with only the faint hum of the refrigerator. I tiptoed through the dimly lit hallways, my heart pounding in my chest. I knew I had to be careful—one wrong move and I could blow my cover. I had waited for this moment for days, pretending to go along with the daily routine while secretly planning my search for answers.I headed towards the storage room, where Liam kept some of his older things. It was a place we rarely went, which made it the perfect spot to start my search. My hands trembled slightly as I reached for the door handle, but before I could open it, I heard footsteps approaching. I quickly turned, only to see Davies striding down the hallway toward me.“Ava,” he called out, a sly smile curling his lips. “What brings you to this part of the house? You never come here.”His tone was casual, but there was something unsettlin
AVA The kitchen was quiet, save for the soft sizzle of eggs in the pan. I was making breakfast for myself, trying to maintain some semblance of normalcy amidst the chaos that had consumed my life since Liam was taken away. The aroma of the eggs was comforting, a small reminder of simpler times when making breakfast with Liam was just part of our morning routine. I was lost in my thoughts when Clara entered the kitchen, her footsteps soft but purposeful. I sensed her presence before she spoke, a subtle shift in the air that made the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end. Clara had a way of doing that—making everything feel colder, sharper, more dangerous. "Still trying to save your mad husband, Ava?" she asked, her voice dripping with mockery. I didn't bother turning around. I kept my eyes on the pan, trying to keep my hands from trembling. Clara thrived on fear, and I wasn’t about to give her the satisfaction of seeing mine. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I replie
AVAI sat on the edge of my bed, my heart filled with worry. I had been this way ever since I discovered those notes locked away in the storage earlier today.Who could I trust to help me interpret these documents? The family doctor was out of the question, given how closely they were tied to Liam’s commitment. I needed someone outside the family’s circle of influence, someone who would be willing to look at the evidence objectively.With my phone in hand, I began scrolling through my contacts, my eyes feeding through every phone number as I tried to find a doctor on my list. Fortunately, I came across Dr. Patel, an old friend of my stepmother's who had retired a few years ago but still kept up with medical research. I remembered my step mother speaking highly of Dr. Patel’s integrity and discretion. If anyone could help me with medical advice, it would be him.I pulled out my phone and quickly sent a message, hoping against hope that Dr. Patel would be willing to meet with me. As
AVAThe mansion was quiet, with only the faint murmur of conversation coming from down the hall. I moved carefully, staying close to the wall, my ears straining to pick up what was being said. I knew it was wrong to eavesdrop, but I had no choice. John’s voice carried through the partially open door of his study, sharp and insistent, and I could hear the urgency in his tone. My heart pounded in my chest as I pressed myself closer, trying to catch every word.“...can’t risk it any longer. She’s getting too close,” John was saying. “Yes, a more secure facility. Somewhere isolated, where no one will ask questions and she can’t reach him. I want it done by the end of the week.”My breath caught in my throat. They were moving Liam. Somewhere even more secure and isolated? Panic surged through me. If they moved him to another facility, one more locked down and hidden away, I might never see him again. I wouldn’t be able to get any more information, wouldn’t be able to prove he wasn’t violen
AVAWith each passing day, the weight of my mission grew heavier. The deadline for Liam’s transfer from the asylum was fast approaching, and I felt like I was racing against time, fighting a battle that no one else seemed to understand. I was making a light lunch in the kitchen, trying to distract myself from the anxiety gnawing at my insides. The smell of grilled vegetables and the rhythmic chopping of the knife were the only things keeping me grounded at that moment.As I was lost in my thoughts, Tamy walked into the kitchen. Her presence startled me, and I nearly dropped the knife. She approached me cautiously, her eyes downcast as if she were afraid of intruding on my solitude. "Ava dear," she said softly, "Uncle John is calling for you in his study room."My heart sank. Uncle John rarely summoned me these days unless he had something unpleasant to say or a new way to undermine my efforts. I nodded to Tamy, giving her a weak smile, and wiped my hands on a dish towel. "Thank you, T
AVAThe next day, I decided it was time to confront Uncle John and Davies. I knew it wouldn't be easy, but I couldn't just sit back while Liam remained locked away in that asylum. The truth was on my side, and I had to fight for it. I found them both in the sitting room, deep in conversation. The tension in the air was palpable as I walked in, determined to finally make my stand.“Uncle John,” I began, my voice steady but filled with determination, “Liam doesn’t need to be in the asylum. He’s not violent. There’s no reason for him to be there.”John looked up from his seat, his expression darkening. “Not this nonsense again, Ava,” he snapped, his voice filled with impatience. “You’ve started spewing your rubbish once more. Haven’t you learned by now?”Davies, lounging on the couch with a smug grin, chuckled derisively. “Pathetic,” he sneered. “You look utterly pathetic doing this, Ava. Do you think anyone here takes you seriously?”But I didn’t waver. I wasn’t going to be intimidated
AVAAs I walked out of the hearing, the sense of relief I felt was fleeting, quickly replaced by a wave of exhaustion and anxiety. The small victory was just that—small. Liam was still not free, and I knew Uncle John wouldn’t let this go without a fight. He was a man accustomed to having control, and now that control was slipping. I could see it in his eyes, the way his jaw clenched as the board announced their decision. But I had to keep pushing. For Liam’s sake, I couldn’t afford to stop now.The next few days were a blur of frantic planning and cautious anticipation. I couldn’t shake the feeling that John was plotting something, that he wouldn’t take the board’s decision lying down. He was too powerful, too connected. I had to be ready for whatever he threw at me next.One afternoon, as I sat in my room, sifting through the notes and documents I had gathered, a knock on the door interrupted my thoughts. I tensed, expecting the worst. But when I opened the door, it was Clara standin