Chapter 72: The Bargain

The tension in the air between Ava and me was suffocating. The silence stretched, thick and oppressive, as I stood there, staring at her. My mind raced, trying to find a way out, a path where I didn’t have to give in to her demands, but every option led to the same dead end. She held all the cards.

“I can’t believe you,” I finally said, my voice barely above a whisper. “After everything, this is what it comes down to? You’d put a price on our family, on trust, for money and power?”

Ava’s eyes were cold, devoid of any warmth. “This isn’t about trust, Emily. It’s about survival. You’ve had everything handed to you. I’ve had to fight for scraps. This is my chance to take what I deserve, and I’m not going to apologize for that.”

I wanted to scream at her, to tell her how wrong she was, how I had built this company with my blood, sweat, and tears. But it wouldn’t matter. Ava had made her choice long ago, and no amount of pleading or reasoning would change her mind.

“Fine,” I said, my voic