Chapter 1

Processing Her Feelings

Ava stepped out into the crisp morning air, shivering slightly as a cool breeze brushed against her skin. Her mother’s words from earlier still echoed in her head.

"I have big news for you tonight. And we’ll be having a visitor."

The way her mother had said it, with a mixture of excitement and nervousness, unsettled her. What kind of news could it be? Ava racked her brain for possibilities, but nothing seemed to fit.

Was it about her mother’s job? A long-awaited trip? Maybe a relative she hadn’t seen in years was coming over?

With a sigh, she climbed into her car, tossing her bag onto the passenger seat. As soon as she started the engine, her phone rang. She glanced at the screen and smiled—Freya.

“Where are you?” Freya’s voice came through, slightly impatient. “I’m all alone in the library, and it’s creepy.”

Ava chuckled. “Relax, I’m on my way. Besides, I have something to tell you.”

“Oh? Spill.”

“Not yet,” Ava teased. “I’ll see you soon.”

She ended the call and pulled out of the driveway, pushing her mother’s words to the back of her mind.

At school, Ava found Freya at their usual corner of the library, surrounded by stacks of books.

“So?” Freya asked as soon as Ava sat down. “What’s the big deal?”

Ava sighed, running a hand through her dark curls. “It’s my mom. She said she has ‘big news’ and that we’re having a visitor tonight.”

Freya raised a brow. “Visitor? Who?”

“No clue. I mean, I thought maybe she was finally going on that trip she’s been dreaming about, but why would she need a visitor for that?”

Freya tapped a pen against her notebook. “Maybe it’s work-related?”

“Maybe,” Ava muttered, though she wasn’t convinced. Something about the way her mother had spoken felt… different.

Before they could dwell on it any longer, the school bell rang, signaling the start of their first class.

“Come on,” Freya said, gathering her books. “We’ll overthink it later.”

Ava nodded, grabbing her bag and following her friend out of the library.

---

Later that evening, Ava stood in front of her mirror, smoothing down the fabric of her blouse.

She wasn’t sure why she was putting effort into her appearance,it wasn’t like this was a date or anything. But the uneasy feeling from earlier lingered, making her restless.

A soft knock on her door made her turn.

“Hurry up, Ava,” her mother called from the hallway. “Our guest will be here any minute.”

Ava sighed. “Coming.”

She grabbed a sweater and headed downstairs just as the doorbell rang.

Her mother, Natasha, practically rushed to open the door, her excitement evident. Ava followed slowly, watching curiously as a tall, well-dressed man stepped inside.

“Mark, it's good to see you” Natasha beamed, taking the bouquet he handed her.

Mark? The name didn’t ring a bell.

Then his gaze shifted to Ava, and he smiled warmly. “You must be Ava.”

Before she could even respond, he extended a hand and offered her a single red rose.

Ava hesitated before taking it, glancing at her mother with confusion.

Natasha chuckled. “Ava, this is Mark. And Mark, this is my daughter.”

“Nice to meet you,” Ava said slowly, still unsure why this man was here.

Her mother’s next words hit her like a freight train.

“And Ava, Mark is my fiancé.”

For a moment, Ava’s brain refused to process the information.

Fiancé?

Her mother was engaged?

She blinked, her grip tightening on the rose. “You’re… engaged?”

Natasha’s eyes flickered with warning, silently pleading with her not to cause a scene.

Ava swallowed down the million questions bubbling inside her and forced a polite smile. “Wow. That’s… unexpected.”

Mark chuckled, seemingly unaware of her inner turmoil. “I know it’s a lot to take in. But I hope we can get along.”

Ava said nothing. She just nodded stiffly.

“Shall we eat?” Natasha suggested quickly, leading them toward the dining table.

Dinner passed in a blur.

Natasha and Mark carried most of the conversation, discussing wedding plans and laughing like they were in their own little world.

Ava barely spoke, pushing food around her plate while stealing glances at Mark, trying to figure him out.

He seemed… nice. Too nice.

And that made her uneasy.

At one point, Natasha asked why Mark’s son wasn’t joining them.

“Oh, he had a party to attend,” Mark explained.

Ava rolled her eyes before she could stop herself. Typical.

Finally, dinner ended, and Ava couldn’t take it anymore.

She stood up abruptly. “Excuse me.”

Before her mother could stop her, she turned and hurried upstairs, shutting her bedroom door behind her.

Her heart pounded as she leaned against it.

Her mother was engaged.

To a man she’d never met.

And soon, everything was going to change.

She wasn’t ready for that.

Not at all. She heard the door open and close then after a few minutes she heard Mark's car drive off.

She shook her head,still confused and surprised that her mom had kept such information away from her,at least she deserves to know who'll be replacing her father.

A knock resounded on her door and she groaned. “Come on baby, open the door, let's talk.” Natasha said, trying to turn the knob.

“You should have told me.” She said out loudly for her to hear. “He's going to replace my father,my dead father and I deserved to know before you brought him in!” I screamed at her.

Tears welled up in my eyes as I walked over to the door and threw it open, leaning on the frame.

“Did you wonder why his son didn't come? You know I gave it a thought even though I've never met him.”

“Ava…” Natasha whispered.

“What if he hasn't accepted the fact that he's gonna get another mother and so he ditched coming tonight just to attend a random party?” She shook her head. She was in denial.

“I think you knew what I'd have done if you had informed me earlier this morning, I'd have taken the night out with Freya,you knew hence the wait. I'd like to rest mom, sleep well!” She banged the door, resting on it as she slid to the floor.