Chapter 3

She’s So Screwed!

Ava stood frozen for a moment before sighing heavily and stepping aside. “Fine. Come in, grab whatever you need, and get out.”

Ethan smirked as he stepped into the house, his sharp eyes scanning the space. He moved with the kind of confidence that made Ava’s irritation flare even more. She crossed her arms and watched as he spotted a packed box near the hallway.

“That’s it?” he asked, crouching to lift it with ease.

Ava didn’t answer. She just stood there, watching as he carried the box to the door, her annoyance growing with each passing second.

Once outside, he placed the box in the trunk of his car and turned back to her with a smirk. “See you in school, baby sister.”

Ava’s hands clenched into fists. Baby sister? Oh, he was enjoying this way too much.

She slammed the door shut with a frustrated groan and immediately pulled out her phone, dialing Freya. The call barely rang twice before Freya picked up.

“What’s up?” Freya asked.

“You won’t believe what just happened!” Ava burst out. “Ethan Davis was just here! At my house! In my freaking living room, Freya!”

“Wait, what?!” Freya gasped. “Are you serious?”

“Yes! Apparently, my mom packed some stuff for Mark, and guess who came to pick it up? Ethan! And then, as he was leaving, he actually said, ‘See you in school, baby sister.’ Can you believe that? Baby sister?!”

Freya burst into laughter. “Oh my God, that is gold.”

“This is not funny!” Ava snapped. “I couldn’t wait until school tomorrow to tell you. I had to get it out now before I lost my mind.”

Freya sighed dramatically. “I get it, Ava. This is a lot to process. But hey, at least you have an interesting school year ahead.”

Ava groaned. “Ugh, I don’t want ‘interesting.’ I want normal!”

Freya giggled. “Too late for that, babe.”

---

That evening, when Ava’s mom arrived home, Ava didn’t waste a second before confronting her.

“Where did you even meet Mark?” she demanded as soon as her mom walked through the front door.

Natasha blinked at her, setting her purse down. “Good evening to you too, sweetheart.”

Ava huffed, crossing her arms. “Mom. Answer me.”

Natasha sighed, running a hand through her hair. “I met Mark at the annual gala. You know, the one held for each family in town.”

Ava narrowed her eyes. “And you just decided to marry him?”

Natasha’s lips pressed together. “Ava, it wasn’t a sudden decision. We’ve been seeing each other for months.”

Ava scoffed. “And you didn’t think to mention that? Oh, and fun fact,his son is a student at my school. And you know what’s even weirder? I had no idea until today when he showed up at our house to take your packed-up stuff.”

Natasha gave her a patient look. “Sweetheart, I know this is a lot for you, but everything will be fine.”

Ava shook her head. “No, Mom. Nothing about this is fine.”

Her mother exhaled, rubbing her temples. “I know this isn’t easy for you, but I need you to trust me.”

Ava bit her lip before looking up at her mother with determined eyes. “Tell me one thing, Mom. Are we moving to Mark’s house?”

Natasha hesitated for a moment too long.

Ava’s heart pounded. “Mom.”

Natasha sighed. “Ava… I already put the house up for sale.”

Ava’s breath hitched. “You what?”

“Honey, this house holds so many memories, I know that. But it’s time for a fresh start.”

“No,” Ava whispered, shaking her head. “No, you don’t get to decide that for me. This house is all I have left of Dad.”

Natasha’s eyes softened with sympathy. “Ava, I—”

“Just get out,” Ava whispered, her voice thick with emotion.

Her mom’s face fell. “Ava—”

“Get out!” Ava snapped, turning away as tears welled in her eyes.

Her mother hesitated before sighing and quietly leaving the room.

As soon as the door closed behind her, Ava let the tears fall.

---

Meanwhile, Ethan sat in his room, tossing a baseball up and down in one hand when a knock sounded at his door.

He sighed. “Come in.”

He expected Vera, the maid, but instead, his father entered, holding a glass of juice.

Mark placed the glass on Ethan’s desk and crossed his arms. “You doing okay?”

Ethan raised a brow. “Since when do you check up on me?”

Mark sighed, rubbing his temple. “I know this transition is weird for you. But you need to be more accepting. Natasha and Ava are going to be a part of this family.”

Ethan scoffed. “You say that like I have a choice.”

Mark leveled him with a firm look. “You do have a choice. You can either make things difficult, or you can make an effort to get along.”

Ethan’s jaw tightened. “Did you know that Natasha’s daughter goes to my school?”

Mark nodded. “Yes, I was aware.”

Ethan’s lips curled into a sneer. “And you didn’t think to tell me?”

Mark shrugged. “What does it matter?”

Ethan exhaled sharply, running a hand through his hair. “You really expect me to just accept this?”

Mark sighed. “Son, we’re all going to be living together soon. I need you to understand that—”

Ethan cut him off. “I don’t care about Ava or her mom.”

Mark’s eyes darkened. “Ethan.”

Ethan stood up suddenly, walking to the window. His voice was quiet but sharp. “You want to talk about things we need to understand? Fine. Let’s talk about my mother.”

Mark stiffened. “Ethan—”

“You told me she died,” Ethan said, his voice cold. “But I know that’s not true.”

Mark’s eyes widened slightly, his grip tightening on the back of the chair.

Ethan turned to face him, his jaw clenched. “I know what you did. I know you took me away from her. So stop lying to me.”

Mark’s face remained unreadable, but something flickered in his eyes.

Ethan narrowed his eyes. “Tell me the truth, Dad.”

The room was thick with tension.

Silence stretched between them.

And then—