Chapter 2

Once she immersed herself in the water, Ava attempted to mimic the graceful strokes of a seasoned swimmer, her arms slicing through the liquid medium. Yet, as she ventured further from the pool's edge and the reassuring safety of shallower waters, her confidence began to wane, gradually transforming into a chilling realization that she was in over her head—literally. Panic gripped her as the pool's center seemed to stretch endlessly before her, a vast expanse of liquid uncertainty.

In the throes of a desperate struggle, Ava's valiant efforts to stay afloat ultimately faltered, and the cold embrace of the water began to close around her, its relentless grasp pulling her down into the depths. In the midst of choking gasps and frantic flails, she unleashed a heart-wrenching scream for salvation, a cry that pierced the air with the sheer terror of impending doom.

But in the nick of time, like a guardian angel summoned by her desperate plea, a fine gentleman, spurred by instinct and a noble sense of duty, sprinted toward the pool's edge with the speed of a sprinter chasing victory. Without hesitation, he propelled himself into the water, each stroke propelling him closer to Ava's struggling form. With unwavering determination, he reached her, wrapping his strong arms around her beleaguered frame and, with a mighty effort, hauled her gasping and sputtering back to the safety of the pool's edge.

Ava, her heart pounding in her chest like a trapped bird yearning for the open sky, clung to the pool's edge, trembling as she struggled to regain her composure. The deafening rush of her own breath filled her ears as she drew desperately needed oxygen back into her lungs.

The commotion had not gone unnoticed by the others, and Jasmine, along with a cluster of concerned onlookers, emerged from the poolside shadows to investigate the tumultuous scene. Jasmine, her voice quivering with a mix of relief and gratitude, hurriedly identified herself to the rescuer. "She's my sister. Thank you for saving her life," she proclaimed, her words carrying the weight of a debt that could never be fully repaid.

Ethan, the courageous savior of the moment, offered a reassuring nod, a gesture that spoke volumes of his humility and selflessness. With a calm demeanor, he leaned down to offer some advice, firmly yet gently advising that Ava should avoid pools and deep waters, given her limited swimming ability.

Once Ava had been safely handed into the care of her sister Jasmine, she retreated to a more private space to dry herself and change into the comforting embrace of her casual attire. Despite her physical rescue, the traumatic incident had left its mark, and she reappeared before the concerned gathering, her eyes still haunted by the harrowing brush with disaster.

With a collective sigh of relief for Ava's safety, Jasmine made the difficult decision to cut short their gathering, addressing her cousin, "We'll be leaving. I think that's all for today." Kylie waved her farewell and chimed in, "Thanks for hanging out." Ethan, his worry for Ava still evident, approached her to inquire about her well-being before offering a heartfelt, "Take good care of yourself, Ava," as he departed.

Kylie, unable to resist a smug grin, leaned closer to Ava's ear and whispered, "I told ya," before joining her other friends in a jovial exit. As Ava, still grappling with the whirlwind of emotions that had gripped her, began her slow walk toward the waiting car, she couldn't help but wonder about Kylie's enigmatic statement. As the car's impatient horn blared its presence, she quickened her pace and, with one last look back at the pool, climbed into the vehicle that would carry her back home, the waters of the pool now a mirror reflecting the ripples of her unexpected adventure.

Presently~~

Ava went to a drug store to buy antidepressant pills, after displaying her stubborn behavior as she refused to take her test at school. Outside, a billboard caught her eyes, displaying the same phrase, "MEETING DEADLINES AND BOSSING UP TO BILLIONS," with a picture of a young, well-built man on it. Passersby were talking about the popular magazine and the billboard, with one person remarking, "He is more than gorgeous. Anyone would be lucky to have him as a baby daddy." As she left the store, she was given a magazine, but she showed no interest and threw it into the nearest bin. Ava scoffed, not believing her ears, and took a cab. What was her motive? The Innocent and young , Ava’s stubbornness was disturbingly questionable.

Three years ago:

After the soothing cascade of water had enveloped her in its embrace, offering respite from the sweltering heat of the day, Ava embarked on the arduous journey of her post-shower routine, her mind swaying between the mundane tasks that occupied her day-to-day existence and the prospect of the forthcoming dinner with her family. The evening sun cast long shadows across the room, imbuing it with a warm, amber glow that spoke of serenity and familial togetherness.

As Ava descended the stairs, she was beckoned to the dining table by the mellifluous voice of Freya, the matriarch of their household. Freya, a beacon of maternal warmth and care, sought to forge a connection with her daughter, to bridge the gap that often grew between parent and child as the latter ventured into the unpredictable terrain of adolescence. Her inquiry, "How did your day unfold, my dear?" was imbued with genuine curiosity and affection.

However, before the answer could escape Ava's lips, the tranquility of the dinner table was shattered by the unanticipated intrusion of Edward, the ever-watchful father figure of the family. Edward's sudden interjection carried with it an air of gravity that eclipsed the pleasantries of the evening. His words hung in the air like a heavy fog, "Kylie's parents called this evening to check up on Ava..." The utterance was pregnant with unspoken concern, and it sent ripples of tension through the assembled family members.

Silence descended upon the room, a deafening silence that seemed to stretch into eternity as each individual grappled with the implications of Edward's revelation. The weight of unspoken questions bore down upon them, and their eyes darted between Ava and Edward, seeking answers that remained elusive. Edward's gaze, in particular, was fixed upon Jasmine, the close friend and confidante of Ava, as if imploring her to shed light on the enigmatic events of the day.

In this charged atmosphere, Edward turned his attention towards Jasmine, his voice laced with a blend of fatherly concern and inquisitiveness. He inquired, "What do you think transpired during your outing at the pool today?" Jasmine, a delicate soul who had always struggled to confront difficult truths, felt her heart quicken as she grappled with the impending confession. Her words emerged haltingly, "She... she mis... she... she mistakenly slipped into the pool and nearly drowned, but Kylie and I went in to pull her out."

However, the air seemed to thicken with an unspoken tension as Jasmine's words hung in the air. It was as though a tempestuous undercurrent lurked beneath the placid surface of her explanation, a suspicion that her narrative concealed something more profound and troubling. Unbeknownst to the others, Jasmine had woven a fabric of deception, a falsehood that threatened to unravel in the face of truth.

Edward's penetrating gaze shifted from Jasmine to Ava, his eyes piercing through the veil of secrecy. With a voice that brooked no deception, he directed his question towards Ava, "And can Ava corroborate this account based on your report? Ava, can you recount the same events?" The pressure of truth bore down upon Ava, her conscience compelling her to confront her own role in the unfolding drama.

Summoning the strength of honesty, Ava embarked on her confession, her words flowing with an unwavering commitment to the truth. "Jasmine and Kylie were indeed in the pool, enjoying the cool embrace of the water ," she began, her voice steady. "And I, too, harbored the desire to partake in the aquatic revelry. I ventured into the pool, hoping I would be able to swim too. Yet, I found myself ensnared in the depths of the water, sinking and gasping for breath."

The room fell into a hushed silence once more as Ava's confession hung in the air, the gravity of her words sinking in. The truth, once veiled in ambiguity and half-truths, now stood stark and unassailable. Ava had bared her soul, acknowledging her own recklessness, and the revelation of her near-drowning stirred a maelstrom of emotions within her family.

The truth, as unwelcome as it may have been, had come to light, and Ava's admission had shattered the façade of deception that had threatened to undermine the bonds of trust within the family. In the crucible of honesty, they found the opportunity for growth, healing, and the reaffirmation of the unbreakable ties that bound them together.

Edward saw that Jasmine was lying and furiously rebuked her during dinner. With tension mounting, Ava experienced an asthma attack right there at the table. Thankfully, she was quickly aided by her pump to ease her breathing. Edward made a harsh decision in the heat of the moment, declaring that Jasmine would no longer be allowed to study abroad as punishment for not looking after her sister properly. He stormed out of the dinner table, leaving Jasmine annoyed and in tears. She ran to her room, leaving her food untouched.

The bitter feelings Jasmine had towards Ava became evident in this moment of crisis. Alexander and Chloe helped Ava into her room after her asthma attack. As Ava stepped into her room, she noticed her phone vibrating on the table beside the lamp. Despite the phone call, she let it vibrate until it eventually dropped to the floor. With her mind racing and emotions stirring, she couldn't bear to answer the call at that moment, uncertain about who could be calling her at such an hour and what more might be thrown her way.