All Chapters of Forbidden Embers : Chapter 1 - Chapter 6

The acrid scent of the smoke still clung to Ava, a harsh reminder of the fire that took her parents. At eight, her world was a scary, gray place. A cruel twist of fate left her alone, an orphan in a world that didn't make sense anymore. A warm hand touched her shaking shoulder. Tears blurred her vision as she looked up at a strong man. He seemed so strong, unlike the weakness she felt. His kind face showed he understood. "Please don't... don't... Please don't kill me too," she whispered, her voice small and scared. Lucas Antonio,a man in his late thirties, a name whispered in boardrooms with reverence, a titan of industry, knelt before the small, broken child. The man who commanded vast energy empires, whose decisions swayed markets, found himself humbled by the profound grief etched on Ava's face. He recognized the hollowness in her eyes, a mirror of the despair he had once known. He gently lifted her into his arms. Her small body trembling against his. "I promise, little one,"

"No, you can't love me, I am too old for you, you deserve better. You deserve more than I can offer." He said as he gently caressed her face, a shadow crossed his face, a hint of something sad and resigned. The next morning, sunlight streamed across Ava’s face, forcing her eyes open. "Ugh," she moaned, instinctively reaching for her forehead. A dull throb pulsed behind her eyes. She squeezed them shut, trying to ward off the pain, but it was no use. She pried her eyelids open, wincing at the brightness.Her gaze drifted around the room, landing on a Lucas's picture hung on the wall. Suddenly, memories of the previous night surged back. The alcohol, the laughter, the impulsive words tumbling from her lips. A hot flush crept up her neck. "Oh no," she whispered, burying her face in her hands. "What have I done?" The thought of facing Lucas again twisted in her stomach.Ava bolted upright, throwing the covers aside. Her bare feet hit the cool floor as she scrambled for her phone on the

The voice startled her so badly she almost jumped out of her skin. "Brother Lucas! Hi. I- I was just over at Helen's."" Who was that guy that dropped you off at home. I'm not comfortable with you being driven home by a man. You're still a child, and it's important that I know who you're with. Also, it is very late , what if something had happened to you? I was worried sick. Lucas thundered."Thank you for caring, but I'm growing up and learning to be independent". I'm fine, really." Ava said with tears in her eyes. Besides, you have someone else in your life that you should be giving all the care to now. Please don't bother about me anymore." She turned and walked quickly to her room, the door banging shut with a loud thud.*****On the morrow, her alarm jolted her awake. Remembering her new job, she leapt out of bed and rushed to the shower.Having dressed quickly, she made her way out of the house in a hurry, but when she was just about to reach the sitting room, the rain sta