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“No. He went MIA, but if what I gathered from Gemma and the others is correct, I’m pretty sure Eli was involved.”
“What does that have to do with me?”
“Because you married Eli quickly and without explanation right after Oliver disappeared. There has to be something there. I believe he’s threatening or blackmailing you.”
My grip loosens on the phone and it falls on the table as everything rushes back in.
35
AVA
TWO AND A HALF YEARS AGO
My eyes slowly peel open at the loud, constant sound of a beep…beep…beep…
My head lies on the cool surface of the steering wheel as the wind howls outside the car.
I slowly straighten, my foot shaking on the brake pedal and my heart thumping loudly in my ears.
The lorry I nearly collided into drives in the distance, its bright red beams casting a halo on the otherwise quiet, dimly lit street.
I somehow clipped or hit a pole, and now I’m stopped in the middle of the road. The lorry driver must’ve swerved past me. There’s some damage to the car, but it’s nothing serious, and when I test it, it’s drivable.
However, I’ve obviously lost some time, because I have no recollection of what exactly happened and can only speculate.
Wait.
I fumble with my arms, touch my middle, and wiggle my toes. Everything is working. My breaths echo in the car, shallow and stuttered.
Is it possible that I died and became a ghost like in those paranormal films? Am I stuck here for unfinished business?
A knock comes on the window, slashing the silence with violent interruption. I jump, my heart nearly spilling at my feet.
When I look up, a sigh of relief pushes past my starving lungs as I open the door. “Ollie, you scared me!”
“Is everything all right?” he asks, his gaze flitting at the now-empty street, except for my car and his that’s parked by the side of the road.
“Yup. Nearly got killed by a lorry, but all is good.”
I stand up and my feet fail me. Ollie grabs me by the waist and steadies me against the side of my car, his hand stroking my mid-section in an uncomfortable rhythm.
He smells of cigarettes, alcohol, and overpowering oud cologne. A combination that brings nausea to the back of my throat.
“You all right there, love?”
“Um…yeah.” I subtly try to push him away, but his tenuous grip hardens on my midsection until pain explodes where his fingers apply pressure.
“You don’t look fine, Ava. You know what? Forget about the party. Let me take you home.”
“I can drive on my own. I’m fine.”
This time, I apply more strength to push him away, but he towers over me and grabs my chin, a menacing smile stretching his thin lips. “I said I’ll drive you.”
“And I said I can do it on my own.” I frown. “Let go of me, Ollie.”
“You know, that’s exactly your problem, Ava. You believe all men to be playthings that you flirt with a little and suck their money dry a lot and then expect them to leave when you ask them to.”
“I never asked for your money. I have my own.” My voice trembles at the end.
