I deliberately credited Ava with covering the hospital costs that I had actually paid, not wanting to worry the old woman. Ava’s face was filled with
confusion.
After chatting with Mrs. Davis for a few more minutes, I excused myself to return to work.
Mrs. Davis thanked me profusely and insisted that Ava see me out. We both wore fake smiles as we left the room, maintaining the charade of harmony until the door closed behind us.
Ava immediately dropped the pretense. “What the hell are you playing at, Sophia?” she demanded, her voice low. “Where would I get money for grandmother’s surgery?”
I turned to face her, my patience gone. “Don’t pretend with me. I know exactly why you asked for five hundred thousand dollars! I’ve already paid for all of Mrs. Davis’s medical expenses. Your extortion attempt failed.”
Seeing that her scheme had been exposed, Ava switched tactics.
“You think you’re so clever,” she sneered. “What if I tell that rich husband of yours about your past? How would he feel knowing everything?
In the past, when I still cared about Henry and our marriage, such a threat might have terrified me. But now, having already decided to divorce him and publicly signed the papers, I had nothing left to fear.
Far from being intimidated, I gave her a mocking smile. “Go ahead! Please do!”
Her eyes widened in surprise at my reaction.
“If you tell him, I continued, my voice dripping with sarcasm, “he’ll probably rush to divorce me even faster and make sure I leave with nothing. I’d be delighted that means you wouldn’t be able to extort money from me anymore, would you?”
Ava had never liked me, even as children. Out of respect for Sam, I’d always tolerated her behavior, but now that I was watching the adult Ava become increasingly unreasonable, I saw no reason to indulge her anymore.
‘Sophia, don’t forget,” she spat, “if it weren’t for my brother, you wouldn’t be where you are today!”
She took a step closer, her voice dropping to a threatening whisper. “I hear your husband is quite wealthy. Such a good money tree–are you really willing to give that up?”
She gave a cruel smile. “Let me say this one more time: give me five hundred thousand dollars, make me happy, and I’ll leave you alone. If you don’t…” She paused dramatically. “I’ll tell the whole world how you betrayed my brother. I’ll ruin you!”
I laughed humorlessly. “Years ago I gave you two million dollars–enough for Mrs. Davis to live comfortably for the rest of her life and enough to support you until you became independent! It’s barely been a few years, and you’ve already blown through it all. Do you really think I’ll give you more?”
Ava and Mrs. Davis lived in a small town where two million dollars could support them for nearly 30 years.
Yet somehow, in just a few years, Ava had managed to waste it all.
Seeing that I wasn’t going to budge, Ava grew desperate. “Sophia! I’m your sister! You promised my brother you’d take care of me for life!
I stared at her. My voice turned to ice, devoid of any warmth or emotion.
“Ava Davis, listen carefully: I promised your brother I would look after you. That doesn’t make me your parent. Why should I ir
your every whim?”
I stepped closer, making her back away. “Let me make this perfectly clear: you can tell whoever you want about Sam and me. I don’t care anymore!”
I released my grip on her arm, watching as she staggered back, her face pale with shock. As I walked away, I could feel her stunned gaze on my back.
“Damn you, Sophia,” I heard her whisper behind me. “Have you lost your mind? When did you become so fearless?”
1/2
Chapter 170
I didn’t bother to look back. For the first time in years, I felt truly free.
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