of Ava. I play on my phone to distract me, and I search up Ava. It was an endless, sleepless cyc

o my office, thankful for a personal driver to chauffer me around, waiting to receive any message from Lucas. I hoped Ava would reach out to

e

it has been the distance in years, or a decision she ma

t she have at least called on a disposable phone, and let me know I had a daughter? Was that not something t

remely hard to be mad at Ava for any reason, but when it comes to the subject of having raised our daughter, and keeping the secret f

had never

hold onto throughout the years; which is pretty much everything about her. Every singl

ore I smile at my assistant and pick up my mail and calls for the day. I qui

wearing her usual white, silk gloves and designer hand bag. She

ne at the fair,

, and maybe find out just

have a rather full schedule, " I say and toss my coat onto the chair opposit

into slits. If I was a child, I would think that the very pits of hell were about to swallow me live fro

ual dry, sarcastic humor with her, but she keeps her eyes narrowed on mine, not budging the slightest. "Can you please j

fair, and I want to know where you w

night, and he says his daughter has nothing but great things to say about our time together, that I had kept her entertained and happy throughout the night. I'm

have a very wild guess. Either way, I know what really happened and how furious she was after you told he

're the only one who isn't happy, when you're the one who pushed for this so muc

or me, for our family." She turns on her heel and storms out of my office, slamming the door dramatically behind her.

t from Lucas, telling me to message him back my office address. I quickly respond and tell my assistan

nto my office and demand to k

. It's licensed under the name Sinful Temptations, and I tried to look up the name, but I'll spare you th

ng we have nothi

persons and asked for a favor. I gave him Ava's name and rough description based on what you told me, and all the informat

with every word. His friend was able to find the address of the company her car was registered too, and her parents address now. There is a c

ing to do with t

't, I'm not leaving until someone tells me where she is, " I say, and I can hear

and stands to leave. He stops just before he gets to the door. "But don't wait too long to need my help agai

on, Lucas." I wave him good

rushed over to the address the moment Lucas had left, but I already skipped one day, I can

run out. I tell my assistant she is good to leave and make sure she has a stable ride ho

was back in New York City. Though it isn't that far, for some reason my hopes sunk a little as we continued to drive

sign, with a lighter shade of brown background. It is the exact name of the company Lucas had given me, bu

s it hits small bell above the corner. I t

ith you in

at the eccentric cake designs and structures. I wonder if Ava is the one who created them, or if she is just a worker here. When she was

t time I saw her again, my heart stops and my legs melt. She has a sweet smile on her face be

part. Something in me stirs, and I

coffs and rolls her eyes. "Why am I even asking that, if you're still the same

even know if you work here or own the place, " I say and take a small step towards her. I'm r

find out abou

re. I just looked up the address." That isn't a lie,

her step to

u doing here

she is trapped behind. I lean over and place my hands on the glass display of cupcakes. A

t's been t

ff, not wanting to hear what she is going to say. "I'

ething, but quickly closes it,

s mine, " I

little. The movement does not go unnoticed by me, and I tense to re

now she is

bles and turns to run into the back. I leap over the counter without a second thought and tr

ng you run awa

in tears. I catch her arm and hug her to my chest, instantly loving the feeling of her in my arms aga

ing as her hands clutch my jacket. I try and hush her, ru

y sweet Ava. I'm here, and