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Married to Grey
Chapter 30: Shadows of the Past
Ava stared at Juliana, her words ringing in her ears like a distant thunderclap.
"Let her. It's time she learns exactly who her family really was."
The room suddenly felt colder.
"What do you mean by that?" Ava asked, her voice low but steady. She'd dealt with Juliana's cryptic comments before, but this time there was something different. Something final.
Juliana didn't respond. Instead, she stood from the armchair by the fireplace, picked up her wine glass, and walked out of the room like she hadn't just shaken Ava to her core.
Dominic's gaze followed his mother, then turned to Ava. He opened his mouth, then closed it. Silence stretched between them, thick and sharp.
Ava's heart pounded in her chest. She didn't know whether it was fear or curiosity. Maybe both.
"I'm going to find out what she meant," she muttered, more to herself than to Dominic.
He stepped forward. "Ava, maybe just let this go—"
"No," she snapped. "Don't you dare tell me to let it go. You've kept too many things from me already, Dominic. I won't let you or your mother gaslight me into silence."
Something flickered in his eyes — guilt, maybe. Or was it fear?
"I'm not trying to stop you," he said finally. "Just be careful."
With that, Ava turned and walked out. Her heels clicked against the marble floor like a countdown.
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Two hours later, she was in the guest room that once belonged to her mother.
The housekeeper had kept it exactly the same — untouched, like a shrine. Ava ran her fingers across the vanity, remembering how her mother used to sit here, brushing her hair and humming softly.
She opened a drawer.
Letters.
Stacks of them, tied in faded red ribbon.
Most were from her father… but not the man she grew up calling Dad.
Her fingers trembled as she unfolded the first letter. The handwriting was unfamiliar. Bold. Emotional.
> "I'm sorry I couldn't be there when she was born. You said it was better this way, but I've never stopped thinking about her. About Ava."
Her breath caught.
What?
She pulled out more letters, her heart racing with every line she read. They spoke of stolen time, forbidden love, promises broken.
Then came a name.
Leonardo Grey.
She froze.
Grey?
That couldn't be right.
The door creaked open behind her, and Ava spun around.
Juliana stood in the doorway, her eyes colder than Ava had ever seen them.
"So… you found the letters."
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