The days spent in the Blackwood mansion gradually transformed Ava. She was still herself, but her freedom had been suffocated, and fear had become a familiar companion. Her life revolved around the books in the library, solitary meals, and a vague nightly anticipation, unsure if Ryder would appear. Whenever he did, those nights became a torment; though her body was somewhat desensitized now, her soul remained in turmoil.
That morning, a small incident broke the usual silence. Ava was in the rose garden, reading and enjoying a rare patch of sunlight, when the maid, Lily, rushed over, flustered.
"Miss! Something's happened!" Lily stammered, her face pale. "There are... strangers at the gate."
Ava frowned. Strangers? Who would come here unannounced? Especially when all her communication was controlled. "Who is it?"
"I... I don't know. Mr. Hawkins is talking to them," Lily said, trembling. "They want to see you."
Ava's heart pounded. A bad premonition crept in. She quickly stood up and followed Lily towards the main hall. Hawkins stood blocking the large door, facing two unfamiliar men. One wore a polite black suit, but his eyes were sharp and intimidating. The other looked like a bodyguard.
"Good morning, Mr. Hawkins," the man in the suit said, his tone courteous but full of veiled meaning. "We are here to see Miss Ava. Is she here?"
Hawkins remained calm. "Sir, Miss is not available to receive guests. Please state your identities and purpose for being here."
"I am Peter Davies, attorney for Mrs. Eleanor Davies." The man replied, then glanced at Ava, who stood behind Hawkins. "And our purpose is to take Miss Ava with us. Mrs. Eleanor wishes to see her."
Hearing the name Eleanor Davies, Ava felt her entire body freeze. That was Sarah's mother, the woman Ryder had once been engaged to. Why would she want to see her? It surely couldn't be for anything good.
Hawkins remained firm. "I apologize, sir. Miss Ava is currently the wife of Mr. Ryder Blackwood. All requests for a meeting must go through Mr. Blackwood."
Peter Davies smirked. "Wife? Haha, what a secret marriage that even I wasn't aware of. In any case, Ryder Blackwood has no right to detain Miss Ava here. We have the right to take her."
Tension escalated. Two of Ryder's bodyguards had appeared, standing on either side of Hawkins. The main hall door felt like an invisible battle line.
"I have no intention of causing you trouble, Mr. Davies," Hawkins said, his voice still calm but laced with warning. "But if you wish to take Miss without Mr. Ryder's orders, I'm afraid there will be an unnecessary conflict."
Peter Davies stared at Ava, his gaze full of assessment and contempt. "Miss Ava, I don't think you want to stay here anymore, do you? Mrs. Eleanor Davies can offer you a better life, away from this cage. You just need to come with us."
Ava's heart raced. Leave here? Was this her chance? But then Lam An's image flashed in her mind. Ryder held everything. If she left, what would happen to Lam An? She would never forgive herself if her selfishness caused her brother to suffer.
"I... I'm not going anywhere." Ava whispered, her voice trembling. "I... I'll stay here."
Ava's words surprised both Peter Davies and Lily. Peter Davies frowned. "Are you sure? Do you know what you're giving up?"
"I know," Ava replied, her voice growing firmer, though she was still terrified inside. "I will stay."
Peter Davies stared at Ava for a few more seconds, then sighed. "Very well. If that's your choice. But remember, you've missed an opportunity." He turned to Hawkins. "Apologies for the inconvenience. We will report back to Mrs. Davies."
With that, Peter Davies and his bodyguard turned and left. The tension in the hall slowly dissipated. Lily exhaled in relief, while Hawkins remained standing, his expression unchanged, looking at Ava with an unreadable gaze.
"Miss has made the correct choice," Hawkins said. "Mr. Ryder will be most pleased."
Ava didn't reply. She returned to her room, feeling heavier than ever. She had refused freedom, refused the chance to escape this hell. She had personally closed the only door. All for Lam An. But would she regret it?
That evening, Ryder returned later than usual. Ava sat waiting for him in the living room, a book on her lap that she wasn't reading. She wanted to tell him about Peter Davies' visit, but didn't know where to start.
Ryder walked in, taking off his jacket and loosening his tie. He saw Ava sitting there, his gaze sweeping over her before pausing.
"What is it?" he asked, his voice as cold as ever.
Ava took a deep breath. "Today... someone came looking for me."
Ryder frowned. "Who?"
"Mrs. Eleanor Davies' lawyer. He said he wanted to take me away," Ava said quickly, as if afraid that if she spoke slowly, she would lose all her courage.
Ryder was silent. His eyes became sharper than ever. He approached Ava, leaned down, his deep blue gaze like an icy lake staring directly into hers. "And what did you do?"
"I... I said I would stay," Ava replied, her voice trembling. "I said I wasn't going anywhere."
Ryder continued to stare at her, as if reading every thought in her mind. A moment later, an extremely faint, almost imperceptible smile appeared on his lips. It wasn't a happy smile, but one full of possession and triumph.
"Good." Ryder said softly, his voice a little deeper. He raised his hand, his rough fingers touching Ava's cheek, stroking gently. It was a rare touch devoid of brutality, but it made Ava feel more unnerved than ever. It was confirmation that she completely belonged to him, that he had won. "You've learned to choose correctly."
He said nothing more. He stood up, turned, and walked towards his bedroom. Ava watched his retreating back, feeling like a doll that had completed its task, placed back in its original position.
That night, Ryder did not come to Ava's room. She lay on the bed, looking out the window, moonlight shining into the cold room.