S31 109. Winning Ava’s Heart
Ava had difficulty opening her eyes. When she succeeded, two round faces flickered to watch her.
“I think Ava is awake. I saw her eyes peeking out earlier, and there was a little blink!” Emily described the movement with her index finger and thumb.
“But her eyelids haven’t lifted yet, Emily. Oh? You’re right. She’s blinking again!” Louis looked back. “Uncle, Ava is awake!”
Jeremy appeared with furrowed eyebrows. “Ava? Can you hear me?” His hand stroked her shoulder, gently.
Ava groaned, “What happened?”
“You were rushed to the hospital because you fainted. Everyone panicked, including Uncle Jeremy. Actually, he was assigned to look after us. Because he wanted to see you immediately, we went along. Luckily, the teachers gave us permission.”
Emily nodded in support of her brother’s words. “Are you okay, va?” Her tiny fingers stroked her pale face.
Ava shook her head. “Eva….”
“You don’t need to worry. She’s fine.” Jeremy nodded, reassuring
The frown on Ava’s face instantly changed meaning. Before she asked, Emily pursed her lips. “You don’t need to be confused. Uncle Jeremy has taken care of everything.”
Jeremy let out a faint sigh. “Why didn’t you report the threat to me? If I had known from the start, you wouldn’t have suffered like this.”
With great difficulty, Ava tried to get up. Jeremy quickly helped her sit
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down.
“Is she okay?” Confusion clouded her face.
Suddenly, Jeremy grabbed Ava’s fingers. The twins’ eyes widened at the sight.
“Sorry. Seeing your condition earlier I was very worried. So, I checked your phone. I immediately sent people to investigate the matter and it turned out that your sister was working in her boutique. In good
condition.”
Ava shook her head faintly. “Impossible.”
“Eva said that she left her phone in the taxi when she came home from my house. She also admitted that she wasn’t kidnapped.”
“But…. That picture…. Her voice on the phone….”
Jeremy squeezed Ava’s fingers. “I know this is strange, but she’s safe. You don’t need to panic anymore, hmm?”
The twins nodded in support of Jeremy’s words.
“You don’t need to worry anymore, Ava. Now get some rest. The doctor said you didn’t get enough sleep and were tired.”
“And you also lack nutritional intake! Because of that, you ha a lot. Uncle Jeremy bought fruit and a healthy menu for you.”
However, Ava shook her head with an annoyed face. She even tri get out of bed. “I want to see Eva.”
Jeremy held her shoulders. “Wait, Ava. You don’t need to rush. You’re not in a very good condition.”
“I want to see her with my own eyes, Jeremy. I want to make sure.” Ava’s eyes filled with tears. Her voice was hoarse.
Suddenly, Emily pointed her index finger at the side of her cheek.
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How about we just check via video call? You can see Eva without going there.”
Ava shook her head. “I want to see her in person.”
Jeremy could not bear to see Ava’s tears welling up. He sighed in resignation, “Okay. I’ll take you there, but you have to promise me one thing.”
Ava’s eyebrows rose slightly. “What is it?”
“Be careful with Eva. Even though she is your sister, we can’t just trust her.”
Ava’s eyes wavered. Her chin rose and fell. “You suspect Eva?”
“The investigation is not finished. We don’t know whether Patricial Moore is manipulating the situation or Eva is secretly on her side.”
Ava was stunned. Jeremy’s warning made sense. She couldn’t guarantee which side her sister was on, considering the tension between them.
“Okay, I’ll be alert. Please take me there.”
“Okay, but after you eat.” Jeremy turned around to get a box of food. ” You need the energy to stay alert, Ava.”
Ava sighed faintly. Like it or not, she obeyed his orders. She didn realize that the twins were exchanging glances and playing with t eyebrows. They were happy to see their uncle’s progress in winnin Ava’s heart.
***
“Is this Eva’s boutique?” Emily placed both hands on the window.
Louis immediately shifted closer to that side. His neck was elongated. “Oh, this is like Mommy’s old workplace. Do you remember, Emily? Before Mommy was a pizza delivery person.”
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Emily nodded. “Yes. I wonder if Eva’s collection is bigger than Mommy’s previous boss’ collection.”
“Twins, you guys wait in the car. Don’t get off until we come back.”
The two toddlers looked at the driver’s seat with round eyes. “Why
can’t we get out?”
“For your safety. We don’t know yet whether Eva is honest or full of charades. Louis, don’t play spy.” Jeremy straightened his index finger.
Louis puffed out his cheeks and nodded innocently. “Don’t worry, Uncle. I’ve repented. I don’t want to be kidnapped again. So, Emily and I will wait here while we do our homework.”
“Since when do you guys have homework?” Jeremy’s eyes narrowed.
“Since we often take permission. Our teacher doesn’t want us to miss. out on lessons.” Emily blinked slowly.
While Jeremy detected their honesty, Ava unfastened her seat belt. “I can go there alone. You just look after Louis and Emily here. I won’t be long.”
The twins furrowed their eyebrows.
“Why is that? We won’t be naughty, Ava. Take Jeremy with you
not safe if you go alone. Who knows, there might be a trap in the boutique!”
Ava shook her head slightly. “This is my business. Let me finish it. I am very grateful that you are willing to take me here.”
She pulled the door lever. “If you guys want to go home first, just go. I can order a taxi later.”
Before the twins could protest, Ava got out of the car. They thought Jeremy would follow. However, seeing the man unmoved, they lowered their eyebrows.
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“Why are you still here, Uncle? You should accompany Ava.”
Únexpectedly, Jeremy leaned back in his seat. “They need privacy. So, let’s just watch from here.”
The twins’ expressions turned horrified. “But Uncle, what if Eva does something bad to Ava?”,
“There are other people there. Eva wouldn’t dare do anything wrong.”
Meanwhile, Ava entered the boutique with a pounding heart. When the sales girls greeted her, she only responded with a nod. Her eyes were too busy to find Eva.
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