Chapter 25
Winter passed, and spring brought warmer air.
The Collins family got news from their lawyer back home.
After several trials and appeals, Sophia’s crime of soliciting assault was confirmed. She received her legal punishment.
Seeing justice served gave Avery the most relief as the victim
This news happened to arrive on her father’s birthday.
Her mother cooked a huge meal and the family raised their glasses in celebration.
After nearly six months in Spain, Avery had adapted to life there.
Though challenges remained, she found joy in exploring new things.
She’d made new friends and discovered her true interests.
On this happy day, she excitedly shared an important decision with her parents.
“Mom Dad I’ve figured it out! I’m starting a band with some friends. I’ll play guitar. We’ve already written our first song and we’re performing next week. The whole band officially invites you to come watch!”
Coming from a musical family her father was thrilled to hear she’d chosen this path.
“That’s fantastic! If you need any help with composing just ask. I’ll support your dream every step of the way!”
Her mother clapped her hands with pride in her eyes.
“Your dad always hoped you’d follow in his footsteps but we didn’t want to push you while you were figuring things out. Now that you’ve chosen this path on your own go for it! We’ll always have your back!”
Having her family’s trust and support made Avery completely happy.
In the days that followed she practiced until midnight every lay working incredibly hard for the performance.
The night before the show she went home early to rest up.
At dusk the sunset painted the sky in brilliant colors as a gentle breeze blew.
She stepped out of her car with her guitar and looked up to see someone she hadn’t seen in months.
Your tolden Child–Scapegoat Out
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Chapter 25
Ethan looked much worse. He’d lost so much weight his eye sockets were sunken and his complexion was gray like a
storm cloud.
Avery barely recognized him until he spoke.
“Hey Avery. It’s been a while. How are you?”
As soon as the words left his mouth Ethan realized how inadequate they sounded.
Her vibrant face, with smiling eyes, looked just like when she was eighteen.
She was doing well.
Unlike him drowning in guilt and regret with no escape.
And that was the truth.
The way Avery looked at him now wasn’t with the deliberate coldness and disregard from before.
All that remained was the calm neutrality one would show a stranger.
She had truly moved on from everything.
Love, hate, pain, and anger had all become things of the past
She merely glanced at him briefly.
“I’m fine.”
Seeing she was about to leave, Ethan desperately held out the letters.
“Avery I found the letters you wrote me when you were nineteen. Back then you-”
Seeing the yellowed papers slightly stirred Avery’s buried memories.
But after a moment of surprise she made her position clear in one sentence,
“That was then. This is now.”
“But you said as long as I cared about you even a little you’d wait for me forever. Now you’re all I want. Please give
me one more chance.”
By the end Ethan’s voice was choked with emotion.
Avery said nothing. She took all the letters.
Then to his disbelief she tore them to pieces right in front of him.
Child
Scapegoat Out
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