Perhaps this is a start of something new

Perhaps this is a start of something new
Chapter 165

Canon's POV

“What took you so long?” Ava asked absentmindedly, her back turned to me as she carefully set the table.

Watching her move around the kitchen with just one arm made something tighten in my chest. Her vulnerability struck me hard and saddened me.

If only I had stood my ground, if only I had stopped her from going on that killing spree. Maybe things would’ve been different.

“Nothing… it’s just hard learning to walk with these,” I replied with a short, dry laugh gesturing to the crutches as I made my way slowly into the small kitchen.

The apartment was small with just enough room for a table and some chairs. It was the place I had rented and stayed in after Ava kicked me out. It was quiet safe and even Ethan had been brought here to recover.

“Luckily, you didn’t lose your leg. Ha ha. Have a seat,” Ava said with a small smile as she dropped into the chair across from mine.

I eased myself into the seat slowly. I wasn’t sure what to think. Honestly, I had expected her to be angry at Ruby for what had happened to her, I mean for the arm she lost. But since she woke up, Ava had been surprisingly calm about everything. Too calm. She even joked about it now and then.

“What message did Zack send to you?” Ava asked suddenly, making my head snap up in surprise.

“Don’t give me that look. I know you threatened him,” she added casually as she started eating the spaghetti on her plate.

“I didn’t mean to order him around… I just wanted him to let you rest,” I began, but Ava cut me off before I could finish.

“Scratch it, Canon. What did he send you?” she asked again, her head still bowed over her food.

“Well, it was about Ruby…” I started, pausing to see if there was a reaction, but there was none. “She made it out alive. And the baby too… it’s a boy,” I finished.

“Oh. So Ethan has a son now,” Ava said simply. She stopped eating and stared into space for a long moment. “He can’t find out about the child, Canon. Do you hear me? He must not know the kind of life he used to live. It’ll only bring him more trouble.”

She held my gaze seriously, and I felt like the air had been knocked out of me. Still, I forced a small smile to my lips.

“Do you think Ethan would be okay with this if he ever gets his memory back?” I asked, stabbing at my food, not wanting to look up and see that soft, distant expression in her eyes whenever she talked about Ethan.

“The doctor said there’s a seventy percent chance he won’t regain his memory,” she said, brushing off the idea. “And even if he does, it’ll only be in fragments.”

“Seventy percent isn’t a hundred, Ava. If you ask me, you shouldn’t make such a huge decision for him,” I blurted out, my voice rising slightly. “I mean, you’d be keeping him from his child, from his family.” I regretted it the moment the words left my mouth. Ava stared at me, wide-eyed and clearly shocked.

“I didn’t mean to…” I started to explain.

But she cut me off again, her voice starting off soft “While I was drifting in and out of consciousness in that crashed car, Canon… I thought about the things you said back at the house. And… I hate to admit it, but you were right.” She swallowed hard. “Ethan would put a bullet in my head without hesitation if he found out I hurt Ruby or their child. And that’s because it’s not me that he loves.”

She paused, looking down, and her voice softened. “I’ll get over these feelings I have for him. I will. But his safety is still more important to me than anything else. If I tell him about his past, I know exactly what he’d do. He’d rush back to Dominic, hot-headed and full of rage, trying to save Ruby. And he’d probably get killed for real this time, with no miracle, no lucky escape from the heavens. He needs to let go of that past. He needs a new life.”

Ava looked up again, her eyes shining with unshed tears. “He could be normal. Get a job. Maybe fall in love again. Start a new family.”

There was a tightness in her voice as she added, “As much as I hate to see them together, I wouldn’t keep him from Ruby out of jealousy. I’m not that Ava anymore.”

She looked away, picked up a napkin, and gently wiped her lips. Then she pushed back her chair while I sat there in silence, unsure of what to say.

“I’ll head up first and take a nap. Enjoy your meal,” Ava said quietly, circling the table and making her way past me.

But something in me moved. Without grabbing my crutches, I pushed myself up using the edge of the table and carefully balanced on my left leg.

My right hand darted out quickly, catching Ava’s hand just as she tried to pass me. I pulled her back toward me and into my arms.

“What are you doing, Canon? Unhand me!” Ava shouted, squirming in surprise.

But I just chuckled, holding her even tighter, refusing to let go.

“I know you hate hugs, but please don’t kill me for this,” I said lightly as I gently patted her back. My hand moved slowly, careful not to press on her injury “I’m proud of you, Ava. You made the right decision.” I finally let the words escape my mind and spill out my mouth.

“I know you were heading up to your room to bawl your eyes out,” I added with a small grin, “but I have a better idea. How about we watch a movie instead? Or maybe one of those dramatic soap operas you’re always glued to? We can make popcorn and…”

“Okay, okay! I agree! Now let me go!” Ava screeched, still laughing as she struggled in my hold.

Her laughter had me smiling happily. The soft scent of her shampoo tickled my nose and for a second, my chest felt lighter than it had in days. Slowly, I loosened my arms and let her go.

“Now don’t do that again,” Ava warned, brushing herself off as she turned sharply. “It made me feel all shades of soft, and I don’t like it.” Her words came out in that grumpy, dramatic tone she used whenever she felt caught off guard. She spun around quickly and hurried out of the kitchen and into the sitting room.

A wide smile stretched across my face as I watched her go. I felt a sudden rush of joy, bubbling up inside me.

My mind was dancing, my heart practically bouncing around in my chest. I was so happy, I felt like I might explode.

“If you don’t get the popcorn out soon,” Ava’s voice called out from the other room, “I will head up to my room and cry my eyes out as planned!”

Her words made me laugh, and I turned to get the popcorn.