Chapter 5 - Escape from the MansionThe ambulance waited beyond the gates.
Rain hammered the windows as Daniel sat beside Ava.
She looked impossibly fragile beneath the hospital blanket.
"I thought you hated me," she whispered.
Daniel's eyes filled with tears.
"Why would you think that?"
"She said you were ashamed of me."
Daniel took her hand.
"I called you every night."
Ava stared at him.
"She said you didn't want to hear my voice."
Daniel looked away, overcome by guilt.
"I believed her."
The confession hurt more than any accusation.
Ava squeezed his fingers.
"You didn't know."
"But I should have."
Across from them, Rosa quietly cried.
For months, she had watched Ava disappear behind medication, fear, and isolation.
Now the woman was finally being taken somewhere safe.
Daniel looked toward Arthur.
"Where is Evans?"
"His clinic."
"Take us there."
Arthur frowned.
"Ava needs rest."
Ava spoke before Daniel could answer.
"I want to hear him."
Daniel looked at her.
She was still weak.
But there was something new in her eyes.
May you like
Courage.
"Then we'll go together."
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