He Left Me to Freeze, So I Burned His World Down Chapter 16

He Left Me to Freeze, So I Burned His World Down Chapter 16

The next day, at the Hart estate.

Ava sat by the window in the morning room, a cup of cold coffee in her hand, her gaze on the manicured lawn outside. The financial news played softly on the television, a monotonous hum.

Her mother, Eleanor Hart, had been watching her for some time. Finally, she broke the silence.

“I heard,” Eleanor said, her voice tinged with fatigue and uncertainty. “You called the police on Piper.”

Ava didn’t turn around. “Yes,” she answered calmly. “Graham was questioned, too, but he was released. That’s not nearly enough punishment.”

There was no anger in her tone, only the cold assessment of someone discussing a failed investment.

Eleanor sighed and sat beside her. “I can hardly believe Graham would do something like this. Looking at Nora’s medical report… how could he?”

“Because he has always been this way. We just refused to see it.” Ava finally turned to her mother.

“But Ava, you two were husband and wife…” Eleanor’s voice lowered, full of an old-fashioned confusion and regret. “So many years together…”

“Mother.” Ava interrupted her, her voice quiet but firm. “He and I are already divorced.”

She stood and set the cold coffee on the table with a crisp sound.

“To me, Graham Lockwood is a bad asset that has been liquidated. The only connection between us now is the price he and Piper must pay for what they did to Nora.”

Eleanor was stunned by the coldness in her daughter. She wanted to say more, but every comforting word felt pale and useless.

Ava walked to the mirror in the foyer and adjusted her collar, as if preparing for an important meeting.

“My only partner now is Bennett,” she said, looking at her reflection, her voice clear and firm. “He’ll be here soon. Please don’t get his name wrong.”

Eleanor opened her mouth, but all that came out was a nearly inaudible sigh.

She knew some things had changed forever. Like the old oak tree outside that had been struck by lightning. It was still standing, but the inside was already dead.