Page 93 of Cruel Promise

“Thanks.” I stand up on shaky legs. I should’ve known it wouldn’t be easy to just return to school like nothing happened to me. Like my life hasn’t completely changed.

“Oh, Ava, I have to ask. What was it like?”

“What?”

“The kidnapping. Was it frightening?”

I frown. “Kidnappings usually are. I don’t really want to talk about it.”

“Oh, but you’ll have to. If you want to return to your classes, you’ll need to give me the details. They’ll need to match your police report.”

“Sure,” I whisper, already leaving the room. I was so close to returning, and now, it’s been ripped out of my fingers.

This is my father’s fault. This is Nikolai’s fault.

I just want to feel somewhat normal. I want to know where my mom’s body is. I want to feel like I’m not going insane for falling for the man who bought me.

But nothing in my life is normal again, if it ever was.

I step out of the admissions office and bump into someone.

“Woah, there.”

I instantly recognize the voice. When I turn to him, I see that familiar face that didn’t help me at Dimitri’s club. The face that made it all about him when I so clearly needed help.

Jason’s face.

“Ava?” he asks, smiling like nothing even happened.

Before I can stop myself, I slap him across the face.

Chapter

Thirteen

AVA

Jason jerks back from the slap, clutching his face. “What the hell?”

“Seriously?”

A few other students walking by notice, but they don’t say anything. Either they can tell it’s relationship drama, and they’re not going to get involved, or they just don’t care.

“What’s your problem?” he asks. “You know what? I know what your problem is. That husband of yours. He’s changed you. You’re not the sweet girl I once knew.”

“You know what, Jason? You’re right. My husband has changed me. I’m not a doormat any longer. I asked for your help, and you didn’t even lift a finger. You just kept blaming me for only liking you as a friend. I told you I was kidnapped, and you didn’t even hear me.”

He scoffs. “Like you’re even telling the truth. Girls like you who end up with Chads are all liars.”

I slowly shake my head. “How were we ever once friends? I don’t even know you.”

“I can say the same about you. And I’m going to be pressing charges. You assaulted me.”

All of a sudden, I start to laugh. Huge, big bellowing laughs.

Jason frowns. “What’s so funny? Are you mocking me? You hit me!”

“I know I did,” I say, as tears of laughter escape my eyes. “It’s just so … funny.”

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