Page 190 of Hunting Pretty

I could get her more memory suppressors. She wouldn’t have to deal with the darkness.

I would carry her across the ocean, across the world, as far away from this dark place as I could.

I’d spend the rest of our lives making up for failing her all those years ago.

She need never know what happened to her.

It could stay buried.

That’s what she wanted. Right?

By choosing to run away with me, Ava was saying she wanted to let this all go, to leave this all in the past.

I could leave my guilt behind, too. Maybe.

I didn’t think it was possible. Afterthat nightall those years ago, I couldn’t imagine a future in which I was ever happy again.

Afterthat night, I could hardly imagine a future at all.

But Ava chose me.

She was my redemption.

My penance.

My absolution.

I could lavish her with such a beautiful, safe, beloved lifethat there would simply be no room in her memories for my father and his poisonous touch.

There would be only my touch. My protection. My love.

Only evermine.

I pulled up in front of Ava’s mansion, a smile on my face. God only knows when the last time I truly smiled was.

I think I even started whistling as I strolled up to the front door.

I smoothed down my hair in the window reflection, then knocked.

Finally. Ava and I would be together.

I should have known it was all too good to be true.

Moments ticked by and the mansion remained silent.

I backed up and stared at her window. There was no movement. But the light was still on.

I went to call out, but something stopped me.

A lump rose in my throat, thick and suffocating, making it impossible to swallow without feeling like I was choking on it.

No, I was being paranoid.

The only person who knew we’d discovered Dr. Vale’s secret was Dr. Vale. Right?

But doubt weaved through me. They were smart. Who knew what kinds of contingencies they had in place.

I raced to the side wall covered in ivy, the one I’d climbed so many nights into her bedroom.

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