**Chapter 41:
Something’s Changed**
**Ava** The day had worn me down to the bone, and all I craved was a long, soothing bath to wash away the exhaustion before drifting into sleep. The banquet we had meticulously crafted over the past few weeks was finally here. Initially, I had planned to avoid it entirely; Mary was meant to shoulder the responsibility as she always had. But after my emotional unraveling in the kitchen that day, I made the pivotal decision to step out of the shadows. Mary's eyes sparkled with excitement when I told her I would be attending the dinner party. For five long years, my identity had been a secret, not out of fear but rather a desire to live my life free from scrutiny. The spotlight had never interested me; I didn’t want to be surrounded by sycophants who would suddenly be nice to me upon discovering that I had money. But tonight was different. I was ready to emerge and could finally discern the genuine from the pretenders. All around me, even in this elegant venue, I could feel the insincerity radiating from some of the guests. Faces that once looked down on me, who had mocked my lack of a prestigious job and assumed I was penniless, now approached with honeyed words and flattering smiles. It was infuriating. I longed for an escape, a refuge from their shallow pursuits. "I still can’t believe you’re the founder of the Hope Foundation!" Letty exclaimed, her voice laden with awe. “Why didn’t you tell me sooner?” Hours had passed since my heart-to-heart with Rowan, a conversation that felt oddly liberating despite the absence of any lingering emotional ties. I had laid everything on the table; my intentions, my plans for the future, and yet, I felt nothing. Letting go of the past was strangely invigorating—I wasn’t entirely healed, but the constant ache in my heart had lessened. As I stood there absorbing the buzz of the party, the chaos around me faded into a dull roar. I glanced over at Rowan’s table, my eyes landing on Travis, who seemed to be scrutinizing Letty with a mix of interest and uncertainty. In the past, such observations might have ignited jealousy within me, but now I felt numb—liberated from the emotional chaos that had once consumed my thoughts. “Ava?” Letty’s voice broke through my reverie. “Yes?” I turned to her. “You still haven’t answered my question,” she pouted, her curiosity unyielding. “I didn’t tell you because only a handful of people knew—those who worked with me at the Foundation, the children, and Noah. I asked them to keep my identity under wraps until I was ready to reveal it.” Letty nodded, her expression shifting to one of contemplation. Her gaze flitted to Rowan’s table, lingering on Travis for a heartbeat before she returned her attention to me. Earlier in the evening, I had overheard Christine and Emma mocking me while Letty stood up for me, pointing out their juvenile antics. When Travis told her to leave, I had known I couldn’t let her go. I had asked Mary to intercept her and bring her back to our table, while Christine’s retreat, her pride shattered, had been a sweet moment of poetic justice. “You can go to him, Letty. I don’t mind,” I said, gesturing subtly toward Travis, who was casting stolen glances in her direction. “I can’t. Not after the way he acted. He claims he wants your forgiveness, yet he silently allows Emma and Christine to trash-talk you,” her righteous anger flared, revealing the deep-rooted feelings she still harbored. I smiled gently, understanding her protective instincts. “I appreciate you standing up for me, but I don’t need anyone fighting my battles. You love Travis; it’s clear as day. You’re my friend, Letty, my best friend, which means I want what’s best for you. If he makes you happy, then go be with him.” Staring at me with increasing clarity, Letty’s eyes widened. “Something’s changed about you.” “What do you mean?” I asked, attempting to suppress a smile that threatened to bloom on my face. “There’s just something different now that I’m really looking at you. What happened?” “I guess I’ve just grown tired of living in bitterness,” I replied, teasingly shrugging. “Or maybe it’s the… more adventurous side of my personal life?” Letty’s mouth dropped open, disbelief washing over her face. “You had sex with Ethan?” “Multiple times, actually,” I smirked, a rush of exhilaration coursing through me. “Wait, when you say multiple times, do you mean in one night or across several nights?” she probed, her expression full of childlike intrigue. A grin spread across my face, bright and unrestrained. “I mean multiple times a night for several days.” Her eyes lit up, and she grinned back at me like a Cheshire cat. “Damn, woman! If this newfound sex life is what’s fueling that goofy grin, keep living your truth. You deserve amazing experiences and happiness!” This was precisely why I cherished Letty. She was unremittingly supportive, devoid of judgment. Trapping her in a tight embrace, I whispered, “Thank you, Letty, just for being you.” Taken aback at first, she quickly melted into the hug and squeezed me back. “Now, go talk to Travis. I know you want to,” I encouraged gently. Without hesitation, she excused herself from our table, her excitement palpable, just as Ethan returned. He settled back into his seat, and before I could catch my breath, he tilted my chin and pressed his lips to mine. “You’re truly addictive,” he murmured against my ear, sending shivers down my spine. As those words resonated in my mind, I felt a fire ignite deep within. I swallowed hard, trying to steady myself. “Ethan…” The word slipped past my lips in a breathless sigh. “Your dress leaves nothing to the imagination, Ava… I crave more than anything to have those beautiful legs wrapped around me while I fill you completely—an interaction you’ll remember for days.” His provocative imagery sent my heart racing, an unmistakable thrill coursing through me. With him, I was awakening to new dimensions of myself and my desires. Ethan was revealing layers I hadn’t even known existed—passions and pleasures that made the world feel vibrant and alive. In my past with Rowan, I had stifled my needs, burying them deep within me because I sensed his disinterest—our encounters bred out of obligation rather than mutual need. The fear of rejection had kept silence on my lips. But with Ethan, everything was different. I was on the brink of asking him if we could find a private corner when a ringtone shattered the moment—the screen showed my mother’s name, and suddenly, the atmosphere was drained of its electricity. “Excuse me, I have to take this,” I told Ethan, whose warm, understanding smile urged me to answer. Stepping into the garden, I answered the call. “Hey, mommy,” came my son’s sweet voice, instantly lighting up my heart. “Hello, my love… how are you today?” I asked. “Bored,” he replied, a hint of disappointment lacing his tone. “How’s the party? I feel so bad I couldn’t come.” I had wanted him there, but after the alarming call from the chief officer about the man who attacked me being deceased, I couldn’t risk it further. “I know, honey. It’s a wonderful party, and I promise to send you pictures,” I assured, pausing for a beat. “Your friends also asked me to say hi.” “We used to visit the foundation every Saturday together, didn’t we?” he reminisced. “I hope Kingstone is there!” “Yes, he is! I gave him your grandmother’s number. He said he would call you soon.” Caleb and Noah shared a bond that was unlike any other. Despite their age difference, they were brothers at heart—inseparable. “Yes!” he squealed, the excitement palpable. “I’ve missed him so much!” “And he’s missed you too,” I replied, a smile dancing on my lips. “Alright, sweetie, it’s time for you to sleep. I just wanted to hear your voice before you drift off.” “I love you too, mommy. Goodnight.” As I ended the call, a prickling sensation swept over me—I felt as if I were being watched. Glancing around the garden, I realized I had wandered further from the hall than I had intended, enveloped by shadows where no one else seemed to be. An unsettling chill crept down my spine as I quickened my steps, heart thumping in sudden panic. I could still feel those eyes burning into my back. My pulse quickened as I lifted the hem of my gown and began to run. Heavy footsteps echoed behind me, relentlessly pursuing my hurried strides. Dread filled my chest like a tightening vise. How could I have been so careless? The threat that loomed over me had not dissipated, yet I had ventured into this secluded place. The footsteps thrummed closer, igniting primal fear within me. I focused on the promise of the light beyond—the welcoming glow of the hall. As I darted across the threshold, I felt the oppressive presence diminish, the safety of the crowd enveloping me like a warm blanket. With breathless relief, I stopped to catch my breath. No one seemed to be following me, though anxiety gnawed at my insides. They could have easily met me with violence. The thought sent tremors down my spine. Distracted by my racing thoughts, I didn’t even notice when I bumped into someone. “Sorry,” I muttered, steadying myself. As I looked up, my heart dropped. I had collided with Emma—the last person I wanted to see in that moment. Her expression was a mix of venomous delight and malice, and it was clear she had no intention of letting me go. The air between us crackled, thick with unspoken tension as I realized she was out for blood—my blood.