The Ones Who Saved Us

Chapter 47

Theodore's POV

I never liked being home alone, especially since Dad's family was with us, but I wanted to be here when Ava returned home from her date with Arya.

Leo had kept me company for most of the day, but it wasn't long before he left, needing to help Elijah deal with some Mafia business. Matteo and Emilio had taken the cousins to the mall while Dad and Alessandro had taken the rest of the family out for lunch, leaving me alone. Before they left, Luca warned me to keep my door locked and my phone nearby, not wanting a repeat of the other day.

Hours had passed, and after finishing my summer reading, I didn't know what to do with myself. And it definitely didn't help that I was starting to get hungry and would probably starve to death if I didn't eat something soon.

Call me dramatic, but the last thing I needed was to be admitted to the hospital for non-diabetic ketoacidosis.

I was sitting at the kitchen counter with my half-eaten grilled cheese and glass of chocolate milk when I heard the front door open and close, followed by Ava yelling, "Teddy, I'm home!"

Forgetting my snack, I ran in the direction of Ava's voice, coming to a halt when I saw her, my heart dropping at the sight. There was a slight cut on her forehead, blues and purples surrounding it. She was wearing a sweatshirt that wasn't hers, and while it could have been for comfort, that cut on her forehead and the warm weather outside told me that it was to cover up more injuries.

"What happened?"

Ava's eyes softened. She took a step forward as I took a step back. I put some force into my voice, repeating the question that my sister was so desperately trying to dodge. "What happened, Ava?"

"It's nothing, Teds. I just got into a little car accident," Ava answered.

"Fine," I said shortly. "If it was really just a car accident, then take off your sweatshirt."

"Teddy—"

"Do it now or I'm calling Sandro."

When I saw Ava's hesitance, I took a step towards her and held her arm, pulling the sleeve of her sweatshirt higher and higher until I reached her elbow. There were cuts all along her forearm and a larger gash on her elbow. The bleeding had stopped, but there was dried blood all over the area.

Sliding the sleeve back down, I said, "I'll give you one more chance to tell me the truth before I call someone."

Ava closed her eyes, shaking her head. "I can't."

I furrowed my eyebrows. "Why are you so adamant about hiding your problems from us? I'm your brother, and I just want to help you."

"I know, buddy. I know, but I got this under control."

"That bruise and those cuts tell a different story."

My hands balled into fists as memories of all those days with Damon flooded my mind. The memories from last year when I first saw Ava at the hospital after a month of her being in Demetri's hands. Those cuts, those bruises, the countless scars, and the look of fear and hopelessness she held in her eyes. I wouldn't let her go through that again. I needed to tell my family, no matter the cost.

Tears burned my eyes as I said, "I'm sorry, Ava, but I have to tell someone. I've kept too many of your secrets from them because I thought it was necessary, but it only landed you in more trouble. First it was Demetri, then it was the drinking, and now it's these cuts and that bruise. I love you, Ava, and I'm doing this for your own good. If you don't talk to me ever again, then so be it. I'd rather have you be mad at me than have to bury you."