[ Chicago Med ] Connor and Ava | Hurt by Secrets

Chapter 14: The Moment I Knew

Stefan and Ava walked into the living room, unaware of the unexpected guests awaiting them. 

"Miss Lawrence and Miss Jennings, this is my wife, Ava. Thank you for your patience in waiting for her to arrive," Stefan introduced, extending his hand for a handshake. Ava reciprocated, greeting them with polite gestures.

Confusion and anxiety clouded Ava's mind as she questioned the choice of location. "I'm sorry, but this is my mother's house. Why are we meeting here instead of at my place?"

The attorney explained, "The address was written here, and you didn't update the information on the paper. Since we are already here, I hope you don't mind if we have a little chat." Stefan and Ava exchanged a stern glance but agreed to proceed. "Sure, no problem at all."

The discussion unfolded over the course of an hour, during which they laid bare the core issues to Ava's mother, including the fabricated story and the web of lies. As soon as the meeting concluded, Ava realized she had been away for too long. She hurriedly made her way back to Connor's apartment, her mind racing. To her surprise, Connor was there, patiently waiting for her.

"You waited for me. Thank you," Ava expressed her gratitude to Connor, who sat on the floor with his hands and legs crossed.

"I forgive you, Ava," Connor uttered, his voice filled with a mix of forgiveness and resolution.Ava was taken aback. "What?"

"I forgive you for hurting me, for betraying my trust. I don't want to carry this burden into a new beginning. Claire spoke to me, but I don't think we can make it work, Ava," Connor explained calmly.

Moved by his words, Ava moved closer to Connor, reaching out for his hand. "I'm going to tell you the truth, and maybe we can find a way back to how things were, Connor."

Connor gazed into Ava's eyes, once his favorite feature, now devoid of the same spark that had enchanted him. "I don't think it matters anymore, Ava," he responded, his voice filled with resignation.

Before Connor could rise to his feet, Ava stopped him, blurting out the painful truth about her relationship with Stefan. "I used to be in an abusive relationship. I couldn't escape it. He was so charming, always managing to win me back. Over time, I developed feelings despite the physical and emotional pain. My thoughts became clouded, and I couldn't think clearly. I became the person he wanted me to be—the one who would love him forever, believing he was all I had. He manipulated me incessantly—" Connor interrupted her, pulling her into his arms.

"I'm so sorry, Avey. I had no idea. I'm sorry you had to endure that," Connor consoled her, planting a tender kiss on her forehead as Ava wept uncontrollably, still holding onto him tightly.