Nameless [COMPLETED STORY]

CHAPTER 25

It was already evening when Brett got home, he sat in his car, his anger and disappointment slowly simmered down into resignation. He took a few deep breaths in, then exhaled slowly, trying to release the tension that had built up inside him. After a short moment of silent contemplation, Brett finally pushed open the car door and stepped out, shutting it firmly behind him. Taking a deep breath in the cool night air, he felt a sense of exhaustion wash over him - not only from the events of the evening but from the heavy weight of disappointment and betrayal that weighed on his shoulders.

As Brett stepped into the house and made his way towards the kitchen, he stopped mid-stride when his eyes fell upon Ava. She was standing in the kitchen, her back turned towards him, her silhouette outlined against the soft light from the room. Without thinking, Brett paused just outside the door, his gaze fixed on her. He leaned against the doorframe, observing her every movement, his heart swelling both with love and sadness at the same time.

Ava stood in the kitchen, the air around her thick with tension and melancholy. She moved around the kitchen, her movements perfunctory as she cooked. Her mind was preoccupied with thoughts of Brett and his reaction to the events of tonight. As she stirred the pot on the stove, she couldn't shake the heavy feeling that hung over her like a dark cloud. The room seemed shrouded in a strange sort of gloom, the shadows dancing along the walls as the only source of light came from the stove and the single window in the kitchen.

Ava's thoughts were interrupted as she suddenly felt strong arms wrap around her from behind, enveloping her in a tight embrace. She froze for a brief moment, her heart skipping a beat at the unexpected contact. But then she recognized the familiar scent and feel of the person holding her, and she immediately relaxed into the hug. Brett's chin rested on her shoulder as he buried his face into the crook of her neck, silently offering comfort and reassurance.

As he hugged her tighter, Brett's voice came out muffled against her skin, his words whispered into her neck. "What's wrong?" he asked softly, his thumb tracing soothing circles on her arm.

Ava leaned back against his chest, feeling the strong beat of his heart against her back. She took a deep breath, trying to steady herself before answering. "I'm fine," she said softly, her voice sounding unconvincing even to her own ears.

Brett's arms stayed wrapped around her as he listened to her short response. He knew her well enough to notice the subtle nuances in her voice that hinted at her distress. "You like to cook when something's bothering you," he said gently, his chin still resting on her shoulder. "Tell me what's wrong”.

Ava's hesitation was noticeable to Brett, her shoulders tensing slightly beneath his touch. But instead of pressing further, he didn't say anything. Instead, he simply nuzzled his face into her neck and placed a gentle kiss on her soft skin.

In response to the comforting kiss, Ava sighed softly and finally leaned back against him fully, allowing herself to relax into his embrace. "I've been thinking," she confessed softly. "Thinking about my dad, and wondering how he's doing.”

As Brett was about to say something, Ava continued before he could speak. "I know they treated me wrong, I know I'm the one who left home," she began, her voice tinged with sadness. "But I can't shake off this feeling of worry. No matter how long I try, I can't seem to get over it." Her voice trailed off for a moment before she spoke again, more quietly. "I just want to know how he's doing.”

Brett listened intently as Ava spoke, his arms wrapped tightly around her in a comforting embrace. He could hear the worry and sadness in her voice, her words tugging at his heartstrings. Without saying anything, he just continued to hold her, his chin resting on her shoulder, silently offering her a steady presence. After she finished speaking, he tightened his hold on her, as if he could draw all her troubles and worry away with his touch. "Have you tried calling him?" he asked softly, his voice low and soothing.