Shattered Reflections

Chapter 14

Aaron

On our date, my phone buzzed with an incoming call from my cousin. I glanced at Ava where she stood, then answered, stepping away for a moment.

"Hey, what's going on?" I asked, my heart racing.

"I need to tell you something important," he said, his tone serious.

"Ava's mother's name... it's Anne Tobias Morozov."

A chill ran down my spine. I felt a sense of foreboding wash over me, but I pushed it aside. "What about her?" I replied, trying to keep my voice steady.

"Aaron... I'm so sorry. She's married to Adam Warner," he said, his words hitting me like a punch to the gut.

I froze, the weight of his words sinking in. My mind raced. "What about him?" I asked, already knowing the answer.

"I didn't want to say it over the phone, but... he's gone," he confirmed gently.

A wave of despair washed over me, and I felt numb. I didn't have a choice now. "I'll do it," I said, my voice barely above a whisper. "I'll play with his granddaughter."

I hung up, the realization settling heavily in my chest.

"Why are you doing this to me?" she asked again, her voice trembling.

I leaned back, a smirk playing on my lips. "You don't have to know everything."

"Why did you want to go on a date with me, then?" she pressed, desperation in her eyes.

I looked at her, the silence stretching between us like a taut wire.

"Would you answer me?" she urged, her voice cracking.

Again, I remained silent, savoring her anguish.

"Fine! Why did you kill Jonathan?" she shouted, tears streaming down her cheeks.

I leaned closer, my voice low and cold. "Because he protected you."

"What?" she gasped, her face pale with shock.

"Sweetheart, I want you dead. And if anyone tries to help you, they will end up dead too," I replied, enjoying the fear that flickered in her eyes.

The realization crashed over her like a wave, and I could see the fight drain from her. It was almost too easy. She was trapped in a nightmare of my making, and I was the one holding the strings.

I thrived on the sight of fear; it fueled my strength. Yet, witnessing her in this state ignited a primal urge to end her life—she was a threat.

"You're insane," she gasped as I picked up the knife, the blade gliding against her skin.

"Just talk to me." She said

Silence enveloped us.

"Did you ever know your grandfather?" I asked

Her eyes shimmered with unshed tears.

"Tobias Morzov." I clarified

"No."

Though I was deemed a madman, I could discern truth from deception. She wasn't lying, but that didn't absolve her of guilt; her grandfather had taken my father's life.

"Alright, sweetheart. Tobias ended my father's life, and now it's my turn to exact my revenge."