I gave yall a long chapter since I keep going mia lol mb🙈
ᴀᴜʙʀᴇʏ 'ᴅʀᴀᴋᴇ' ɢʀᴀʜᴀᴍ
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I smiled, watching as Ava pointed excitedly at the gorillas that sat on the other side of the glass, their eyes observing her.
"Don't go too close, princess," I called out, keeping my eyes on her as I pulled out my phone.
I snapped a quick picture of her looking at them. Satisfied, I slipped my phone back into my pocket, letting out a small breath.
I had rented out the zoo for the family today, hoping to clear my head. I needed to stop obsessing over Onika.
If she really wanted to talk, she would've by now, right?
But despite knowing that, I couldn't shake the feeling that I had hurt her more than I realized.
My mind drifted back to the last time we spoke, back to the words I threw at her in the heat of the moment.
I remember the way I lashed out, my words cold and cutting.
"Why are you even still here?" I had snapped at her that night.
She had looked at me, confused at first, hurt slowly creeping onto her face. "Aubrey, I'm just trying to be here for you—"
"I don't need you to be here," I had interrupted, my tone sharp. "I don't need anybody."
She had swallowed hard, her eyes glistening like she wanted to say something, but instead, she just nodded, stepping back.
"Okay," she had whispered.
I ran a hand over my face, exhaling slowly as I came back to the present, only realizing I had zoned out when Sophie walked back over with food in her hands.
"Aubrey, why do you have her that close to them?"
Me and Sophie had been on good terms for a while now. We barely argued anymore, and I honestly couldn't remember the last time I put my hands on her.
I was proud of myself for working on my reactions, for being a better version of me for myself.
"Sophie, she's fine," I reassured her. "She's just enjoying herself—"
Before I could finish, one of the gorillas suddenly lunged forward, slamming its massive hand against the glass with a loud boom.
Ava let out a startled scream, stumbling back in her attempt to run away. She lost her balance and fell to the ground, bursting into tears.
"Shit," I muttered, immediately rushing over to scoop her up in my arms. Her little arms wrapped tightly around my neck, her sobs muffled against my shoulder.
