THE HEIRESS VOW - Chapter 21

Chapter 21: Echoes of Vengeance
“It’s not over,” Liam muttered, his voice edged with frustration. “Henry might be gone, but this… this feels different.”

Ava nodded, her thoughts racing. Henry’s defeat had come at a cost, and now, a new threat loomed. The message they had received was cryptic but chilling. She reached into her pocket, pulling out the crumpled note.

“It’s not just a threat,” she said softly, her voice trembling. “It’s a promise. ‘Surrender or face the consequences.’ What kind of person does this?”

Liam stopped pacing and turned to face her. “Someone who knows us. Someone from your past.”

Ava’s heart skipped a beat. The shadows of her past were dark and deep, filled with faces she’d rather forget. She stood up, clutching the note tightly. “We need to find out who it is. Before it’s too late.”

The night air was cool against their skin as they walked through the alleyways of the city. The moon hung low, casting eerie shadows on the cobblestones. Ava felt a shiver run down her spine, not from the cold, but from the weight of the unknown.

Liam’s hand brushed hers, a brief moment of contact that sent a jolt through her. She glanced at him, seeing the determination in his eyes. Despite everything, he had stood by her side. Her feelings for him were growing, but so was the fear that came with them.

“Do you think it’s someone from the old crew?” Liam asked, breaking the silence.

Ava shook her head. “No. This feels personal. More than just business. It’s a vendetta.”

They reached the abandoned warehouse, its broken windows like dark, hollow eyes staring back at them. Ava pushed the door open, the creak echoing in the empty space. Inside, the air was thick with dust and memories. This place had once been a haven, a place of plans and dreams. Now, it was just a relic of a past that refused to let go.

As they ventured deeper into the warehouse, they found a small table with a single, flickering candle. On it lay another note. Ava picked it up, her hands shaking.

“To find the truth, look within,” she read aloud. “You have one day.”

Liam cursed under his breath. “What does that even mean?”

Ava looked around, the shadows playing tricks on her eyes. “It means we’re running out of time.”

Back at their safe house, Ava couldn’t shake the feeling of being watched. She paced the small living room, the cryptic message echoing in her mind. Liam sat on the couch, his head in his hands.

“We can’t keep running,” he said finally. “We need to face this head-on.”

Ava stopped and looked at him. “And what if it’s a trap?”

Liam stood up, crossing the room to her. “Then we spring it. Together.”

His words hung in the air, a promise and a challenge. Ava felt a surge of emotion, a mix of fear and longing. She reached out, her fingers grazing his cheek. “Liam, I…”

Before she could finish, a loud crash echoed through the room. They spun around, weapons drawn, to see a figure standing in the doorway. The light from the street cast a long shadow, obscuring the person’s face.

“Hello, Ava,” the figure said, stepping forward. The voice was familiar, hauntingly so.

Ava’s breath caught in her throat. “It can’t be. You’re supposed to be dead.”

The figure laughed, a cold, bitter sound. “Surprised? You shouldn’t be. You left me for dead, but I survived. And now, it’s my turn to watch you suffer.”

Liam moved to stand beside Ava, his eyes narrowing. “Who are you?”

The figure stepped into the light, revealing a face that Ava had hoped to never see again. “I’m the ghost of your past, Ava. And I’ve come to collect.”

Ava’s mind raced. She had buried this part of her life, thinking it was over. But here it was, resurrected and hungry for revenge. “What do you want?”

The figure’s eyes gleamed with malice. “I want you to feel the same pain I felt. Surrender, or face the consequences.”

Ava’s heart pounded in her chest. She glanced at Liam, seeing the same determination in his eyes. Together, they could face anything. But this was different. This was personal.

“You have one day,” the figure said, turning to leave. “Make your choice.”

The door slammed shut, leaving Ava and Liam in stunned silence. The ultimatum hung heavy in the air, a dark promise of what was to come.