You were right.

I read Ava's message over and over again, not sure what would be deemed a proper reaction.

I was right, and I was certain I was right since the start. I wanted to avoid seeing her get hurt, but the pain was inevitable since the beginning.

My fingers hovered over the phone as I deliberated on whether to respond or not.

Everybody knows you're a cheater.

Her words rang in my ear and I finally decided to turn off my phone.

I've been staying at a hotel for the past two days since I had a valid fear of him turning up suddenly to my house.

Damian looked like he still had so many questions to ask but he never did end up speaking any of them outloud for the fear of me breaking down again. I haven't seen him since I left his mansion but I do see one of his guards lounging by the area every now and then, probably assigned to make sure nothing bad happens to me.

A smile threatened to plaster over my cheeks when I first saw that. It's been years since I betrayed him, yet he still worried about me. Even though I don't deserve it.

A ding sounded from my phone and broke me out of my trail of thoughts.

-Where are you? Why are you not home?

It was Ava again.

I sighed and decided not to respond again. Then, my phone started ringing and I wasn't surprised to see her contact illuminating from the phone. I pondered over whether to respond or not.

But what if he goes and sees her there? What if he decides to use her against me again?

I shook my head and decided that thought was too far fetched. She wouldn't wait for me if I'm not there. She's Ava, never one to wander in a place for too long. Finally, I decided to just power off my phone to not receive her calls.

If I was going to keep forgiving her each time she made a mistake, I would only be giving her the permission to step over me. This wasn't the first time she says something like that to me.

I distracted myself by rearranging the hotel room and showering soon after.

Approximately an hour later, I decided that maybe I was being too much. Regardless of the fact that her words wounded me, she's not just anyone who I can throw away. She's my best friend, the only person who stuck with me for all these years.

I powered on my phone again and decided to perhaps respond to her.

-I'm sorry, alright? Stop leaving me on read. I need you.

My breath hitches as I see that message. Maybe I shouldn't have ignored her.

-Where are you?

I finally decided to type. I waited for a couple of minutes but to no avail. Minutes soon turned to an hour which was so unlike her.

Maybe she's napping? I tried to convince myself before I grabbed my phone and searched for her contact.

Why did I wait so long to finally call? I think to myself as I wait for her to respond.

I let out a sigh of relief when my call goes through.

"Ava, how are you?"

A cackle resonated from the other side of the phone causing my breath to hitch.

"Finally," he laughed and I felt like I was living through what happened 3 years ago for the second time.