The Aftermath


    Ava continued to sob as the car sped toward the hospital.She clutched As’s shirt, afraid he would


    disappear if she let go.She gazed at him and could hardly breathe from crying so much.


    I felt my heart shatter as her cries rendered me speechless.


    My daughter had always been well-behaved and had never cried so hard before.


    She kept shaking her head and repeating, "No!"


    no matter how much I tend tofort her.


    As held her and assured her, "I’m here now, so you don''t need to be afraid anymore.Ava, look at


    me.I won''t let you go, okay?"


    I was in disbelief at the usuallymanding As being so tender and protective toward my daughter.


    Although I was there, he showed no intention of letting her go.


    Instead, he continued to soothe and hold her.


    His usually indifferent expression now bore a look of fatherly love.


    It filled me with gratitude and a sense of security.


    My daughter hadn’t felt a dad''s love for so long, making me feel guilty.


    However, As filled that gap in her heart even though he wasn’t her dad.


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    I felt moved as I leaned on As’s shoulder.


    I silently shed tears as I looked at Ava’s terrified expression.


    She was still in shock when we reached the hospital.


    Ava underwent aprehensive examination soon after.


    Fortunately, she had no physical injuries and only suffered extreme fright.


    I took her into my arms, and she clung to me.


    However, she turned to As a momentter, making me feel guilty again.


    The doctor treated As’s wounds and then took Ava into their care.


    After much effort, we finally calmed her down.


    She held As’s neck and rested on his shoulder inadaze.


    Later, the doctor advised us to try and cheer her up and provide some counseling to prevent


    psychological trauma.


    My parents and the others were waiting when we returned to Amethyst Apartments.


    Although I had informed them of our safety on the way to the hospital, they still cheered when we


    returned.


    Still, Ava remained unresponsive and clung to As like a ko.


    She refused to return to her room as she gazed at everyone with vacant and watery eyes.


    Ava grasped As even tighter as if he was her only safe ce.


    I knew she must be afraid someone would take her I knew she must be afraid someone would take her


    away again.


    Her frightened and lost demeanor broke my heart.


    Perhaps it was my neglect that led my precious daughter to endure such a terrifying predicament.


    She continued to sob and even refused my mom’s hug.


    Ava only remained calm and quiet in As’s arms.


    As gestured for everyone not to disturb her and continued to stroke her back.


    His phone rang incessantly, and I faintly As gestured for everyone not to disturb her and continued to


    stroke her back.


    His phone rang incessantly, and I faintly overheard that there was no trace of the man who had jumped


    into the river.


    A chill ran down my spine when! thought about how the man had escaped again.


    I knew he was desperate when he jumped from that height.


    He had deliberately taken Ava to the bridge, possibly nning to use her as a bargaining chip.


    The man showed no regard for my daughter''s life and threw her at As.


    It was a scene I would never forget.


    I felt even more troubled because he had repeatedly targeted me, seemingly unafraid of As.


    It felt like the man was challenging As’s capabilities and patience.


    Although Ryan and my mom had prepared dinner, no one stayed when they saw Ava was unharmed.


    It was alreadyte at night, soI urged my exhausted and terrified parents to rest.


    Ryan looked hesitant, but I persuaded him to leave, too.


    Although reluctant, he knew he couldn''t help anymore.


    Moreover, Ava didn''t It was alreadyte at night, so I urged my exhausted and terrified parents to rest.


    Ryan looked hesitant, but I persuaded him to leave, too.


    Although reluctant, he knew he couldn''t help anymore.


    Moreover, Ava didn’t want to see anyone except As.


    I only managed to take her from him when he went to the bathroom.


    However, she started crying again after a while, and it was hard tofort her.


    I stayed with her, but she kept calling for As, putting me at a loss for words.


    I felt deeply concerned about her condition.


    It was as if As could read my mind.


    Heforted me, "Everything will be okay.She won''t be afraid as long as we''re with her."


    He stayed with Ava that night, but she kept waking up and crying.She would only stop crying when


    Asforted her.She would cling to his finger and murmur, "You won''t leave me, right, Uncle As?


    You''re here."