REBORN: MEET MY BROTHERS-Chapter 58: I DARE YOU!

Gritting her teeth, Ava started moving the handcuff slowly back and forth over her wrist. At first, the motion was very slow as the cuff scrapped over her raw skin that was now red, but later, she stopped going back. She just kept pushing it up her wrist.

She almost screamed from the searing pain. Her face reddened from holding back her scream and her tears stung her eyes, but she refused to stop. Instead, she let the tears slip through the sides of her cheeks as she looked at the ceiling.

Blood began to mix with the saliva on her wrist. The slick mixture made it easier for her to push the cuff, but it didn’t lessen the pain one bit. It was so unbearable. It burned like fire and felt as if her bones were breaking as she forced the cuff over her thumb.

Ava exhaled deeply, shuddering as she mustered all her strength for one last shove. The cuff scraped over her swollen skin, past the widest part of her hand. She bit down on her lip so hard that she tasted blood, and stifled a scream as tears rolled uncontrollably down her cheeks. Then, her hand slipped free.

For a moment, she didn’t move. She just sat still, staring at her bloodied hand. Her chest heaved heavily. Since she started blubbering, she pressed her right hand over her lips to muffle the sound, and slumped back against the wall. Her body felt heavy, and her head spinned from the exhaustion and pain.

It took her a long moment for her to gather herself, and steady her breath even if her wrists throbbed rhythmically with her heartbeat.

~~~~~~~~~

The elevator door opened on the last floor, and Dustin walked to the door of the room the girl told him about. When he reached the door, he paused for a moment before knocking on it.

Inside the room, Matilda sat beside William’s bed, tapping her fingers against the armrest of her chair nonchalantly as she watched the old man.

She sighed softly.

He wasn’t supposed to be here.

He would have been at home, probably doing whatever he wants if only he’d minded his business like he’d been doing for the last twenty years, rather than always taking Ava’s side. What started to annoy her was how he took the girl’s side even when she was hurting Sasha.

On the other hand, Jerome sat near the window, working with his laptop.

At the sound of the knock, both of them stiffened, and exchanged a quick glance.

"Are you expecting anyone?" Matilda asked him, and when he shook his head in disapproval, her eyes narrowed on the door.

Adjusting her perfectly pressed blazer, Matilda rose from her seat, smoothened her skirt, before walking to the door.

The moment she opened the door, her face became gloomy. Standing before her was one of the Moore brothers. She recognized him immediately.

"You’ve got to be kidding me!" She barked. Her grip on the door tightened and her knuckles turned white. "What the hell are you doing here?!"

Dustin leaned casually against the door frame, but his eyes were anything but relaxed. "Good to see you too, Mrs. Whitlock," he said smoothly, even if he mocked. "I’m here for Ava. Where is she?"

Matilda scoffed. She rubbed her temples as if Dustin’s mere presence had given her a headache, which did. She couldn’t understand these Moore brother’s obsession with Ava. First the fair, and now the hospital? "What is your business with Ava?" She asked coldly.

At the mention of ’Moore,’ Jerome froze. His fingers stopped moving on his keyboard before he snapped his laptop shut. Without a word, he rose from his feet, his face darkening as he walked to the door. "Did I hear that right--?" He trailed off when his eyes fell on the familiar face standing in front of his mother.

His jaw ticked at the sight of Dustin. "What are you doing here?" He said with gritted teeth, and his voice rose with each word. 𝑓𝑟ℯ𝘦𝓌𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝑐ℴ𝓂

On seeing him, Dustin smirked, unbothered by his hostility. "I just told your mother," he said calmly. After a pause, Dustin clicked his tongue. "I don’t like repeating myself but I can always make an exception. I’m here for Ava."

He stretched his neck past Jerome and Matilda to have a better look at the room. "I just need to see her and I’ll be on my way."

Jerome pushed past his mother and stood directly in front of him, stopping him from taking another look inside the room. "You have no business here. Don’t make me call security."

Dustin didn’t budge. Instead, he straightened and his face grew serious. "Where is she? She’s not inside the room, so where is she?"

Jerome took another step closer. "You’re not hearing me, are you?" He asked coldly, folding his hands into fists. "Leave. Now."

Dustin’s face hardened. "You’re awfully protective for someone who hasn’t answered the question. Where is Ava?"

"You’re overstepping, Moore," Matilda said coldly. "Ava’s whereabouts are none of your concern. You’ve done enough damage to this family as it is."

Dustin’s eyes flickered to Matilda nonchalantly. "I brought Ava here and for three hours, I’d been waiting outside the hospital but she didn’t return." Taking a deep breath, Dustin ran a hand down his face as he tried to control his anger. "I’ll ask one more time. Where. Is. She?"

Jerome’s nostrils flared as he glared at Dustin. "I don’t care if Ava spreads her legs for you like a little whore, but I will not tolerate you coming in here and--" he trailed off as a punch landed on his face.

Jerome’s eyes widened as he stumbled back, clutching his jaw in shock. Because the attack came as a surprise, he would’ve fallen to the floor if not for Matilda that held him from behind. "You bastard!" He spat angrily as he steadied himself.

Dustin shook his hand out casually. "Say one more vile thing about Ava!" He growled. "I dare you!"