Stormy Weather

As the night wore on, Ashley's anxiety continued to simmer just below the surface. Her parents' presence had brought up old wounds and painful memories, and she couldn't shake the feeling that she was walking on eggshells, waiting for the next explosion to occur. Avan, sensing her unease, kept a close eye on her, his arm around her shoulders as they sat on the couch. Malcolm, ever the critic, began to dissect Avan's career, questioning his choices and offering unsolicited advice. Avan, his patience wearing thin, politely listened, his eyes never leaving Malcolm's face. Ender, sensing the tension, began to fuss, and Ashley quickly excused herself to tend to him. As she rocked Ender to sleep in his crib, she couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. Her parents' visit was already proving to be a disaster, and she knew she had to find a way to navigate the situation without losing her mind. She took a few deep breaths, trying to calm herself down, and made her way back to the living room. Karen, who had been quietly observing the exchange, suddenly spoke up, her voice laced with venom. "Avan, dear, how do you plan on providing for Ashley and Ender? You're not exactly set for life, are you?" Avan's expression turned cold, his eyes flashing with anger. "I think that's enough, Karen," Ashley said, her voice firm. "Avan and I are perfectly capable of taking care of ourselves and Ender." Malcolm snorted, his eyes rolling in disdain. "Capable? Ha! You're not even capable of taking care of yourself, Ashley. You're just a foolish little girl who can't even make it on her own." Avan's grip on Ashley's hand tightened, and he stood up, his eyes locked on Malcolm's. "I think it's time for you both to leave," he said, his voice low and even. The air was thick with tension as Malcolm and Karen exchanged a look, before finally standing up to leave. As the door closed behind them, Ashley let out a shaky breath. "I'm sorry," she said, turning to Avan. "I had no idea it would be like this." Avan pulled her into a tight hug, his eyes burning with anger. "You don't have to apologize, Ashley. You're not responsible for your parents' behavior." The storm outside seemed to intensify, the wind howling and the rain pounding against the windows. Ashley felt like she was trapped in a nightmare, with no escape from the toxic dynamics of her family. But as she looked into Avan's eyes, she knew she wasn't alone. She had him, and together, they would weather the storm. Little did they know, the real storm was only just beginning. As they settled in for the night, Ashley's phone buzzed, shrill and insistent. She groaned, not wanting to deal with anything else, but Avan encouraged her to answer it. "It might be important," he said, his eyes crinkling at the corners as he smiled. Ashley hesitated, then picked up the phone, her heart sinking as she saw her father's name on the screen. "What do you want, Dad?" she asked, her voice tight and guarded. Malcolm's voice was cold and menacing on the other end of the line. "This isn't over, Ashley. Not by a long shot."