Chapter 9 - Ava’s Choice
Daniel did not ask Ava to hand Sophie over.
That decision changed everything.
He wanted his daughter in his arms.
Of course he did.
He wanted to reclaim control, protect her, hold her, prove to himself that he could be the father she needed.
But Sophie was calm.
Ava was steady.
And Margaret had demanded transfer like possession.
Daniel would not repeat that.
He leaned back slightly.
“Ava, do you want to keep holding her for now?”
Ava stared at him.
The question seemed unfamiliar.
Want.
Not must.
Not give.
Not obey.
Not hide.
She nodded once.
“Yes.”
“Then keep holding her.”
Margaret looked horrified.
“Daniel—”
He did not look at her.
“Do not give orders about my daughter again.”
Margaret’s lips trembled.
Ava’s eyes filled.
Sophie breathed softly against her.
Daniel looked at the baby’s peaceful face, then at Ava’s patched backpack. He noticed one pin had a cracked edge. Another was bent. She had carried achievements through a life that had not given her much else to polish.
“What were you doing on this flight?” he asked.
Ava hesitated.
Margaret answered.
“We were visiting family.”
Daniel looked at Ava.
She did not confirm.
That was enough.
“Ava?”
The girl’s throat moved.
“I needed to see London.”
Margaret’s face drained.
Daniel heard the missing part.
Not tourism.
Not vacation.
Something in London mattered.
Someone there.
Some record.
Some unfinished thread tied to Sophie’s late mother.
He did not force it.
Not in the aisle.
Not while the baby slept.
Not with Margaret ready to drag Ava back behind the curtain if pushed too hard.
The flight attendant approached quietly.
“Mr. Whitmore, would you like privacy?”
Daniel looked around at the passengers.
Then at Ava.
“Only if she wants it.”
Ava shook her head.
“No private rooms.”
The sentence landed with history.
Daniel’s eyes softened.
“Then we stay here.”
Margaret’s face showed fear again.
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This time, Ava did not look away.
Read Chapter 10 👉 Because Daniel let Ava choose, and that small freedom frightened Margaret more than any accusation.
