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Married Before Midnight - Married Before Midnight by Sienna Quinn - Chapter 34
Author: Novels Audio
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Married Before Midnight
Chapter 34: The Plan Unfolds
The dim glow of the streetlights cast long shadows as Lillian and Emily walked briskly toward Ava Taylor’s house, their breaths visible in the crisp autumn air. The weight of what they had witnessed in Mr. Reed’s office pressed heavily on them, but determination steeled their steps. “Do you think she’ll agree?” Emily whispered, her fingers tightening around the strap of her backpack. Lillian exhaled sharply. “She has to. We can’t let Reed get away with this.” Ava’s house was a modest, weathered structure at the end of a quiet street. The paint was peeling, and the porch sagged slightly under their feet as they knocked. The door creaked open, revealing Ava’s wary face, her dark eyes flickering between them. “What do you want?” she asked, voice barely above a whisper. “We need to talk,” Lillian said firmly. “About what happened with Mr. Reed.” Ava’s grip on the door tightened, her knuckles whitening. “There’s nothing to talk about.” Emily stepped forward. “We saw everything, Ava. We know what he tried to do. And we want to help.” Ava hesitated, then stepped aside, letting them in. The inside of the house was sparse, the air thick with tension. A muffled shout came from the kitchen, followed by the sound of something shattering. Ava flinched. “Your stepfather?” Lillian asked gently. Ava nodded, wrapping her arms around herself. “He’s been worse since Mom left.” Emily’s heart ached. “Ava, you don’t have to deal with this alone. We can expose Reed and get you out of here.” Ava’s laugh was bitter. “And go where? Foster care? No thanks.” “Our family can help,” Lillian insisted. “My mom—Eleanor—she took in Lucas when he had nowhere else to go. She’d do the same for you.” Ava’s eyes welled with tears, but she blinked them away. “Why would you risk all this for me?” “Because it’s the right thing to do,” Emily said simply. Ava exhaled shakily, then nodded. “Okay. What’s the plan?”
--- Back at Sweet Beginnings, Lucas was already waiting, a small recording device in hand. He’d spent the afternoon researching discreet audio equipment, his detective instincts sharpening with every passing minute. “Did she agree?” he asked the moment the twins walked in. “She did,” Lillian confirmed, dropping her bag onto the kitchen counter. “But her situation’s worse than we thought. Her stepfather’s abusive.” Lucas’s jaw tightened. “Then we’ll handle that too. First, Reed.” Olivia, who had been listening from the doorway, crossed her arms. “This is dangerous. If Reed finds out—” “He won’t,” Lucas cut in. “We’ll be careful. Ava will wear the recorder, and we’ll make sure she’s never alone with him.” Eleanor entered, wiping flour from her hands. “I don’t like this,” she admitted, worry etching her face. “But I trust you all to be smart. Just promise me no one takes unnecessary risks.” The twins nodded in unison.
--- The next day, Ava walked into Reed’s office, her heart pounding. The tiny recorder was hidden in the pocket of her blazer, its presence both a comfort and a terror. “Ava,” Reed greeted smoothly, leaning back in his chair. “I was hoping you’d come to your senses.” She forced herself to meet his gaze. “I need to pass your class.” His smile was oily. “And you will. If you’re willing to… cooperate.” Ava swallowed hard, her fingers brushing the recorder. “What exactly do you want?” Reed leaned forward, his voice dropping. “You’re a smart girl. I think you know.” Outside the door, Lillian and Emily exchanged a tense glance, their ears pressed close. “We’ve got him,” Emily whispered. But before they could celebrate, footsteps echoed down the hall. The twins barely had time to duck into an alcove as the principal rounded the corner, knocking on Reed’s door. Inside, Reed straightened abruptly. “Principal Harris. What a surprise.” The twins held their breath. --- That evening, the Carter family gathered in the living room, the recording playing back in tense silence. Reed’s voice, smug and predatory, filled the room. “This is enough,” Lucas said firmly. “We take this to the school board.” “And Ava?” Olivia asked. “She stays with us,” Eleanor said without hesitation. “No child should live in fear.” Ava, sitting beside Emily, wiped at her eyes. “Thank you,” she whispered. Lillian squeezed her hand. “Family looks out for each other.” As the night deepened, the weight of their plan settled over them. The battle wasn’t over yet—but for the first time, hope flickered brightly in the dark.