Chapter 2 Leash on my neck

"Princess, listen to us, please" Aiden asked softly, sitting on her study chair as he saw her get ready in denim overalls with white shirt underneath, her hair in a ponytail, looking like she was going to a farm rather than another continent.

"I am done listening to all the lies that you guys have been feeding me for two years, you lost your rights. I am going to the U.S, and I don't want you following me all the time" Venessa pointed out as she looked at herself in the mirror before grabbing her passport.

She ended up crying herself to sleep after she found out that Ashton's parents had been murdered two years ago and was determined to go meet Ashton and set things right with him.

"Fine, but I am calling William" Aiden stated his decision and zoomed out of the room, giving her space to get ready.

Venessa sighed, looking at the letter again, unsure on who sent that and why they did, contacting her after two years of silence.

"What happened?" Alyssa asked as she saw Aiden coming down the stairs with a resigned sigh, his steps slow and heavy like he's bearing all the weight of the world on his shoulders.

"She's refusing to stay back, I am calling William, I'll arrange everything by the time she reaches Cambridge, that's the least we can do after hurting her alot" Aiden kissed Alyssa's head, sitting beside her.

"What about Admission, her stay, friends or whoever that'll look after her? You know we can't leave her all by herself, she's hazardous to others and herself" Alyssa muttered, her eyes lowering as she accepted her fate.

Her husband was indeed right. They lied to her about a lot of things, stopped from doing a lot of things just because they thought it was right for her and convenient for them, but seeing her cry her eyes out and not black out yesterday made them realise how much she had to grieve, and how they have to let her go, even if they don't want to.

"He'll look into everything, don't worry" Aiden assured, dialing William's number.

William Hunter is the legal guardian of Ashton until he turns twenty one, and then he could take over the company. William knew both Ashton's and Venessa's cases, even the secrets the kids weren't aware of about themselves.

"I don't trust anyone with our daughter" Alyssa whispered, stubborn in her own way, knowing she can't stop Venessa, but the mother in her was scared.

"Isn't that what got us here?" Aiden asked sharply. Alyssa cowered back immediately, feeling the sting of his words right in her heart.

"Did you butt-dial?" William asked, a hint of teasing in his voice as soon as he picked up the call, diverting Aiden from the tension.

"No, I hand-dialled, idiot, but I need a favour" Aiden said in all seriousness, sending Venessa's flight ticket details to him.

"What is it?" William asked, his expression turning curious.

"Venessa is coming to the U.S., she found out about Isabella and Matthew somehow and she's hell bent on meeting Ashton and joining his school. I don't know how it is going to go" Aiden said exasperatedly.

"Ravenwood is a great school, she'll love it. And I can make a recommendation and take her admission, just mail me her certificates and stuff. Senior year right?" William asked, opening his laptop and texting a letter to Ravenwood's principal.

"Yeah, senior year indeed, do you have any apartments or something in mind, and she can't stay alone, you know her condition" Aiden asked hesitantly, knowing it's a big ask.

"She can stay with my family" William suggested, knowing Ashton won't definitely accept if he was forced to stay with Venessa.

"It's easy for Ashton to find out that way and I don't want him to be angry at you. Find a dorm or apartment with a good roommate, will you?" Aiden declined politely, holding his breath.

"There's Mason in London right now, he'll be flying back to the U.S, today in a few hours, Venessa can come with him. He's also a Ravenwood Senior now and I am sure he'll be elated to help, there are a few vacancies in the community he lives in, and he is a trustworthy guy. We can find an apartment for Venessa in the same community" William explained after realising both Mason and Venessa will be sitting beside each other and are there on the same flight.

"A new guy? I don't know if she'll be comfortable with a guy at this point" Aiden groaned helplessly, a feeling he's been familiar with too often nowadays.

"They won't share an apartment, what I mean is he can be her emergency contract. I will find a roommate for her too" William assured, a small smile forming on his lips.

"I trust you. I owe you one. Send me that guy's details, I'll explain to Venessa now" Aiden said before talking for a few more minutes before hanging up.

"Venessa and a new guy in an apartment where he knows that she lives alone, or with a roommate but it will definitely take time to find someone. Is it safe?" Alyssa asked, worry flashing across her features.

"She'll have like four guards around her all the time, I promise" Aiden assured, getting up from his seat to check on Venessa, who just finished packing her suitcase.

Climbing on the stairs, Aiden texted Venessa's principal to send her transfer certificates and the rest, since the senior year will be starting in a week.

"Princess, I am sending you someone's contact and now you are under their care" Aiden affirmed, hiding the fear of her rejection because of their lies of two years, concealing it with authority as her parent, leaning against the open door as he saw her sit on the bed, zipping up the suitcase.

"Who is it?" Venessa asked in a bored tone, knowing her dad will send her with a group of dogs if he has to.

"Mason Wright, he's going to be your classmate, he lives in the same community as yours and he'll be taking you to the U.S." Aiden explained, his tone light, hoping he won't piss her off again.

"Great, another leash around my throat? Is this your version of 'giving me freedom?'" Venessa snorted, crossing her arms, her eyes narrowed at him.

"You can't be alone. Just pack the main essentials, you can shop for everything there and if you want, I'll send your luggage in two days" Aiden suggested, unable to see his daughter even lift a suitcase in front of his eyes as his feet immediately started moving towards her, taking the suitcase from her hands gently.

"I know you're a billionaire with a B, don't need to flex, dad" Venessa scoffed, her face immediately turning pale as her phone buzzed with a very familiar number on its screen, her heart racing.

"Oh shit" Venessa froze in her place.