Stars Waited Above Empty Streets by Lorin Wren 50

Chapter 50 What She Refuses to Touch 

Mason couldn’t imagine it. Growing up there meant fear as a daily routine, not a phase Every morning would feel like waking up already cornered. 

Cassius released a slow breath. “She doesn’t want to go back there. If that’s her choice, why dig up something that nearly broke her? She’s a Morten now.” 

Jane’s hands curled into fists. “If I ever find the person responsible, I’ll personally dump them into the Underworld. Let them scream until nothing answers back!” 

Mason’s jaw clenched. “The Underworld is sealed. Only authorized waste carriers traverse it, and only from select systems. Tracing the ships is still possible–they’re controlled by the government and disposed of automatically by the androids. No baby ends up there by chance. 

“This indicates it was deliberate. Someone with authority orchestrated it. They didn’t leave that child behind; they attempted to erase her. Who would go such a distance solely to kill a newborn?” 

Heat seeped from Mason’s mental power, subtle yet noticeable, with pressure humming under his skin. 

Cassius intervened right away, “Hey, relax. We’ve discussed this before. We checked the interstellar records, -no missing infant reports and nothing unusual. Ava doesn’t seek answers, and she’s made that known. 

“She was Ava Morren and is so now, and that’s her identity. Why expose her past only pulls her back into trouble?” 

Louis lowered his voice. “She’s coming.” 

Ava locked herself in the bathroom and cried her heart out. 

When she came back, only the redness under her eyes showed she had been crying. Her face looked calm and distant, as if she had emotionally distanced herself. 

Jane looked at her with concern. Then, she held back every question she wanted to ask. 

Once they sat down, Ava noticed the untouched plates and spoke softly, “Sorry. I was thinking about someone and lost control for a moment. Don’t worry, I’m okay.“/ 

Jane assumed she was referring to Patrick. Comfort came naturally. “Great–Uncle Patrick knows you miss him. He’s watching over you.” 

The conversation never restarted, causing dinner to end early. 

Mason stood, his eyes lingering on Ava’s exhaustion. “I’ll take you home.” 

She left with him, while Jane remained at the table. “We’re just letting this go? I’m boiling inside. I can’t 

settle like this.” 

Louis rested a hand on her back. “Not now. Maybe later. She’s had too much to process all at once. Give her 

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Chapter 50 What She Refuses to Touch 

space to breathe. She just entered adulthood and is already stronger than most.” 

Finished 

The drive went on in silence as Ava gazed out the window. 

Mason said nothing. 

At a crossroads lit by streetlamps, she spoke, “Stop here. I want to walk.” 

He complied and pulled the car over to the side of the road. 

Ava stepped forward, with Mason a few steps behind. Close enough to observe, yet far enough to maintain 

space. 

Night cast long shadows on the pavement. Her heels tapped softly, measuring each step. The walk was short -just about a block–but it felt slow. 

“You don’t have to follow,” Ava called back. “It’s safe. Go home.” 

Mason closed the gap and stopped in front of her. 

She searched his face, finding nothing she could read. “I mean it. I’m fine.” 

“Ava.” He longed to pull her into his arms, but hesitated. His fingers lingered near her lashes, tentative and brushing the air before stopping. “Good night.” 

“Good night,” she replied. “I’ll head in.” 

She nodded toward the iron gate. 

Mason answered with a nod of his own. 

She didn’t care what any of this meant. What mattered was what he didn’t ask, as she had nothing left to explain. 

He stayed where he was until her outline vanished beyond the gate. 

From the darkness, her voice floated back. “Asher.” 

Mason went back to the light armored vehicle, leaned against it, lit a cigarette, and watched the ember glow in the quiet night. Shadows concealed everything around him. 

After a long pause, he crushed the cigarette underfoot. His Holoband flickered to life, and he quickly checked the group chat, irritation clearly deepening. 

‘Anyone free?‘ The message went out. ‘Drinks. Now!‘ 

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