Ava Sullivan (24 years old)

Alice had been in labour for almost 10 hours, she was suffering miserably, Ava could see that. But Ava couldn't do anything for her sister but to support her fullest. Alice at that moment felt something wrong, so she called for Ava and said,

"Ava, If I die today, promise me you will raise this child as your own. Promise me"

"Alice! Don't say such things. You will live and you will raise your own child. Stay strong sis"

Shaking her head, Alice gritted her teeth tightly  and demanded again, "Promise me, Ava!"

"Alice- "

"Damnit Ava! Promise me"

"Alright alright! I promise. Now focus on the baby!"

*****

After 5 more stressful hours, finally born the little bundle. A beautiful baby girl. But Alice couldn't see her daughter as she became unconscious in the middle of the labor, she lost a lot of blood and then was fighting for her life.

Ava came out of the room and showed the baby to others. And immediately the paternity tests were ran. Within few hours the test came out positive and confirmed that Marcus was indeed the baby's father.  Finally Alice's dream had come true. But unfortunately she didn't get to see the day. Alice Sullivan died at childbirth.

The next few weeks went by mourning the death of Alice. In those days, Ava took care of the baby. As promised she was determined to raise the child as hers. She also named the baby. Aria. Yes, that was the baby's name.

After 2 months of Alice's death, the Websters visited the Sullivans. Ava brought Aria with her and handed her to Jack.

"Since it is proved that the child is a Webster. So we will accept her. She can come with us now. We will take care of her."

"No!" Ava protested instantly.

"Before Alice's death, I promised her that if something happens to her then I'll raise Aria as my own. So you don't need to be concerned about her anymore"

"That's impossible Ava. I will take my daughter with me" , Marcus bursted,

"Then you will hand her over to some nanny? I know the drill, Marcus. So it's better she stays with me"

At that point Marcus was in challenging mode, he didn't want to lose the child to Ava.

Jack could sense that his son was raging with fury and was about to lose his temper. But that wasn't the time for that. He needed to do something to sort out the situation. All on a sudden, he suggested something that Ava wasn't ready for.

"How about this then Ava!", Jack proposed and continued,

"You can marry Marcus and raise the child as your own. Besides the people don't even know the child's existence"

Ava went numb. What the fuck was he saying!

"Are you out of your mind Jack?"

"Why not Ava? Besides we asked for you in marriage with Marcus first. Now that Alice is not here with us, it's the best solution for all of us"

"No, I don't want to marry him"

Jack then got closer to Ava, and said,

"Ava, I can see how much you got attached to the child. And if I say frankly, then you have no legal power over the child. Also the paternity test proofs Marcus to be the father of the child. Now it's your decision"

What Jack said, every words were true. But Ava didn't want to marry Marcus despite all of that. Then again what other path did she have!

"I can't- "

"For Christ sake Ava! What other option do you have? Huh!", Max roared at Ava.

Ava then abruptly sat down on the sofa. Her father's words were nothing but brutal fact.
It was true what else she could do at that moment. The child's welfare came first to Ava. So finally she made the wildest decision which she might regret later, but she had to do what she needed to do.

"Alright. I'll marry Marcus"