Chapter 101 A Degradation of Self
Each time he broached the subject, Ava felt a pang of pain in her heart. She never intended any harm; her love for him was so profound that she could never genuinely grow weary of him.
"If you harbor no affection for me, why then do you bear grudges?" He asked. "Why would you harbor jealousy towards Isabella and me?"
"Why then are you perturbed by William and me?" She retorted. "If you believe I have no love for you and you're free to pursue other women, I might as well seek the company of William Bennett, or any other William for that matter. After all, men are not in short supply."
"Ava!" Alexander's voice rang out, a hint of anger lacing his words as he gripped her shoulders. "Never utter such words again, do you understand?"
His fury was palpable, and Ava felt a shiver run down her spine, quickly followed by a surge of defiance. "Why shouldn't I? Are you not fond of your double standards?"
"This has nothing to do with double standards," he retorted. "You're a woman, and your safety is paramount. You can't just go around seeking the company of reckless men. What if something were to happen?"
"Reckless men?" Ava sneered, her words dripping with sarcasm. "Who said I was looking for a reckless man? I plan to find a handsome young man who'll call me 'babe' and kneel to massage my legs. He'll do anything I ask of him."
"Enough!" Alexander's face darkened ominously as he scooped Ava up in his arms and strode towards the bed. He placed her down gently, wrapping her securely in the blanket before leaning over her.
Even through the blanket, Ava could feel the heat of his breath.
"I don't want to hear such nonsense from you again. A handsome young man? Even if we were to divorce, you don't need to degrade yourself in such a manner!"
Alexander's anger was genuine, a storm of fury that made Ava tremble.
But then she thought, why should she be afraid? She had done nothing wrong.
"Why is it considered degrading if I seek the company of other men?" She asked. "Would you prefer I sought you out instead? But don't you have Isabella?"
Alexander was at a loss for words.
Regardless of the man Ava chose, even if it were someone like William, he felt as though she was demeaning herself, and it unsettled him.
The thought of her having a multitude of options once they divorced, and the mere idea of William, irritated him to no end. There would undoubtedly be many suitors vying for her attention.
A flicker of annoyance crossed his face as he rose from the bed and leaned against the headboard, a picture of resignation.
He was the one who had suggested the divorce. Why should it matter if she found someone else? He couldn't deny his own hypocrisy.
He was at a loss, unable to comprehend his own feelings.
Perhaps, after a decade, he had come to view her as a sister, with all the protective instincts that entailed, finding fault with every man who came near her.
Yet, to label it as brotherly affection seemed inadequate. It felt more akin to the protective nature of a father.
Ava sat up on the bed, "If you have nothing to say, then don't be a hypocrite next time. If you're free to flirt with Isabella, then so am I. Unless..."
"Unless what?" Alexander turned to ask.
"Unless you maintain a distance from Isabella. We're still married, at least until the divorce is finalized. As long as that's our status, neither of us should get too close to someone of the opposite sex. It's simply not appropriate."
She was exhausted, weary of having the same argument with Alexander time and time again.
Alexander didn't respond immediately. Instead, he loosened the top few buttons of his shirt, his face etched with fatigue. "What did you need when you called me today?"
"I was just wondering why you came back last night," she said, half-convinced it had all been a dream.
