Chapter 102 A Sense of Belonging
"Were you expecting me not to come back when you're sick?" Alexander queried, genuinely perplexed by her question. After all, he was her spouse.
"Wasn't Isabella also in the hospital?" She shot back.
Isabella had made a suicide attempt, while she had merely been suffering from a mild fever. She harbored suspicions about the sincerity of Isabella's act—genuine suicide attempts seldom involved slashing of the wrists. Nonetheless, Isabella seemed to occupy a significant space in Alexander's heart.
"Are you implying I should return to the hospital?" Alexander's gaze was icy as he stared at her, a flicker of irritation in his eyes.
"Go then, your beloved Isabella will be awaiting your presence."
Alexander was taken aback by the bitterness in her voice, uncertain whether she truly desired his departure or if it was merely jealousy speaking.
With a sigh, he settled on the edge of the bed.
Upon seeing the fatigue etched on his face, Ava's heart softened. He had spent the previous night without sleep and must be drained by now.
Memories of his narrow escape from death in a car accident due to exhaustion flooded her mind. She didn't want history to repeat itself.
Choosing to let go of their disagreement, she gently pulled at his sleeve, "Alex."
He turned his head towards her, inquiring, "What is it now?"
His appearance was one of exhaustion, devoid of any desire to continue their argument.
"Why don't you rest for a while?" Ava made space for him and adjusted a pillow.
"So, you're concerned about your husband now? Just moments ago you were all fire and brimstone, urging me to leave."
Ava had no retort. Engaging in a verbal duel with him was a futile exercise. It would only lead to another endless cycle of complaints.
"That was then, this is now. If you're tired, you should rest. Take a nap."
"Are you offering your bed?"
The thought hadn't even crossed Ava's mind. They had been sleeping in separate rooms, and it now seemed somewhat inappropriate to invite him to sleep in hers.
She awkwardly twisted her mouth into a half-smile, "Or you could go to your own room, whatever suits you."
In reality, the house was his, and he could sleep wherever he pleased. Besides, it was just a nap—they wouldn't actually be sharing the bed.
Alexander studied her in silence for a moment before he slipped off his shoes and reclined on her bed.
Lying on his back, he let out a deep sigh.
"Your bed is quite comfortable."
As he settled in, a sense of belonging enveloped him.
Perhaps it wasn't the bed that gave him that feeling, but rather the person beside him.
"Really?" Ava pressed down on the mattress with naive curiosity. "It's the same as the one in your room, right? Same brand and everything."
Alexander's lips curled into a half-smile. "Must be my imagination, then."
She didn't quite grasp the underlying meaning of his words, which was just as well.
Ava gently tugged at his jacket. "Aren't you going to take off your jacket to sleep? Please sit up."
Obediently, Alexander sat up, allowing Ava to remove his suit jacket.
The seriousness with which she did so transported him back to the days before the topic of divorce had been broached.
Ava placed his jacket aside and began to undo the buttons of his shirt, aiming to ensure his comfort.
Covering him with the blanket, she whispered, "Sleep now."
"Ava," he called out her name.
"What is it?" she responded.
Alexander watched her for a long while before finally murmuring, "Nothing."
As Ava started to leave, Alexander grasped her wrist. "Where are you going?"
"You need to sleep. I shouldn't disturb you."
"Don't go, stay with me for a while."
"Aren't you afraid I'll keep you awake?"
"I'm not. Just stay here with me."
With her by his side, he felt more at peace. Without her, he might as well have been sleeping on the floor.
Seeing him so worn out, Ava couldn't find it in herself to leave him alone. She nodded, "Alright, I'll stay for a bit."
Their relationship was a curious one, their anger flaring and fading as quickly as it came, the storms of their arguments settling into calm as if they had never happened.
It was like a magical system where no matter how chaotic the data became, it could always return to order.
Alexander held onto her hand until sleep took him deep into its embrace.
Even after he had drifted off, Ava stayed.
After all, this was the man she loved most. She'd been upset, she'd been angry, yet love wasn't something that just stopped because of a single incident.
However, some loves seemed destined to remain without a conclusion.
