Chapter 144 Catharsis Through Tears
In the wake of a fresh dawn, Ava trailed behind William, who was now garbed in a fresh set of clothes. Together, they embarked on a journey, boarding the awaiting helicopter.
Ava was a picture of desolation, her spirit seemingly torn from her being. She offered no indication of her desired destination. It was only upon the helicopter's descent that she became aware of their arrival at an unfamiliar villa.
"Let's disembark," William suggested, extending a careful hand to assist Ava. He was mindful not to let her falter.
Surveying her surroundings, Ava inquired, "Where are we?"
"I noticed your heartache, and since you didn't specify a destination, I decided to bring you here, to my abode. Rest assured, it's just me and a handful of staff members—no one else."
"William, I apologize for the inconvenience I've caused you."
Throughout the journey, she had felt like a mere husk of her former self, her mind a blank canvas.
"No inconvenience at all. Let's go inside, rest for a while, and when you're ready, I'll take you home."
Ava offered no response, her gaze vacant and unfocused.
Without another word, William guided her into the villa.
Once settled in the living room, William poured a glass of water for Ava and took a seat beside her. He attempted to initiate a conversation, but the sight of Ava's vacant stare, her silence, and her stillness on the couch, almost forgetting to blink, prompted him to rise and leave the room without disturbing her.
Half an hour slipped away before William returned to the living room. Ava remained in the same spot, but the emptiness in her eyes had been replaced by barely suppressed sobs, her tears threatening to spill.
It was evident that Alexander's actions had wounded her deeply.
Despite his preference to respect her space, William couldn't ignore his concern for her well-being, especially given her previous hospitalization. He approached her cautiously, "Ava, I may never fully comprehend the depth of your pain, but I understand your current state. I won't offer empty words about him not being worth your tears. I know you're hurting and that's beyond control. If you need to cry or vent your anger, feel free. Anything in my house is fair game if it helps you let go."
Ava bit her lip, fighting a losing battle against her tears. She remained silent, her face buried deeper into the sofa cushions.
Witnessing her struggle to maintain composure heightened William's worry. He moved closer, settling beside her and gently grasping her arm. "Ava."
"Let go of me," she retorted, akin to a startled bird ready to take flight.
Ava attempted to shake off his hold, but William firmly gripped both her arms, pulling her up from the couch with a stern expression. "I'm not letting go."
The usually gentle William now wore a mask of dominance. This unexpected shift seemed to jolt Ava into a frenzy of resistance, only to be securely enveloped in his embrace.
The sudden contact with his chest unleashed a torrent of tears she could no longer contain. She wept unabashedly, her grip on his shirt tight, staining his pristine white shirt with the remnants of her sorrow.
Enveloped in his arms, Ava's body shook with sobs until her voice grew hoarse and her tears subsided into the silence of his embrace.
Her face was flushed and swollen from crying, her eyes red. The emotional outpouring seemed to have relieved the pressure building within her. Hastily wiping her face dry, she pulled away, "I'm sorry, that was incredibly rude."
"Are you feeling any better?" he asked, the gentleness returning to his demeanor.
Ava recalled the brief moment before her breakdown when his sudden assertiveness seemed intentionally designed to ignite her anger, to allow the tears to flow.
"Yes, I'm better now, thank you. And I'm sorry for ruining your shirt."
