Chapter 145 That's Too Much
"Don't fret, it's merely a shirt," he reassured her, a faint smile gracing his lips. As he spoke, his fingers brushed against the fresh cut on his lip, causing him to wince from the sharp sting.
"Do you think we should have that looked at in a hospital?" she inquired, her gaze drawn to the swelling on his face where the wound resided.
"No need for concern, it's a mere scratch. It will heal in a few days," he dismissed her worry.
"That's not acceptable. You should at least apply some ointment. It can't be left untreated. Do you have a first aid kit nearby? Allow me to assist you," she offered.
William's initial instinct was to decline, but he reconsidered, thinking that perhaps it would be beneficial for her to keep busy, given her heartache. He acquiesced with a nod, signaling a servant to retrieve the first aid kit.
With the kit in hand, Ava began to tend to William’s wound, taking extra care to avoid causing him any further discomfort.
Their closeness was intimate, their breaths mingling in the space between them. While Ava was wholly focused on dressing the wound, William’s gaze was drawn to her.
As Ava concentrated on the cut near his mouth, her thoughts unintentionally wandered to Alexander, who had also suffered injury from her own hand. The thought caused her hands to tremble slightly.
She quickly reassured herself – Alexander had Isabella, after all.
Noticing her trembling, William asked with concern, "Is something amiss?"
His voice brought her back to the present, and she realized she was uncomfortably close. Hastily, she put some distance between them, "I'm fine, the ointment has been applied."
"Thank you," William expressed his gratitude, then instructed the servant to clean up and remove the kit.
"What would you like for lunch?"
"I should probably return home," Ava replied, her smile strained.
"Stay for lunch. If you leave, we'll both be eating alone. Consider it a meal between friends. Besides, you still owe me one, remember?"
His argument was valid, and Ava, finding herself unable to refuse, nodded in agreement, "Very well."
"Do you have a preference? I'll have the kitchen prepare it for you."
"I'm not particular. Anything will do, as long as it's not overly greasy. It tends to upset my stomach," she explained, lightly touching her abdomen.
"Understood."
With that, William instructed the kitchen to begin preparing lunch, then took a seat beside Ava on the sofa.
Sensing Ava's lingering melancholy, William wanted to offer some comfort, but ultimately chose to remain silent, simply providing his presence.
A heavy silence stretched between them until Ava broke it, "I was too impulsive."
"What's troubling you? If you're referring to today's events, I believe your reaction was quite normal,” he reassured her.
Ava took a deep breath, "Before Alex and I wed, I was aware of his feelings for Isabella. I believed that once she left, he would gradually forget her. However, it seems they've been in contact all this time. We've only been married a year..."
As she spoke, Ava seemed on the brink of tears once more.
Quickly, William offered her a tissue.
"Thank you, but I won't cry," Ava insisted, feeling as though she had no tears left to shed. She pulled out their marriage certificates, her fingers gently tracing over them.
"I should've divorced him. I shouldn't have been so stubborn in refusing. Was I being foolish?"
"Not in the slightest," William reassured her, patting her shoulder soothingly. "I understand your anger then, not wanting to give them the satisfaction. I likely would've reacted the same way. Don't blame yourself. They're the ones who crossed the line."
