Chapter 182 The Prodigal's Return
"So, you’re not mad at me now?" he inquired with a persistence that was hard to ignore.
"For now, I’m not," Ava responded, placing an emphasis on the word 'now' as if to underline a point. The future was a mystery, a realm of endless possibilities. She could not guarantee a constant state of forgiveness, but for now, her anger had subsided.
She found it easier to forgive someone like Alexander, who, despite his occasional irritations, would willingly risk his life for her when it mattered. He was a far better choice than those men who boasted much but fled at the first hint of danger.
A satisfied smile graced Alexander's lips as he leaned in to plant a kiss on her cheek. "I appreciate your lack of anger towards me."
"It's insignificant. Let's retire for the night."
Alexander responded with a nonchalant "Hmm," just as his phone began to ring. His eyes flickered to the caller ID.
Ava's gaze followed his, landing on the name "Isabella" glaring back at them from the screen.
A sharp pang pierced her heart. She had just declared her lack of anger, yet now, it surged within her once more, especially as she watched Alexander slide his finger across the screen to answer the call.
Without a word, Ava turned her back to him, wrapping herself tightly in the blanket. She closed her eyes, wishing she could also block out the sound.
Every time Isabella called, Alexander would leave, and she had no reason to believe tonight would be any different. Men’s promises were as fleeting as the wind. Isabella was calling him at such a late hour, and he had answered. Was he going to leave her again? It was a pattern all too familiar.
‘Alexander, I am angry with you, I despise you. It's my own fault for being too lenient, for forgiving you time and time again.’
"No, I need to sleep."
Ava's eyes snapped open at the sound of Alexander's voice. She blinked in confusion, wondering if she had misheard him.
"Icy as ever," Alexander commented, "Get some sleep, take some medication if you're not feeling well. You're not alone. My presence wouldn't make a difference. I have to go. Ava and I are retiring for the night."
Without waiting for a response, he ended the call and tossed his phone aside. He then wrapped his arms around Ava from behind.
"It was Isabella on the line. She claimed to be unwell and requested my presence, but I'm not going," he whispered into her ear, emphasizing the last three words as if they were a secret. His voice held a hint of urgency, as if he was a child in a hurry to prove his innocence.
Ava curled into herself, clutching the fabric over her chest as her heart pounded in her chest. She was at a loss, unable to comprehend the mix of apprehension and secret delight coursing through her.
Why was this man offering her explanations?
In the past, he would have rushed to Isabella's side at the first ring, leaving his wife behind to wallow in her solitude.
'Is he about to make a prodigal's return?' Ava pondered.
"Are you angry again?" His voice was laced with worry, as if he was walking on eggshells, afraid that a single misplaced word might upset her.
Ava remained silent for a long while, the room so quiet that their breathing was the only sound.
Alexander didn't press for a response. Instead, he simply held her tighter.
After what felt like an eternity, Ava finally spoke, "She called you. Why didn't you go?"
She wanted to understand his thought process. She was well aware of the lengths he would go to protect Isabella, and she knew how much Isabella meant to him. Yet, she still wanted to know the extent of his protection.
She even considered asking the cliché question—if both she and Isabella were drowning, who would he save first?
Alexander paused, lifting his head as if trying to see her in the pitch darkness, wondering what expression Ava wore at that moment.
