Chapter 183 Maintaining a Distance
In the dimly lit room, he was tempted to illuminate their surroundings, to discern if she was shedding tears. However, he refrained, choosing instead to extend his hand, tracing the length of her arm before tenderly cradling the back of her hand. His voice, a low and husky whisper in her ear, confessed, “I’ve already told you, I must maintain my distance from her.”
“Does that imply you won’t see her anymore?”
Could Alexander truly sever all ties with Isabella? Such an act would surely be akin to orchestrating his own downfall.
“Ava, are you jealous?” He detected a hint of bitterness in her voice.
The manifestation of her jealousy caused his male pride to swell with a peculiar satisfaction.
“Jealous of Isabella? I am not,” she retorted hastily.
A soft chuckle escaped Alexander as he planted a gentle kiss on her cheek, “Then why do I perceive a tinge of jealousy?”
Ava responded with a coy smile, “I don't know, I am sleepy, I am going to bed.”
She was reluctant to engage further in his line of questioning. She feared that speaking too much might reveal the depth of her feelings for him, providing him with ammunition for further teasing.
Alexander didn’t press her further. His lips curled into a knowing smile as he wrapped his arm around her, and together, they drifted into the peaceful realm of sleep.
For the first time, when Isabella reached out to him, he did not respond.
...
Alexander remained at home for several days.
His doctor had advised him to rest, cautioning against overexertion.
Heeding the doctor's advice, he devoted his time to Ava’s company – a rarity for the couple to spend such an extended period together.
Ava found this unusual; she was unaccustomed to seeing so much of Alexander, given his typically hectic schedule.
Their relationship had once turned icy, resulting in them spending even less time together, to the point of not sharing a bed. However, their bond had thawed, and they now found comfort in each other's arms at night.
Alexander refrained from making excessive demands; merely holding her was sufficient. Ava, on the other hand, used these days to evaluate whether Alexander had truly changed.
If he genuinely desired to settle down with her, she contemplated revealing her pregnancy. However, she harbored fears that this could all be a temporary façade.
The old lady would occasionally call to inquire about their divorce proceedings.
The calls were directed at Alexander, who never explicitly stated they weren't divorcing. He merely mentioned he was a bit preoccupied lately, which resulted in a few reprimands from the old lady.
Despite the scolding, both sensed that deep down, the old lady was pleased they were procrastinating on the divorce.
There were several instances when Ava noticed Isabella attempting to contact Alexander again. Initially, Alexander would answer the calls but would always advise Isabella to rest and assert that he wouldn't visit.
Eventually, when Isabella tried reaching out again, he ceased answering her calls.
Ava was plagued by a nagging question: Had Alexander truly severed ties with Isabella?
One night, after a refreshing shower, Ava lay in bed, gently stroking her belly. It seemed to flutter ever so slightly, a movement so subtle it was barely noticeable unless one observed closely.
Emotions truly do influence the body, she mused. With her spirits lifted, her physical state seemed to improve, and her morning sickness had noticeably subsided.
The sound of a message notification chimed from her phone.
Ava picked it up and saw a message from Amelia.
Amelia: [Have you spoken to your husband yet?]
Ava: [About what?]
Amelia: [Don't feign ignorance, about the baby.]
Ava: [I haven't brought it up yet.]
Amelia responded with an eye-rolling emoji.
Amelia: [How have you still not mentioned it? How long are you planning to wait?]
Ava: [I'm just so nervous. I've tried a few times, but my heart races and I can’t do it.]
