Chapter 207 The Urge to Fight
Ava brushed the tears from her cheeks and shook her head, her voice a whisper, "No, thank you."
"If ever you desire for me to teach him a lesson, simply say the word. I'll be there," he pledged, his fists practically twitching with anticipation.
Ava murmured her assent, "Okay."
Yet, she knew such a day would never dawn.
In the aftermath of her divorce from Alexander, she had become a stranger to him, harboring no desire to cross paths with him again.
Whatever course Alexander's life took, or whatever transpired between him and Isabella, was no longer her concern.
Everything that was destined to end would inevitably do so. She might require time to mend, but she held firm in her belief that she would eventually heal.
"May I be alone for a while?" Ava's voice was barely audible, devoid of life.
William rose to his feet, "Call upon me if you require anything."
She hummed in response.
Once William had departed, she collapsed onto the bed, drained, her gaze unfocused as she stared blankly into the distance.
...
Ava remained secluded in her room until the clock struck seven in the evening, having skipped dinner. William had contemplated asking her several times about her dinner preferences, but he refrained, not wishing to disturb her in her distressed state.
Nevertheless, he was concerned about her skipping a meal, especially considering her emotional turmoil over Alexander and her pregnancy—an empty stomach could only exacerbate matters.
After mulling it over, he knocked on her door, "Ava, what would you like for dinner?"
...
Silence was his only response.
After a moment's pause, William continued, "Even if you don't eat, the baby needs nourishment. I'll prepare dinner and come to fetch you, okay?"
...
"Ava, if you remain silent, I'll take it as a yes. When I come to fetch you, could you respond then?"
A full ten seconds passed before a muffled voice emerged from the room, "Okay."
William exhaled a sigh of relief and took his leave.
Later, upon Victoria's arrival home, she was immediately greeted by a tantalizing aroma.
She followed the scent to the dining room, where two dishes sat on the table, their enticing appearance and aroma causing her mouth to water.
Despite having eaten earlier, her cravings were instantly reignited. She leaned in, bringing her nose close to the dishes, nearly drooling onto them.
Suddenly, a firm hand gripped her shoulder, pulling her back, followed by a smack on the back of her head. It was neither too harsh nor too gentle, but it carried a clear note of impatience.
"Slobbering like a puppy," William chided.
Frowning, Victoria rubbed the stinging spot on her skull. Her brother had never been one to pull his punches.
She turned to see William, clad in an apron, placing a dish on the table. His demeanor exuded an unexpected elegance and grace—words she had never thought to associate with her brother.
If she hadn't personally witnessed him making ruthless decisions at work, reducing the entire boardroom to a state of sheer terror, she might have been fooled into thinking he was a tender-hearted man. His handsome face was misleading.
He was a man who could command both the parlor and the kitchen.
"Will, you're cooking?" she voiced her surprise. "I had no idea you could cook."
She had never seen William cooking before.
"Do you need to be informed about every single thing I do?" William retorted coolly. "Where have you been? You claimed you were with Ava, but then you just disappeared. That's irresponsible."
