Chapter 252 Fallen into the Old Ways
Mia contended, "She divorced you quietly without any fuss, that's the first mistake. After the divorce, she came here to engage in some scandalous activities with you, that's the second mistake. Deliberately ruining our mother-son relationship, that's the third mistake. Tell me, why can't I discipline her?"
Hearing his mother's irrational accusations, Alexander's face turned stone-cold with rising anger, "Firstly, I wanted to divorce Ava. I was the one who betrayed our marriage first. Secondly, this house now belongs to Ava, not to me, and certainly not to you. Coming here, you are merely guests whereas she is the host. It's her house I'm staying in, and she was kindly applying medicine to my wounds. There are no secret schemes between us. Thirdly, she has never once tried to damage our mother-son relationship! It's you who have been indifferent to me since dad's issues, from Dadmy childhood onwards. We barely even saw each other once a year. It's you who have allowed the distance between us, neglecting our mother-son relationship. During holidays and festivals, I wanted to see you, on my birthdays too, but you were never there!"
By the end of his speech, Alexander seemed visibly agitated, holding Ava even tighter. She struggled to breathe, pushed him gently, and whispered softly, "You... you need to let me go first."
His heartbeat pounded fiercely, each throb hitting Ava Anderson's cheek with a force that worried him. Thinking he might have hurt her, he quickly let go and asked with concern, "Did I hurt you?"
Ava shook her head, "I'm fine."
It was the first time she realized that Alex longed for a mother's love. His mother had a rather cold demeanor; their meetings were few and far between. She didn't show the kind of warmth and concern towards her son that other mothers did, desiring their children's presence.
She was the type that drifted in and out of his life without leaving much of a trace.
Perhaps it was due to her husband's actions that she had developed a shadow over her heart, causing her to gradually become indifferent to family bonds over the years.
Ava suddenly felt a twinge of pity for Alexander Mitchell. While her own parents had passed away, they had been loving and protective while they lived, and her family had always been close-knit.
In contrast, Alex's parents had entangled themselves in conflicts during his childhood, and he had grown up in an unhappy home that eventually saw his parents' relationship fall apart.
Growing up in such an environment, one might expect him to turn out one of two ways.
One possibility was to be the complete opposite of his parents and vow not to live like they did.
The other was to unintentionally follow in their footsteps.
And it seemed that Alexander Mitchell was the latter, like his father before him, who left his wife for the woman he claimed to love.
Because they believed that their wives were not the ones they truly wanted, that they had been forced upon them.
George Mitchell eventually found his way back, but Alexander Mitchell was still in the early stages with Isabella Harrington, and it was uncertain how things would turn out.
Ava didn't expect a prodigal son's return from Alexander Mitchell; she no longer wanted to live for marriage or love. The divorce had been eye-opening for her, revealing truths and leaving her emotionally exhausted.
Love couldn't be forced. When a man didn't love you, no amount of humility could salvage it; it would only lead to deeper despair.
Better to walk away with dignity, even though it would be painful, she thought, as the pain would only be temporary.
Holding onto hatred was pointless, too; it would only bring more pain.
Everyone at the scene had their own thoughts.
The atmosphere was eerily silent.
Mia Thompson stood still, shocked as she stared at Alexander Mitchell.
Her gaze was complicated, a tangle of guilt, shock, and various emotions swirling in her eyes.
