Chapter 311: Lipstick and Scratches
"Is it rude to do this? What if she gets upset?"
"Rather than being angry, she's probably sad right now," said Scarlett. "She needs comfort more than anything. Actually, there are many things I would like to talk to her about, but she's not very close to the people from the Mitchell family nowadays. Now that you and Alex have divorced, you and Mia have a lot in common, so if you go, she won't hold it against you."
"Grandma, I just don't know what to talk about with her."
"Do you not want to go?" Scarlett asked. "If you don't, that's okay too. I won't force you."
"It's not that," Ava Anderson explained, "I just don't know what to say."
"Don't be nervous," Scarlett patted her hand. "Once you're there, you'll know. You don't have to preach or offer too much sympathy. As a woman, just empathizing will be enough."
With just a few simple sentences from Scarlett, Ava Anderson had a moment of clarity. "I understand now, Grandma."
Scarlett didn't ask Ava to join her for lunch. Well before it was time to eat, she sent Ava off to have lunch with Mia Thompson.
Ava had thought to visit when she was ready, but she hadn't expected her grandmother to suggest it right away.
She knew her grandmother also cared deeply for her daughter-in-law.
At present, Mia Thompson and George Mitchell weren't on good terms. Even though Scarlett was Mia's mother-in-law and intended to support her, ultimately, she was still a part of the Mitchell family, which made Mia somewhat wary. She felt Scarlett was primarily looking out for her own son...
If Ava went, it would be different; after all, she'd been through the wringer with love herself and was now divorced, resonating more with Mia's situation.
Ava hadn't wanted to get involved in these matters; she had her own complicated life to figure out and felt it wasn't her place to meddle in others' long-standing affairs.
But since this was her grandmother’s request, she naturally wanted to ease her elder’s mind.
Plus, there had been a misunderstanding with Mia before, and Ava wanted to clear that up, so nobody would have hard feelings later on.
Following the address given by her grandmother, Ava arrived at the upscale apartment building where Mia lived – a place only accessible to its residents.
However, as her grandmother had informed her, the building was a part of the Mitchell family's holdings, and they were expecting her, so she entered without any trouble.
Ava Anderson rode the elevator all the way to the floor where Mia Thompson lived. After a few seconds of preparation, she pressed the doorbell.
As she waited for the door to open, Ava stood upright, rehearsing in her mind what she would say.
"Hi, Mom, I just came by to see how you're doing."
No, that wouldn't do.
"Mom, Grandma gave me your address; she's been a bit worried about you and asked me to check on you."
"Mom, have you eaten yet? I came to keep you company for lunch."
Ava ran her hand through her hair, feeling uncertain.
Was it a mistake to have rushed over without being ready?
She waited for what felt like an eternity but when no one came to the door, Ava thought maybe Mia wasn't home.
Feeling nervous, Ava was also secretly relieved.
If Mia wasn't there, it gave her a perfect reason to leave. She could just tell Grandma that she'd come by but Mia was out, and she’d try another time.
Just as Ava turned to walk away, the door suddenly opened. There was no escaping now.
She turned back around, ready to speak, but when she saw the person before her, she froze.
George Mitchell stood there in pajamas, his hair tousled and a stern look on his face. "What are you doing here?"
Ava quickly took him in and noticed the scratch marks on his neck and the lipstick stain on his chin, a telling and compromising sign.
