Chapter 367 Avoidance
William's countenance hardened gradually, casting a shadow of desolation over his features. After a moment of silence, he managed to muster a faint smile, his voice barely above a whisper, "Indeed, we're merely friends."
Ava, perceptive as she was, detected the undercurrent of disappointment in William's voice. She realized her tone might have been a tad harsher than she intended.
"Will," she began, her voice softening, "I didn't mean to castigate you. I understand your anxiety around the girl you fancy. You're avoiding her out of fear that she might not reciprocate your feelings. But this approach won't help you win Elinor's heart. If you let fear guide you, you'll never muster the courage to make the first move."
A bitter smile played on William's lips as he responded, "Are you so keen on seeing me with her?"
"Isn't that what you desire?" Ava shot back. "Whenever you spoke of her, your eyes sparkled with love. Will, this is your dream. I'm merely trying to help you take the leap you're too afraid to take. Once your issues are sorted, I'll take my leave."
Ava's reference to 'issues' wasn't confined to William's romantic life. It also encompassed the strained relationship between him and his father. Only when his father met Mia and resolved their differences, could Ava consider her mission accomplished and leave. But she couldn't disclose this to William.
"You're leaving?" William's brows furrowed. "Where do you plan to go?"
"My belly is growing. I can't stay here much longer, or people will start to notice. I need to find a place where I'm unknown to give birth to my child," Ava confessed.
Suddenly, William burst into laughter.
Baffled, Ava queried, "What's so amusing?"
"Ava," he began, still chuckling, "you accuse me of being afraid and lacking initiative, but aren't you guilty of the same? You're carrying his child, yet you're too scared to tell him. You bear all the hardships alone, planning to leave your hometown to give birth in anonymity. Why don't you gather the courage to tell Alexander about your pregnancy?"
"I..." Ava stammered, her heart pounding, "He wouldn't want this child. Even if I tell him, it would be in vain."
"This is your child, and you have every right to keep it. His opinion doesn't matter. In the end, you're also afraid," he concluded.
Ava fell silent.
Stepping back, Ava looked at William, her heart pounding with anxiety. She couldn't believe what she was hearing. She clenched her clothes tightly, lowered her gaze, and muttered, "I'm not afraid; I just think it's unnecessary to tell him."
"Is it really unnecessary?" William challenged. "As the father of the child, doesn't Alexander deserve to know about its existence? You don't even dare to tell your grandmother. You're definitely afraid."
"We're discussing your situation," Ava retorted, her voice laced with anger. "I'll handle my issues. You can't use my problems as an excuse to evade yours. We're different."
"So you admit that you're also running away," William stepped forward, his voice firm. "Since we're both evading, there's no need to point fingers. Let's call off today's meal. I'll have Victoria escort Elinor back, and then I'll take you home as if nothing happened."
"That's not possible!" Ava objected. "Elinor is already here. It's not fair to end the meal just as she's settled in. What will she think? She'll definitely misunderstand, if..."
"Then let her misunderstand," William shrugged nonchalantly.
Ava was taken aback. She began to question if William truly harbored feelings for Elinor. How could he be so indifferent otherwise? Just earlier, when he spoke of Elinor, his eyes were alight with love and anticipation. He had sought her counsel on wooing Elinor. But now, when she was trying to help him, he seemed eager to flee.
