Chapter 378 Love Runs Deep
On the other end of the line, Alexander lapsed into a silence that seemed to stretch on forever, the seconds passing like frozen fragments of time. Neither of them made a move to end the call, their breaths echoing in the quiet, a tangible testament to their connection.
Eventually, Alexander broke the silence. "Yes, you're right," he admitted, his voice heavy with resignation. "If I haven't fallen in love in ten years, then it's time to let go."
His words, "let go," struck Ava like a venomous arrow, piercing her heart and leaving a painful void in its wake. The pain was so intense it threatened to consume her, causing her to gasp for breath.
Overwhelmed by a surge of emotions, she lashed out, her voice raw with pain. "I've agreed for you to be with Isabella. Go marry her already! Don't bother me anymore! I hate you! I don't want to see you!"
With that, she ended the call, her strength deserting her as she crumpled onto the carpet, her sobs echoing in the empty room.
"Alexander, you bastard!" she cried out, her voice choked with tears. "I know you don't love me. Haven't I already let go? Why did you have to be so blunt and hurt me like this?"* * *
Alexander lowered his hand, his strength sapped. He leaned against the car window, his gaze fixed on Ava's window, his mind a whirl of thoughts.
"If I couldn't fall in love in ten years, what else can I do? Ava, haven't I let go?"
"But why do you want to completely erase me from your world? Why are you only happy when you banish me? So, all my attempts to get closer to you and care about you were just harassment to you? Am I truly that despicable in your eyes? Why?"
His eyes, tinged with red, were filled with an inexplicable sadness. His chest rose and fell rapidly, his breaths coming in short gasps. The sky had darkened, and the flickering lights from the roadside cast a dim glow on his handsome face, painting a picture of melancholic solitude.
After about ten minutes, Alexander finally tore his gaze away from the window. With a weary sigh, he turned and opened the car door.
Five or six minutes later, the front door of the house burst open, and Ava rushed out.
"Alex, Alex!"
She ran to the spot where Alexander's car had been parked, but he was nowhere to be found. He had disappeared without a trace.
"Alexander!" Ava called out his name, her voice filled with desperation. She felt as if she was losing her mind, her knees giving way as she collapsed onto the grass.
"Alex!"
She didn't understand what had come over her. Her steps seemed to have a mind of their own. After uttering those harsh words, guilt had washed over her, driving her to run out and explain herself. She didn't truly hate him; she didn't truly want to avoid seeing him. She was simply in too much pain. She loved him, loved him deeply, and losing him made it hard to breathe. If she looked at him any longer, she was afraid she would find it harder to leave him.
"Alexander, I love you! I love you, you idiot! You fool!"
Ten years had passed, and she still didn't understand why he didn't love her. Why? She desperately wanted to know. At one point, she had even humbled herself, trying to become the kind of woman he would love, molding herself to fit his desires. But she soon realized the futility of her actions. Not loving someone meant just that - not loving them. It was over, everything was over.
"Miss, are you okay?" A gentle voice broke through her thoughts. She turned to see a young man squatting next to her. He was about eighteen or nineteen, dressed in a hoodie and jeans, a shoulder bag slung casually over his shoulder. Despite his crouched position, he seemed to tower over her, his height easily surpassing six feet. If not for his youthful voice, she would have mistaken him for someone in his twenties.
Ava wiped the tears from her face and managed a smile. "I'm fine, just tripped accidentally."
"Miss, let me help you up," he offered, extending his hand.
His palm was broad and warm, and his youthful energy radiated a comforting warmth. It was easy to trust him.
