Chapter 389 Meeting the Villain
As the sun rose on the following day, Ava was jolted awake by the insistent ringing of her cell phone. It was nine in the morning, a time she was usually up and about, but today she had overslept.
Rubbing the sleep from her eyes, she sat up, her mind still foggy from the remnants of sleep. She reached for her phone, squinting at the caller ID. Upon recognizing the number, she quickly answered, "Hello, Mom."
"Are you awake, Ava?" Mia's voice came from the other end.
"Yes, I'm up," Ava responded, ruffling her disheveled hair and feeling a pang of guilt akin to a child caught sleeping past their bedtime. "What's the matter, Mom?"
"I've arranged a lunch meeting with Dalton, and I want you to accompany me," Mia informed her.
"Are you sure, Mom? You want me to come too?" Ava questioned.
"Do you expect me to face that rogue alone?" Mia retorted.
"No, no, of course not, Mom. I'll accompany you," Ava quickly assured her.
The situation was indeed connected to her. She had promised to help William, which had led to her requesting her mom to meet with Dalton. She couldn't back out now, even though the suddenness of the meeting had taken her by surprise.
"Good. Prepare yourself. I'll pick you up and we'll head to the restaurant together," Mia instructed.
"I can drive myself, Mom. Just give me the address," Ava suggested.
"Don't waste my time," Mia snapped, her tone icy. "I said I'll pick you up, and that's final."
Mia's cold decisiveness left no room for argument. She ended the call abruptly, leaving Ava with no choice but to comply.
Shaking off her drowsiness, Ava climbed out of bed and made her way to the bathroom. The sight that greeted her in the mirror was alarming. Her face was pale, her eyes swollen from crying the previous night. Hastily, she used a warm towel to soothe her eyes, determined not to let Mia see her in such a state. She resolved to put the events of last night behind her.
After freshening up and dressing appropriately, Ava was ready just as Mia pulled up in her car. Upon entering the vehicle, Ava noticed the fatigue etched on Mia's face.
"Are you okay, Mom? You look tired," Ava expressed her concern.
"It's nothing. I was up late taking care of Alexander," Mia dismissed her worry.
The mention of Alexander's name startled Ava. "Did something happen to Alexander?"
Mia responded with a noncommittal grunt, adding, "He ran into a bit of trouble."
"What kind of trouble?" Ava asked, her worry intensifying.
"It's none of your concern. You're divorced, remember?" Mia replied coolly, shifting gears and accelerating the car.
Throughout the drive, Ava's mind was consumed with thoughts of Alexander. She wanted to inquire further, but her fear of her former mother-in-law held her back.
Noticing Mia's unusual mood, Ava couldn't help but ask again, "Is Alexander sick, Mom?"
Their conversation the previous night had been fraught with tension. Mia replied indifferently, "I told you, it's none of your business. Why do you care if he's sick? You're not his wife."
"But I..." Ava started, but quickly realized she had no right to voice her concern. She was no longer his wife, and she had made it clear she didn't want to be his sister. What right did she have to worry about him now?
They had agreed to lead separate lives, so her concern now was pointless. It would only complicate their already strained relationship.
Choosing to hold her tongue, Ava refrained from asking any more questions. Despite her worry, she decided to keep her concern for Alexander to herself.
