Chapter 417 Like a Curse
"Okay, I promise. Please, go ahead," Ava urged, growing increasingly curious.
William paused, then began, "Didn't my father once assume we were in a romantic relationship? What if..."
"William!" Ava suddenly called out, cutting him off.
She already knew what he was about to say.
"You're not suggesting we get married, are you?" she asked, her voice filled with disbelief.
Considering Ava's strong reaction, William realized he couldn't continue.
"Forget it, please. Let's not dwell on this," he said.
William cast a forlorn gaze upon her, akin to an abandoned pet, evoking an irresistible urge within her to cherish him.
Ava softened, her heart aching at the sight of his forlorn expression.
"William, I'm not angry. I find it hard to believe you'd consider such a drastic solution. We're friends."
"I know. We could have a fake marriage, but I doubted you'd agree. I shouldn't have brought it up. I'm sorry for even considering it. Let's pretend I never mentioned it."
Ava could see the anguish in his eyes, and she knew he must be desperate.
She reached out and gently patted his shoulder. "Let's find another way," she suggested.
The idea of marrying William seemed surreal to her. They were friends, not lovers. If they married just to appease his father, how would their relationship be in the future?
Moreover, she had just divorced Alexander and was carrying his child. It didn't seem right to marry another man, even if it was a sham.
"Don't worry about it," William said with a smile. "My father has always controlled my life. I'll just go ahead and marry a woman I don't love, have children with her, and live a life without happiness. Eventually, I'll become just like my father, controlling my children, generation after generation, as if cursed."
The words "generation after generation" and "cursed" sent a shiver down Ava's spine as if an earthquake had struck.
She couldn't help but think of the Mitchell family, where Alexander had become just like his father as if cursed.
No, she couldn't allow this curse to happen to William. If the previous generation had made mistakes, the next generation should learn from them and not repeat them.
Why were people always unwilling to learn from their mistakes? They always ended up becoming the person they despised.
"William," Ava said, looking at him with a serious expression, "I won't allow you to become like your father. You know he's wrong, and you know how much pain you're in. You can't treat your children that way in the future."
"Ava, there are some things that I can't decide," William sighed, standing up. "If I don't get married, my father has countless ways to deal with me. He won't let it go, and the people around me will be affected. He might even come after you."
"No, William. I'll protect myself," Ava assured him.
"No." William shook his head. "Some things are beyond our control. Haven't I told you that something like this had happened to me before? All the people I cared about disappeared because I didn't listen to him."
