Chapter 766 Too Heavy-Handed
Since he dared to say it, he could do it.
He meant every word.
But he couldn't figure out why Ava always thought about Alexander.
William felt more and more off-balance.
Alexander used to be a jerk, and now he was a coward.
William couldn't understand what Ava saw in Alexander.
"William, you don't have to do this." Ava looked at him helplessly, gently touching his face. "Does it still hurt?"
William shook his head. "Not at all."
"You're lying. How could it not hurt? I'm sorry on her behalf."
"It's okay, I don't mind. I get why she was mad. If it were me, I'd be angry too. She really cares about you. Even with her grandchild on the way, she wants you safe first."
Meanwhile, Mia leaned against the wall outside, taking a deep breath with her eyes closed.
Her heart ached.
'Why is he speaking well of me? Why doesn't he tell Ava to stay away from me? Did I misunderstand William?' Mia thought.
She remembered her harsh words, her condescending glances, her mocking laughter. Now, a chilling doubt crept in. Had it all been based on her own assumptions?
She didn't really know William and never spent time with him. Judging him based on a few meetings seemed unfair.
Maybe she was biased because he was Dalton's son. Prejudice was hard to change.
But now, knowing William was her son, she felt guilty for how she treated him.
She always thought her son was dead. For years, she had nightmares about him, waking up in tears, only to find out now that he was alive.
She hated Dalton for telling her the truth. The thought of her son being alive, yet lost to her for so many years, was a torment she'd rather have avoided.
But she was grateful her son was alive.
Mia wiped her tears, composed herself, and walked into the ward. "Ava."
Ava was surprised to see Mia. "Mom, you're here."
William turned his head.
Mia was shocked to see William's swollen face.
She didn't expect her two slaps to be so severe.
"Your face..." Mia's first reaction was shock. Seeing William's face made her heart ache, and she felt sorry for what she had done.
'I'm his mother, and I called him a bastard. It must have hurt him deeply. If he knew, he must hate me. He'd think I'm biased, treating him and Alexander differently,' Mia thought.
William stood up. "Are you here to see Ava? I'll leave so you can talk."
William turned to leave.
"William," Ava called out.
William turned back. "Is there something else?"
"You don't need to leave."
To Ava, he wasn't an outsider, and she felt no need to avoid him when she talked to Mia.
William looked at Mia. "Is it okay for me to stay?"
"Yes," Mia said. "You can stay."
She couldn't look William in the eye, avoiding his gaze, feeling very guilty.
William noticed and was confused.
In Ava's eyes, Mia should have come in with an imposing manner, but she seemed guilty.
'Why is she feeling guilty? Is it because she slapped William and called him a bastard? But she didn't seem like the type to feel guilty,' Ava thought.
William brought over a chair. "Mia, have a seat."
In front of Ava, he had to be polite and courteous.
Mia put her bag aside and sat down.
William poured her a glass of water.
"Thank you." Mia's gaze fell on William's face.
She couldn't believe the force of her slaps had caused such swelling. It seemed impossible that two simple slaps could inflict so much damage.
But William's face was indeed very swollen.
