Chapter 91 The Sooner the Divorce, the Better
"Indeed, Ava had thrown water in Isabella's face. Yet, the water was merely lukewarm." Mia's voice dripped with sarcasm as she added, "I'm sure even that must feel like torture to you."
Alexander's icy gaze hardened further at his mother's words. "Mom, don't push me!" he warned.
"Push you?" Mia retorted, her voice laced with disbelief. "I'm merely stating the facts. It seems you're not interested in hearing the truth. You didn't even listen to Ava's explanation for her actions. You only ever listen to Isabella."
Isabella began to weep on the bed. "Aunt Mia," she pleaded through her sobs, "I know I'm at fault. Blame me all you want, but please, leave Alex out of this. Direct your anger at me."
"Shut up!" Mia snapped. "Did I ask for your opinion? Speak when you're spoken to! I see through your act, playing the victim to drive a wedge between us!"
"Enough!" Alexander interjected. He grabbed Mia's arm and yanked her out of the hospital room.
Ava, who had been standing outside, watched in disbelief as Alexander treated his mother so roughly. She rushed forward, scolding, "She's your own mother, Alexander. How can you treat her like this? How much more are you going to lose control for Isabella's sake?"
Ava was taken aback by the stranger standing before her. Alexander had changed. She wondered if Isabella was the cause, or if he had always been like this, and she had just not seen it clearly.
"Me, lose control?" Alexander scoffed. "Suddenly everyone else is the victim? The one lying in that hospital bed is Isabella, not any of you!"
Mia took Ava's arm and turned to face Alexander. "So, lying in bed now makes one a victim? I never knew the world was that simple. Lesson learned."She continued, her voice dripping with sarcasm, "Ava, why don't you go home and play dead in bed? Let's see if your husband fusses over you the way he does Isabella."
"Mom, there's no need. I refuse to stoop to such levels just to fight over a man."
"Exactly, we have better things to do than waste our time on a man. It's only those women who can't live without one who cling to them so desperately. Ava, let's leave."
With that, Mia led Ava away, her hand firm on her arm.
Alexander made no move to stop them. Their presence only added to his irritation.
As they moved away, Mia paused and turned back to Alexander. "Think about it, Alexander. Why would everyone be out to get Isabella? And about the inheritance you're giving Ava, Isabella isn't happy. Don't believe me? Go ahead, tell her you're giving Ava half of your properties, and see how she reacts."
With that final remark, they walked away.
Once they were out of sight, Ava could no longer hold back her tears. She didn't sob, but let the tears flow silently down her cheeks. Mia didn't attempt to stop her. Sometimes, it was better to let the tears flow than to hold them in.
Ava didn't cry for long. After a moment, she wiped her tears away, acting as though nothing had happened."Mom, what brought you to the hospital?" Ava asked.
"Alex called me about the incident at lunch. I could tell from his tone that he was going to give you trouble."
"Mom, thank you for being here for me. I really didn't know what to do today." Ava gently touched her belly, wondering why pregnancy had to be so difficult.
"Perhaps it's time you actually went through with the divorce. Set a date, and finalize the paperwork quietly. If you keep it under wraps, even Grandma won't catch on. Just play the part of a married couple in public. Once it's official, he won't be able to hold anything over you."
Ava admired Mia's composure and rational thinking. "I understand. I'll discuss it with Alex once he's calmed down."
At the moment, anything she said would fall on deaf ears with Alexander.
Mia hummed in agreement, “Sooner rather than later.”
With that, she drove Ava back home.
