Chapter 95 Childish Tantrum
"Are you still mad at me?" he inquired, his eyes scanning her face which was etched with resentment. It was clear that she harboured a deep-seated loathing for him.
"How dare I be mad at you? Go back to Isabella, so you won't be disheartened by a venomous woman like me!" she retorted with a bitter edge to her voice.
To claim she harbored no anger would be a lie. Her heart was filled to the brim with bitterness directed towards him.
The term "venomous" elicited a sharp pang in his chest. She had taken his words, spoken in anger, to heart.
As Alexander struggled to formulate a response, Ava was seized by another bout of coughing.
Swiftly, he drew her into his embrace, gently patting her back, his voice a soft whisper, "Will you allow me to take your temperature? Please, be good."
"Let me go," Ava protested, pushing against his chest in an attempt to create distance.
However, he held her steadfastly, refusing to allow her to move.
"Allow me to take your temperature, and I'll let go. Otherwise, I will continue to hold you like this."He could hold her all night long.
Ava pushed against his chest with renewed vigor, "I refuse to have my temperature taken, just leave."
Her behavior was like that of a child throwing a tantrum.
She was at a loss to understand this man's actions. He had been so harsh at the hospital, yet here he was, concerned about her temperature. How had he even known she was sick?
It must have been either her mother-in-law or the butler who had informed him.
Alexander's voice was a blend of defiance and vulnerability as he responded to Ava's stern tone, "Even if you're mad at me, you shouldn't neglect your own health, honey."
"Alexander, have you forgotten what you did back at the hospital? Why are you here now, feigning concern for my well-being? My illness is none of your concern."
"I am your husband!"
"You won't be for much longer, you belong to Isabella. So, just leave, please, just leave!" Ava struggled in his arms, writhing like a restless eel.
She was unable to forgive him for his previous actions, which lingered in her mind.
Alexander seemed somewhat helpless, sighing deeply before abruptly lifting her chin and silencing her protests with a forceful kiss.
Taken aback by his sudden display of tenderness, Ava remained still, unable to comprehend the situation for a moment.
Eventually, he released her lips, his gaze intense and fiery as he spoke in a hoarse voice, "Once you've recovered, you can berate me all you want. But for now, behave, or Grandma will become worried if she discovers you're ill. Shall I call her now?"
"Don't you dare!" Ava quickly grabbed his arm. "Don't tell Grandma."
The last thing she desired was to cause her grandmother worry, who, if she were to investigate further, might uncover the events of the evening at the hospital, including Alexander's action of forcing her to apologize to Isabella.
Concerned for her grandmother's health, she had to control the situation.
"Then behave like a good girl and take your temperature, no more tantrums," he instructed, offering her the thermometer.
"You're the one who initiated this by bullying me, and now you accuse me of behaving like a child? Why don't you admit that you're the unreasonable adult picking on a child?"
Ava felt incredibly vulnerable, a feeling that was perhaps amplified by her illness, making her seem all the more like a mistreated child.
"Alright, I'm the unreasonable one, I bullied you. Now, please take your temperature and let's not worry Grandma, okay?" His voice was unusually gentle as he coaxed her.
His behavior was a stark contrast to the cold figure he had been at the hospital.
Feeling hurt and helpless under his manipulative words, Ava reluctantly opened her mouth to accept the thermometer.
Alexander helped her to lean against the headboard and tucked her in, holding her hand tightly.
Ava attempted to pull away, but the more she struggled, the tighter his grip became until she finally gave up struggling.
