Chapter 99 I Don't Want to Hear Them
Alexander's brow furrowed in confusion. "You were cuddling up to me last night, and now you recoil at my touch. What’s wrong?" he questioned.
"I'm simply being petulant," she retorted. "Remember how I splashed Isabella with water? Go find her. She's the one with the better temperament. Just leave me be."
Her voice was laced with a biting sarcasm that hung in the air between them.
"Are you still upset about last night?" he asked, trying to navigate her icy demeanor.
"I have no desire to discuss last night!" Ava shot back. She realized that, in comparison to the previous night's events, it was the confrontation that morning that truly ignited her fury.
"I admit, I acted rashly last night. Isabella's suicide attempt had me rattled. I'm not privy to the details of your feud. Can we both agree to let it go?" he suggested, attempting to smooth things over.
Ava scoffed coldly at his proposition. "When you were in a rage, you hauled me over there, demanding I apologize to her. Now, you want to pretend it never happened. It's always on your terms, isn't it?"
“I apologize,” Alexander offered, stepping closer, his voice imbued with sincerity. "If you’re angry, slap me."
He caught her hand unexpectedly and pressed it against his cheek.
Ava jerked back in surprise, retracting her hand. "Have you lost your mind?"
"Ava, I sincerely apologize for my actions last night," Alexander admitted, his gaze unwavering. "Regardless of why you splashed her face with water, I had no right to label you as venomous."
The unexpected apology from Alexander stirred a whirlwind of emotions within Ava. "Your gratitude is touching, but save your apologies. If you wish to see me as venomous, then do so. It's better than realizing later that you never truly knew me."
Regret flickered in Alexander’s eyes as his fist clenched. His words from the night before had wounded her more deeply than he'd realized.
Suddenly, a sharp pain lanced through his abdomen, causing him to double over and stagger backward, struggling to maintain his balance.
Ava's heart skipped a beat, concern flashing in her eyes. Instinctively, she stepped forward, reaching out. "What’s wrong?"
Alexander managed to straighten, removing his hand from his stomach. "I'm fine."
Ava studied his face, noting the pallor of his skin. He looked as though he hadn't slept in days.
"Go rest in your room," she suggested, avoiding his intense gaze. She feared her resolve might crumble under his spell.
"I didn’t come back to sleep. I came to see you," he confessed.
Ava mustered a small, bitter smile. "Isn’t everything already said and done? I’d rather not revisit last night."
"What about this morning? Did you call me?" he probed.
The mere thought was a sharp sting, both emotionally and physically.
She turned her back to him, her voice barely above a whisper. "I apologize for disturbing you. I won't call again unless it's urgent."
"Felix told me you hung up before finishing," he persisted. "Why did you call me?"
"It was nothing. Just a random call. I realized you were occupied, Mr. Mitchell, so I ended the call."
Ava's voice was cool, but a discerning listener might detect a hint of jealousy.
"Occupied, you mean with Isabella in the bathroom?"
"Enough!" Ava whirled around, her frustration palpable. "I don't want to hear the details, keep them for your own reflection!"
The mere mention of "bathroom" now conjured vivid, unwanted images. She had never despised her own imagination quite like this before.
