Love And Revenge

Part 3

Knowing that she was pregnant made Ava even more distressed. Ava was hesitant to keep her pregnancy, but deep down in her heart, she also longed to see her baby born. With Margaret's persuasion, Ava finally kept her baby.

Ava's pregnancy was not problematic, but it affected her performance. Often because of exhaustion, Ava would feel drowsy and sleep while baking bread. Several times Ava was reprimanded by the store owner for being negligent until eventually Ava's pregnancy became known to the people around her neighborhood.

Some felt sorry for Ava, while others ostracized her. For Ava, having Margaret was enough. Ava struggled to live her difficult life while continuing to maintain her pregnancy. Until one day Margaret fell seriously ill and had to be hospitalized.

Ava sighed deeply as she looked at her nearly depleted savings account.

"If I use this, how will I be able to give birth to this baby later?" Ava asked herself.

Moments later, Ava looked towards Margaret, who was lying in bed with a pale face. Ava took a deep breath and tucked Margaret in tighter.

"I can find everything again. What matters now is Aunt Margaret's health," Ava said again, then stood up and walked out of the room to her caregiver's hospital room.

After settling Margaret's medical expenses, Ava returned to Margaret's hospital room, but her steps halted when Ava saw a doctor and two nurses rushing into Margaret's room in a panic. Ava's worst fears were confirmed. The doctor looked panicked as she performed chest compressions on Margaret, while the EKG machine beside Margaret's bed emitted a long beep, showing no heartbeat.

Ava's legs turned weak instantly, and she collapsed to the floor, covering her mouth. Ava cried and called Margaret's name repeatedly. The nurse there tried to calm Ava down until Ava finally fainted unconscious.

***

It had been a week since Margaret passed away. Ava was truly alone now. With a pale face and still looking sad, Ava prepared to go to the bakery. Ava's steps halted as she looked at her own reflection in the mirror. Ava gently rubbed her growing belly.

"Darling, you are the only reason mommy keeps going now. Please forgive mommy because since you've been in mommy's belly, you've had to endure difficulties. Stay healthy, my child," Ava pleaded as if she were talking to her baby.

Ava wiped away her tears that were once again flowing uncontrollably. Ava took a deep breath and then walked out to go to work.

"Are you sleeping again?" the bakery owner scolded.

"N-No, I just went to the toilet for a moment," Ava replied, bowing her head.

"And you left the dough almost done like this? Have you forgotten that I care a lot about cleanliness? Do you want to replace this dough that's full of flies, huh?" the bakery owner scolded again.

Ava glanced briefly at the dough that was surrounded by flies. Ava admitted her mistake; she was careless to leave the kitchen without covering the bread dough again. Ava really couldn't hold back the nausea she felt earlier.

"I'm sorry, I won't do it again in the future," Ava pleaded with regret.

"Enough! I'm tired of hearing your apologies. If it weren't for my respect for Margaret, I wouldn't even let you work here. Now that Margaret is gone, leave. Starting today, I'm firing you! Your owed wages will cover all my losses because of you," the bakery owner said angrily.

Ava was shocked; she couldn't be fired. Ava then grabbed her employer's hand.

"Please forgive me. If you fire me, then how will I live? I'm pregnant. Where else would hire a pregnant woman? Please, just this once," Ava begged.

The bakery owner roughly brushed off Ava's hand and scoffed.

"Not my problem! However you live, it's your problem, it has nothing to do with me," the bakery owner said, then walked away, leaving Ava stunned.

***

Ava was truly in trouble now. Since being fired from her job, Ava no longer had employment, and her savings were depleted. Ava now had to survive on the remaining food supplies in her refrigerator. Ava saved by only eating once a day, although her current condition was pregnant and required sufficient nutrition.

Ava stared blankly ahead. It was already very late at night, but Ava had no desire to move from her current position. Ava gently rubbed her belly and took a deep breath.

"If I go back home, will mom and dad still accept me?" Ava said in a monologue.

"If I still stay here, my child and I could die of starvation," Ava continued.

Ava then got up from her seat. She had returned to her parents' home. Ava wanted to protect her baby; she wanted nothing to happen to her unborn child.

After nearly 8 hours on the train, Ava finally arrived at her parents' home. Ava entered quietly, making no noise. Gradually, Ava could hear that her parents were chatting in the living room.

"Have you heard about Asther?" Mrs. Maria asked Mr. Lawton.

"Of course," Mr. Lawton replied.

"This is all because of Ava. If only that girl didn't make a foolish decision. Our Lapileon family company could have merged with ours. Before even completing her task, that foolish girl left Asther," Mr. Lawton continued.

"Which woman wouldn't feel heartbroken to be divorced on the first night? If I were in Ava's position, I would do the same," Mrs. Maria said.

"I didn't tell her to stay long. Just until Ava got pregnant, isn't that enough for Ava to give birth to a Lapileon heir? We can pressure that arrogant Asther by using his own child," Mr. Lawton said again.

Ava, who overheard her father and mother's conversation, stood frozen in place. Ava covered her mouth; she couldn't believe her father was so wicked.

"I can't stay here. I don't want my child to be used as a tool by his own grandfather," Ava thought, abandoning her intention to return home.

Ava ran out of her parents' luxurious home while crying. Ava truly had no place to go now.

***

4 years later

"Mama," called a 3-year-old child running towards Ava.

Ava smiled and approached the child. Ava lifted her son and kissed his cheek softly.

"Didn't mama already say, don't run here, Acel? What if you fall?" Ava said gently.

"Sorry, Mama," said Acel, still sniffing, then hugged Ava tightly.

"Don't be angry, Mama," Acel pleaded again.

Ava smiled and hugged her son warmly.

"Mama isn't angry, Acel. Oh right, has my child eaten lunch yet?" Ava asked.

"Yes, Miss. The young master has eaten before going to the store. I also brought lunch for you," Melisa, Acel's nanny, interjected.

Ava glanced at Melisa and then smiled faintly.

"Thank you, Melisa. Please take Acel to the rest area, okay? I have to check the bread ingredient stock for tomorrow," Ava said, then.

"All right, Miss," Melisa replied, then took over Acel.

Ava had risen from her despair; now she owned her own bakery. Ava even had several employees and could afford a nanny for Acel her son. Ava still lived in Maldavis. She still occupied Margaret's house. For her, only Margaret's house was a place she could go to.

After Ava was busy with her records, she now carried Acel, who suddenly became restless and didn't want to sleep. Ava gently rubbed Acel's head and continued to soothe her son. Until the sound of the bell hanging above the door rang, showing that a customer had entered.

"Welcome," Ava greeted warmly, looking towards the entrance.

Ava's breath caught in her throat as she saw the person who had just entered her shop.

"Asther."

***