Love And Revenge

Part 4

"Who is that child? Why is Ava carrying a little child? Has Ava remarried?"

Asther kept talking in his mind. There were so many questions swirling in his head now.

"What are you here for?" Ava asked, who had been silent and just staring at Asther while holding Acel.

"You know me very well. If I'm looking for you, wouldn't I have business with you?" Asther said coldly, but his eyes didn't leave Acel.

"As far as I know, our business was finished when I signed the divorce papers, Mr. Asther," Ava said, equally coldly.

Asther remained silent and glanced briefly at Ava, then returned his gaze to Acel, who was falling asleep peacefully.

"Is that your child? D-Did you get pregnant when we separated? Or have you remarried?" Asther couldn't contain his curiosity. Ava herself was surprised to hear Asther's question. Why was he interested in Acel?

"Answer me, Ava! Or I'll draw my own conclusions about the origin of this child," Asther pressed Ava.

"I have to answer sensibly. I don't want Acel to be used as a tool to fight for the company," Ava thought, while trying to come up with a proper excuse to make Asther believe her.

"This is my child. I adopted him since he was a baby. He has no relationship whatsoever with you or your family," Ava said firmly.

Somehow, Asther's heart felt very painful. Somehow, a feeling of disappointment crept into his heart.

***

Asther sat with Jhein. Both of them were enjoying a cup of tea and the cakes Ava made herself. Asther spoke little and only enjoyed the cakes served. Jhein glanced at Asther with a strange look; usually, his boss didn't like sweet foods. Not long after, Ava came out without Acel; her son seemed to have fallen asleep already. Seeing Ava approach, Asther quickly put down his fork. Jhein couldn't help but suppress his laughter seeing Asther trying to maintain his image in front of Ava.

"So, what is the purpose of your visit?" Ava asked coldly. Asther didn't immediately answer Ava's question. Asther wasn't used to hearing Ava's cold voice like this.

"She used to speak to me softly and warmly. Was she just pretending back then?" Asther thought while continuing to stare at Ava.

Being scrutinized like this by Asther made Ava feel awkward. Ava cleared her throat and then turned her face away. Seeing this, Asther then cleared his throat and patted Jhein's shoulder gently.

"Take out the file," Asther requested.

Jhein nodded and took out a file and handed it to Ava.

"What is this?" Ava asked.

"Just read it! This made me come looking for you after you ran away for years," Asther replied.

Ava followed Asther's words and read the file given by Jhein. Ava's eyes widened as she read the letter, which turned out to be a will from Asther's mother.

"So, Mrs. Evelyn... I mean, Mrs. Evelyn has passed away?" Ava's voice sounded regretful upon learning this too late.

"Yeah, it happened a few months ago. But that's not the issue now; the problem is the land. You haven't forgotten, have you, that I really wanted to build my dream house on that land? And now the land has been bequeathed to you," Asther said.

Ava looked at Asther, hearing her ex-husband's words. There was no hint of sadness in Asther's words. Losing both of his parents wasn't something Asther needed to think about.

"Come with me to the city. There's no refusal, because you know for sure I don't like refusals," Asther said again.

Jhein was surprised by Asther's statement; he couldn't believe how his boss was trying to persuade Ava to come back. Wasn't it Ava who was needed here, not Asther?

"Is this how you ask something from me? Isn't it my fault that Mrs. Evelyn left all this to me? Besides, I'm not interested in going back to the city," Ava rejected easily.

Asther looked surprised to hear Ava's words. As Asther suspected, Ava seemed to have no feelings for him at all. However, meeting Asther again after years of separation actually shook Ava again. The feelings Ava thought were already over hadn't changed at all.

"Why are you so stubborn? What can make you give away all of Mrs. Evelyn's inheritance to me? Just say it!" Asther tried to contain his emotions as much as possible.

Ava fell silent. She stared at Asther for a moment, then turned her face away.

"I will return all of Mrs. Evelyn's gifts, but on the condition that after all this is over, never come to me again! Our relationship is completely over. I don't want to meet you again," Ava said firmly.

"Fine, is that all?" Asther replied casually.

"There's more." Ava looked back at Asther.

"Don't let my family know that I'm coming back to Andorra. I don't want to have any more contact with them," Ava continued.

Asther furrowed his brows in disbelief at what Ava was saying now.

***

Ava finally returned to the capital city discreetly. She entrusted her bakery to her trusted employees. Acel looked confused when he was in the luxurious pavilion. He looked at his mother and then wrapped his arms around Ava's neck.

"Where are we, Mama?" Acel asked.

Ava smiled and gently stroked Acel's hair.

"We are at Uncle Asther's house. For now, we will stay here, okay? Once our business is finished, we will return to Maldavis," Ava explained.

Acel nodded quietly and hid his head in the crook of Ava's neck.

"Please rest, Miss Ava. Later, there will be servants who will come to take care of all your needs, Miss, and Master Acel," Jhein said.

Ava looked at Jhein and nodded softly.

"Thank you, Jhein. But I don't need servants and such. I can take care of Acel myself," Ava politely refused.

"But this is Mr. Asther's order," Jhein said again.

Ava still shook her head, unwilling.

"Tell him I don't need all those facilities. Staying in this pavilion is enough for me."

Jhein didn't force Ava anymore. Asther's personal secretary then bid farewell to leave. Meanwhile, Ava and Acel entered the pavilion to rest.

In Asther's main house, he was drinking two pills, as he usually did every night. Jhein just sat silently, watching what Asther was doing. This had been going on for years since Asther and Ava separated. His dosage had increased since Mrs. Evelyn passed away.

Seeing Jhein sitting next to him being silent, Asther glanced at Jhein.

"Why are you silent? Is there something you want to tell me?" Asther asked.

Jhein looked hesitant, then took a deep breath.

"Wouldn't you like to go to the doctor anymore?" Jhein asked, gathering his courage.

"Doctor? For what?" Asther asked, confused.

"You've been taking sleeping pills more often. It's not good for your health. Wouldn't it be better if you see a doctor or a psychiatrist, Mr. Asther?" Jhein explained again to Asther.

Asther remained silent and just stared at Jhein now. After a moment, Asther sighed deeply and shook his head.

"I don't need all that. This will disappear on its own later. Just consider it a punishment for me, Jhein," Asther concluded.

***