ng up without waiting for a res

words echoed in the silent bathroom, each one a familiar jab. Divorce him and d

t table, staring at Ava with narrowed, suspicious eyes. The warmth

t night," he stated.

gave a slight, almo

is voice sharp. "Did she tell you to leav

carried. She wrote quickly, her handwriting neat

orried? Or telling you to get out of the way?" He leaned forward, his presence overwhelming in the quiet room

he wanted to believe. She simply stared back at him, her expre

wing the notepad back onto the t

'm seeing Vivienne for lunch. Don't wait for me."

out a breath she didn't realize she was holdin

ounded in her mind, a notif

s emotional state. Stability is crucial

ught, directing the message to the Sys

w personal belongings-a change of clothes, her sketchbook filled with her own original desi

later that afternoo

not feeling well. She wants to see everyone. We're having a family dinner t

Since Ava had "married" Ethan, a man from a much higher social standing, the family had treated her

she brought them no tangible benefits. Et

r mother added, her voice dripping with scorn.

d inside, the atmosphere was suffocating. Her mother, her father, and her

age and malice. She pointed a trembling finger at Ava. "T

! All the stress you cause this family, running around with a man who

her skin. "Why can't you be more like Lily? S

ked at her mother, a silent plea in her eyes. Her mothe

usations. Ava just stood there, taking it all in. This was

rage, stood up and shoved her hard

backward, her head hitting the sharp corner of a side table. A fl

s hummed overhead, and the air smelled of antiseptic.

standing by the door

the doctor was saying. "She'll

or attention," her mother said dismis

grandmother asked, a strang

t them, his express

ays yearned for their love, a simple word of kindness, a gentle touch. But all she ever re

sometimes consulted at this hospital. He was also an old acquaintance from her university days, one of the few people who knew a

o her bed. "Ava?

t him a sharp look. "She is Mrs. Bla

va's pale face, the bruise formi

tepad, her father spoke up. "She's clu

ry. He had heard the whispers about her marriage, a union that was more of a prison. It was a well-known fact in their circle that Eth