02
I gave a light chuckle, I hadn’t found her, were you planning on keeping her hidden forever? Not to mention, you both even have a child”
Ellot’s silence was like a slap to my face.
Silent, but painful.
His explanations lost all credibility due to his silence
Feeling a bit chilly. I closed the window
I spoke into the phone, saying. The entrusted the divorce matters to Mr. Clifford. You should discuss it with him. As for the rest, I don’t think there’s much
for us to talk about”
I hung up the phone, blocking the urgency in his voice.
Perhaps it’s because I’m not used to this home, I suffered from insomnia that night.
The following day, with dark circles under my eyes, I
I walked into the classroom Istlessly.
Thanks to yesterday’s developments, my students were visibly more animated when they saw me today.
As soon as I stepped into the classroom, a few chirpy “Miss. Ava” greeted me.
Hearing the crisp voices, my spirits were uplifted significantly.
I distributed the candies I brought to them.
The children who received the candies were ecstatic, excitedly sharing the taste of their candies with their friends
I wrote on the chalkboard the content of the next lesson.
Listening to their voices, I didn’t feel annoyed. Instead, I felt quite calm.
I’ve always liked children, and I used to imagine having children with Elliot.
Eliot is handsome, with sword–like eyebrows and heroic eyes. Our children would inherit
it these good looks as well.
I would teach them how to read and write, tell them the love story of their father and me, and also teach them how to love their significant
“Miss. Ava, Miss. A
Ava, why are you crying?”
I was brought back to reality and looked down at the child standing next to my leg.
She was only nine, her little face was red and rosy, with a pair of shining bright eyes.
She opened her palm, holding a piece of candy.
“Miss Ava, this candy is so sweet. You eat it, and you won’t be sad anymore.”
In the world of kids, things are simple, there are no complex emotions.
With a smile, I shook my head and wiped the tears.
Miss. Ara won’t eat it, you estil.”
“Miss. Ava just got some chalk dust in her eyes, it will be fine after rubbing my eyes.”
I’ve been staying in this rural village for almost half a month. Although it isn’t as convenient as the city, the air is a lot better.
Mr. Clifford has called me twice.
Elliot refused to sign the divorce agreement. He’d even had it personally delivered to him, but he tore it up without as much as a glance.
Helplessly, Mr. Clifford said, “Miss Ava, perhaps you could speak with Mr. Elliot yourself. This stalemate isn’t getting us anywhere.”
if Elliot didn’t sign, the divorce couldn’t be finalized.
I understood his frustration.
But I didn’t seek out Eliot – I went to Amelia instead.
When she received
my call, Amelia seemed rather surprised
“Ava, you’re calling me. How unusu
I didn’t respond to her sarcastic tone, and cut straight to the chase “Do you want to marry Ellot?
up to me?
Amelia was taken aback for a moment before she responded uncertainly, “Are you crazy? Are you willing to give Eliot up
Was Elliot some kind of delicacy? After everything he had done, did I still want him by my side?
“All I want to know in if you want to marry him.”
mela smirked. “Ellot is so outstanding, who wouldn’t be willing to marry him?”
Father
I she was wiling, then that would make things easier.
I leaned against the trunk of a tree, watching students playing soccer in the distance, my heart felt much more peaceful
That soccer ball had been clean just a couple of days ago; now it was covered in dirt.
Thave been considering getting them another toy”
“Are you not pregnant 7”
“Elliot’s family has been urging me to have a baby, but I have not been able to conceive. If you showed them your pregnancy test report, they would.
certainly carry you off in a bridal sedan char and possibly even celebrate with gongs and drums.”
I think I must be crazy, actually encouraging the other woman to steal my husband, and even blatantly strategizing for her.
Imagine, who else could be as magnanimous as I am?
Amelia exclaimed with surpnae. Have you lost your mind? [
Ellot is your husband”
I’m perfectly healthy, I don’t have a problem. I just don’t want to compromise myself anymore.
Trust me, you will succeed.”
“Really? Are you so sure?”
The gloomy voice of Elliot came from the other end of the phone. My heart tightened, and a feeling of being caught cheating emerged.
He sneered, “Ava, you are something. While I’m trying to eliminate the obstacles between us, you are busily creating them.”
“How much do you hate me?”
I wouldn’t say I hate you, but I don’t love you anymore.
I lowered my eyes and said indifferently, hot, if you are willing to sign, I wouldn’t need to strategize for her. So, be quick about it and sign the divorce papers.”
“Don’t even think about it.”
Elliot seemed to be extremely angry, his voice cold and heavy.
He rarely exhibited such anger in front of me.
No, he had never been mad at all.
Regardless of my wrongdoings, he was always fully compliant towards me
He once said that there was only one Ava in this world and if he were to lose me, he would truly be left with nothing.
He never did anything that he would regret
He was so steadfast, yet he cheated time and again.
Now his anger and his determination are nothing more than a joke.
“Eliot, are you compelling me to sue you by refusing to divorce?”
There was no extra emotion in my eyes; I was merely calmly stating my decision.
I had consulted with Mr. Clifford regarding the situation if Elliot refused to agree to a peaceful divorce.
If I were to sue him, I would certainly win
It’s just that the paperwork would be a bit bothersome, as I had to provide evidence of his cheating.
Interestingly, those thirty–three golden bracelets could serve as witness objects to his infidelity, and illicit gains
Elliot and I fell into silence for a moment.
I can almost guess his expression now.
Their lips tightly pressed together, his gaze deep and frosty, as if someone owes him a fair sum of money.
The bell for class rings and I do not have the time, nor the patience to carry on with him.
“Elliot, if you refuse to sign, prepare for a lawut then.”
Though all be a bother, if I can sever ties with that unbearable relationship, I am not afraid of any trouble.
Children from the countryside are mostly left behind children; the outside world is somewhat alien to them.
Oscar enrolled them in an urban dance competition for them to see more of the world.
Another female teacher who knows dancing and I became the choreographer,
The playground is our rehearsal site.
Suddenly, the book of a car grabs the children’s attention
Then, I heard my name being called out from the loudspeaker
“Miss Ava, someone is looking for you, Miss. Ava, someone is looking for you”
My brow Putters and I look at the giggling children feeling embarrassed.
Reluctantly, I grab my jacket and dash towards the teaching building
“Mr Oscar, wouldn’t it have been easier to reach me over the phone instead of using a loudspeaker, now my students are mocking me
I pushed open the door, only to find a visitor in Oscar’s office
The back figure was inexplicably familiar to me. When he turned around, all my words got stuck in my throat.
Elliot’s eyes brightened for an instant when he saw me, but he restrained himself from showing excitement.
Oscar patted my shoulder and joked, “Miss. Ava, it wasn’t my intention, but you didn’t answer my calls.”
I checked my phone and indeed found two missed calls from Oscar.
I calmly responded, “Probably due to the loud music, I didn’t hear it
Oscar waved his hand, “No problem, as long as you’re here now
Then he pointed to Eliot and introduced, “This is Mr. Elliot, he’s here to discuss sponsoring our school, and he mentioned knowing you, Miss. Ava. Could you please help me entertain him?”
1 have a class to attend, you guys have a good chat.”
Only Ellot and I were left in the office.
The small space seemed even more cramped due to his towering figure.
Surrounded by silence, ultimately, I was the one who broke the ice.
“Why are you here? Are you here to discuss our divorce?”
Eliot’s excitement quickly faded at those words.
In a low voice, he asked, “is divorce the only thing we can discuss between us?”
His demeanor was such as if he was the one wronged.
Yet aside from divorce, I couldn’t think of anything else to discuss with him,
Oh wait, there was also the matter of the sponsorship.
Are you planning to sponsor the students hap
Elliot’s expression darkened, his thin lips tightly pressed together, a hint of anger blazing in his eyes.
Do you know how I have been living this period?”
1 need to deal with company matters, as well as handle that child.”
“Do you know how much I miss you? Ava, I’m on the brink of exhaustion, but all you talk about is divorce. Can’t you have a bit of sympathy?”
“That child, did I make him?”
I stared at Elliot, my expression unreadable.
His facade crumbled instantly.
I spoke slowly. If we’re not discussing divorce or sponsorship, I’m a afraid I cant accompany you.”
I turned to leave, but suddenly, a solid wall of flesh was adhered behind me
Elliot’s arms were incredibly strong, encircling me to the point where I could barely breathe
He buried himself in the crook of my neck, his warm breath tickled me a little
“Ava, don’t leave, forgive me ”
Forgive me, Ava, I won’t mess up again. I’ve dealt with Amelia already, she won’t say a word, and she won’t appear before us anymore.”
“Ava, forgive me.”
The sound of Eliars soft sobbing against my neck couldn’t stir up any sympathy within me
His betrayal, like a thom, buried in my heart, a searing pain deep in my bones:
I couldn’t possibly give him another chance to hurt me
Even if I truly loved him once
Ellot, let’s part on good terms.”
Time can’t be turned back, and your actions won’t disappear.”
“Believe me, you’re just having a hard time adjusting to my leaving You’ll be okay once you get through this phase, and you’ll meet someone else you love
1 won’t.”
Elliot shook his head stubbornly, refusing to accept
“Ava, I will die without you”
Elliot’s voice sounded pitiful.
He knew I had a soft heart and couldn’t bear it when he talked to me in that kitten–like tor
What he wanted, as long as he acted coquettish, I would give to him unconditionally.
But now, I’m repulsed by ba coquettishness.:
Why can’t he act like a mature man, direct and distinct?
1 closed my eyes, saying coldly, “Then you might as well die.”
The grip around my arm suddenly lessened
Elliot grabbed my shoulder, turning me around, and looking at me in disbelief
What did you say?”
Meeting his startled gaze, I said word by word, “Didn’t you say you’d die without me? Then might as well die.”
His lips were trembling. “Could you bear to see me die?”
He tried to find a trace of unwillingness on my face.
But I remained calm throughout.
“Eliot, do you remember our anniversary?”
Elliot looked guilty.
I cruelly sad. That day, I waited for you in our room all afternoon, while you, you were next door with Amelia, having an affair,”
“Didn’t you bear with it then?”
“Amelia, a mistress! You have been with her for a week and never called me once. How can you forget me so easily? But then, why should I care about your
well–being?”
The expression on Elliot’s face began to twist in pain.
Even that I found was not enough
“Ah yes, in fact, that night when Amelia served as your mistress, I wished to divorce you. I have already packed my things. It was just because of your absence that it was delayed till now.”
“You can take back the gold bracelets in the cupboard. I feel nauseous every time I set sight on them.”
Elliot’s face turned ghostly white
He stammered, “How did you know about that night? Who told you?”
A cold laugh escaped my lips as I scrolled through the text messages Amelia had sent me over the past six months.
“Though Amelia was a mistress, I have to thank her, or else I may never have discovered your disgusting affairs in this lifetime.”
Elliot, do you think we still stand a chance now?
As Elliot read through the texts, his voice trembled, “So actually, you’ve known about it all this while, but you’ve been enduring it?”
Tears welled up in his eyes as if he’d taken a severe blow
Perhaps, he didn’t anticipate that I could put up with this for so long without giving him a single clue.
I laughed bitterly, “I’m amazed at myself too, for being able to endure this long”
“Eliot. I also hoped that you would regret, that your conscience would come to light and resolve these affairs with various women.”
“But you didn’t, you relished it.”
“No, that’s not true.” Elliot shook his head desperately. 1 regretted it, but I. I can’t control myself, Ava, can I change?”
“Just forgive me this one time, just this once”
“No.”
His gaze fell, dismal and shrouded.
However, obstinately, he didn’t leave but chose to stay in the school dormitory instead.
He provided a large sum of money, and naturally, Oscar took good care of him.
Ignoring his gaze, I casually taught the children to dance.
Now, for the undeniably handsome newcomers…
He provided a large sum of
eney, and naturally, Oscar look good care of him.
Ignoring his game, I casually taught the children to dance
However, for the undeniably handsome newcomers
The children’s eyes were always involuntarily attracted to him
“Miss Ava, Mr. Elliot is looking at you,” a child said
“Miss Ava, what’s the relationship between you and Mr. Eliot? Is he your boyfriend?‘ another chimed in.
is be pursuing you?”
One question after another hit me like a knife to the eardrum, yet I couldn’t disclose my relationship with Elliot to them
Sympathetically, I could only pretend to be cold
Concentrate on learning, we have a competition in a few days, don’t you want to participate?”
We do, we want to go.”
