Chapter 221: A Wall Between Them

Chapter 221: A Wall Between Them

"Don't stay upset."

Joshua's deep eyes fixed on Ava's pretty face as he let out a heavy sigh. "You never truly let yourself rely on me."

His voice was low. Ava couldn't help but become more serious, seeing a rare annoyance on that handsome face.

Ava blinked, her voice growing heavier. "I can handle things myself, why would I need to rely on others?"

Joshua's pupils contracted, his slightly furrowed brow showing deep displeasure. "Anyone else?"

He was just "others" to her!

Ava's heart tightened as she explained, "That's not what I meant."

Joshua clenched his jaw and said nothing more, the expression on his face proof enough of his current anger.

"Joshua, I really didn't mean it that way."

Ava looked at him intently, her expression growing serious too.

"Joshua..."

"Ava! Do you even see me as your husband?"

His cold voice made Ava's hands on her knees clench tighter and tighter.

"Of course, we remarried, didn't we?"

Joshua let out a slightly mocking laugh. "Yes, we remarried, but from the time you came back to me until now, you've never thought to let me be part of anything in your life."

Even though they had remarried, she still kept many things from him.

It felt terrible.

The office filled with a cold atmosphere, suffocating feelings spreading endlessly.

"Your work, your identity, the people you know—if I hadn't discovered them myself, you would have kept hiding everything from me, wouldn't you?

You make me feel that even as your husband, my place in your heart can't compare to Ryan's."

At least Ryan knew all these things and had been through them with her.
Ava lifted her head, her own eyes turning cold. "Why do you keep bringing him up? I have explained this before. He saved my life. I see him only as family."

"Family? Ava, do you think he wants to be just family with you?"

"I'm not getting into this with you. We're both in a bad mood right now. Let's stop talking. You should leave, I need to work."

Joshua stood up, his gaze growing colder and colder, staring at the woman's face for a few seconds before turning and slamming the door on his way out.

Ava propped her elbows on the desk, supporting her forehead with her hands, and let out a heavy breath.

She did have Joshua. Joshua did love her very much.

But she had been abandoned once before.

No matter how much love there was, she would still be guarded.

She didn't dare be weak, going to him for everything. She was afraid he would get tired of her. Nobody likes a burden, right?

Only if she was strong enough herself could she feel secure staying by his side.

Just like today with the Thomas family—since she married Joshua, she needed to have the resources and ability to stand beside him and face everything together.

Not be a little woman who just hides behind him and depends on him for everything.

She wanted to be strong too, strong enough to be his shield.

So how could Ava allow herself to be weak?

Ava calmed down for a few seconds when her phone rang.

Ava glanced at the caller ID and lightly swiped to answer.

"Hello..."

"Ava, I got my heart broken." Isabella's utterly miserable voice came through.

"When were you even in a relationship?"

"I got rejected, completely and totally. My romance ended before it even started."

"Timothy?"

"Who else could make my heart flutter?"

Ava paused, not knowing what to say.

"Are you free tonight? Come have a drink with me." Isabella's voice sounded pitiful.

Ava took a deep breath, her voice somewhat dejected. "Okay, see you later."

Before leaving work, Ava went to Victor's hospital room again. When she came out, she thought about sending Joshua a message to tell him she'd be home late, but after thinking it over, she decided against it. Maybe they both needed to cool down.

Her finger tapped on the screen as she sent a message to Finn and Cleo: Babies, I'll be home late tonight. Isabella's upset, I'm going to keep her company.

The two little ones quickly replied: OK.

Isabella had asked Ava to meet at a famous bar. Ava wasn't someone who enjoyed crowds. As soon as she entered, the place was full of bright lights and wild partying. Ava frowned slightly, scanning toward the bar area, and spotted Isabella sitting alone at the bar drinking.

Isabella wore a red slip dress, her beautiful swan neck attracting countless men's gazes as she tilted her head back to drink.

Just sitting there, she had plenty of men approaching to hit on her. Isabella was in a terrible mood and cursed without mercy, "Get lost."

Ava quickly walked over, picked up the jacket Isabella had set aside and draped it over her. "Do not dress like this next time. It is not safe."

When Isabella turned around, Ava had already sat down beside her. Seeing Ava, Isabella blinked her eyes in distress, her face instantly becoming vulnerable. "Ava, you're finally here. I'm so pitiful."

Ava took a tissue and wiped her tears. "What happened? Tell me."

"I went to see him today and got completely rejected. He wouldn't even talk to me much. The way he acted, I really don't have any chance at all."

Ava pulled her lips into a slight smile. "Is it really worth feeling this upset over?"

"Isn't it worth being upset? He did break off his engagement with Thea, but Ava, he still has feelings for you." Isabella rubbed her head, completely at a loss.

She had fallen for a man who liked her good friend.

A classic love triangle.

Isabella had never found matters of the heart this difficult before.

"So you're giving up?"

"Of course not."

"That's right. The Isabella I know isn't someone who gives up easily."

As she spoke, Ava lowered her eyes, looking at the drinks in front of her. She picked up a glass, poured herself some alcohol, and took a big gulp.

"What are you doing?" Isabella blinked, keenly noticing something was off with Ava.

Ava held the glass with two fingers, staring at the liquid inside, her mood low.

She shook her head. "Nothing. You asked me to come drink with you, so I'm having a drink with you."

"Don't lie. Before when I asked you to come out, you never drank. And didn't you remarry Joshua? You're out drinking with me—does he know?"

Ava's eyes dimmed as her fingers gently swirled the glass.

"Did you two have a fight?"

"Is it that obvious?"

"It's written all over your face."

Ava downed the rest of her drink and set it down. It wasn't serious enough to drown her sorrows in alcohol. "It's fine, I can handle it."

Isabella clicked her tongue softly. "You always say you can handle everything on your own, and that is what makes people worry about you."

Ava was stunned by Isabella's words. "You think so?"

"Haven't you noticed? You're like this with everyone. You like to solve everything yourself."

"Isn't that good?" Ava looked at Isabella. This way she didn't have to trouble others, right?

Isabella put her hand on Ava's shoulder. "At least it makes me feel like you're holding back from me."

Ava's brow jumped sharply.

So was this how Joshua felt too?

Her not wanting to depend on him, not wanting to trouble him, made him feel insecure. So when she said those things, it triggered his long-suppressed emotions.

Ava raised her hand to rub her throbbing temples.

"Isabella, I get it now. I've been ignoring how you all feel. I apologize. Maybe I should go back now and explain things to Joshua. I won't deny it—we did fight, and it was about exactly this issue."

Isabella smiled. "So did I help you solve your problem?"

"Absolutely." Ava smiled back.

"Then this trip wasn't for nothing."

They both smiled.

Just then, several men nearby kept glancing their way. One man lightly nudged the man next to him who had his arms around women. "Noah, there are two gorgeous women over there. Their figures are amazing."

The man in the main seat was drinking from a glass a woman handed him, laughing lewdly. "Every woman looks beautiful to you."

The man's words drew mocking laughter from those around them.

"No Noah, this time they're really stunning. If you don't believe me, see for yourself." The man jerked his chin in their direction.

Only then did Noah casually lift his eyes. The moment his gaze landed on Ava, he couldn't look away.

His breathing stopped as he immediately pushed away the women in his arms and sat up straight, his eyes burning with intense emotion.

"It's her."

"Noah, you know her?"

Noah curved his lips into a smirk. "Of course I know her. I saw her earlier today. That is Joshua's wife. I wonder what she is like behind closed doors."