Chapter 24: Who is the Beloved?
Thora gave a self-deprecating laugh and looked at herself - her overweight body, her plain face. Even her husband of two years had publicly criticized her for another woman.
She had given up work for two years for her family. Despite graduating long ago, she had just started at the hospital, and now she didn't even have the confidence to perform her own surgeries.
She felt like such a failure. All her troubles piled up together, and suddenly she burst into tears.
"I'm so useless, I'm so useless. I can't do anything right. Even Dean took those two women's side. My relationship with him can't even compare to a few words from them. I'm such a failure."
Ava lowered her eyes and thought about her words for a moment, quickly piecing together what had happened.
So Associate Director Dean was Thora's husband, but Ava had seen this Dean flirting with Lyra just yesterday.
Both Mia and Lyra were good-looking and knew how to dress up. They spoke in that sweet, delicate way around men, so naturally they had plenty of male attention.
And Thora, because of her weight, had this deep sense of insecurity.
Ava's clear eyes narrowed slightly.
"You know what? We've known each other since we were kids. Over ten years of relationship leading to marriage, and it couldn't stand up to a few words from Lyra. Today he even asked me for a divorce. I'm failing at both love and work. Dr. Davis, I'm such a failure, aren't I? You must really look down on me today too."
Thora bit her lip and hung her head low, looking even more defeated.
"Although your way of avoiding things today was disappointing, I never said I looked down on you. Thora, you need to have confidence in yourself. If you got into this hospital, you must have solid professional skills. Believe that you're no worse than anyone else."
Seeing Thora like this, Ava felt like she was looking at herself from five years ago. Back then, she had also given up continuing medical school because of Joshua, given up her dreams. She had lived in that villa, revolving around him, thinking every day about how to make Joshua love her.
Later she realized that not loving is just not loving - no amount of effort would change that.
As a woman, she needed to be independent and strong, not relying on anyone, with a stable job, skills she was good at, and an independent life. That's what gives a person confidence.
Watching Thora looking so defeated and helpless, Ava's heart softened toward this girl who had a similar experience to her own. She sighed and gently patted Thora's shoulder.
"Thora, look forward. Maybe ahead there's bright light everywhere. When you look back, that man who didn't cherish you might not seem so important anymore."
Thora looked up at her. Her eyes were bright, as if stars were hidden in her pupils.
When she spoke, her gaze was exceptionally firm and confident, as if whatever she believed in, she would definitely achieve. This Ava gave people endless strength.
Look forward, maybe ahead there's bright light everywhere. When you look back, that man who didn't cherish you might not seem so important anymore.
...
By the time Ava got home, it was already 9:30 PM. Ava quickly called Isabella. The kids were still with her, and it was so late. Isabella had work tomorrow too - she was really troubling her too much.
"Hello Isabella, sorry, a patient had a sudden emergency tonight so I got held up. I just got home. You're home now, right? I'll come pick up Finn and Cleo."
"No worries, you don't need to come get them. I'm out having a late-night snack with them right now. We're almost done eating. It would be a hassle for you to come find us. I'll just drop them off at your place. You just got off work, rest up first."
Hearing Isabella's words, Ava didn't refuse. "Okay, thanks Isabella."
"Saying thanks makes it sound so formal! I'm getting them in the car now, hanging up."
Ava nodded. "Okay."
Ava had done two major surgeries today and hadn't stopped all day. She flopped onto the soft couch and felt like she never wanted to get up.
She grabbed a cushion to hug, and drowsiness washed over her.
Just then, the doorbell rang.
Ava's butterfly-like lashes trembled slightly as she opened her eyes.
"Who is it?"
Had Isabella brought the two babies back already? She perked up and couldn't wait to open the door.
"Darling..."
The moment she opened the door, Ava's expression froze.
Standing at the door was a man in a sharp black suit, tall and straight, with a handsome face full of cold severity. His deep eyes were like an icy pool - cold and bottomless, as if they would suck a person in.
The surrounding air seemed to be swallowed by the chill.
Joshua?
Ava didn't hesitate to slam the door shut.
Just now...
Joshua!
How did he get here? No way! Did she see wrong?
How did he know her address? And this late at night - she must have seen wrong.
She must have, she must have!
Ava leaned against the door, clutching her chest, breathing heavily.
Just then, the doorbell rang again, like a demon demanding a soul.
Ava's face tensed. Holding onto the hope that she had been seeing things, Ava finally put her hand on the handle and carefully opened the door again.
After just one look, Ava regretted it.
It really was him!
Joshua's face was even more terrifyingly dark now because of Ava's earlier action, the chill nearly freezing Ava through the crack in the door.
Why on earth had he come?
Could it be because he found out about what happened with Mia during the day, and feeling bad for Mia, he came at night to kill her?
Out of survival instinct, Ava tried to slam the door shut, but... a hand pressed hard against the door.
She was done for!
The strength difference between men and women was already huge - Joshua pushed the door open effortlessly.
With a bang, the room was instantly filled with chilling coldness.
Joshua's six-foot frame towered over her by a head. He stood right in front of her like this, staring at her quietly, his eyes filled with terrifyingly cold intent. He didn't speak, his icy gaze seeming to pierce through flesh straight to the depths of her soul.
"You? What are you doing here?"
"What do you think?"
Ava suddenly thought - apart from what happened with Mia at the hospital today, she hadn't provoked him at all.
Coming over in the middle of the night to settle scores?
How interesting of him.
They were the ones who provoked her first - why should he give her trouble?
"What do I say? Mia provoked me first. She's allowed to trouble me again and again, spread rumors about me again and again, but I'm not allowed to fight back? Joshua, why are you so unreasonable? What do you want? To get revenge? Go ahead! Who's afraid of you!"
Ava stood straight with her back rigid, lifting her delicate face, full of anger and stubbornness, as if declaring to Joshua that she wasn't afraid of him!
Joshua's expression was calm as he quietly looked at her and curved his lips slightly.
This woman - he had called her so many times, and she hadn't answered once. He was worried about her and had come to check on her, but before he could say anything, she gave him a lecture.
She really had him wrapped around her finger.
And just now...
After a long pause, Joshua's thin lips parted, his voice cold: "Who is 'darling'?"