Chapter 188
Ava stared straight at Levi, "You're not coming with us?"
"Mm."
Levi raised our hands, showing we were going home together.
"If you don't go, it's no fun for me to go alone. Just come with us, okay?" Ava's wheedling tone was something I'd probably never learn in my lifetime.
I'd never talked to Levi like that. People who didn't know might think they were a married couple.
But Cleo said nothing now. She'd embarrassed Joseph under the guise of looking out for Levi, and now Ava was undermining our relationship, too—why wasn't she speaking up?
"They have their own plans. I've already arranged all the best local dishes for you. I'd be a bit sad if you didn't go."
Aiden's tone was sweet. He genuinely welcomed Ava, but mainly he was helping Levi out, since she'd come for him after all.
Ava's appearance here was no accident. This so-called "fate" was really just her actively fighting for what she wanted.
If we weren't on opposite sides, I'd actually admire her.
Back when I loved Levi, I wasn't this bold. I just quietly stayed by his side. The craziest thing I ever did was unilaterally agree to Aiden's proposal to marry him.
The truth is, that journey was so hard. I walked it alone for years.
"Levi, why don't I just go home with you guys?"
Ava actually suggested coming home with us. This was ridiculous. No matter how understanding I was, I couldn't watch her show up at my house, making moves on Levi.
"We have our own things to do."
Levi didn't even say sorry to her. He just pulled me toward the exit, and this time he didn't respond to anything Ava said.
The problem was probably Aiden's now. With us leaving, he'd definitely have to deal with Ava.
We didn't talk the whole way. Still silent.
This seemed to be the normal state between Levi and me. He wasn't a quiet person, but the hot and cold between us actually felt more comfortable to me.
As soon as I got in the door, I called for Indigo, but there was no answer. That's when I remembered—she'd gone traveling.
If I'd known life would be this dull, I might as well have gone out with Indigo to clear my head.
Ava was getting more and more bold, actually going to the church to find Levi.
She even said her wish came true. She probably wished to marry Levi.
The more I thought about it, the more annoyed I got. I curled up on the sofa, not wanting to talk.
Levi's footsteps got closer. I didn't have time to go back to my room, so I just closed my eyes and pretended to sleep.
I felt like not talking was the best approach for us right now.
I'd only eaten a little in the morning, so I was already hungry. Last night, because of Michael's appearance, I'd barely eaten anything. Actually, I was already hungry when Levi and I were setting off fireworks.
We were supposed to go back to the Morgan mansion for lunch, but Ava had killed my mood completely.
Indigo wasn't home either, and I certainly wasn't counting on Levi to cook.
"Are you mad?"
I'd been unhappy for a while now. Couldn't he tell?
What a basic question. So clueless.
How was I supposed to answer? Should I say yes, I'm mad? Nobody admits that, especially not someone sensitive like me.
"Why don't you hit me a few times to let it out?"
Levi sat across from me. We were so distant that he wouldn't even sit next to me.
We were married, but there always seemed to be this huge distance between us.
Every time it felt like we could get a little closer, something bad would happen and push us apart again. Who would've thought—last night we were sweetly setting off fireworks, and today Ava's appearance crushed our good mood to pieces.
Such an important day—couldn't Ava have picked a different day to show up?
Was my new year starting off with a disaster?
My husband's admirer appeared in front of the whole family—I felt so embarrassed.
Then I thought about Joseph's New Year greeting. Levi should know how I feel. Faye even said it was just Joseph's one-sided feelings.
I could rationally compare Ava and Levi's situation to mine, but emotionally, I couldn't control my anger.
"Are you hungry? Let me make you something to eat."
Levi was going to cook?
Please, spare me.
I couldn't imagine how bad his food would be. I'd almost never seen him cook. He'd been pampered since childhood, and in all our time together, I'd never noticed any enthusiasm for cooking.
"How about I take you out to eat?"
Levi suggested again.
But who goes out to eat at a time like this? Everyone else was having family reunions at home. We could've been at the Morgan mansion having a good time too, but now here we were, just the two of us staring at each other.
I felt him stand up again, then walk toward the kitchen.
"Hey, don't."
I sat up, no longer interested in pretending to sleep.
Levi turned around and couldn't help but smile.
"Afraid I'll poison you?"
"Good that you know yourself."
I almost wanted to roll my eyes at him. When I realized this, I looked down.
What had I just said? I was actually talking to him like this now. Before, I'd always been so respectful, never with much emotion.
Levi came back, and this time he sat down next to me.
"Indigo's already on her way back. She probably got a call from Grandpa."
"I'll call her now. She should really relax and enjoy herself. We can just eat something simple. You can manage for a few days, right?"
"Is it that tough?"
Levi was holding back a laugh. Was it funny that I asked him to hang in there?
I felt a bit annoyed. Someone like him, who didn't worry about worldly things, probably didn't care either way. As long as he wanted, he could get a meal anywhere.
"Let me call first."
Levi held my hand. "She'll be home soon."
"Even domestic travel takes hours to get back, right?"
"She didn't go. She just went to see an old friend."
Indigo didn't go traveling?
This was bittersweet. Good news—I didn't have to cook for him myself. Bad news—I really hoped she could go out and have fun, but she didn't.
Levi put his hand on my belly. "Stop being mad. Don't let the babies get mad too, or we'll end up with two hot-tempered kids."
"Mr. Morgan, have some common sense. They don't have the ability to sense the mother's emotions yet."
"Just in case."
"If they do, they'd take after you. I have a good temper."
I moved his hand aside, wanting to get some water.
Levi was quite perceptive. As if sensing what I wanted, he got the glass first and brought it to my lips.
"Here, drink."
I grabbed the glass from him. "I'm just pregnant, not disabled. I can drink by myself."
Right now, I seemed to be the one who didn't get it. But having him feed me water was just too awkward.
As I drank, I secretly smiled. We were already an old married couple, but anything that brought us closer still made me shy.
I was always slow to realize things. The way I talked to Levi was getting more and more casual, no longer so formal.