Chapter 71
Ava was completely stunned. She recalled everything about Sarah - how she drank coffee and alcohol without any concern, wore high heels...
So the ultrasound report she sent was fake? She wasn't pregnant at all!
This was all just Sarah's scheme to force her to leave him.
She wasn't sure if this counted as good news, but at this moment her heart felt lighter. She unconsciously placed her hand on her belly. He didn't have an illegitimate child, which meant her baby wouldn't have the same miserable childhood she had - losing their home because of a half-sister.
"Ava, let's not get divorced, okay? You knew about Sarah's existence before, and we were doing fine, weren't we?"
Ava felt herself wavering a little.
William saw her freeze without speaking and thought she was taking his words to heart.
"Ava, can we just keep going like this?"
He gently lifted her chin, kissing away the tear stains on her face with small pecks, finally landing on her lips.
Ava had completely let her guard down now, letting him kiss her messily, even responding a little.
William was delighted by her reaction and pulled her into a deeper kiss.
Ava didn't answer his question about divorce, but her positive response seemed to give an answer. Her mind was in complete chaos now, not knowing how to tell him about the secret in her belly.
Her instinct told her now wasn't the time to say it.
He kissed her earnestly. When things were still under control, Ava stopped him in time. She pressed against his hand, exploring under her skirt, and said softly,
"Not today."
William stopped all his movements, looking at her with restraint.
For once, he actually listened.
"Is it your period? Does it hurt?"
He placed his hand on her belly to warm it.
Ava was completely dazed, wondering if he would notice something unusual.
William bent down and picked her up directly, placing her back on the bed and pulling the covers over her. After doing all this, he lay down beside her, his long arm pulling her into his embrace.
His palm rested on her belly again.
It had been a long time since they had lain together so peacefully. Except for those two times they made love, they had spent the rest of the time fighting.
The gentle warmth spread from her belly. Ava's heart pounded like a drum, almost jumping out of her chest.
"Ava, have you gained some weight recently? Your chest seems bigger, and your belly seems a bit thicker, too."
Ava was stunned for a long time before humming in response.
"That's actually good. Eat more and get a bit plumper. Our family isn't short of money, so eat as much as you want."
Ava was amused by his words, as if she had been starving herself before. Even without that much money, she wouldn't be at the point of not having enough to eat, right?
The two lay quietly. Ava looked at the bright sunshine outside the window, breathing in the faint scent of tobacco on him. She even felt a sense of peaceful contentment in this moment.
She told herself countless times in her heart not to worry about Sarah, to hold onto the happiness before her eyes.
She had dreamed of being held in his arms like this. Perhaps they could chat about everyday things, or maybe they didn't need to say anything at all - they were a happy family of four. The warmth of the blankets was her whole world.
"William, can you hold me like this forever?"
After saying this, Ava felt she was being too greedy. She was already overjoyed that he could give her this warmth once, yet she was still longing for more.
William tightened his arm and kissed her ear, saying after a long pause, "Okay."
Ava's cold heart melted. His few simple words had won her over. She knew clearly in her heart that it was Sarah's fake pregnancy that had broken through her defenses.
She wanted to give him another chance, and also give herself and the babies in her belly a chance.
Thinking of this, her mood suddenly brightened.
After feeling miserable these past days, her world suddenly cleared like clouds parting to reveal the sun, and her whole heart became joyful.
The two just lay there under the covers, and Ava fell asleep in no time. She hadn't had a good night's sleep in days, plagued by nightmares every night.
She always dreamed about her mother's death and divorcing him.
She finally had a good sleep.
Ava was woken by a knock at the door.
She turned over, burrowing her head into his embrace. Just waking up, her subconscious still craved the warmth of his arms.
"Ava, I'll get the door."
William ruffled her dark hair and gently withdrew his numb arm.
Opening the door, he found prepared food on the floor outside, with a note on the tray:
[No need to come downstairs to eat, rest well.]
William rubbed his forehead - this was Grandpa's handwriting.
What was Howard thinking!
He brought the food into the room and placed it on the balcony table.
He actually disliked eating anywhere outside the dining room. This table was meant for tea and reading, but now it would have to serve as a dining table.
After setting everything up, he looked at the sleepy-eyed woman on the bed and thought, it was good that Grandpa had the food sent up. With how easily embarrassed she was, if Grandpa had misunderstood, she definitely wouldn't have the face to go downstairs to eat now.
"Get up and eat."
He called out.
Ava sat up and ran her fingers through her hair. "Did you play with my hair while I was sleeping? Why is it tangled?"
William felt guilty for a moment. "With that little bit of hair you have, how would I dare play with it? If I pulled it out, wouldn't you fight me?"
Ava snorted lightly. She did treasure her hair, but she didn't have thin hair, okay?
"Come eat!"
After washing her hands, Ava came back and sat at the table. The two looked at the dishes on the plates, staring at each other, neither daring to touch the utensils.
"There isn't anything weird in this, is there?"
Having learned from his previous nosebleed experience, Ava asked nervously. She didn't want him eating those overly nourishing things either, since he would end up bothering her after eating them.
William picked up the utensils, hesitated several times, then put them down.
"How about we go out to eat?"
Having experienced the power of those dishes, he didn't want another nosebleed either.
"Okay."
Ava was actually a bit hungry now. She swallowed and also put down her utensils.
The two simply tidied up and went downstairs holding hands.
Grandpa was sitting in the hall drinking tea. Seeing the two come downstairs acting so intimately, he was in an excellent mood.
"Grandpa, she doesn't have much appetite. I'm taking her out to eat. Have Veda clean up upstairs."
Grandpa waved his hand. "Go, go. You two go eat something good. No need to stay home and keep this old man company. Have fun."
Howard watched the young couple leave, sighing inwardly about the table full of good food going to waste.
William drove straight to a restaurant in the city center that looked expensive just from its facade. After parking, he came over to take her hand.
Ava looked at his outstretched hand and paused. "Aren't you afraid of people seeing and ruining your eligible bachelor status?"
William stepped forward and grasped her hand, squeezing it. "I was never a bachelor to begin with. I'm a married man."
This restaurant was part of a chain owned by Daniel's family, five-star rated.
He was a regular here.
As soon as they entered, a server came over, politely observing the woman beside him.
"Mr. Morgan, you're here. We've kept the private room upstairs for you."
William nodded. "Is Daniel here today?"
"Yes, yes, I'll let Mr. Wilson know. Please go upstairs first."
"No need, it's not convenient today."
He said.