Several minutes earlier.....
As soon as she passed the entrance, Ava’s face changed. Her breathing was heavy, her steps slowed.
“How could he say we were going to get married? When did he
propose to me? No-let alone proposing, he never even confessed his love.”
With pursed lips, Ava looked back. Jeremy looked like he was being lectured by his mother. The two toddlers
there also looked
patronizing.
“But is he really that stupid?” Her speech now sounded pitiful. “He must have made the decision without
thinking twice. Marryingwould be the sas destroying his reputation and future. Didn't he think about
that?”
Then, with her head bowed, Ava continued walking. “He should learn from the incident at the boutique earlier. He
should look for a partner who is comparable to him, not a girl like me.”
After a long sigh, Ava straightened her head. “Reality is not as beautiful as a fairy tale. Princes and commoners
will not be able to live happily. Their peace will definitely be disturbed by people’s sarcasm.”
Clenching her fists, Ava walked quickly towards her mother’s room. She wanted to forget the sweet promise that
Jeremy offered. She didn’t want to be lulled even for a moment.
But who would have thought, when she entered the room, her wish immediately ctrue. The presence of a
man had captured all his attention.
+25 BONUS
“Hello, Ava Connor.”
Ava blinked confusedly. “You....”
“Have you forgotten me?” The man smiled sweetly and extended his hand. “Bryan Thompson.”
“Oh!” Ava shook his hand excitedly. “Senior Bryan. Sorry, | didn’t mean
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇt
to forget you. | just had a lot on my mind, so it’s a bit difficult to remember names.”
The man laughed warmly. “Don’t be formal when talking to me. Just relax. Besides, I'm not your senior
anymore.”
Ava smiled. “Okay. So, why are you here?”
“I heard that the Harper family is looking for a nurse who is good at martial arts. The pay is good, so...l signed
up.” Bryan shrugged his shoulders lightly. “I didn’t expect that | would actually take care of your mother.”
Ava smiled wryly. “My debt of gratitude has increased.”
Bryan chuckled. The sound was light, pleasant to listen to. “I am carrying out my duties and | even get a salary.
You can’t call it a del of gratitude.”
Ava nodded stiffly. “Still, | need to repay you. And coincidentally, there’s something important | need to discuss
with my mother. How about you take this opportunity to rest for a while?”
Bryan smiled crookedly. “I love that. Thank you so much, Ava.”
“You're welcome.” Ava smiled briefly. Then, she approached the woman who was sitting on the bed. Hello, Mom.
How are you?”
Ava’s greeting was warm. However, Mrs. Connor's breath was rumbling, her eyes looking at Ava cynically.
+25 BONUS
“Where have you been?”
Ava swallowed hard. She ccloser and adjusted the blanket which was actually neat on her mother’s lap.
“Sorry | only had tto see you now. I-”
Suddenly, Mrs. Connor's fist flew into Ava’s arm. “Why did you lie to me? You said Eva had arrived home. In fact,
her phone was lost. You don't like it when I think about your sister, hmm?”
Ava sighed faintly. “Sorry, Mom. | just don’t want you to worry. You still need lots of rest.”
Unexpectedly, another punch flew. “I've said it many times. She's your little sister. Your little sister! You have to
look after her and love her with all your heart. How could you choose a foreign man over your own little sister?”
Ava blinked in confusion. “Why do you talk like that?”
“Eva called me. She toldeverything, including your rude treatment of her at the boutique. Why did you push
her to the ground? Are you upset because she insulted him?”
Ava’s jaw dropped. Her eyebrows were arched high. However, before she had tto speak, her mother beat her
repeatedly.
“You useless child! | raised you to be a loving person, but you ended up bullying your little sister. Don’t you feel
sorry for Eva? Why do you like making her cry so much?”
While holding back a groan, Ava tried to muffle her mother’s attack. That's not true, Mom. | didn’t push Eva. In
fact, she pushed me. She threwout of her boutique.”
“You still dare to defend yourself? Why are you so selfish, Ava? Stop making your mother sad and embarrassed!”
ay
+25 BONUS
Ava’s heart ached. She realized that whatever she said, her mother would not believe her. With teary eyes, she
could only surrender.
“If hittingmakes you happy, just do it. Do it until you're satisfied. I'm always wrong in your eyes, right?”
Instead of feeling compassion, Mrs. Connor kept cursing. Ava could only close her eyes, holding back tiredness
until suddenly, Jeremy cin and caught her mother’s fist.
“Mrs. Connor, please stop. Ava is already in pain.”
Ava widened her eyes when she saw that Jeremy had shifted her position. Before she could make a sound, her
mother threw a hard slap at his face.
“It’s all because of you! You're the one who made my two daughters fight. Are you happy? Are you satisfied
seeing Ava prioritize yourself over her sister?”
While Jeremy was stunned, Ava sighed in disbelief. How could her mother slap the person who had helped them?
“Mom?” She pulled Jeremy back, afraid of the attack happening again. “Do you realize what you just did? Why
did you slap Mr. Harper? He was innocent and he had nothing to do with our business.”
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏm
Mrs. Connor beceven more furious. She snorted, staring at Jeremy with a displeased look.
“You see for yourself? My daughter even sided with you over me-her own mother.”
Jeremy raised one hand. “Please calm down, Mrs. Connor. All of this can be discussed well. This
misunderstanding can be cleared up.”
“Misunderstanding?” Mrs. Connor laughed softly. “At first, | was doubtful about Eva's story. But after seeing it for
myself, | think she’s
+25 BONUS
right. Ava has indeed changed. My daughter is no longer an innocent woman and that’s because of you. What
did you force her to do to make her crazy about you?”
“Mom? I'm your daughter. Why do you think bad things about me? Can't you just trustfor once, not Eva?”
Ava'’s voice was trembling with pain. Her sad eyes were filled with red
streaks.
“You've slept with him, right? You serve him every night. That's the payment he asked you for so that you don’t
have to spend money on my treatment. Oh, you must also get a bonus on top of that. How much has he given
you?”
As Ava was at a loss for words, Jeremy interrupted again. “Sorry, Mrs. Connor. That's not why I'm helping with
your care.”
“If not that, what else?” the woman rebuked before returning her gaze, to her daughter.
“You're so embarrassing, Ava! If | had known all along that you would end up as a call girl, | wouldn't have taken
care of your return. I'm really disappointed to have a daughter like you.”
Ava swallowed bitterly. Her tears had crossed the line. Needing no more words from her mother, she ran outside.
Jeremy gritted his
teeth seeing her sad back disappear
Pixie Author
Happy Saturday!