The Probability Of Not Loving You

Chapter 22 (unedited)

Chapter 22 (unedited)

Ava had cried so much that her eyes were swollen and her voice was hoarse. Adrianna Evans had got her a suite upstairs, a change of clothes and a cooling face mask. Her eyes were puffy and swollen. She should have thought of her engagement party before going awol but after all that Alex's mom had told her, Ava felt like she was eighteen.

It had been a couple of minutes since she stopped crying. She looked up at the woman whom she viewed as a second mother. Adrianna Evans had always been kind to her and despite getting her the things she needed, Ava couldn't help but think here was another mother who didn't want Ava for their son. All the dozens of times that Christian's mother berated her were as if they had come from Adrianna. She took from Ava the only man that she had ever loved.

Ava got out of bed and changed out of the long gown which now just seemed to be in her way. Despite wanting to be far away from her, Ava didn't push Adrianna away when she helped out of the dress. The two women's eyes met and Ava huffed stepping away. Her blood was boiling and she wanted to bring the world down against everyone who hurt her. Adrianna took the dress away and hung it over a chair.

Breathing in and out to calm down and not  murder of the mother of the man she loved, Ava kept her hands busy. She grabbed the dress that Adrianna had gotten for Ava, probably her own, and got dressed. After that, she placed the cooling face mask on her face and crossed her arms, all the while under Adrianna's stare.

She sighed and walked over to Ava. "It wasn't that we didn't love you, Ava. I do love you."

"I am just not good enough for your son."

Adrianna laughed and when she saw that Ava was laughing, her expression became serious. "From the moment that you were about twelve years old, I figured that you would end up as my daughter-in-law if my son ever wised up. It wasn't that."

Adrianna explained about Ava's social interactions back then, how it affected her education, her friendships and even eating habits. The entire time that Adrianna was speaking Ava noticed she was focusing on her and not Alex. She didn't hate her like Christian's mom did.

"Alex is controlled and rational like his father," Adrianna continued. "He could have gone through the rest of his life with your relationship not impacting any of his other goals. He can compartmentalise..."

"...and I can't?" Ava uttered as more tears came to her eyes. She thought she was done crying. "You all conspired against me."

"I can't say that I wasn't angry that the two of you tricked us. I am sorry that I hurt you."

But she didn't regret her choice. That part made Ava want to scream. Her whole life was ruined by that one choice. How could Alex have gone along with it? He was the obedient one. So much for her couldn't hurt her but he had. Ava let out a frustrated groan and moved away from Alex's mother and went to stand by the window. She looked down at the city and all she saw were bright lights.

"Why are you telling me and not Alex?"

"I thought he would have told you today," she said softly.

"No, he didn't!" Ava snapped.

Adrianna's face softened. "I imagine it's because he doesn't want to ruin your happiness."

"What happiness?" Ava huffed. "I barely breathe when he is around and somehow feel as though I have been set free."

"You saw him today and what a mess he has become. Yes, he should have told you but don't think not telling you is easy for him."

"I'm what's wrong with him," Ava uttered almost incredulously thinking of his words that night that he called her. The desperation in his haunted voice and the aching, she recognised because she had been there. She would be with another man and still call Alex to pick her up, because she needed his presence and wanted him to see that she was trying to move on but he owned her. "I'm the reason that he has been fighting with you."