CHAPTER 049
AVA’S POV
The question hit me like a punch to the stomach. I froze, my mind racing. How had he even suspected that? Jason and I had been so careful to keep up appearances of a happy couple in front of him.
I glanced over to Jason and he had the same puzzled expression on his face and with Grandpa still recovering, I couldn’t bring myself to tell him that we would be getting divorced soon.
So I quickly shook my head. “No, Grandpa… why would you think that?”
Grandpa’s sharp eyes bore into us, as though searching for cracks to see if we were lying. “Laura mentioned it to me at the company.”
Laura? How did she know? She wasn’t with Jason when I threw the papers at him at Sally’s apartment. The only way she could have known was if Jason had told her.
I looked over at Jason, my eyes shooting daggers. I noticed his brow furrowed, and his face darkened. He seemed upset that Laura had told Grandpa about the divorce.
‘ I found it funny, but the situation at hand prevented me from laughing. What did he expect when he told Laura? Of
she was going to spread it to everyone who cared to listen.
course,
She had always wanted me out of his life, and now she was finally getting what she wanted
I forced a smile, though my chest felt tight. “Grandpa, Jason, and I are fine. Ignore whatever Laura told you, she just likes to stir things up.”
Jason nodded, resting his hand lightly on my shoulder. I wanted to shrug him off, but I maintained my cool because of Grandpa’s presence.
How dare he touch me with those filthy hands of his? Pretending we were okay in front of Grandpa was already too much for me, and now him touching me made my insides boil.
“We’re just busy with work and the stress, that’s all. Don’t worry yourself over it,” Jason said, a small smile plastered on his face.
Grandpa studied us for a moment longer before sighing and leaning back against the pillows. “Good. The last thing I want is for this family to fall apart.”
While Grandpa was resting, Jason pulled me aside to the farthest corner of the room. “Ava,” he said softly. “What you said… about us being fine. Does that mean you’ve forgiven me? That you’re willing to try again? To give us another chance?”
His hopeful tone made my stomach twist into knots. How could he misunderstand? Another chance? How many chances have I given him? Still, he always finds his way back to Laura.
I turned to face him keeping my voice calm to avoid disturbing Grandpa. “What I said was for Grandpa’s sake. He doesn’t need any more stress while recovering.”
“Once he fully recovers, you’ll sign the divorce papers and we’ll go our separate ways,” I said coldly.
The flicker of hope in his eyes vanished, and his face turned pale. But I didn’t care, I walked past him and back to
my seat.
Later, when Jason stepped out to speak with the doctor, I stayed behind with Grandpa. I sat on the edge of the bed, holding his hand gently.
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CHAPTER 049
+25 BONUS
I knew he must have collapsed after hearing from Laura that Jason and I were getting a divorce.
“Grandpa, if something’s bothering you, you’ll tell me, won’t you?”
He gave me a small smile, squeezing my hand. “Of course, my girl.”
Before I could say anything more, the door swung open, and Jason’s father, Richard, and his aunt, Evelyn, walked in, their faces filled with worry.
When Richard saw me, the worry etched on his face shifted to one of disgust. Only Evelyn acknowledged me with a polite nod before heading to Grandpa’s bedside.
I was relieved Miranda didn’t come because ever since the mall incident, I hadn’t seen her.
“Dad, you scared us. Thank goodness you’re okay,” Evelyn said, planting a kiss on his hand.
“Dad, Jason said you had a heart attack. What happened? And what were you doing at the company?” Richard asked, sitting on the edge of the bed.
Grandpa avoided his questions. “Can’t you see I’m recovering? Are you just going to sit there and bombard me with questions?”
“Dad, I’m just…”
Grandpa interrupted him. “As you can see, I’m okay now. There’s nothing to be worried about.”
I just stood there watching them converse without interrupting them.
Jason walked in mid–conversation, and Richard patted his shoulder while Evelyn threw him a small smile.
‘Grandpa, the doctor said you can go home since you don’t like staying in the hospital, but you’ll need to be monitored closely,” Jason said.
Both Richard and Evelyn spoke at once. “Dad, you can stay with me.”
Grandpa’s expression turned dissatisfied, and then his eyes landed on me.
My heart raced as I had a feeling about what he was about to say. I silently prayed he wouldn’t because, first, I was staying at Sally’s, and second, I knew Richard would be furious.
But my prayer didn’t work.
“I’d prefer to stay with Ava,” Grandpa said, and both Evelyn and Richard’s eyes darted toward me.
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