Chapter 3

Ava’s Point of View

His blue eyes locked into mine. It took everything in me to blink back the tears that threatened to burst out of my eyes. I cleared my throat, and he released me from his arms. He bent down and picked up my crutches from the floor, handing them over to me.

I quickly took them from him, gripping the crutches tightly with my hand wrapped around the padded handles.

“You should watch where you are going, Miss Styles, or else I won't be there to save you all the time,” he said, his gaze lingering on me for a few seconds before peeking inside the room, his brows furrowed at the scene. I swallowed painfully, embarrassed and pained.

How nice it must be for him to watch my husband with another woman while I peeked like a foolish thief. This was the limit. I've reached my limit. I'm ready to let go of Julian and start my life afresh. He didn't deserve me or my love, but what will I do with this pang cutting through my chest? How will I live with this pain?

I sucked in a sharp breath, trying to control the emotions boiling inside me, threatening to burst out at any moment.

“Thank you for saving me once again,” I forced a smile that didn't reach my eyes. I'm sure he understood what must be going through my head. Everyone in the city is aware that Julian is my husband, and I'm sure he knows too. He looked like a rich, dashing man, and surely he must know all this.

He nodded without uttering another word, walking past me and making his way out of the hospital. I began making my way out of the hospital too, gripping the crutches tightly as I shifted my weight onto my good leg. The wooden tips of the crutches thudded against the floor as I swung my injured leg forward, trying not to put too much weight on it.

As I reached outside, I waited at the entrance of the hospital for a taxi to come by. I didn't have my phone with me, so I couldn't call for a cab. I had no choice but to wait there.

A sigh escaped my lips as I stood there, waiting for a cab. None came around. Just when I was about to go back inside, my eyes shifted to the Kia Rio that pulled in front of the hospital. Sophie stepped out of the car and rushed over to me. She has been my best friend since high school, and I was grateful that she came.

“Ava,” she rushed over to me, wrapping her arms around me tightly. “Oh my God, you're still alive. I thought something had happened to you after watching the news this morning. Thank God you're still alive,” she spoke rapidly, her words rushed with relief.

I can proudly say she is the only person who cares about me after my mom passed away, and I love her more than she'll ever know.

“Don't worry, Sophie. I'm fine. But if you keep hugging me like that, I'll suffocate to death for real this time,” I joked, trying to lighten the mood. I didn't want her to know what had happened or worry about me.

She chuckled as she pulled me out of her embrace, her eyes scanning me from head to toe. They went wide as they stopped on my leg.

“Ava, what happened to your leg?” she blinked, her mouth falling open.

“Don't worry, I'm perfectly fine. Nothing to worry about.”

“What do you mean you're fine, Ava? It's clear that your leg is injured, or am I the blind one?”

“I said I'm fine, didn't I? Don't worry about it.”

“Ava, this is not the definition of fine!” she ran her hands through her hair, pacing a short distance. “You're walking with crutches, and you're telling me you're fine! Where's that good-for-nothing husband of yours?” she shouted, worry and disapproval etched on her face.

I exhaled deeply. “Sophie, please just take me home. I'm really tired,” I muttered, drained emotionally, physically, and mentally. I just needed to take a warm bath and sleep. Once I woke up, I'd feel much better.

Sophie shook her head in disbelief but decided to keep quiet, and I was grateful. She helped me into the car before driving off. I rested my head against the car seat, my eyes shut, pretending to sleep. I didn't want to tell Sophie what actually happened. She'd worry about me, and I didn't want that.

A few minutes later, Sophie parked the car in front of the villa. I reassured her that I was fine and that she shouldn't worry about me. Even though she was reluctant to leave, she did so because she had work. I informed her to come and fetch me tomorrow, and then I'd tell her everything.

As I reached inside, I took a quick shower and changed into new clothes. A deep breath escaped my lips as I sat on the couch, my phone clenched in my hand. I knew calling the lawyer was the only option I had, but I loved him. I wasn't ready to leave him behind. I wished he'd love me too or even pretend to care. I could live with that, but his nonchalance felt like someone was twisting a dagger in my chest, and it was too painful.

Tears streamed down my face as I swiped the green button on my phone, pulling it to my ear as it rang, waiting to be answered. When it did, my heart pounded against my chest.

“Mister Moore, please draft a divorce agreement for me,” I forced the words out of my mouth, sniffling through my sobs. This was the worst decision I've ever made, and it was too painful.

“Umm, Miss Styles, is everything alright?” Morrison's voice was laced with worry. “Is Mister Styles aware of this?”

I swallowed the lump forming in my throat. “I want nothing from him. He can keep custody of Caleb,” I quickly hung up the call. The sobs I'd been trying to swallow broke free from my lips, and my body shook, the sound of my pitiful sobs echoing in my room.

The pain of loving someone who doesn't love you back felt like someone was pulling your heart out of your chest and stabbing it with a sharp dagger. It was just too much to bear. But it's also true when they say love yourself enough to walk away from things that do not value you. I'm finally walking away with my dignity and self-respect. It will hurt, but I will try to bear the pain.