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Chapter 10: I Wasn't Her!

Ava's voice cut through the quiet night, her furrowed brows showing deep worry and reproach.

"Why didn't you stop him? How could you let him drink so much?" she asked, her voice trembling slightly.

Ethan spun around, surprise flashing in his eyes before anger took over. He pointed at himself, raising his voice. "You're blaming me? Seriously? You're his wife. Your husband doesn't come home at night and drinks outside, and you do nothing about it."

Ava opened her mouth but couldn't find the words. Her heart was heavy with guilt and helplessness, like an invisible weight pressing down on her.

After a long pause, she finally spoke, her voice tinged with helplessness. "He was with Isabella. He should be happy. How could I disturb him?"

Ethan almost roared, "What? Are you kidding me? Your husband is out with another woman, and you don't care?"

Ava stayed silent, her smile bitter. "We're getting a divorce."

She tried to keep her emotions in check. "So whoever he's with, it's not my place to say."

"Divorce?" Ethan was stunned. "No wonder Alexander drank like that! It's all because of you!"

Ava shook her head. "No, you misunderstand, he..."

"Shut up!" Ethan cut her off, his voice filled with anger and confusion. "What did Alexander ever do to you that you want to leave him? Since marrying you, he hasn't flirted with anyone or done anything inappropriate. No matter what, he always thinks of you first. Even when we drink together, he pushes away the girls, keeps checking the time to go home early to be with you, afraid you'll be waiting at home!"

Ethan took a deep breath, his voice trembling. "For you, he's distanced himself from everyone! Don't you see how good he is to you? Even if you don't, we all do! You're divorcing a guy like that? Are you nuts?"

Ava was taken aback by his anger. "I remember when I married him, you bet with some rich kids that Alexander would get tired of me and flirt around within three months. You lost a million bucks and had to sing naked. You've held a grudge against me ever since."

Ethan awkwardly touched his nose. "Don't bring that up, and I was wearing shorts!"

"I know, red briefs," Ava added, "I saw the video. You were quite the dancer."

"Video?" Ethan exploded, "Where did you see the video? Who filmed it? Tell me now!"

His emotions were intense as he rushed forward, grabbing Ava's shoulders and glaring at her.

Ava winced from his grip. "Let go of me."

"Tell me, who filmed the video?"

At that moment, Alexander slowly opened his eyes, his blurry vision catching a familiar figure. He immediately climbed down from the windowsill, rushed over, pulled Ava behind him, and grabbed Ethan by the collar, punching him!

Ava looked up at Alexander in front of her, unable to resist gently cradling his face. He was the one who asked for the divorce, but why was he here now, drinking and fighting for her?

Suddenly, Alexander held Ava's wrist, gently kissing her fingers, and softly said, "Does it hurt, Isabella?"

Ava froze upon hearing "Isabella," even Ethan beside her showed a flash of shock in his eyes.

"I'm sorry, Isabella. I scared you. I won't do it again," Alexander said, hugging her tightly, full of remorse.

The cruel reality tore apart all her softness at that moment. She gritted her teeth, forcefully pushing Alexander away.

"I'm not Isabella. I'm Ava!"

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