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Chapter 14: A Midnight Call

Ava felt a pang in her heart but kept her voice steady. "He's already asleep. If it's important, you can talk to him tomorrow."

"Alright then." Isabella hung up.

Ava set the phone on the bedside table. She was about to leave but changed her mind and lay down next to Alexander instead.

As soon as she lay down, Alexander turned over and pulled her into his arms. His warmth enveloped her, bringing a familiar comfort she missed. After their divorce, this embrace would belong to Isabella, not her.

"Honey," Ava whispered, cupping Alexander's face and kissing his lips, "This is the last time I'll call you that. When the woman you truly love calls you this, you'll be happier, right?"

She snuggled deeper into his arms, holding him tightly, greedily inhaling his scent. Moments like this were rare. Soon, she fell asleep.

"Happy birthday." Half-asleep, Ava heard a voice but couldn't make out the words, her eyelids too heavy to open. She thought she might have misheard.

The next day.

When Ava woke up, she found herself still in Alexander's arms, feeling both sweet and suffocated. Alexander was already awake, staring at her.

"Awake? Want to sleep a bit more?" His gentle tone made Ava feel like they were the most loving couple in the world, never to be separated.

Just as she was lost in thought, she remembered the cold, heartless way Alexander had asked for a divorce. It was like a bucket of cold water had been poured over her, and she got up from his embrace.

"I'm sorry. We should have slept in separate rooms last night. I was too tired and just lay down."

Alexander's gentle expression turned cold. He sat up and said, "You do realize we haven't divorced yet, right?"

"Does it make a difference? We can finalize the divorce papers today, right?"

Better to end it quickly. If he found out she was pregnant, it would be a mess.

"Are you that eager?" Alexander's voice grew colder.

Ava didn't want to argue anymore. She got up, got ready, and went downstairs for breakfast.

Scarlett was already at the dining table. "Ava, you're up. Since you're home, you can sleep in a bit. No need to get up early just to keep me company."

Ava instinctively helped Scarlett set the table.

"By the way, weren't you two supposed to spend the night out? Why did you come back?" Scarlett asked casually.

"We had enough fun and decided to come home. It's always better here." Ava found a reasonable excuse and placed a bowl of porridge in front of Scarlett.

"Yes." Scarlett patted her hand. "There's no place like home. No matter what happens, always remember to come home."

Scarlett looked towards Alexander, who was standing at the staircase, and waved him over. When Alexander approached, Scarlett frowned and started to scold him, "How much did you drink last night?"

"Grandma, it was my birthday yesterday, so I let him drink a few more glasses. It's all my fault," Ava explained.

"You silly child, why do you take all the blame? I think he just drank too much." Scarlett's cold gaze shifted to Alexander. Alexander said nothing, staring at Ava instead.

Scarlett noticed the subtle look Alexander gave Ava and smiled. She took Alexander's hand and placed it on Ava's. "Alexander, Ava, I'm glad you two love each other. Remember, no matter what happens, as long as you two are together, you have a complete family. Without either of you, it's not a family. Understand?"

Ava almost burst into tears. Scarlett was always so good to her, but they were about to get divorced.

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