Chapter 72: Chapter 72
As they settled into Ava's living room, the conversation unfolded, unraveling the complexities of the day's events. Bryan, unaware of the connection between Ava and his son, listened intently, his mind grappling with the unexpected twists and turns that seemed to define the unfolding narrative of their lives.
" Do you want me to talk to him? " Bryan asked, squeezing her hands gently.
Ava shook her head, " This is between your son and I, you shouldn't step in. " She said firmly.
Bryan sighed, " But what really happened between you two? "
Ava raised her eyebrows and pulled her hands away from his " I thought I told you about it already? "
Bryan shook his head and opened his mouth to reply but his phone beeped and he checked the message. Immediately, his demeanor changed and he looked nervous. Standing up, he pulled Ava to her feet too and hugged her.
" I'm sorry I have to leave, this is urgent. " He said softly.
Ava pulled back to search his face, " Are you okay?? "
Bryan nodded, " Yeah I am, it's just something I have to deal with right away. "
" I hate to leave you but I have no choice. I'll make it up to you baby, I promise. " He whispered and kissed her forehead, sniffing her hair in the process.
Ava nodded, " Okay then. "
Bryan stared deeply into her eyes, " Be safe, huh? Or should I stay with you? I can cancel this if you want. "
Ava smiled and shook her head, " I'll be fine, Bryan. Didn't you say it was urgent? So, go. " And gave him a light push towards the door.
" I love you. " He whispered so softly that Ava thought she misheard him.
" Huh? " She asked, startled.
" Uh? " He asked, looking taken aback himself.
" Uh... Nothing. Take care " He added.
Ava frowned slightly but nodded " Alright. " She promised to ponder over it later. Bryan kissed her passionately, pouring all his love in her heart and left with a promise to send her a text before he called it a night.
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Jayden's apartment bore witness to the turmoil raging within him. The air was thick with tension as he stormed through the door, his steps heavy with the weight of the shocking revelation at his father's office. The walls seemed to close in around him as he struggled to make sense of the chaotic thoughts swirling in his mind.
Without a second thought, Jayden clenched his fist and struck it against the unforgiving surface of the wall. The impact reverberated through the room, a physical manifestation of the frustration and confusion that consumed him. Pain shot through his hand, but it paled in comparison to the emotional upheaval tearing at his core.
The echoes of the hit lingered as Jayden retreated to the worn-out couch, his body slumping into its familiar embrace. The apartment, once a haven, now felt suffocating as his mind replayed the events of the day. Jayden hadn't even gone to work; the chaos within him rendering any attempt at productivity futile.
His thoughts, like a turbulent storm, converged on Ava. The vivid memories of their relationship played out in his mind – the laughter, the shared moments, the intimate connection. But intertwined with the warmth were the echoes of their separation, the pain of an ending that left scars on both their hearts.
Jayden's gaze fixated on a distant point, lost in the labyrinth of his memories. He could vividly recall the joyous beginnings of their relationship, the initial sparks that drew them together. But as the recollections unfolded, so did the bitter unraveling of their connection. The wounds of the past were laid bare, and Jayden found himself grappling with the realization that Ava had been there at the epicenter of the day's chaos.
The weight of his actions, the tumultuous encounter with his father, and the unexpected connection with Ava all converged into a cacophony of emotions that threatened to engulf him. Alone in the dimly lit apartment, Jayden wrestled with the tangled threads of his past and the harsh reality of the present, each thought echoing against the walls of the room that seemed to hold the weight of his unspoken pain.
" F*ck! " He cursed softly. He was a d*ck and he knew. He shouldn't have broken up with her, he shouldn't have slept with her friend, he shouldn't have betrayed her, he shouldn't have...
" Damn! " He rammed his fist on the table before him. But now, she was with who? His father?? The last person he expected her to be with, he thought, his heart clenching in pain. Was that her way of getting revenge? He asked himself.
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The ambient lighting of the cozy cafe cast a warm glow over Ava and Bella as they sat at a corner table, sipping their coffee. Ava, still processing the whirlwind of emotions from the day, took a deep breath before opening up to her friend about the unexpected revelation involving Jayden and Bryan.
" Bella, you won't believe what happened yesterday, " Ava began, her voice carrying a mix of astonishment and distress. As she recounted the events, Bella listened attentively, her expression maintaining an air of calm detachment that was characteristic of her demeanor.
" So, Jayden found out that I'm dating his Dad, " Ava concluded, her words hanging in the air. Bella, seemingly unfazed by the revelation, took a moment before calmly responding, " So? "
Ava's brows furrowed in confusion. " So what? " she asked, her eyes searching Bella's face for any sign of a reaction. Bella met her friend's gaze squarely, her expression composed. " So what if he knows you're dating his Dad? Do you care? Isn't it the sweet revenge you've always wanted? " she asked, her question carrying a quiet intensity.