“How could that be?“ Niamh did not understand why Ava said that. “A marriage without feelings is the most painful and saddest thing in the world. You have feelings for Dan. He’s such a gentle and considerate person too. I believe he’ll make you very happy.“
Ava raised the corners of her lips, pulling them into a regretful smile. “Yes, I also believe that Dan is a man who can bring happiness to his wife. However, his wife won’t be me.“
Upon hearing this, Niamh’s expression changed drastically.
She turned her head to look at Ava abruptly. “Ava, what do you mean by that? What happened between you and Dan?“
“He’s decided to marry his childhood sweetheart, Naya.“
“How did that happen?“ Niamh had no idea what was going on.
Ava could not control herself and started sobbing softly, “Niamh, I really envy you. Although Kendrick was blinded by those bad people, leading him to ignore and hurt you, both of you still ended up together in the end.“
Ava suddenly said something that was pretty irrational.
“I would rather be hurt by Dan severely too. As long a s I can be with him in the end, I’d be willing to bear it.”
“Ava, what nonsense are you talking about?“
Niamh took out a handkerchief and gently wiped away the tears from the corners of Ava’s eyes.
“Aca, so many things have happened to me recently and I never had the time to chat with you or go shopping with you. I don’t know what has happened between you and Dan. Why does he want to marry another woman all of a sudden? What’s going on? Don’t cry now, hush.“
As she listened to Niamh’s comforting words, Ava started crying even harder.
“Niamh…“
Ava suddenly hugged Niamh and burst into tears.
Niamh quickly comforted her. She understood how Ava was feeling now.
The feeling of loving someone and being unable to have them was like having a fine net wrapped around one’s heart. She could still vaguely remember the suffocating breathlessness.
Niamh did not ask the reason anymore. Instead, she kept holding Ava to comfort her.
After a long time, Ava’s mood eased a lot.
She wiped away her tears and then told Niamh the reason.
“Dan’s grandfather fell ill and is in a serious condition. He asked Dan to break up with me and said that he wanted to see Dan marry his childhood sweetheart Naya before he dies.“
“And Dan agreed?“
“Dan disagreed at first but he had no other choice. “ Ava lowered her eyes in despair. “Maybe Dan and I are just not destined to end up together, or maybe, we’re just not meant for each other.“
“Don’t think that way, Ava. I believe Dan will not give you up for this reason and marry a woman he doesn’t love. The person he likes is you.“ Niamh was very sure of Daniel’s character. Moreover, no man would be willing to give up his beloved woman. Besides, Daniel had no reason to give up Ava because of her family or character.
Niamh nodded affirmatively. “Since Dan has already said so, then it must be the case. Have some faith in your future husband. Let’s go.“
“…“ Ava’s cheeks turned hot, seemingly because Niamh had said the words ‘future husband’.
To speak the truth, of course, Ava hoped that Dan would be the man she spend the rest of her days with.
Niamh and Ava wandered around International Mall. About ten minutes later, Niamh received a text from Daniel.
He said he had arrived.
Niamh immediately told him where they were. Then, she continued to shop with Ava in the mall as if nothing had happened.
It did not take long for Daniel to appear in front of Niamh and Ava like he had coincidentally bumped into them.
However, his acting skills were pretty bad. To any discerning person, this encounter did not look like a coincidence at all.
Daniel only had Ava in his eyes, and he ran up to her as soon as he arrived, holding her shoulders tightly.
“Ava, why haven’t you answered my calls for so many days now? Do you really not want to see me anymore?“
Daniel’s eyes were full of melancholy, while his thick eyebrows were furrowed together.
“Ava, trust me, I’ll not give up on you, nor will I give up on our feelings for each other.“
In truth, Ava’s heart was already shaking when she saw Daniel barging into her vision.
She had always been thinking of this man, and she could feel tears pricking the corners of her eyes.
However, her stubbornness made her deliberately shift her gaze and speak indifferently.
“Trust you? How can I trust you? Haven’t you already promised your grandfather that you’ll marry Naya? Also, the engagement date has already been set too. What more can you say to explain yourself?“
“My relationship with Naya is not what you think, Ava. Believe me.“ Daniel desperately yearned for Ava’s trust.
He looked at Ava with his gentle eyes, waiting for her to answer him.
Ava clearly wanted to answer him but she still gritted her teeth and turned her face away so she did not have to look at Daniel.
Of course, Niamh understood Ava’s conflict and struggle. She also saw a lot of passersby watching them while making criticisms. Hence, she went over to pull Ava’s hand.
“Dan, have you eaten? I’ve been walking around with Ava and I still haven’t eaten. I’m a little hungry now. Why don’t the two of you accompany me to eat something?“
Daniel and Ava knew Niamh was trying to resolve this awkwardness between them. Hence, Daniel quickly agreed but Ava did not say anything. Even so, it was a tacit agreement.
Niamh deliberately chose a restaurant that Ava liked, and Daniel ordered a few of the dishes that Ava liked as well.
Ava could feel her eyes burning when she looked at the food in front of her.
She could see and feel Daniel’s consideration and affection toward her. She did not want this current situation to happen as well.
“Wow, look, Ava. Dan knows you so well. These are all your favorite dishes. ” Niamh chimed in at one side. “No matter what, you should eat something. Let’s eat as we talk.” Niamh hinted at Dan. Then, he understood immediately and picked up some food for Ava.
“Ava, I know you’re uncomfortable with my family’s attitude toward you and that you’ve been enduring everything for my sake. I ‘m aware of all these. I’ve been trying my best to make compromises and save this relationship. I hope you can give me a little more time. I ‘ll definitely not let you down.“ Daniel promised solemnly.
Ava felt Daniel’s sincerity. She had a lot of things she wanted to say but she could not get a single word out.
“Ava, I know you want to be together with Dan. Otherwise, you wouldn’t have cried so badly while hugging me just now.“
“ . I-I didn’t cry.“ Ava stubbornly denied it.
However, when Daniel heard that, guilt and distress suddenly overwhelmed his heart. “I’m sorry, Ava. I really don’t wish to make you sad.“
“Dan, how’s your grandfather? What’s the idea you mentioned to satisfy your grandfather’s dying wish without letting Ava down?“ Niamh asked the key question.
Daniel did not waste any time either. However, just as he was about to explain to Ava, Niamh’s cell phone rang with the unique ringtone she had set.
Niamh answered Kendrick’s video call without hesitation. As soon as Niamh answered the call, she heard Pudding crying while calling out ‘Mommy ‘ unclearly. Kendrick looked helpless and anxious.
“Honey, Pudding keeps crying and calling for you. Are you still shopping with Ava?“
“Niamh, you should go back first or the little guy will cry himself hoarse.“ Ava also felt sorry for the crying baby in the video.
Niamh picked up her bag and reminded Ava before she left. “Alright, Dan will accompany you. You two have a good chat. Ava, don’t ignore Dan. He really cares about you and is worried about you. Kendrick and I made it through whatever challenges we had to face. As long as you’re honest with each other, at least half of the doubts will be solved.“
After she finished speaking, she turned around in a hurry. At the same time, she did not forget to respond to Kendrick in the video who was asking curiously about things.
Although the atmosphere was not as lively after Niamh left, Daniel was happy to be able to talk to Ava alone.
“Ava, don’t be angry. Eat something first and I’ll explain it to you slowly. “ Daniel coaxed her gently and patiently. At the same time, he picked up some food and put it on Ava’s plate.
Ava looked at the food on her plate, took a deep breath, and then said calmly, “You haven’t eaten yet, right? You should eat too. We’ll talk about it when you’re full.“
When he heard Ava’s softened tone, Daniel’s heart was beating less nervously and there was a smile on his handsome face.
“I ‘m satisfied with just watching you eat, “ Daniel said suddenly.
Ava, who was taking some food for herself, felt her cheeks getting hot. These words were not sweet nothings. She was moved when she heard him say that.
Seeing Ava’s cheeks flushing slightly and the smile on her lips, Daniel’s mood instantly improved.
He knew very well that he would never give up such a woman who could affect his emotions at any time.
“I’m very calm now and I don’t want to run away anymore. Just tell me how you plan to settle this. Naya and you are getting engaged soon. Will she agree to cancel this wedding? Even if she does, your parents, your relatives, and your grandfather will not agree to it.“
When Ava said this, she was still throwing a tantrum. However, she then sighed and turned her head to look into Daniel’s warm eyes.
“Even though things aren’t looking optimistic about your grandfather’s health and I also hope that he can fulfill his dying wish, I don’t want to be separated from you because of this.“
When Daniel heard this, he grabbed Ava’s hand emotionally. “Ava, it’s enough for me that you’ve said this. Listen to me, I’ve thought about it and I won’t give up on you. But I’ll also get engaged to Naya according to the set date.“
Ava widened her beautiful eyes in shock. “What do you mean? Do you want two women at the same time? Daniel, what are you thinking?”
Seeing that Ava had misunderstood him, Daniel hurriedly explained. “Ava, you’re overthinking. How could I have such thoughts? You’re my only choice, and I’m firm on that.“
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.