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Ava did not plan to leave the estate. However, she was taken aback by his brazen questioning.

The guard must have noted her puzzled look because he began to apologize.

“I apologize, Your Grace, but His Grace said we must not let you out of the estate unless escorted by him.”

Ava blinked rapidly, unable to make sense of what she had just heard.

“The Duke said that?” she asked.

“Indeed, Your Grace.”

How dare he?

Her anger flared anew, and this time with a vengeance. She turned around and walked briskly back to the house.

While her walk to the gate had been leisurely, her walk back to the house was brisk and fueled by anger. She simply could not believe how audacious Edwin was being.

It was not enough that he had left her hanging after promising to spend the entire day with her. Now, he was telling the guards to restrict her movements.

It was time to put an end to this nonsense by finally confronting him.

Edwin looked rather surprised when he saw her enter his study.

“It is not yet time for… Is anything the matter?” He peered at her, looking concerned.

“In fact, there is,” Ava responded. “Perhaps you can tell me why you have told the guards not to let me out of the estate?”

“Oh!” He looked guilty.

“I suppose you can also tell me why you convinced me to decline Lily’s invitation only to spend your entire day working?”

Edwin’s eyes widened in what was unmistakably surprise.

“I promised to spend the day with you,” he muttered, as though he was just now remembering.

“You forgot?” Ava gasped.

How could he?

She had stayed at home because of him, had waited for him. And yet he had not even bothered to remember.

“Uh… Ava…” He stood up.

He looked repentant, but Ava was past caring. His offense was simply too grievous.

She took determined steps towards him. “You told me not to promenade with Lily.” She pointed an accusatory finger at him and fixed him with a glare. “You told me to stay home with you,as you would love to spend the entire day with me. And now you say that you have forgotten?”

By the time she was done talking, they were almost toe to toe.

“Ava…” Edwin ran his fingers through his hair in frustration.

“You have become the epitome of contradiction since you returned. One moment you act like you care about me, and the next you are distant and cold.”

“Ava, I apologize,” he said. “I should have remembered that I had made plans for today.”

Ava let out a sardonic laugh. She was simply tired of his empty apology. What he had done could not be undone.

“It does not matter, truly. Your apology does not quite amount to anything. You left me naked in my bed and walked out of my room without telling me where you were going. You made me decline my dear friend’s invitation to promenade, and now you have not made good on your promise. It is quite clear that you have no regard for me.”