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“Of course, I have regard for you,” Edwin protested, taking her arm.

Ava yanked her arm from his grip and stepped back. “You do not!” she snapped.

“We can spend tomorrow together if you want,” he offered.

“So you can invite more of your business partners over and then go out on a leisurely ride while I pine in my chambers alone and wonder why my husband is so cold?”

“I promise, I?—”

“I am simply fed up with your promises!”

She took a moment to compose herself before continuing. She knew what she must do. It was evident now that their marriage had very well served its purpose.

“I truly do not know what you want from me, Edwin,” she said in a low voice. “However, I will make it easier for you. You do not have to leave your home.”

“Leave my?—”

“I shall leave for Notley Manor as soon as possible,” she spoke over him, feeling her heart crack and shatter.

She blinked away the tears brimming in her eyes. It had to be done. She had been too patient for far too long.

“Ava, you do not?—”

Ava held up her hand, cutting him off. “I won’t force you to live with your friends—it’s not fair to you. I shall leave the house for you. I suppose our marriage is… over.”

With that, she turned on her heels and left, tears streaming down her face. It was a miracle that she had not broken down in tears in front of him.

As she walked out of the study, she half expected him to come after her, hold her—at least try to convince her to stay.

However, he did nothing of the sort. And so she ran the rest of the way to her chambers and collapsed on her bed, crying.

Ava knew she might wake up the following morning with heavy eyes and an even heavier heart, but she knew she must cry her eyes out first.

So, she cried into the night as she mourned her marriage.

CHAPTER 25

Edwin felt his heart clench as he watched his wife walk away.

He had been so blinded by fear for her safety that he had forgotten what truly mattered—showing her that he cared for her.

It was done. She had pronounced their marriage over.

I suppose our marriage is… over.

He knew he should run after her and at least try to appeal to her—perhaps even tell her the truth—but his legs betrayed him.

He ran his fingers through his hair in frustration and groaned as he paced his study.

What if this was the end? What if Ava never wants to have anything to do with me anymore?

The thought of never being able to hold his wife in his arms and kiss her terrified him beyond words.

He shook the thoughts away.

When this is all over, we will be together again.

But even Edwin did not quite believe that. There was a finality to Ava’s tone that scared him. She spoke as though she had no fight left in her and she was finally ready to give up on their marriage.