Page 24

CHAPTER 24

A va heard the clip-clop of horses’ hooves and hurried to the balcony. There, she spotted her husband as he rode on his horse into the distance.

Anger bubbled up inside her as she watched him. She took a deep breath before returning to her chambers.

He must think me a fool!

Edwin had done quite a number of untoward things, but this was, by far, the most hurtful of them all. Now, she regretted not accepting Lily’s invitation and going on a promenade in the Park.

At least then, she would not have to be at home alone, waiting for her husband, who had no plan of spending time with her.

Edwin had spent the day entertaining his business partners, and instead of winding down with her, he had taken his horse and ridden across the grounds. It was as though he had never even promised her anything.

How could I have been so foolish as to believe him?

The more Ava thought about it, the angrier she got until she felt herself begin to shake.

She knew, then, that she had to do something about it. And she knew just the perfect thing to do to take her mind off her unreliable husband.

So she left her room and went downstairs, heading straight for the front door. She took a deep breath, plastered a smile on her face, and stepped outside. She crossed the lawn and then rounded the corner that led to her beautiful water garden.

Ava sighed in satisfaction as she took in her garden. She could not help but smile at the beauty blooming right before her eyes. The contractors she had hired had done exceptional work in record time. The little pathway to the pond was lined with flowers that led to the bench she had set up under the tree.

When she finally sat on the stone bench, she could not help but marvel at the view in front of her.

The little pond was lined with water lilies, and at the end was a statue. Butterflies fluttered around the water, occasionally landing on the petals.

This was bliss.

Ava closed her eyes and inhaled the fragrance of the flowers. The water garden was everything she had envisioned it to be—an oasis for her to simply sit still and enjoy. Except, she had also imagined that her husband would be by her side, enjoying nature with her.

She shook her head in an attempt to shake off the reminder of her husband’s painful betrayal. It felt almost blasphemous to bring the memory of his betrayal to this beautiful space.

And yet her mind did not cease to remind her.

Ava grunted in frustration. She simply wanted a calm evening, and yet he haunted her.

What she did not quite understand was why he had specifically asked her to decline her friend’s request when he knew he had no intention of following through on his promise.

With a pang, she wondered if he even cared for her.

Once again, she caught herself thinking about him, even though she was surrounded by nature.

Defeated, Ava rose to her feet. It did not matter that she was in what was supposed to be her sanctuary; he was still all she could think about. It was useless to try and put him out of her mind, truly.

She was about to leave the garden when she heard the clip-clop of horses’ hooves once again. She looked up to see her husband returning from his ride, a contented smile on his face.

Anger surged through her once again, and she itched to wipe that satisfied smile off his face.

He suddenly turned his face to the right and spotted her, his eyes lighting up. Then, he jumped down from his horse.

As soon as a stablehand took the horse from him, he began to walk towards the garden—towards her .

Part of Ava wanted to turn around and walk in the opposite direction so he would find himself in the garden all alone. However, she simply could not resist his pull and, most importantly, the smile on his face.

Remember, you are angry with him!

And yet no reminder was strong enough to stop the anger from slowly seeping out of her. Perhaps he had realized his mistake?

Ava even noted that his ride had been rather short. Maybe he had finally remembered the promise he had made to her.

She could not help the joy that bubbled up inside her as she realized that he had noticed his mistake and had now returned to make good on his promise.

By the time he finally stopped in front of her, carrying with him the musky scent of the sweat he had worked up during his ride, Ava had long since forgotten her anger.

Edwin smiled brightly at her, his eyes crinkling at the corners. “You have done a fine job here,” he praised, looking around.

Ava blushed. “Thank you.”

“I only now realized that I have never spent time here in this garden,” he said as he walked past her and sat on the stone bench. He patted the spot beside him.

“Come sit next to me,” he said in that deep baritone she loved.

Ava wondered for a moment if she should tell him what he had done or simply enjoy the moment with him. But then she decided on the latter.

She bounded over to the bench and sat beside him.

“Your ride was short,” she remarked, resting her head against his shoulder and closing her eyes.

This was what she had always envisioned—spending a romantic time in the garden with her husband.

Edwin shrugged. “I remembered that I still had quite a few tasks to finish.” Ava’s eyes fluttered open. “I am sending the ledgers to the solicitor tomorrow, and it must be in…”

Ava did not hear the rest. She quickly sat up.

How could I have been so foolish?

“So, you only came back early from your ride to continue your work?” she asked stiffly.

Edwin nodded. “The sun is beginning to set. I should return to my study now so I can finish my work in time for dinner.”

Ava felt a pang in her chest. She had been far too excited about his return that she had erroneously assumed he came back for her, when nothing could be further from the truth.

He rose to his feet, smiled at her, and began to walk away.

Ava seethed as she watched her husband leave. Part of her wanted to go after him and tell him off, but the other part decided to keep calm.

By the time he disappeared into the house, she regretted not speaking her mind.

She looked around the garden, and suddenly she realized it had lost its appeal to her, especially at that moment.

Heaving a weary sigh, she left the garden. However, instead of returning to the house like he had, she decided to take a walk to clear her head.

The sun had set now, and a slight breeze ruffled her hair. Ava enjoyed wandering the grounds immensely, especially when she was alone.

For the first time, she did not quite think about her husband and his contradictory behavior or the fact that she had missed out on a promenade with her friend. She simply walked.

She took note of every flower she passed by, and every butterfly and every insect.

She found the walk rather calming, and she did not quite realize that she was now at the gate of the estate until one of the guards approached her.

“Do you wish to go out of the estate, Your Grace?” the guard asked.

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.”

“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.