The Stand In Wife's Revenge novel Chapter 54

Chapter 54

The cool metal of the door pressed against my fingers as I stood there with my hand hovering over the knob. With deliberate owne* ! knocked again. A faint sound of footsteps approached the shuffle of an indecisive uncertain person.

The anticipation was palpable and my heart was racing in my chest. When the door creaked open she was standing there. Ava 14. surprised for a moment. She had changed in appearance.

Her long curly hair had been chopped short and her head was lowered, her eyes averted from mine. She appeared to have done it quickly because the strands were unkempt and uneven.

This stood in sharp contrast to the woman I remembered who had always exuded elegance. I kept wondering what had happened and what had prompted her to take such a drastic action.

I could see it right away when she finally raised her head to face me: the redness in her eyes the faint quiver in her lip. She had shed tears. The sight caused my chest to tighten. I was unnerved by it in a surprising way. I approached her warily while speaking in a firm but gentle tone.

“What happened? Are you okay?” I asked Ava.

Her tears which she had been suppressing for too long fell silently and relentlessly down her cheeks instead of responding. arms around me and gave me a tight hug without warning. I was caught off guard by how quickly it happened but I didnt ne

My arms automatically encircled her and drew her nearer. I could sense her bodys heat and the way her shoulders trembled under the weight of whatever she was carrying. I stood there for a while gently massaging her back with my hands.

Every trembling breath she took and the way her body shook against mine were signs of her distress. I wanted to say anything to s

but my voice got stuck in my throat. I wasnt certain if my words were appropriate. Not even sure if my words would be helpful.

For a long time she sobbed, her tears cascading down my shirts material. I simply held her and let her cry until her sobs slowed and she began to breathe in short tired gasps. When she eventually withdrew I let her go grudgingly my hands remaining there for a brief moment longer as though I could still hold onto her and the moment.

With a defeated slouch she took a seat on the edge of her bed. I stood opposite her not knowing what to do.

I asked softly “Ava are you okay?”

She took some time to respond. I followed her gaze as her eyes strayed to the ground Her hatt was strewn all over the room and I could see it. It was a silent testament to whatever emotional storm she had been through the unkempt heap of once beautiful curls that had

fallen to the ground.

I started to ask again but she interrupted me with a quiet but determined voice I wanted to look different, to begin a file on my own terms. She stopped and twisted a strand of hair that had gotten out from under the cut her fingers shaking a little

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“I’ve had enough of appearing pathetic. Alexander I want to change. Every day I cry and sit here feeling sorry for myself and I want to stop that…”

Her words made my heart tighten. Hearing her describe herself in such a way was painful. She wasnt weak. I knew what she meant but she didnt realize how strong she was. “I knew that when everything seemed to be stopping you you had to change and push yourself to go forward”

She inhaled deeply and I could see the silent resolve in her eyes as they raised to mine. “I’ve decided on something. Thank you for the offer. I will pretend to be your wife. I’ll be employed by your business. I will acquire knowledge. I’ll be occupied. Perhaps it will enable me to stop crying and reflecting on all that I have lost.”

Although I could see the resolve in her eyes I could also see the vulnerability that was concealed beneath the surface. Although I wasnt sure if this was the best course of action for her I knew I had to honor her choice.

I tried to give her a break by gently saying “You dont have to accept right away” to let her know that she wasnt under any obligation. “Ava you are pregnant as well. Right now you dont need to make any decisions.”

She remained the same. She shook her head while maintaining an unblinking stare. “No Alexander. I’ve decided what to do.”

Even though she wasnt entirely prepared for it the sadness in her face as she wiped her eyes with the back of her hand showed that the suffering wasnt over and that this was only a new beginning–a new chapter.

The finality of the words weighed heavily on the air. I wanted to get in touch with her to reassure her that everything would be an

and that we could work this out together. Rather I merely observed her while standing there.

Her expression changed once more after that. She began to cry again as her lips began to quiver a little. I felt something break when I saw her crying once more. It pained me to see her like this. I detested the fact that I was powerless to take away her excruciating pa

I reached out before I even knew what I was doing. I slipped a lock of her short hair behind her ear with gentle care. At the touch her eyes flitted shut and I allowed myself to be momentarily engrossed in the silent bond between us.

Then almost instinctively, I lowered my mouth to hers. At first it was a tentative kiss as if neither of us was completely certain of its

meaning or direction.

But all of the stress, uncertainty and unsaid emotions between us seemed to vanish in that one moment. The softness of her lips and the wave of emotions that washed over me were the only things left of the outside world.

As I withdrew I noticed the surprise in her eyes but I also noticed something more profound something that made my chest constrict in anticipation of what might happen next. Nothing came out of my mouth. I was unable to.

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