The Queen's Back

"Regret won't help. You'll just have to find a way to salvage it. If you really don't want to marry Chelly, talk to her nicely, then come back here and go after Ava," Maxwell said. This was Bud's biggest headache. He didn't even know how to tell Chelly about the breakup.

After all, he had done everything have been done he was supposed to as her boyfriend, and even some things he wasn't. Calling off the wedding now would make him look like a complete scumbag.

But if he married Chelly without truly loving her, it wouldn't be fair to her.

Only after starting his relationship with Chelly did he realize he might have feelings for Ava. Or maybe it was because Ava hadn't sent him any WhatsApp messages lately or shared her daily life with him. It hit him only then: he missed having Ava by his side. But he realized it too late. He had already made a huge mistake. He already had a girlfriend and was planning to get married.

It was night, and the sky was dark, making the stars above seem especially bright, like scattered pearls.

After Ava and Mona finished their meal, Mona couldn't find a moment to speak with Ava privately. So, she went back to the Clem family to spend time with her grandparents, while Ava and Joseph went to see a movie.

Joseph held Ava's hand as he walked her to the door. He didn't let go, just gazing at her with bright eyes.

After a while, Ava looked up, puzzled, wondering why he hadn't released her hand.

Their eyes met in the quiet darkness.

Ava sensed Joseph's questions and asked, "Is there something you want to know?"

Clearly, she was referring to Bud.

"Yes. What's your relationship with Bud?" Joseph asked. He had a vague guess in his heart.

Ava exhaled deeply and replied, "I used to love him a lot, but he didn't feel the same. He already has a girlfriend and is about to get married, so I let it go."

said it didn't matter to him then, as

anything from him. Whether or not she still had feelings for Bud,

held a hint of nervousness as he said, "I figured as much. But how about now? Does he have any less of a place in your heart? Or, put another way, do I have more

inner conflict. On one hand, she wanted to live a happy life, and on the other, she seemed unable to be truly happy. After

even if he might never fully get it. So,

at him, feeling a pang of guilt for not loving him fully yet still being

she could finish, Joseph pressed his fingers gently to her lips, whispering, "Ava, listen. The second time I saw you, I fell in love with you. The third time we met, I knew I had to tell you how I felt. And you finally agreed to be with me. So, I won't give up so easily. If I don't

she might have been too hasty in agreeing to be

was smooth, his nose straight, and his eyes bright. He really did look like the dream

pounding faster as his eyes lingered

hand, and he slowly leaned closer, wanting to

raced as

he was about to kiss

she didn't feel quite ready, she was, after all,

that thought, her lashes fluttered, and she closed her eyes,

a while, but the

staring back at her. Before she could react, Bud punched Joseph

fast that Ava didn't have time to react. Bud's punch landed squarely

back. In no time, the two of them

forward, trying to break up the fight, shouting, "What are you doing? Stop it,

though Ava had closed

who'd started it. When she opened her eyes, she saw for herself that Bud had been the one

my mind? Do you even know what he just tried to do?" Bud yelled back