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."

Joseph, she'd told him she had someone else on her mind. He'd said it didn't matter to him then, as long as she gave him a chance to become the one in

want to keep anything from him. Whether or not she still had feelings for

he have any less of a place in your heart? Or, put another way, do I have more of one?" He had been acting for years, playing a wide range

inner conflict. On one hand, she wanted to live a happy life, and on the other, she

fight for it even if he might never fully get it. So, the third time

of guilt for not loving him fully yet still being with him. She added,

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 hold enough of a place in your heart yet, it just means I have to try harder.

might have been

straight, and his eyes bright. He really did look like the

her gaze, his heart pounding faster as his eyes

he slowly leaned

as he

knew he was

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

and she closed her eyes, waiting for

for a while, but

at her.

Ava didn't have time to react.

and he punched back. In no time, the two of them were trading blows, one after the other, as Ava looked on in

"What are you doing? Stop it, Bud! Are

though Ava had closed

knew it was Bud who'd started it. When she opened her eyes, she saw for herself that Bud had been the one t@throw

mind? Do you even know what he just tried to