The Queen's Back

"You and I have nothing to talk about. Get out of the way. I want to go home," Ava said coldly.

"Ava, you heard me. I broke up with Chelly. It was an accident that I got together with her. I realize now that the person I truly love is you. I regret it, and I'm wondering if there's still a chance for us," Bud said, looking into Ava's eyes with sincerity. These days without Ava by his side, he always felt that something was missing. He couldn't even eat or sleep well.

Ava heard the words she had always dreamed of hearing. But now that they finally reached her ears, they fell flat, stirring little emotion within her.

It wasn't even as shocking as when she realized Joseph loved her.

Ava exhaled deeply. "Bud, do you remember what I said the last time I saw you?"

Bud frowned as Ava's words echoed in his mind. "So you have a girlfriend? I get it, Bud. In the meantime, I've decided to stop loving you, so you can relax."

Seeing Bud's expression, Ava knew he recalled what she said before. "When I said I gave up on you, if you had chased after me at that time, I would have changed my mind and continued to love you. But you didn't. The fact that you didn't come after me means the bond between us was severed from that point onward."

With those words, Ava felt a sense of relief, as if a heavy stone that had been weighing on her heart had finally shattered.

Bud met Ava's serious gaze, and all he felt was regret.

That would have been great if only he had caught up with her that day, disregarding any so-called criticism for being a scumbag.

"Ava, can you give me another chance? I'll make it up to you," Bud said, reaching for her hand.

But before Bud's hand could touch Ava, she stepped back, creating distance between them.

Ava's eyes shimmered with unshed tears as she shook her head. "There's no chance. That was my last opportunity. Since I've decided to let go, I have to commit to that decision completely."

"Besides, Mr. Ray, have you forgotten that

finishing her sentence, she walked around

Ava was about to walk away, Bud gently tugged on her arm and asked once more, "Ava, really, can't

at Bud's hand pulling on her arm. With a heartfelt gesture, she

what was decided was decided. There's no need for

had endured so many difficult days and nights

she no

back, feeling as if the most important thing in his heart was slipping away-just as it had the last time

this time,

slapped, a day

immediately called to find out what

end of the phone, Ava replied casually, "It's nothing. She slapped me, and I returned

silently. Remembering what Maxwell had said to her, she couldn't help but ask, "Ava, can you really let go of Bud in

silence spoke volumes, but then she replied, "I've really let him go, Mona. You know me I am never one to give

few moments later, Ava added, "I'm doing pretty well now. My boyfriend loves me, and you're my best friend. But if I broke up with Joseph and got back together with Bud, I don't think I'd be as happy." Deep down, it seemed she wasn't entirely unwilling to break up with Joseph. She had grown accustomed

had become a thing of the past

Ava said, Mona felt a pang

missed connection was a

and Bud were never

good that you're

Ava's best friend, Ava's happiness was what mattered most,

was in a bad

from Nigel about Chelly and fell deep into