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."

and added, "Besides, Mr. Ray, have you forgotten that I already have a

she walked around Bud and continued on her

Ava was about to walk away, Bud gently tugged on her arm and asked once

With a heartfelt gesture, she shook Bud's hand off and walked

decided was decided. There's

so many difficult days and nights alone,

no longer

Ava's slender, stubborn back, feeling as if the most important thing in his heart was slipping away-just as it had the last time at his

wanted to stop her, and this time, he desperately wanted to

Mona learned that Ava had been slapped, a day had

to find out

nothing. She slapped

knew Ava was not the type to suffer silently. Remembering what Maxwell had said to her, she couldn't help but ask, "Ava, can

silence spoke volumes, but then she replied, "I've really let him go, Mona. You know me

best friend. But if I broke up with Joseph and got back together with Bud, I don't

thing of the past in her

said, Mona felt a pang of sympathy

missed connection was a

that Ava and Bud

you're happy," Mona said

what mattered most, no matter

herself whenever Ava was in

from Nigel about Chelly and fell deep