They Hated Me in My First Life, But Now I Have the Love System

Chapter 521: The ’You Let me Down’ Look

"Somto looked like he was in a hurry. I remember watching him leave and then—" she laughed dryly, "I grabbed my bicycle and started trailing his car without telling anyone."

She looked sideways at Nnenna.

"Guess what happened."

"What?" Nnenna leaned in, her curiosity piqued. This was more than gossip, it was a peek into the deeper, tangled roots of the circle she had somehow found herself drawn into.

Ava’s expression darkened.

"I was almost kidnapped."

Nnenna’s eyes widened in horror.

"Turns out, some people were after Somto that day. And there I was, this little idiot, riding straight into danger. They nearly grabbed me. But Carl... Carl was in the kingdom at the time, and by some miracle, he crossed paths with us."

She shivered at the memory.

"If Carl hadn’t been there, if he hadn’t interfered, I honestly don’t know what would’ve happened." She shook her head. "I was scared out of my body, Nnenna. And even then, after everything, Carl didn’t shout or scold me. He just hugged me quietly, drove me home, and said he was glad I was safe."

She smiled faintly, eyes soft with the memory.

"When we got home, I had already calmed down a little," Ava continued, her tone more subdued now. "But I was still bracing myself. My parents and Arthur had already gotten wind of what happened. They were waiting for us at the castle gates the moment we arrived."

exhaled sharply, like she could still feel that tension

scolding of my life. I mean, full on thunder and brimstone. I had disobeyed, almost gotten kidnapped, and nearly caused Somto’s mission to fail. I was already rehearsing how to cling to

let out a soft laugh at the image, already picturing Ava hugging Carl’s leg like a guilty

was Arthur. You know that disappointed

winced. "Yeah. That look hurts more

eyes at her past self. "I was ready to act pitiful and play the baby card. But guess

you?" Nnenna asked, already forming the answer in her

a

as Nnenna had

and reflective. "My family was standing outside, clearly fuming. Then, right before we reached them, Carl suddenly pulled

Nnenna leaned in.

he was about to make a U turn and flee the scene with me," Ava said with a short laugh. "But no. He turned off the engine.

said, her voice quieting, "with those piercing eyes of his. His face was still calm, patient even, but the air around him

stared out the window,

second... two seconds... three seconds... I couldn’t take it

head, a wry smile on

crying. Not out of fear, but because, in those three seconds, it hit me. The weight of what I had done.

interrupt. She felt the shift too, even in

didn’t insult. But every word cut deeper than a blade. He told me

"Ouch," Nnenna murmured softly.

done, he didn’t wait for a reaction. He just turned the key, started the car again, and drove straight to the castle

A beat passed.