Chapter 101: It’s time for us to let go.
Dylan felt everything slipping out of his grip as he watched Ava head toward the door. His world crumbled around him, and he could do nothing to stop it. Desperation surged within him as he darted forward, blocking her path.
"No, you can’t leave me." He looked her in the eyes, hoping that she would understand him. "You promised to give this marriage a chance. The three months aren’t over yet."
Ava’s face was set like stone, her gaze cold and distant. "It’s over for me. It’s now clear why you have been so harsh with me. After knowing that you are planning to hurt my family, I can’t be with you."
"Listen to me. I can explain." Dylan’s voice softened as he reached for her hands.
But Ava wasn’t ready to hear any explanation. She knew his intention all too well. Because of his vengeance, she had lost her father in her past life. She wouldn’t let the same tragedy repeat itself.
"It’s time for us to let go. Let’s end this peacefully." She gently pulled her hands free from his grasp. The distance between them seemed to deepen.
"No, I am not ready yet," he exclaimed, his hands trembling as he cupped her face, his eyes pleading, raw with anguish. "I know I’ve made mistakes. Let me make it right, Ava. Don’t believe Gianna—she just wants to drive a wedge between us."
"This isn’t about Gianna," Ava countered, meeting his gaze fiercely. "I understand perfectly. Back then, I was foolish, letting you hurt me. But that ends here." She pushed his hands away and took a deliberate step back, increasing the distance between them.
She paused, struggling to find her composure amid the rush of memories and pain. "I am grateful that you saved me," she added, her voice breaking. "I owe you for that. I forgive you for everything that happened before. Consider this my way of repaying that favor. But..."