Upon seeing the confrontation, Ethan Shaw quickly pulled Chloe Sterling behind him, saying, "Aunt, Ava would never do something like that."
Ava Sterling, who had been listening to their argument all this time, felt even weaker than before.
Rubbing her throbbing head, she looked at the people in front of her.
Despite having almost no interaction with Nathan Ford since their marriage, except for that one night a month and a half ago, she was certain that the child was Nathan's.
"Mom, listen to me, things aren't as you think, it's…"
But before Ava Sterling could finish, Diana Ford interrupted, "No matter the circumstance, we can't keep a chicken that doesn't lay eggs. You need to divorce my son immediately."
At that moment, a man's deep, magnetic voice echoed from the doorway, "Divorce? What divorce?"
Looking up, Ava Sterling saw Nathan Ford standing at the doorway, his presence commanding and aloof.
Diana Ford, finally seeing her son, hurried forward, "Son, you have no idea what your wife has done behind your back, she…"
Nathan Ford cut her off, "Mom, I know."
"What? You know?" Diana Ford was stunned.
Nathan nodded, "I know Ava is considerate. Despite not feeling well and not wanting to bother me, she went to the hospital for a check-up by herself. But according to the doctor, it's just a case of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. I was so worried that I asked the doctor to have her admitted for a few days of rest."
"Chronic Fatigue Syndrome?" Diana Ford was surprised, "Isn't it pregnancy?"
Nathan Ford, equally surprised, responded, "Pregnancy? Who's pregnant?" His gaze then shifted to Chloe Sterling.
Hiding behind Ethan Shaw, Chloe Sterling said shyly, "Brother-in-law, don't look at me like that. I'm not even married, how could I be pregnant?"
Nathan Ford's confusion deepened, "Mom, then who were you saying is pregnant?"
Diana Ford awkwardly smiled, "A misunderstanding, just a misunderstanding. I got it wrong. You all stay here, Ava, you get some rest. I'll be going back first. And son, don't work too hard. Take care of your health."
Nathan Ford offered a small smile and nodded in agreement.
Seeing this, Chloe Sterling also made her move to leave.
Ethan Shaw glanced at Ava Sterling, his brow furrowed with concern: "Ava, take care of yourself, and call me if you need anything."
As Chloe Sterling and Ethan Shaw prepared to leave, just as Chloe was about to step out of the hospital room, Nathan Ford's voice filled the space once more: "Chloe Sterling, there are things that should be said and things that shouldn't. You're an adult; you should know the difference."
"I..." Chloe turned around, ready to argue, but the depth in Nathan Ford's eyes silenced her.
She nodded reluctantly: "Brother-in-law, I understand."
The room was then left with only Nathan Ford and Ava Sterling.
Ava did not look at Nathan but could still feel the intensity and sharpness of his gaze, making the atmosphere even more oppressive.
Nathan sat quietly on the sofa, his eyes never leaving Ava.
After a long silence, Nathan finally spoke softly: "Is there anything you want to say?"
His words somehow eased Ava, who managed a small smile, saying simply, "Thank you."
What she was thanking him for, Ava might not even know herself.
But one thing was clear; it wasn't the doctor who had brought her back to her room but the man before her.
Perhaps her gratitude was for this, or maybe it was for his intervention.
"Is that all?" Nathan asked.
Ava, puzzled, responded, "What else is there?"
Nathan Ford snorted coldly: "I might have convinced them you weren't pregnant, but the truth is you are. Not only that, but you also had to undergo surgery for an ectopic pregnancy. So, whose child is it?"
"If I tell you, will you believe me?"
"Yes."
Nathan's words clearly reached Ava Sterling, who sighed, "What does it matter at this point?"
After all, it was a child who couldn't be born.
Ava Sterling felt stifled at heart and preferred not to dwell on the matter.
However, Nathan Ford seemed insistent on getting an answer, not showing any sign of backing down.
Over the past few days, Ava had scarcely left her bed, with her meals being delivered to her room.
For reasons unknown, Nathan had hardly left her room either, even going so far as to bring his work and video conferences into her space.
Unable to bear it any longer, Ava spoke up after one of Nathan's meetings had concluded, "You're so busy; won't you go back to the office?"
"I'm waiting for your answer," he replied.
Frustrated, Ava wondered, an answer? Was it that important?
But given the circumstances, it seemed she had no choice but to provide one.
She sighed, "Yours."
It wasn't that she was being overly sentimental, but rather that night was a consequence of his drunken actions—a night she wished she could forget for the rest of her life.
Ava's sudden admission momentarily stunned Nathan Ford.
He blinked several times before fully processing her words. "A month and a half ago?"
Ava remained silent, which Nathan took as confirmation.
Then, shocked, she looked up, "You remember?"
She had thought he remembered nothing of that night, especially since he was gone the following morning.
"Why didn't you tell me about the surgery?"
Instead of answering, Nathan Ford posed his own question to Ava. "I called you, but you hung up in a hurry."
Now he was questioning this? Ava couldn't help but let out a cold laugh, finding his concern rather insincere.
Nathan's brows furrowed, and he clenched his fist at his side, an air of tension surrounding him.
He had indeed received a call from Ava Sterling that day, the first she had made to him in over six months.
But he had been too busy and had ended the call abruptly. He never expected it to be about this.
"Ava Sterling, if it weren't an ectopic pregnancy, would you have wanted the child?"
Nathan Ford's probing question barely finished before Ava's response—a definitive two words—completely enraged him.
"No."
"If it wasn't for the ectopic pregnancy, what right did you have to decide to terminate my child?" Nathan Ford's voice rose in anger.
Ava Sterling retorted with equal fervor, "Mr. Ford, does your assumption hold any validity? Besides, is a child born into an unwelcome family truly happy?"
Nathan Ford suddenly leaned in, a cold smirk playing on his lips as he grasped Ava Sterling's jaw firmly: "Ava Sterling, don't make your lies sound justifiable. Don't tell me it's because of him."
Him?
Ava's face turned unnaturally as she looked away, "I don't know what you're talking about."
"Alex," Nathan's voice turned ice cold. "Who is he?"
Ava shuddered, a sharp pain spreading from her heart to her limbs.
Alex Mercer, the eternal ache of her life, the sunny boy forever hidden in her heart, whom she would not allow anyone to tarnish.
With her body trembling, Ava raised an eyebrow and gave a cold laugh, looking straight at Nathan Ford: "So, you remember everything."
It meant his protection of her in front of everyone wasn't genuine. He was merely covering up that embarrassing night.
The night she wished to forget, and he wished to conceal.
That day, she had been preparing for her bath as usual when she heard the sound of the door lock turning.
She quickly wrapped herself in a bathrobe and stepped out, only to be enveloped in a sudden embrace, leading to uncontrollable events.
"If I didn't remember, were you planning to keep that man a secret forever?"
Before marrying her, he knew everything about her.
She was the eldest daughter of the Sterling family.
Ava's mother and Mr. Sterling had been married for many years without children, which led them to adopt Ethan Shaw.
The year after Ethan's adoption, Ava's mother became pregnant.
Ava had once lived a life akin to a princess, until she found out her father had an affair with Chloe Sterling's mother, which led to her mother's deep depression and eventual suicide by jumping off a building.
After Chloe Sterling's mother married Mr. Sterling, Chloe was born, marking the end of Ava Sterling's life as she knew it—her once princess-like existence shattered.
Nathan Ford was intimately acquainted with every detail of Ava's life, yet no one named 'Alex' had ever emerged until now, a revelation that has profoundly impacted Ava.
This discovery ignited a fierce anger in Nathan Ford's heart.
At that moment, Ava Sterling spoke, "Nathan Ford, we agreed to a marriage of just one year. After that, we go our separate ways—you following your path and I, mine, never to cross again as if strangers."
Strangers?
What a concept.
Enraged, Nathan Ford punched the bed, the dull thud resonating with Ava Sterling, if only for a moment.
Then, he sneered, "What then? After severing ties with me, you plan to spend your life with your 'Alex'?"
Ava Sterling, I'm curious to see who this 'Alex' is that occupies such a significant place in your heart.
In his fury, Nathan failed to notice the sorrowful and forlorn expression that had momentarily crossed Ava's face upon hearing Alex's name.
Suddenly, Nathan Ford's phone rang.
He picked up with indifference, and a woman's voice came through: "Nathan, come quickly, it hurts so much."
Though not on speaker, Ava Sterling recognized Iris Hart's voice on the line.
"What happened?" Nathan asked, moving towards the window.
"I twisted my ankle. It's really painful."
"Where are you now?"
"At home."
"Alright, I'm on my way."
After hanging up, Nathan Ford hastily left, sparing Ava Sterling only a fleeting glance without a word.
The hospital room returned to its quiet state, occupied only by Ava Sterling.
During her days of hospitalization, the tranquility was unbroken, with Nathan Ford never reappearing.
However, her meals were consistently provided, sparing her the need to fend for herself, likely arranged by Nathan Ford.
Reflecting on this, a cold smirk played on Ava Sterling's lips.
Immediately after being discharged from the hospital, Ava Sterling headed straight to her design studio without a moment's delay.
Having studied interior design in college, she had opened her own studio named 'Zen Garden Studio,' where she specialized in designs inspired by ancient styles.
Ava Sterling had made quite a name for herself in this niche area, consistently adhering to her beliefs.
"Ava, you finally made it," said Zoe Dawson, a business partner and close friend, as she hurriedly approached Ava Sterling. "How are you feeling? Taking so many days off is quite unusual for a workaholic like you."
The details of Ava Sterling's surgery were unknown to everyone at the studio, Zoe Dawson included.
It wasn't until they were in the office that Zoe Dawson learned the details, standing up in shock from the sofa:
"Ava, are you saying you were pregnant, with an ectopic pregnancy? And you've been in the hospital for surgery these past few days?"
Zoe Dawson's reaction brought a slight smile to Ava Sterling's face. "Why so surprised? I'm right here, all fine."
"Ava, aren't we still best friends?" Zoe Dawson, emotionally charged, exclaimed, "How could you not tell me about this?"
Knowing Ava Sterling's situation only made Zoe Dawson more sympathetic.
Ava Sterling responded with a gentle smile and a shake of her head.
Zoe Dawson then broached another subject: "Aren't you two separated? How did you get pregnant? Have you reconciled?"
"No."
"What's going on then?"
Ava Sterling, preferring not to delve into details, got up and gently pushed Zoe Dawson towards the door. "Come on, let's catch up on a week's worth of work."
"Oh, you are workaholism."
When Zoe Dawson had moved some files to Ava Sterling's desk, Ava suddenly remembered:
"Did you finish the design proposal for Serenity Tea Haven?"
"It's ready. It continues our signature style, ancient and simplistic. I've sent the design proposal to your email for you to check now."
"Alright."
Ava Sterling was busy sorting through the folders Zoe Dawson had brought over when Zoe's voice filled the room again, "This time, Timeless Traditions Artistry is also entering the bid for Serenity Tea Haven."
Iris Hart represents Timeless Traditions Artistry in this design competition.
What Zoe found particularly distasteful was that Iris Hart was now publicly Nathan Ford's girlfriend.
It seemed as though Iris was intentionally targeting her, both personally and professionally.
Ava nodded in response, "Yes, I'm aware."
As for Iris Hart, her design signature is luxury, a style that is not Ava's.
Ava had no interest in engaging in that kind of competition. She wanted to focus on her own work, staying true to her design philosophy.
"What do you mean you know?" Zoe, frustrated, dragged Ava from the pile of folders to a sofa nearby, "Did you know that Serenity Tea Haven has been acquired by the Ford Group?"
"The Ford Group?"
Ava exclaimed, "Serenity Tea Haven has been acquired even before its opening?"
Zoe nodded in confirmation.
A cold smile played on Ava Sterling's lips, amused by the news.
The Ford Group was none other than the company owned by her lawful husband, Nathan Ford.
The company, known for real estate development, unexpectedly acquired a small tea house. Was it to appoint his girlfriend as the designer?
The marriage of Nathan Ford and Ava Sterling once made headlines across City A, propelling Ava into enviable fame.
However, it wasn't long before Iris Hart took over that role, living in the spotlight as Nathan Ford's partner.
Obviously, Ava Sterling became the subject of ridicule, but she never cared.
What concerned Ava more was whether she could secure the design contract for Serenity Tea Haven for her studio, especially given the owner's desired features.
She had been confident with the previous owner's vision, but with the change in ownership, she felt unsure.
"Ava, do you think you can win this one?"
Ava Sterling shook her head, uncertain.
Zoe Dawson's face fell immediately: "Does Nathan Ford really need to be this ruthless? Instead of running his successful construction company, why go after a teahouse for acquisition?"
After her complaint, Zoe glanced at Ava Sterling's somewhat bitter expression and suggested, "How about we just give up on the bid?"
"No…" Ava Sterling shook her head, "Even knowing Iris Hart is the chosen one, I still want to participate."
Surrender without a fight? That didn't seem like Ava Sterling's style at all.
Plus, the design proposal was already prepared; there was no reason not to proceed.
Zoe Dawson, however, looked worried: "Why don't you give Nathan Ford a call? If he's already decided on Iris Hart, why bother with this at all?"
Zoe Dawson murmured after speaking, "Not supporting his own wife, but a mistress instead, is his brain alright?"
Ava Sterling just shrugged slightly: "Who knows."
Everyone in City A knew that Nathan Ford, the head of Ford Group, didn't love his wife, only his girlfriend Iris Hart.
It was common knowledge, so Ava had no face to lose over this.
"Ava, you haven't changed," Zoe Dawson sighed quietly, resigning herself to whatever outcome.
She couldn't help but feel proud of her longtime college friend and sister, who always preferred to prevail through strength.
Suddenly, the office phone rang.
Ava Sterling immediately answered, and the receptionist's voice filled the office: "Boss, there's a lady named Iris Hart here to see you."
Iris Hart? Zoe Dawson immediately said, "Don't see her, let her leave."
But Ava Sterling cut off Zoe Dawson's suggestion: "Let her in."
Ava had never been one to shy away from confrontation. If Iris Hart dared to come, she saw no reason not to meet her.
As the words fell, Iris Hart, still dressed in her signature tight dress and high heels, walked in without a hint of courtesy.
"Ava Sterling, let's make a deal."
"Miss Hart, I'm afraid I don't follow such vague proposals."