Is she questioning his capabilities?
However, seeing the couple's apparent "affection" for each other, no one else brought up the subject.
After the dinner, everyone suggested Ava Sterling and Nathan Ford stay the night, but they both declined.
Eventually, the elder Ford understood that young people needed their space and let them go.
In the car, both Nathan Ford and Ava Sterling were uncomfortably full.
"Your family's food really leaves much to be desired," Ava remarked, recalling the meal and rolling her eyes.
"Bad? I didn't see you eating any less," Nathan snapped back, irked by Ava's reference to "your family." Weren't they supposed to be a family together?
"That was against my will. Who was the one who kept piling food into my bowl? I'm really fed up," Ava fumed, hitting the window in frustration.
"The elders' wishes are hard to defy. And you seemed quite happy eating, anyway. You could have refused," Nathan quipped, glancing at Ava's slightly protruding stomach.
Ava immediately covered her stomach, annoyed. Did he think it was fine to stare blatantly at a woman who had eaten a bit too much?
Refusing food at the Ford household, with its array of intimidating personalities, was easier said than done.
"Disobeying elders isn't my style. Don't assume everyone is like you," Ava said disdainfully.
But then, Nathan remembered something Ava had mentioned about needing to "supplement" and decided to delve into it.
"Ava Sterling, I think I have a question for you," Nathan said thoughtfully.
"Just spit it out. Don't make it sound so serious, or I might start expecting pearls of wisdom from a dog's mouth," Ava replied bluntly.
This infuriating woman, calling him a dog.
Fine, Nathan Ford pursed his lips. Though angered, he decided to hold back and not argue over this for the moment.
"Ava Sterling, where do you think I'm lacking?" Nathan Ford's hands clutched the steering wheel tightly, fearing Ava's answer might drive him to a point of reckless desperation.
"Where don't you need improvement?" Ava Sterling glanced over Nathan Ford from head to toe.
With a screeching halt, Nathan Ford abruptly stopped the car by the roadside.
Unprepared, Ava Sterling was thrown forward, her forehead striking the dashboard and quickly forming a large bump, bringing tears to her eyes.
"Nathan Ford, are you out of your mind?" Ava's outcry was piercing.
"Let's have a serious talk, Ava Sterling. Touch your heart and tell me, how do I need to improve?" Nathan asked earnestly, seeking a justified explanation.
This man must be crazy, she thought.
"I think it's your brain that needs serious nourishment. Do you really think there's nothing wrong with your thinking? Given the current situation, I regret giving you soup; you should be eating more fish to boost your brain," Ava angrily retorted while nursing the bump on her forehead.
"To suggest a man needs improvement is disrespectful, almost discriminatory. I want you to understand that. So, are you discriminating against me?" Nathan's grave inquiry almost brought Ava to tears, bewildered by how he could twist the situation into a matter of discrimination.
"Think whatever you want; it has nothing to do with me." Ava said, attempting to exit the car, no longer wanting to share the confined space with Nathan Ford. The discomfort was unbearable.
Nathan Ford, increasingly taking things to heart, couldn't understand how their relationship had become so detached.
Ava Sterling was his wife, and if their connection meant nothing, it wouldn't matter.
But considering they had sex, he felt compelled to defend his dignity.