He Left Me to Freeze, So I Burned His World Down Chapter 18

He Left Me to Freeze, So I Burned His World Down Chapter 18

Eleanor’s breathing hitched.

She looked at the man before her, then at her daughter, so calm she was almost a stranger, and belatedly realized that this was a done deal. Bennett Shaw was not asking for her consent. He was politely informing her of the outcome.

That line, “Is there anything else you would like to add?” was not a question.

It was a declaration.

A declaration that from now on, Ava would be under his care.

In the end, Eleanor only nodded, her voice a little dry. “No. Nothing. As long as Ava… as long as she’s happy.”

After leaving the house, Ava planned to drive to the hospital to see Nora. Bennett naturally took the car keys from her hand.

“I’ll drive you.”

“There’s no need. I can go myself.”

“Ava.” Bennett held the car door for her, his tone allowing no objection. “From now on, your business is my business. Let me get used to it.”

Ava got into the car and watched him circle to the driver’s side. The part of her heart that had been frozen since her rebirth seemed to thaw, just a little.

The corridors of Sibley Hospital were sharp with the smell of disinfectant.

Just as they reached Nora’s ward, they ran into someone.

Graham Lockwood.

He had just been released from questioning. He looked haggard, with dark circles under his eyes, his expensive suit rumpled. He had clearly been waiting for some time. The moment he saw Ava, his eyes lit up, but that light was instantly extinguished by the man beside her.

The white hospital lights shone down coldly.

Graham’s gaze locked on Ava’s hand, looped through Bennett’s arm.

The intimate gesture was like a red-hot needle in his eye, sending a rush of blood to his head.

He lunged forward, grabbed Ava’s wrist, and roughly pulled her away from Bennett.

“Ava!” His voice was out of control, laced with a disbelieving madness. “Do you know what you’re doing? In public, on another man’s arm. What is this?”

Ava’s wrist ached from his grip. Before she could speak, a figure stepped in front of her.

Bennett’s face had darkened. He effortlessly pried Graham’s fingers open, drew Ava back to his side, and shielded her with his body.

He looked down at the disheveled man and spoke calmly, as if stating a simple fact.

“Another man?”

A cold smile touched Bennett’s lips. Every word landed like a slap.

“Lockwood, have you forgotten? You and Ava are divorced.”

He paused, tightening his hold on Ava’s hand, his gaze sharp as a blade.

“She is my fiancée now.”