Chapter Eleven
1019 Words
“Momo?”
Ava’s voice was softer than usual as she stepped into the house.
She appeared almost immediately. “Yes, ma’am.”
Momo paused, her eyes scanning Ava’s face carefully.
“You look worn out,” she said gently.
“I’m a bit tired. Could you make something light for me?”
“Yes, my dear.”
Ava hesitated briefly.
“Has Ethan eaten?”
“Yes, ma’am. He already had dinner.”
Of course.
“Alright. Thank you.”
She didn’t wait for anything else before heading upstairs.
Her mind race with thoughts as she did.
Ava paused just at the door of the bedroom, her gaze sweeping across it.
It was neat and quiet.
Her eyes shifted toward the study door down the hall.
It was slightly ajar.
A faint exhale left her lips. She slowly made her way towards the bathroom, putting things in their place and in a daze.
The tub filled slowly, the sound of running water echoing softly against the tiled walls.
Ava sat at the edge for a moment before easing herself in.
The warmth wrapped around her gradually, sinking into her skin, loosening the tension in her shoulders.
She allowed herself to feel it.
She leaned her head back against the edge, eyes drifting shut.
Her body relaxed.
But her mind didn’t follow.
You’re pregnant.
The words returned— very clear and certain.
Ava’s fingers moved beneath the water, resting lightly over her belly.
“I should tell him…”
Her voice was barely above a whisper.
The thought lingered.
A quiet breath slipped past her lips.
“I’ll tell him tomorrow.”
It sounded more like a decision.
Like something she had to convince herself of.
“Ava?”
Her eyes opened.
Ethan.
His voice came faintly from the bedroom.
She didn’t answer immediately.
“Ava?”
Closer now.
Near the bathroom door.
“I’m here,” she replied.
A brief pause.
“Ok”
Ethan had called out to her twice already.
His footsteps retreated.
Ava exhaled slowly.
She realized Ethan must have something to discuss.
She stayed in the water a little longer, letting the warmth settle into her bones.
Eventually, she pushed herself up.
Water slid down her skin as she reached instinctively—
And stopped.
No towel.
No robe.
She stared at the empty hook for a second.
Right.
Her mind had been elsewhere.
This time she called out to him. She listened to know if he was still in the room.
“Yes?” His voice came faintly from the room.
“Can you pass me a towel?”
A pause followed.
Then the faint sound of a drawer opening.
Fabric shifting.
“I’ll leave it by the door.”
“Thank you.”
A soft placement.
Then his footsteps moved away again.
Ava stepped out carefully, reaching for it.
She wrapped it around herself slowly, the fabric grounding her in a way her thoughts couldn’t.
Ava moved to the vanity, picking up a towel and pressing it gently into her damp hair. She readied the hair dryer too.
She reached for her skincare, applying it with practiced ease and routine.
Light strokes against her glossy skin.
She began drying her hair with the hair dryer.
Her eyes lifted slightly.
In the mirror—
She saw him.
Ethan.
For a moment, Ava simply watched him.
Trying to remember when it started feeling like this.
When silence became easier than conversation.
When distance became normal.
“Ava—”
“Ethan—”
They both paused.
He glanced at her.
“You go first.”
She turned off the dryer and placed it gently on the table.
This was it.
“I…”
The words rose.
I’m pregnant.
So simple.
So heavy.
And yet—
“I wanted to ask about work,” she said instead.
A flicker crossed his expression.
Gone just as quickly.
“It was fine. Busy.”
She nodded, giving a slight smile.
“Father asked about you.”
Ava looked at him properly now.
“He did?”
Ethan nodded.
“He wants us to visit tomorrow.”
A small pause.
“We’ll go in the afternoon.”
Not a question.
Ava hesitated briefly.
“Alright.”
And just like that—
The moment passed.
Again.
Kitchen
Ava came down to the kitchen, the light meal already set out for her.
She sat slowly, staring at the bowl for a second before picking up her spoon.
“Momo… sit with me for a bit,” she said quietly.
Momo paused, then nodded and pulled out a chair beside her.
Momo studied her face, her expression softening.
“Something is bothering you.”
Ava didn’t answer immediately.
She stirred the soup instead.
Momo reached over, placing her hand lightly over Ava’s.
“You think too much sometimes,” she said gently. “You’ve always handled things on your own… but you don’t have to carry everything alone.”
Ava glanced at her.
There was something steady in Momo’s eyes.
“I’m here,” she added softly.
Ava’s lips curved into a small smile.
“I appreciate it.”
Momo chuckled lightly. “You are you like the daughter I never had, you know that.”
For a moment—
It felt lighter.
“Eat,” Momo said, nudging the bowl slightly toward her.
Ava nodded and took another spoonful.
When she was done, she stood slowly.
“Thank you, Momo.”
“Go and rest,” Momo replied.
Ava gave a small nod before heading upstairs.
Bedroom
The room was dim when she returned.
Ethan was already in asleep.
Ava moved quietly and skipped into bed.
Careful
She stood and slipped into bed.
Ava lay on her back, staring at the ceiling.
Her hand moved—
Resting lightly against her abdomen.
Tomorrow, they would visit his father.
A man who had always been unexpectedly kind to her.
Attentive in ways Ethan rarely was.
It had always surprised her.
Because his wife—
Ava’s gaze lowered slightly.
That was different.
Very different.
The thought lingered.
Just like everything else she hadn’t said.
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