Ava lowered her head, her fingers tightening around the hem of her dress. Her voice trembled. “Auntie, I had no choice back then. My mother was sick… I couldn’t go against her wishes…”
“There’s no need for this pitiful act,” my mother-in-law cut in, her tone impatient. “That little trick of yours might work on Hugo, but don’t think it’ll fool me for a second.”
Even someone as shameless as Ava couldn’t bear to stay any longer.
She covered her face, gave a deep bow, then turned and fled, tears streaking down her cheeks.
I barely had time to take in the sight before I caught something else: Hugo’s gaze. The way he watched her retreating figure, the silent worry in his eyes, the flicker of hesitation.
And then, as if something snapped, he stood abruptly.
“Mom, I’ll go check on her. I’ll be right back…”
The words were barely out of his mouth before he was already heading for the door.
But just as he reached the entrance, my mother-in-law, usually composed, uncharacteristically snapped.
“Hugo, stop right there!”
Her voice rang with authority, sharp enough to freeze him in place.