Chapter 170
The connection between Ava and Victoria grew so profound and unique that no one else could claim the special place Victoria held in Ava's heart.
"Will you always be my grandma?"
Victoria looked up at Ava, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. Her expression laid bare in its heartbreaking vulnerability.
"Of course," Ava said gently and wore a warm smile.
At that moment, Victoria's heart, which had been suspended in fear, finally settled.
She was seized by a chilling fear that Ava, who had become her pillar of support, might now turn away, leaving her to navigate the stormy seas of life without the refuge she had come to depend on.
She was truly terrified. The person she held closest in her heart was Ava.
Now, with Ava's words, Victoria felt a deep sense of relief. She didn't have to worry anymore.
Sniffling, Victoria said, "Grandma, let's run away tonight."
"Huh?"
Victoria lightly coughed, a hint of embarrassment coloring her checks.
"Henry came over. We got into an argument, and I used a bit of that fragrance spray to knock him out.
I didn't tell him I was Ms. Aroma. After this, he might figure out who I am.
I don't want him to find me. So, can we run away? "
Ava retorted, "Running away won't solve anything. You're still legally married to him. He can find you no matter where you go."
Victoria sniffed again. "Then what should I do?"
"If you're worried about him finding out who you are, when he comes around asking, just pin it on me," Ava offered with a reassuring nod.
Victoria blinked in surprise. "Is that okay?"
Ava smiled, "What's wrong with a grandmother giving her granddaughter a little something to protect herself?"
Victoria thought about it for a second and then nodded, feeling reassured.
When she was with Ava, she didn't need to worry about. anything. She could just leave everything in Ava.
It was like stepping back into childhood, where she had someone to lean on, someone to shield her from the world's harshness. The feeling was indescribably comforting.
The next morning, Henry jolted awake. He sat up abruptly.
He thought, "She reached for a small bottle, sprayed something in my face, and then everything went dark. Knockout gas? How did she even have something like that?"
His expression soured. Part of it was because she had drugged him, but the other part was because she had been so resistant to him.
They were married, after all.
He wondered if he pleased her during sex.
After washing up, Henry stepped out of the room, only to find Jude standing at the door. The young boy, with an uncanny resemblance to Henry, carried himself with a chilling aloofness. His big eyes locked onto Henry.
"Dad, did you scare Mom away?"
Henry's face darkened. "What did you just say?"
Jude shrugged slightly, though there was no trace of fear in his eyes. His childish voice was clear and direct. "Mom doesn't like you. Now that you're back, she's gone."
Henry kept silent.
A vein throbbed in his forehead. Unhappy didn't even begin to cover what he was feeling.
He thought, "Victoria's wrath has solidified into an icy blast aimed straight at me. Alright then. But seriously, where does this kid like that find the guts to speak to his Dad with such audacity?"
Henry declared coldly, "Maybe she left because she's fed up with you."
Jude's expression twisted into one of scorn as he retorted, "Dad.
You're out of your league here. Mom's chosen me.
She beams at me now and coaxes me into slumber with the softest whispers.
She's even promised to take me to see her grandma.
Will she ever smile at you like that? Will she ever show you an ounce of that gentleness? Or take you to see her grandma?"
Henry was speechless.
His face grew even darker.
He never imagined that one day, he'd be looked down upon by his own son.
Henry looked at Jude with a solemn expression and suddenly asked, "So, she told you she'd take you to see her grandmother today?"
"Yes," Jude nodded and chuckled, his face glowing with happiness.
Henry indifferently announced, "There's a technology exhibition here. Come with me."
Before Jude could protest, Henry turned on his heel and left the room.
Jude's bubble of joy was mercilessly popped, leaving him deflated in an instant.
His eyes grew wide with incredulity as he yelled with desperation, "Dad, you can't be serious! Don't you want me and Mom to have a closer bond?"
Henry turned his back on the entry, leaving the hotel with not even a glance to spare.
Jude stood frozen, his small fists clenching tightly at his sides.
He snorted, "No wonder Mom doesn't like Dad. He's absolutely abominable!"
Without a second thought, Jude whipped out his cell phone and called Victoria, ready to file a formal complaint about his Dad's behavior.
Victoria was taken aback and thought, "How could Henry do something like this? Well, is there anything he won't do?"
She sighed inwardly, not wanting to stir up too much conflict with Henry. In a gentle, soothing voice, she said, "Sweetheart, my grandma will be in the hospital for a few more days. You can come to see us tomorrow."
Jude's voice took on a more childish, anxious tone. "But what if Dad finds another excuse to stop me from going tomorrow?"
Victoria replied, "Then you'll find a way, won't you? You're very smart. I'll be waiting for you at the hospital."
"Yeah! I can do it!" Jude replied, and the edge of his irritability softened somewhat.