Chapter 2My Peace Offer, His Agony

It was as if I’d expected it. I calmly accepted that he might not make the train.

I took a taxi to the station by myself.

He didn’t call until the train was already pulling away from the platform.

“I’m sorry, something came up here.

“Can you change your ticket? We could leave tonight instead.”

I watched the scenery blur past the window and swallowed my tears.

“Don’t worry about it. I’ve already left.”

I couldn't even be bothered to ask why.

But he explained anyway. “This time it really isn’t because of Sophie.

“A project we already settled had a last-minute issue. I really thought I could make it back in time.

“Ava, don’t be like this.”

I don’t know what in my calm voice made him think I was being difficult. “I know you’re busy,” I said evenly. “You can come tomorrow.”

One more day doesn’t matter. It’s fine.

Alex breathed a sigh of relief.

“Wait for me, okay? When I get there, I’ll make that lamb stew for your mom.

“She always said how much she loved my cooking. It’s been a few years since she’s had it.

“This time, I’ll definitely…”

“I’m tired. I’m going to get some sleep.”

I cut off his happy planning, the tears finally streaming down my face.

I wanted to scream.

She can’t eat it! Where were you before?

But I was just… tired.

I didn’t want to fight. We had fought so much that I was exhausted. It made me feel like I had no self-respect, like I was pathetically begging for his attention.

It was enough if he just came.

If he came and paid his respects, so my mother could see him. That was all I asked.

A small return for all the years my mother had practically raised him. A small return for the boy I’d taken in, who had eaten at our table almost every day for over a decade.

But I had overestimated him.