A Lifetime With You

Chapter 30

Selden sped all the way and finally stopped at the entrance of a restaurant.

He actually sped in the city. What a man. Ava couldn’t help retching the moment she got out of the car. Selden panicked a little. “Hey, even though you haven’t fully recovered, you couldn’t be so weak, could you? Are you okay?” “I’m okay…”

He took her arm as they walked into the restaurant and sat down at the table.

Strangely, the restaurant which had always been crowded was totally empty today. There were only waiters and waitresses inside.

“Why is there no other customer?” Ava looked around, finding the atmosphere a little strange. “Of course it’s because I booked the whole restaurant,” Selden said with a big grin. “Don’t you have anything better to spend your money on?” “Of course I do. You’re the one treating this meal, so you’ll be paying for the booking of the entire restaurant.” Ava was drinking a glass of water, and she almost choked.

This was a Michelin-starred restaurant, and even a normal meal here cost a lot. Selden was a rich man’s son, and he could afford to book the whole restaurant if he wanted to. Why would he make her pay? “Even if you were to kill me and sell all my organs, I wouldn’t have enough money for it.” Ava admitted defeat. “Well, since you can’t afford it, I will pay on your behalf. But in return, you have to marry me to pay me back.”

Aa raised her fist and pretended to punch Selden. Why was this man never serious? “Selden, what on earth are you trying to do? Are you just pranking me? I’m a patient, okay?” “It’s exactly because you are a patient that I’m being serious this time,” Selden said with a solemn expression all of a sudden. Having known Selden for so many years, it was rare for Ava to see him being so serious. She couldn’t

help being stunned. “What do you mean?” “Ava, leave Damien and come with me.” Ava gave a wry smile. “Stop talking nonsense.” “I really want you to come with me.” Selden took Ava’s wrist all of a sudden. There was still a gauze on her wrist, and Selden’s grip hurt. Ava couldn’t help but moan in pain. “Look. With him, you are always hurt.” Selden’s gaze rarely looked so profound, and even his voice became deep and gloomy.

“Ava, I’ve been paying attention to news about Damien since I was abroad. Although he’s the president of a listed company, his name appears more frequently in tabloids compared to finance magazines. He’s always having scandals with celebrities, socialites, his secretaries, and university students. When has there ever been a good word about him out there? Ava, are you really happy in this kind of marriage?”

“Since you’re married, I shouldn’t have bothered you. But seeing the way you are now, I can’t just do nothing.” “Selden, this is nothing to do with you.” Ava’s head was lowered. Holding a glass of water, her voice became increasingly low. Selden became a little emotional. “Ava, just say the word, and I’ll take you away. Stop caring about the Radbury family and the Nagel family, okay?” Stop caring? There was a bitterness in her throat. Earlier, she was indeed determined to sign the divorce agreement, but now… “Actually, Damien has been treating me pretty well for the past few days.” “You almost died because of him. Just because he decided to spare you a shred of kindness, you think that he’s treating you well?” “What about you? Selden, why are you treating me so well?” Selden paused for a moment and said with a smile, “Of course it’s because I like you.” Ava raised her head in surprise.

Selden was never serious when it came to women, and he was always fooling around. From the time they were in high school until now, he had probably confessed to at least eight hundred girls. So no matter what he said, she had always taken it as a joke.

But right now, his tone was solemn. This was the first time Ava had seen him being so serious. “I like you, Ava. After all this time, can’t you tell?”

“Stop joking.” “I’m not joking with you, Ava. From the time we were in high school, every single time I told you that I like you, I was never joking with you. It’s just that you’ve never liked me back.”

Ava liked Damien, and this was a secret that Selden knew from the very beginning. Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.

Therefore, he could only stay by her side as her “best friend”. He even gave her suggestions when it came to how to attract Damien’s attention. But now, he didn’t want to be her best friend anymore. “As long as you say yes, I’ll take you with me and leave now. It doesn’t matter that you don’t like me right now. I just don’t want to see you suffer.” Ava stayed silent for a long time. In the end, she shook her head. “But Selden, it’s too late.” “Why is it too late? Just because you have gotten married, it doesn’t mean that you must get locked up like a prisoner in that mansion forever! If you don’t dare to leave, I’ll help you!”

“But I can’t leave.” She shook her head again. “Why? I will protect you. I have the ability to protect you!” “But I am pregnant.” Everything was silent for a moment. Selden froze for a few seconds and chuckled all of a sudden. “So, I’m late again, aren’t 1?” “Selden, I’m sorry.” Ava stood up and left the restaurant, as though she was fleeing.

Selden sat motionless, his smile stiff.

The restaurant manager came over. “Mr. Oakley, those things…” “Are you blind? Can’t you see that I have been rejected?” Selden gave the restaurant manager a fierce look, got up, and left. The moment he walked out of the restaurant, he plastered a smile over his face, and he looked like his usual willful and dandy self again.

To confess to Ava, he had prepared 999 roses and her favorite chocolate cake. He even secretly bought a ring. But he didn’t have the chance to give her any of these.

……

After Ava left the restaurant, she stayed outside alone for a while before returning to the Radbury family’s residence.

It was night time already, and Damien was waiting for her at home. “Where did you go?” Damien, who was sitting on the sofa in the living room, said coldly. The lights were not on, and in the darkness, his gaze looked as sharp as a blade. “…I went to meet a friend,” she said a little awkwardly and took a deep breath.

“Selden Oakley?” “No…” “Ava, you’re so stupid that you don’t even know how to lie.” Damien stood up and switched on the lights in the living room. The brightness made her a little dizzy.

He reached out, wrapped his arm around her waist, and pulled her into an embrace. “What… What are you doing?” “If you dare to hook up with another man under my nose, guess what the consequences will be?” “What consequences… Damien, even if I really do that, I’d just be doing the same thing as you.” Ava didn’t know where she suddenly got the courage to refute. Damien raised his eyebrows, his gaze as sharp as blades. “Do you think that you can be bold when speaking to me now just because you have Selden Oakley to back you up?” “What does this have to do with Selden? You’re so unreasonable!” She shoved away his hand and wanted to walk away, but he grabbed her wrists and kissed her lips.