Leaving Alone

Ava Sterling was livid. Hadn't she informed Nathan Ford of her intention to terminate the pregnancy? And yet, Nathan Ford had the audacity to hang up the phone without a word. 

"It's my body, my choice. If I decide to have an abortion because I value life, that's my prerogative. You don't cherish my life, so I must cherish it myself. Is there something wrong with that? I tried to tell you, Mr. Ford, but who knows where you were, ensconced in some tender embrace? And now you have the nerve to question me? How very interesting."

Listening to Ava Sterling, Nathan Ford found himself at a loss for words. 

"Nathan Ford, get out," Ava finally managed to calm her furious heart and, not wanting to see this man any longer, she pointed to the door and spoke with restrained emotion. 

Ava truly felt like she had bad luck, first with Iris Hart and now Nathan Ford, both seemingly her nemeses. What had she done to deserve this?

Seeing Ava Sterling so angry, Nathan Ford suddenly realized he might have been in the wrong. 

An ectopic pregnancy was no joke, but he felt he had a right to know. 

He was taken aback by Ava's words and turned to leave. 

"Uh... Mr. Ford..." Just as Nathan Ford reached the door, he saw his assistant Chris Parker, panting heavily at the entrance. 

"Mr. Ford, Mr. Ford Senior is back. I just received the notice; he's ordered you to pick him up from the airport," Chris Parker managed to say.

Nathan Ford's heart skipped a beat. He was fearless in the face of almost everything but his grandfather. 

"How come I didn't know about this?" Nathan thought Chris was joking. 

Shouldn't he have been the first to be contacted about his grandfather's return, rather than hearing it from Chris? 

"Mr. Ford Senior tried calling you, but no one answered. He tried calling the lady of the house too, to no avail. Eventually, he reached out to me. I had to search around before I found out you were here. You better hurry," Chris said, gasping for breath.

"Let's go..." Nathan Ford glanced at his phone, realizing the gravity of the situation, and prepared to leave immediately, while his assistant Chris Parker showed no signs of leaving.

Ava Sterling caught the solemn look on Nathan Ford's face and glanced at her phone, indeed seeing a call from the elder Mr. Ford. 

She breathed a sigh of relief, thinking that finally, someone would keep Nathan Ford in line.

Dealing with the rumors about Nathan Ford and Iris Hart was becoming a headache for her. 

She couldn't care less about the gossip, but these two were anything but discreet, constantly making headlines, much to the delight of the paparazzi. 

The journalists spared no one, often dragging her into their sarcasm. 

Though it didn't personally bother her, it was damaging to both the Sterling family name and the company's reputation.

Several times, Ava wanted to ask Nathan to be more low-key, but it never felt right to say, so she kept her silence. 

Now, with the elder Mr. Ford's return, Nathan would have to tone it down, willing or not.

In front of the elder Mr. Ford, they still managed to appear as a loving couple.

The elder had been upset by the rumors, calling a few times to inquire. 

Ava Sterling, not wanting to stir up more trouble, helped Nathan Ford quell them.

"Master, the elder has said you must bring your wife with you," Chris Parker glanced at Ava Sterling.

Hearing this, Nathan Ford stopped in his tracks and turned to look at Ava Sterling, who wore a clear expression of refusal.

Nathan Ford opened his mouth to say something but ultimately turned and left alone.

He knew how angry Ava Sterling was; after upsetting her, he couldn't possibly humble himself to ask for her company—not his style.

The moment Nathan Ford left, a loud "bang" echoed as Ava Sterling slammed the door shut.

She exhaled deeply, relieved to have sent off a significant burden. 

She felt if Nathan Ford hadn't left, she would have combusted from frustration.