Chapter 400

S31 143. Don’t Blame Yourself

Mrs. Connor was stunned to see the couch. Ava curled up there. Instantly, her memories were sucked into the past.

Ava used to do that a lot, sleeping on the couch. She always did it after every fight with Eva. Little by little, tears gathered on Mrs.

Connor’s eyes.

“Ava?”

Ava flinched at that voice. She turned around and immediately sat up.

“Mom?”

Behind the wheelchair, Jeremy gave her a smile. Then bowing, he patted Mrs. Connor on the shoulder.

“When you’re done, ask Ava to call me. I’ll wait downstairs with the others.”

Mrs. Connor nodded slightly. After Jeremy exited and closed the door, her gaze locked on Ava.

“Mom?” Ava’s eyes fluttered in confusion. “Why did you come up here

“Why are you sleeping on the couch? Why don’t you just lie down on the bed?”

Ava blinked. She didn’t understand the reason either. Her body immediately looked for the couch when she wanted to lie down.

“That’s… because my clothes are dirty. I came from outside earlier.”

Mrs. Connor knew Ava made that answer up. As her breathing grew heavier, her tears thickened.

“Where did you go? To meet Eva?”

Ava froze. Her hands subconsciously clenched tightly. “You already know?”

Mrs. Connor nodded. Ava immediately dropped her knees. Her head bowed. Her hands squeezed each other.

“I’m sorry, Mom. I never thought that Eva could suffer such a big misfortune. I regret that I sent her away earlier. If only I had given in again, none of this would have happened. The boutique would still be standing.”

Not getting an answer, Ava peeked. Out of the corner of her eye, she could see the gloomy face.

“I’m really sorry, Mom,” she continued before choking. “I realize this is my fault. I was selfish. I was the one who dragged Eva into danger. Therefore, I will take responsibility.”

Ava nodded reassuringly. Her hand patted her chest. “I thought about it earlier. I think Eva won’t be sad anymore if she gets compensation money. Therefore, I will transfer all my savings so she can build her boutique again.”

Mrs. Connor remained silent. Her brain was spinning fast,

remembering how many times Ava had knelt like that in front of he He just realized. Ava always knelt down every time she desperatel asked for forgiveness from her. The poor girl was afraid of losing all

her love.

“I heard that Eva doesn’t want to consider you a sibling anymore. Then you’re sad. Why? Hasn’t she often said that?” Mrs. Connor raised her head slightly.

Ava’s furrowed brows spontaneously changed meaning. “About that….” Her tongue became numb.

“All this time, I thought what she said was nothing serious. She said it

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out of emotion. But earlier….”

Ava sighed quickly and looked down. She didn’t want to show the tears well up in her eyes.

“She meant it. She didn’t even want to see me anymore. I feel like I have failed as an elder sister. I’ have disappointed you, Mom.”

Hearing the almost sobbing voice, Mrs. Connor’s throat burned up. She sighed, but the heat didn’t subside. “You never disappoint me. I’m the one who repeatedly disappoints you.”

Ava gasped. With her eyes clouded with confusion, she raised her face again. “What do you mean, Mom?”

“I’m sorry that all this time, I’ve always asked you to give in. Sorry that all this time, I’ve used the word disappointed as a threat to make you love Eva. That’s because I know you’re stronger. I hope you two can get along if you give in. But apparently? My decision leads you astray.”

While Mrs. Connor’s voice broke, Ava was stunned looking at her. Aren’t you angry with me? I made Eva lose her boutique. You didn’t scold me?”

While wiping her tears, Mrs. Connor shook her head. “No, Ava the first place, I shouldn’t have been angry with you.”

“But Eva was devastated, Mom. She lost her spirit. That boutiq her pride, her most valuable possession and the reason she kep moving forward. I’ve burned it down.”

“You weren’t the one who burned down the boutique, but Patricia. have to stop blaming yourself. None of this is your fault.”

Ava’s head tilted. Confusion piled up on one side. “So, you don’t hat

me?”

Mrs. Connor laughed bitterly. “No, Darling. I never hated my daughter Sorry if you think like that. But I love you too”

Ava sighed in disbelief. Her furrowed brows deepened. Her head began to shake more quickly.

“You really don’t blame me?”

“How many times do I have to say it? No, Ava. I have no right to be angry with you. You have sacrificed enough for me and your sister.”

Ava blinked with her mouth open, but without a voice. When Mrs. Connor spread her arms, her expression was still the same.

“Can I hug you?” the woman in the wheelchair whispered.

A strange vibration suddenly hit Ava’s heart. She was always the one who hugged Mrs. Connor first. But this time, it was her mother who invited her?

With stiff movements, Ava moved closer. As soon as her mother’s arms warmed her, her eyes became hot. After one blink, tears rolled down her cheeks.

“You don’t consider me wrong, right? This is Ava, not Eva.”

Mrs. Connor closed her eyes in regret. She hugged Ava tighter.

“Yes, I know. I should have done this a long time ago. Eva should have realized that mother’s love has no limits. No matter how much I love you, my love for her will not decrease. I should have emphasized that from a long time ago, instead of spoiling her and throwing you

away.”

It took a long time for Ava to process the situation. When her brain. finished digesting, a smile graced her tears. There were no words that could express her heart. Closing her eyes tighter, she buried herself deeper into her mother’s arms.

“Thank you, Mom. Thank you for loving me.”

“Don’t thank me, Ava. You’ll only make me feel worse. A mother

should love her children sincerely. Even though sometimes it’s hard to be fair.”

While Ava and her mother hugged, the twins pressed their ears

against the door tighter. However, no matter how hard they did it, not a single sound was heard.

“Louis, did you hear anything?”

“No. You?”

“No.” Emily freed her chubby cheek from the pressure. “Has Mrs. Connor succeeded in comforting Ava?”

“Maybe yes. I think they’ve made up and are hugging inside. They could be crying too. Should we call Uncle? Ava and Mrs. Connor will be out any minute.”

“Don’t. Let’s just wait until they’re finished. Remember! We can’t

interfere in adults’ business, Louis. Unless, they ask for help.” Emily

nodded wisely.

Louis pursed his lips. Just as he was about to eavesdrop again, the door opened.

“Louis? Emily? What are you guys doing here?” Ava asked with eyes still red.

Louis grinned. “Hello, Auntie. Uncle asked us to check whether y were finished or not.”

Emily nodded with a tense expression. “Are you guys finished talking

Ava nodded. A small smile graced his face. “Yeah.”

“That’s good. You aren’t sad anymore, right?”

Ava repeated her head movements. “Yes. Thank you for your concern.

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The twins nodded. Their expressions were now shrouded in doubt.

“Well then, have you thought about the next step, Auntie?”

“Yeah, what about Eva? What will you do to cheer her up?”

Ava smiled wryly. “There’s one thing I’m thinking about. But, I’m not sure whether it’s effective or not.”