Chapter 18

“My name is Lydia, Miss Sharp” the nurse says, her smile still in place.

I study her My eyes scrutinizing her. I then turn to Letty who was also doing the same thing

“I never hired any nurse” I tell both of them “I want to say you got the wrong house, but that’s moot since you know my name, so the only option left is that someone else hired you or this is just a ruse”

Don’t get me wrong. Having a nurse to take care of my needs for the next couple of days or weeks would be great, but this was just weird.

Lydia sets her bag down before turning to face me. “I was hired by Mr. Wood and was told to report immediately”

A groan of annoyance leaves my l*ps. I am surprised and pissed at the same time that he would do this The moment I decide I don’t want or need his help is when he decides to be a hero Where was he all those times during our marriage when I needed him? He ignored me and treated me like I didn’t exist.

“I’m sorry you wasted you time coming here, but you have to leave.” I tell her, laying gently against the sofa

I wouldn’t accept anything from Rowan The only solid ground we had was our son and that was it

I didn’t want him in my life in any other capacity except as Noah’s father. Besides, I was used to taking care of myself I’ve done it since I can remember.

“I’m sorry madam, but he told me not to leave your house despite how stubborn you get

Her tone of voice was getting on my nerve She talked to me as if I was an errant child I was irritable and pissed off and I wanted nothing but to smack that polite smile off her face.

“Look, this is my damn house and Rowan has no say here. So you better leave before I decide to call the cops on you” I snap, finally reaching my limits.

An unsure looks cuts through her face She wants to obey Rowan’s instructions but she is also not sure that I won’t follow up on my threat

Before she can answer there is another knock on my door What the hell? Is this ‘come to Ava’s house day or something?

“Looks like you have another visitor” Letty states the obvious before leaving the room.

She comes back with an unfamiliar man in uniform and who had a cl*pboard in his hands.

“Who is Ava Sharp?” he asks, and I taise my hand unsteadily have a delivery for you I need you to sign some papers for me

“What delivery? I ask, rubbing my temples.

I could already feel a migraine coming on. I was tempted to kick everyone out so I could have peace and quiet

He checks his cl*pboard at my question before looking up to me.

“Your brand new Range Rover” he says as a matter of fact, with no emotion on his face

“Excuse me?” I ask in confusion, just as Scarlet bolts out the room.

The man looks at me before repeating what he said a few seconds ago I just stare at him. dumbfounded, not really sure what to tell him. First a nurse I didn’t hire and now a brand new car?

“Damn, it’s the newest model too” Scarlet walks back to the room looking completely stunned.

I turn back to the man “Let me guess, Mr. Wood is the one that purchased it and put it in my name?”

He doesn’t get a chance to answer because the very man I was talking about strolls into the room like he owns the damn house.

“As a matter of fact yes, your car got blown up so I got you a new one” he then he turns to Scarlet. ” Hello Letty”

She greets him back and I’m just left there staring at the both of them. Apparently I’m the only one who didn’t know that my brother was actually dating. I wonder if I would have ever known if Letty hadn’t decided to come see me herself.

I slowly stand up and turn to Rowan. “I appreciate what you’re trying to do since I’m the mother of your son, but it’s not necessary. I have everything sorted.”

Deep down I knew this was the reason why he was doing what he was doing. Not because he cared or anything but because I was Noah’s mother. After all, it’s not once or twice he has reminded me of that fact.

A frown mars his handsome face. “That’s not why.

“I really don’t need your help so could you just please tell him to take back the car and terminate her services?” I interrupt him before he can finish his sentence, pointing at the man and then at Lydia

“Really, you don’t need help? I don’t see a new car anywhere or a phone and by just how pale you are, I can tell you’re already drained… You need rest and someone to take care of you”

“Like I said, I have everything under control…I’ll order a new phone tomorrow and I already have a

Why couldn’t he just leave me alone? Ignore my existence like he used to?

“Then show me. Show me the car you already have in mind” he demands, being all domineering.

Humphing, I get my laptop from the table and turn it on. I’d already made some searches when I was in the hospital and I knew just what I wanted.

I turn my laptop around and show him the car I had settled one.

“Seriously?” he asks with one eyebrow raised up, and scorn in his voice. It was obvious my choice of car wasn’t his taste.

“That is a piece of junk, Ava” Letty’s voice comes from behind me.

I turn to find everyone looking over my shoulder, nodding their heads. I had completely forgotten that there were others in the room with us. I felt irritated that we had an audience and that they were obviously listening in..

“Excuse us” I grab Rowan’s hand and drag him to the kitchen.

In my head it was all dramatic and quick, but in actuality it was slow.

I stop at the counter and lean against it while releasing his hand.

“Letty is right, that car is a piece of F***ing junk” he sneers. “I mean, how are you supposed to drive it”

Sure, I know that it was an old and used car; probably falling apart, but it’s what I wanted. Besides, it didn’t matter to me that it wasn’t the latest model. As long as it got me from point A to B then it would do.

“It’s my choice, Rowan” I fold my hands across my chest and glare at him.

His face turns serious. I’ve seen this kind of look when he is on business mode and he is in the process of negotiating.

“You refused to take a dime when we divorced, and on your teacher salary, you don’t really make a lot. You probably got this house on mortgage, so there is that and the bills and now you want to add another expense by buying a car. Why don’t you just accept my help? It’ll save you money”

With every word out of his mouth, he just pisses me off because it’s an echo of what Emma said and what everyone thinks of me. They all look down on me because I’m a teacher and I hate them for that.

“I said I won’t accept the freaking car” I shout. I’m almost tempted to hit him.

His face hardens and he steps into my space. “Be reasonable for once in your F***ing life, Ava”

“I am being reasonable, I don’t need your help. I asked for a divorce so that you can be out of my damn life…why is it that all of a sudden you’re now so interested in helping me when you never gave a shit about me before?”

“You’re Noah’s mom so of course I F***ing care and in case it has escaped your mind, I can’t be out of your life completely because we share a son, which ensures our lives are entangled” he growls, his eyes blazing.

“Only for the next ten years or so and besides being a part of Noah’s life doesn’t mean you have to be part of my life or me yours” I argue

I was getting really tired so I sit on the barstool. My head felt like it weighed a ton. I just wanted to lay down.

“Take the car” he commands once again.

“Why don’t you take it and shove it where the sun don’t shine” I snap, feeling like I’ve reached my limit.

It’s not that I was being ungrateful or anything, I just didn’t want to be indebted to him. I also didn’t want any more uncalled visits from Emma. I’m sure she wouldn’t be too pleased to know what Rowan was trying to do.

Rowan was about to speak when Letty walks into the room.

“I don’t see why you two excused yourself when we can still clearly hear you by how loud you’re screaming at each other”

We both glare at her but she doesn’t back down.

“Look, Rowan, Ava is exhausted. It’s been a tiring morning for her and I’m sure she wants to sleep. so just lay off the car issue, all you’re doing is pissing her off more. As for you Ava, accept the help offered to you in the form of Lydia. You can barely stand up straight so how are you going to manage on your own? You need someone to help you till you are better”

I think about it. I want to argue but she made sense, I needed help so maybe this once I could accept his charity.

“Fine” Rowan and I concede at the same time.

Letty smiles and helps me down from the stool. “Seems like you’re on your way to la–la land”

I chuckle at that as she leads me to the living room. The man wasn’t anywhere to be seen, so I’m guessing he was probably waiting outside.

Letty hands me over to Lydia.

“Looks like you’ll be staying to help Ava” Letty addresses Lydia. “Rowan and I will be leaving so

Lydia nods just as Scarlet steps forward and gives me a hug.

“I’ll see you soon and thank you for giving me a chance” she whispers her voice full of emotion.

The only thing I can manage is a small smile. I was beyond exhausted.

She gives me one more hug before she leaves. I then turn to Rowan expecting him to follow behind her but he doesn’t.

“One more thing” he says before placeing a brand new phone on the table.

Before I can say or do anything, he softly k*sses my cheek and then walks off. I stand there weakly staring at his back.

“Come Miss, let’s get you to bed” Lydia murmurs.

I nod distractedly, wondering why Rowan went through all the trouble. I didn’t want him to show me this soft side that has never been directed at me. I wanted him to be as he was before, a villain in my story. This way, it would be easier to hate him.