Chapter 347

Chapter 347 The Sunrise of Hope
Joseph’s POV

Ava and I held each other tightly for what felt like an eternity. I was lost in memories—the kind I wanted to bury deep inside, never to be shared with anyone. But feeling her presence, her embrace and support, seemed to soothe all my unhealed wounds.

When we finally separated, I looked into her eyes, certain that if not for her, no one would have stayed in my life, beside me, helping me overcome all the pain my father had inflicted upon me in the past.

“Ava, come back to me, forever,” I whispered.

“Joseph…” she sighed, “After I caught you two together, did you go to that ranch with her?”

“Yes.” I didn’t want to talk about this, but I needed to be honest with her.

“Why did you go?”

“Because she sent me a voice message crying that her life was over, that she wanted to die, and that if I didn’t come see her, she would kill herself. I can show you the message.”

“I don’t want to see it.” Ava turned away, crossing her arms over her chest in an obvious defensive posture.

“Ava, I don’t like her, but I couldn’t be irresponsible. I’ve slept with her several times over the years.” I knew saying this wasn’t helping my case, but I was being honest. “I felt I should at least see what was happening and if I could help, as a friend.” I tried to make her understand that I was only there as a friend.

“Mistake,” Dean growled in my mind. “Should have let the other female handle her own problems. Ava is hurt because of your softness.”

“I know,” I replied internally. “But I couldn’t just ignore someone threatening suicide.”

“Your guilt over past intimacies clouds your judgment,” Dean snapped. “Ava’s pain matters more than anyone else’s manipulation.”

“Is that all?”

“That’s it!” I assured her without hesitation. “I found her at the spa she usually goes to with her friends. Her card wouldn’t work. So I paid for her spa treatment and took her out. Can you imagine how embarrassed she was when she found herself unable to pay at a place she frequented so often?”

“Don’t expect me to feel sorry for her!” Ava snapped.

“I’m asking you to understand me,” I said. “After we left the spa, I took her to her father’s company, where she discovered it had gone bankrupt. She broke down emotionally. Her father had no time for her; he was busy dealing with complicated issues and didn’t care about her at all, just sent her away.”

“And then what?”

“So I was going to take her home, but she asked me to take her to the ranch, and I did.”

“And then?”

“Damn it, Ava!” I felt like continuing wouldn’t solve anything. “I didn’t sleep with her, okay! But we stayed there the entire day, and then I took her home. That’s it, I swear!”

“I need more wine,” was all Ava said.

“We’ve already finished one bottle!” I pointed out.

“I don’t care! Figure it out! I want more wine!” Ava said angrily.

“But in a few hours, you have to meet the girls to help Caroline prepare for the wedding,” I tried to dissuade her from drinking more.

“You make sure I wake up radiant, beautiful, and without a hangover, but right now, I—want—more—wine!” Ava raised her voice, and I didn’t want to argue with her; she was upset.

I went to the kitchen and retrieved the remaining bottle from the wine cabinet. When I returned to the living room, she was staring straight ahead. I poured her a glass, which she drank in one go, then gestured for me to pour another. After she finished the second glass from the second bottle, I could tell the alcohol was taking effect.

“When the hell does this damn sun rise?” Ava asked, though she was no longer as irritated, and I found her so adorable that I couldn’t help but smile.

“It’s already four-thirty in the morning, so it will start soon.” I pulled her into my arms, and we embraced in silence.

She finished the second bottle by herself. By the time the sun began to rise over the horizon, she was rubbing her eyes, struggling to stay awake. I looked down at her head resting on my chest and saw her eyes sparkling and a smile playing on her lips.

The sun rose slowly, chasing away the darkness, bringing light, announcing the arrival of a new day, and rekindling my hope—after all, she was in my arms, wasn’t she? Yes, she was by my side! She snuggled closer and slowly closed her eyes, falling into a deep sleep.

I held her tighter, kissed her forehead, and sighed contentedly. This woman was my sun! I fell asleep and the warmth of sunlight on my skin