26 Nicholas Baker
Dylan stood rooted to the spot, his face slowly reddening as he turned to meet Ava’s stormy gaze. His
eyes flared with disbelief, and for a moment, it seemed as if the entire world had gone silent around them.
Murmurs rippled through the diners nearby, some in shock, others in hushed gossip. Gianna’s hands flew to her mouth as she stared wide–eyed at the scene unfolding before her. Ethan was also taken aback. He hadn’t expected her to go this far to defend him.
Dylan’s eyes locked onto Ava’s, his shock turning into a seething, burning rage.
“Your problem is with me,” Ava hissed, her chest heaving. “Don’t humiliate Ethan. I won’t tolerate
it.”
Dylan’s glare intensified. “You slap me for him!” he groaned. His heart blazed with rage, as memories from the past raced through his head. He had noticed Ava always standing up for Ethan at school, which irritated him.
Ethan was merely an ordinary guy, an orphan who her father had sponsored. But Ava had given him special treatment. The memory triggered old frustrations, exacerbating his fury.
“If you say something against Ethan, I’ll do that again,” Ava snapped, leveling the glare.
“Ava! You are unreasonable!” Gianna chimed in. “Because of another man, you didn’t hesitate to humiliate Dylan in front of everyone. You may have issues with him, but you shouldn’t have hit him in public.”
Her words were deliberate, aiming to fuel Dylan’s rage. And Gianna was successful with it. She leaned closer to Dylan, her hand lightly touching his arm as if to restrain him, though it was clear she had no real intention of calming him down.
“You’re only making this worse, Ava,” Gianna said with feigned concern. “You’re turning this into a spectacle. Think about how this looks. Everyone’s watching.”
Dylan’s fury reached its peak, his face red in anger. “You are coming with me,” he growled, reaching out toward Ava.
Worried that Dylan would hurt Ava out of fury, Ethan instinctively stepped closer to Ava, pulling her behind him. “Dylan, calm down first.”
Before Ethan could finish his sentence, Dylan’s fist connected to his jaw, sending him crashing onto the table with a loud thud. Plates clattered and gasps rippled through the restaurant. A few patrons instinctively reached for their phones, capturing the chaos as it unfolded.
“Ethan!” Ava hurried to help him.
Ethan sneakily wiped the blood from the corners of his lips.
“Are you hurt?” Her hands trembled as she helped him back to his feet.
“I am fine” Ethan assured her.
1/3
- Nicholas Baker
Dylan stood there, chest heaving, his eyes darkened with rage and jealousy. The sight of Ava tending to Ethan stoked the fire in his heart. “You’re worried about him?” Dylan spat, his voice trembling with barely contained fury.
Ava shot him a scathing glare. “Get out of here, Dylan,” she bellowed.
“What did you just say?” Dylan narrowed his eyes at her with disbelief. He had never expected her to stand against him so boldly.
“I said get out!”
For a moment, it looked as though Dylan might lash out again, the veins in his neck pulsing with anger. But before he could respond, Gianna stepped forward. “Dylan, let’s go,” she murmured, tugging on his arm. Her grip tightened, pulling Dylan toward the door.
Ava stood there, her heart pounding, watching them leave. But as she turned her attention back. to Ethan, her expression was apologetic. “I’m sorry,” she murmured, the carlier fire replaced with worry. “I didn’t expect Dylan to react so violently.”
“You shouldn’t have done that,” Ethan said. “He is your husband.”
“But that doesn’t give him the right to humiliate you like that,” she shot back. “You’re family to me, Ethan–like a brother. I won’t stand by and let him or anyone else disrespect you.”
Ethan’s heart swelled with a mixture of emotions. He had always admired Ava for her fierce loyalty, the way she never hesitated to defend him no matter the circumstances. But beneath his gratitude, there was a growing worry. He knew Dylan wasn’t one to let things go easily. especially after what had just happened.
“You’ve angered him because of me,” Ethan said with concern. “He could hurt you, Ava. Let me apologize and try to smooth things over. Maybe I can explain-”
“There is no need,” Ava cut him off. “I can deal with Dylan myself.” Her expression softened as her gaze drifted back to the bruise forming on his lip. “But you’re hurt. Let me take you to the hospital.”
Ethan chuckled softly, trying to play down the injury. “It’s just a scratch, Ava. I’ll be fine.”
“You are coming with me.” Ava grabbed his hand and pulled him along with her.
Helpless, Ethan followed her.
As Ava and Ethan reached the parking area, they halted abruptly, their eyes locking onto a distressing sight. A man hunched over, beads of sweat glistening on his forehead, his hand clutching his chest.
Ava’s heart raced as she recognized him. It was Nicholas Baker.
“Isn’t he Nicholas Baker?” Ethan asked, his brow furrowing with concern as he observed the man struggling with what appeared to be severe chest pain. “What’s wrong with him?”
Ava’s pulse rate quickened. A somewhat similar scene from her past life crossed her mind. She had once ignored Nicholas by the road when he was suffering from chest pain. Later, she heard.
(26 Nicholas Baker
that he had died of heart failure.
Ava had regretted in her past life for not helping him. But this time, she wouldn’t do the same thing. Without a word, she hurried over to him.
“Hey, are you okay?” She gently placed her hand on his shoulder, trying to offer some comfort.
Nicholas winced, tilting his head to squint up at her, confusion mingling with pain in his eyes.
“You?”
“I’m Ava. Let me take you to the hospital, she urged, turning to Ethan for support. “Can you help me get him to the car?”
“Wait,” Nicholas gasped, struggling to catch his breath. “My medicine… it’s in my car…” He fumbled with his trembling hand, managing to pass her the key.
Ava glanced at the rows of cars, feeling a surge of determination. She pressed the unlock button on the key. The taillights blinked with
a twitting sound. She sprinted to the car, her heart. pounding in her chest as she rifled through the dashboard drawer, desperate to find the medication that could ease Nicholas’s suffering.
She finally found the first aid box. With it clutched in her hand, she dashed back to Nicholas, her resolve unwavering as she knelt beside him. “I have it! Which one is your medicine?” she asked, slightly breathless from running and tension.
“Th–that–white vial,” Nicholas managed to gasp, his voice shaky.
Ava rummaged through the first aid box until her fingers found the vial he indicated. She quickly handed it to him.
Nicholas’s fingers were shaking as he opened the vial and spilled a few pills into his palm, his movements erratic and weak. He quickly threw them into his mouth and swallowed hard.
“Thanks,” he mumbled, glancing wearily at her.
“Ethan, help me.”
With Ethan’s help, Ava pulled Nicholas up and took him to her car.
