The Disappointing Daughter

Looking at Lilly's calm face Ava panicked for a second she knew well when her mother was too upset she would talk very calmly.

"I am doing fine Mom, how are you?" Ava bit her lip and didn't dare to look into Lily's eyes. She was not good at lying or hiding things since she was a child especially in front of her parents.

"Ava, you really haven't changed at all. Even after all these years, you still could not look at me when you lie." Lily took a sip of coffee and said calmly.

"Mom, what are you talking about?" Ava pretended to be confused. No matter what she could not admit anything to her mother, that will only break her heart.

"I went to your hospital last night because I wanted to know how did your blind date go but when I asked your colleagues they said you don't live in the hospital. You still dare to lie on my face, Ava?" Lily put down her coffee cup and looked at Ava sharply.

"Mom, I didn't lie. It's true that I don't live in the hospital now because I and one of my colleagues moved out after few days living there. Both of us felt sick staying at night there, after spending the whole day at the hospital, so we decided to rent an apartment nearby." Ava was tense, her palms were sweating yet she remained calm.

Lily's eyes were very sharp she said with a smile: "Really? Which colleague is that? Male and Female? How come you didn't mention it when you came home last time?"

Ava felt nervous over her mother's questioning she said in a slightly trembled voice, "Mom, it's a female colleague and I wanted to mention it when I came home but you got me distracted with the blind date and I forgot." Ava didn't know whether to curse herself or praise herself for lying to her mother so convincingly. She was feeling guilty but she had no other choice.

However Lily wasn't convinced at all but she didn't say anything on that matter instead she asked, "Fine! Then tell me how did your date go last night? I heard someone called you, sister-in-law at the café? Since when you become someone's wife? And as your parent why don't we know about your so-called husband or boyfriend?" Lily had no intention to let her daughter off this time. She had always tried to be an understanding mother and supported her daughter in all her decisions, then why Ava felt the need to lie to her she couldn't understand it.

Ava's face turned white in an instant, and she was biting her lips hesitating to answer. Lily got angry she knew her daughter's silence meant she didn't have the answer to her question. She suddenly felt very sad thinking probably she failed to educate her daughter properly.

The surrounding atmosphere got very awkward. Ava just sat there, eyes downcast, she didn't know how to answer her mother and also didn't want to keep lying to her so she decided to keep quiet this time. Half a month later she will go back home and when her mother will see she didn't have anyone in her life she will probably forget about all this.

"Look at me Ava," Lily said in a sad tone. Her daughter was not a child anymore she could not discipline her. She was a grown-up and could make her own decision.

Ava looked up and saw the disappointed look on her mother's beautiful eyes, she felt like someone just pierced her heart with a sharp knife. She had the impulse to tell her everything at that moment but the words got stuck in her throat.

"Ava I have always tried to be supportive toward you. You stopped playing piano and got into medicine I didn't say anything. You came back and broke up with Jacob but I didn't ask you anything because I trusted you I always believed that my daughter wouldn't do anything that will bring shame to our family name. But today somehow I feel that I have failed as a mother if you feel the need to lie to me and deceive me. You are not a child anymore so I cannot tell you what to do and what not to do I just hope you know what you are doing. I won't ask you anything again." Lily felt very disappointed in Ava.

Ava's heart broke hearing her mother's words. 'Her mother was right she had always been so understanding towards her, although she was very strict when Ava was young but she never asked her anything or blamed her for anything, yet she was deceiving her like that. Tears rushed through her eyes still she couldn't tell her the truth, she felt ashamed of herself. How much her parents believed in her and what did she do? She was such a bad daughter, she didn't deserve such good parents.' Ava kept weeping silently.

Lily couldn't see her daughter like this anymore but she couldn't forgive her either so she said lightly, "You should go back to the hospital, your patients are probably waiting for you."

Lily's words made Ava even guiltier, she got up wiped her face and before leaving she said in a choked voice "I am sorry Mom,"

After Ava got out of the company she felt lost. She started to walk on the side of the road aimlessly, she couldn't stop her tears thinking of her mother's words. Her mind kept repeating the words and stabbing her heart.

Ava was distracted and didn't notice where she was heading suddenly the honking of a car brought her back to reality. She stared at the car that was heading toward her with red and confused eyes, her tears kept falling, her mouth could taste the salty tears. Ava did not know how long she was standing there stupidly. She thought she was going to die so she closed her eyes in despair.

Suddenly, a strong hand pulled her and she fell into a warm embrace. Ava slowly opened her eyes and saw a pair of brown eyes were looking at her worriedly. It was Liam Jones!

The driver of the car stopped the car with a hard break then poked his head out of the window and cursed angrily: "Women, are you insane? If you want to die find someone else's car." Then he drove away.

When Ava realized what had just happened and how Liam saved her from running into a car she felt very embarrassed, she quickly wiped her tears with her hands and lowered her head.

"What a coincidence, Dr. Green! We meet again." Liam said with a warm smile as if he didn't see Ava was crying.

Ava was silent for a while thinking about what to say, when she composed herself she said softly, "Thank you, Mr. Jones."

Liam asked worriedly, "Are you OK?"

"Yes, I am fine. I was a little distracted just now and didn't see the car." Ava said with a forced smile.

Liam could see she was not ok and he wasn't feeling comfortable leaving her alone in this condition. "If you really want to thank me, how about have lunch with me. There is a restaurant nearby." Liam said playfully trying hard to making the situation light. He thought that will probably calm her down and he could also ask her what was bothering her.

"Sorry Mr. Jones but I have to go to the hospital right now, how about some other day?"

"OK! I'll drop you at the hospital then." Liam said gently.

"No..No Mr. Jones, Thank you very much but I can go myself," Ava said firmly.

Liam sighed and shook his head. "You are really stubborn."

Although Liam failed to send Ava back, but he followed her all the way to the hospital to make sure she didn't have any other accident. He only left when he saw she had entered the hospital safely.