A Perfect family

Ava walked to Oliver's car and without any hesitation, she opened the back door and got inside with Nina in her arm. She wanted as much distance as possible between them. Nina was so tired that the moment the car started to move she dozed off. Again there was an uncomfortable silence in the car, as both Oliver and Ava were lost in their own thoughts.

When the car hit the road Oliver suddenly asked, "Where do you live?"

Ava was stunned. How could he not know where she lives? Didn't he just make someone pick up Nina from her house, but she didn't bother to question him. She didn't want to engage in any kind of conversation with Oliver so she quietly reported her address at the bay. Oliver also didn't say anything and drove silently.

As soon as Oliver reached Ava's house, she quickly opened the door to get out and thanked him for the ride. But the moment she stepped out of the car, Oliver called her out.

"Ava, you are a smart woman. Think about what I said to you earlier and call me if you need anything or want to talk." Saying that Oliver drove off without giving her any chance to respond.

Ava stood there in a daze until Oliver's car disappeared from sight. She slowly turned and got inside tiredly.

In the living room, Daniel was pacing back and forth anxiously. When he came back he checked the security camera and immediately called the police to report the kidnapping. He has been calling Ava ever since but her phone was switched off. He was worried sick for the two of them and he somehow had a feeling Oliver had something to do with the situation. He was thinking of waiting for a little longer than paying a visit to Oliver. At that moment the front door opened and to his relief, Ava entered holding Nina in her arms.

"Ava, Nina? Thank god you two are back. I was going crazy." Daniel ran to Ava and took Nina from her arms.

"Daddy!" Nina woke up and jumped into Daniel's arms.

Daniel gently stroked Nina's head and sighed in relief. All the anxiety and worry left the moment he saw Ava and Nina enter the house safely.

"What happed Ava? Where have you been?" Daniel asked once he calmed down.

"Nina sweetie go and ask Aunty Li to clean yourself up and then we will have dinner together, ok!" Ava said gently to Nina as she sat down on the couch rubbing her temple. Her head was aching. She hadn't had anything after lunch, she was very hungry, and because of Oliver she was anxious and stressed.

Nina nodded her head obediently and ran to find Sister Li.

Daniel could see the exhaustion in Ava's face. He knew how hard she has been working for the past few days for the Academy inauguration, and today she has been running all day. Now with Nina's disappearance, he could understand how stressed she must be. He sat down beside Ava and starts to give her a massage on her head and shoulder. However he couldn't keep quiet for very long, the thought of Oliver's involvement with Nina's disappearance was making him uncomfortable and anxious. Daniel knew Oliver's method very well, he wouldn't be surprised if Oliver threatened Ava with Nina to get her back. So After a while he couldn't help but ask, "Ava, did Oliver have anything to do with Nina's disappearance today?"

Ava sighed and said, "Yes, but Danny, can we talk about this later please."

Daniel was so angry that he wanted to confront Oliver right away but his priority was Ava and Nina right now so he controlled his anger. Oliver has to wait for his wrath. He wanted to ask more questions but since Ava didn't want to talk he only asked in a low voice full of grievance, "Why did you switch your phone off? I was so worried that something happened to you."

"Sorry I didn't realize my phone was dead," Ava said with a sigh and looked at him apologetically.

Nina came back after freshening up and Daniel decided to drop the topics for now. He gently stroked Ava's hair and said, "Nina is here, let's go and have dinner."

Ava nodded and stood up. She was grateful that Daniel didn't ask any more questions, he was always like this, he would always put Ava's needs before anything. That's why Ava was conflicted; she didn't want to go back to Oliver because she knew he didn't love her he only wanted to torture her because she left him. But she was really worried if she didn't listen to him he might do something drastic. If Oliver destroyed Daniel's business, Ava was confident he will be able to build it again from scratch but she was actually worried Oliver will hurt Daniel. Daniel had done so much for her, how could she let him get hurt because of her?

Ava was not surprised when Daniel asked if it was Oliver who kidnaped Nina, he has always been very smart so it was normal that he would guess Oliver's involvement especially since Ava was able to bring Nina back without any trouble.

At the dinner table, the family of three talked happily while they were having their dinner. Like always Daniel served food for Ava and Nina, and also time to time made jokes to make the mother and daughter laugh. He has been doing it for the past two years. He played the role of a good husband and a good father successfully for these years. Under the warm light, they painted a picture of a perfect family that anyone would be jealous of.

On the other side of the road, Oliver was sitting in his car holding a pair of binoculars in his hand and looking at the perfect picture family through it. His heart was full of jealousy, as he recalled Ava's words, 'I don't love you anymore, I love Daniel.' Was she really telling the truth? Did she really move on? She was laughing so happily, did they really become a real family? Oliver's heart stung, she was having a perfect family all this time while has was suffering. 'Ava Knight, you call me cruel, you are more cruel than me. How can you smile like that, when I have been crying for you for years?' Oliver sat there under the street lamp until all the lights of the house were turned off and he couldn't see Ava anymore. Oliver drove off into the dark night feeling lonely and sad.