Daniel's suspecion

Ava's house at Bay

Ava came back home and was relieved to see Daniel was still not home yet. She didn't know how she felt about the situation, she should feel guilty but at that moment she was just numb, feeling nothing. Ava checked on Nina and went for a shower.

Daniel came back and was about to go to his room when he heard Ava's phone ringing for a while. He knocked on the door but there was no answer. Daniel thought Ava fell asleep, afraid that the ringtone will wake her up he got inside to turn it off. However, inside the room was empty except for Nina who was sleeping soundly on the bed, and the sound of running water was coming from the bathroom. He realized Ava must be taking a shower so he decided to answer the call for her. He saw it was Sarah so he picked it up without any hesitation.

As soon as the call connected Sarah said, "Sister, what took you so long? Listen, can you come with me shopping tomorrow, please?"

Daniel smiled and said, "Sarah, it's me, Daniel. Your sister is in the shower right now. Do you need something?"

"Oh, brother Daniel, sorry I thought it was Ava. It's nothing It's Ben's birthday tomorrow so I wanted sister to accompany me to buy something for him."

Daniel talked to Sarah for a few minutes and suggested what Ben could like as a birthday gift and hung up. He was about to put the phone back on the table when he suddenly noticed Ava's call list. He froze to see there were several calls from Oliver on the list, some were missed, and some were received but what bothered him the most was the calls Ava made to him. Why would she call him? Daniel checked the call details, and timing, his heart shook and an uneasiness spread through his whole heart. Why was she talking to him again? However, Daniel suppressed the uncomfortable feeling in his heart and put the phone back on the table. He then sat down on the bed and stared at the sleeping Nina.

If it wasn't for this child, Ava would never marry him. For more than two years, they lived like a married couple harmoniously, yet they could never really be a real family. When Ava got married to Oliver, although Daniel was heartbroken, he still chose to let her go and bless her. However, when Ava came to him for help and wanted to get away from Oliver after she lost her child, for the first time he saw hope. He thought now he had a chance, he will give her all the happiness she deserved but she never let him. Nina came into the picture and Ava slowly forgot the pain of her lost child. However, did she really lose that child?

When Daniel first heard Oliver adopted a boy, he didn't think much of it. But when he saw the boy's picture with Oliver in a magazine, he was stunned. There was no doubt in his mind that this was Oliver's own child. The boy was a complete Xerox copy of his father but then who was his mother? If it was someone else Daniel wouldn't even think about it and assume that boy was an Illegitimate child but he knew Oliver's character very well, although he was very popular among the girls but Oliver was known to have serious OCD. He wouldn't just touch any woman, so does that mean that boy was actually Ava's?

He tried to investigate but Oliver restricted each and every piece of information about the boy, which made him even more suspicious. He used to be a prosecutor so finding mystery was in his nature, but he couldn't find anything so he gave up. Although the suspicion never really went away, Daniel still didn't want to think of the possibility of that boy being Ava's, because if it was true and Ava found out the boy Oliver was raising is actually her and Oliver's son, she would go back to him without a second thought. He had seen firsthand how much she suffered for that child. So Daniel never shared this piece of information with Ava and kept putting oil on the fire saying the boy was Oliver's illegitimate child. But what if the truth comes out now? Will he be able to hold Ava to him then?

Ava came out of the bathroom and was surprised to see Daniel sitting on the bed. She smiled and asked softly, "Danny, when did you come back? And it's so late why aren't you in bed"

"Oh, I was going to bed but heard your phone ringing so came to pick it up for you. It was Sarah." Daniel also said with a smile hiding every discomfort he was feeling inside.

"Ah…Why did she call?"

"Tomorrow is Ben's birthday so she wanted to buy a present for him. She wanted some suggestions and I helped her out."

"This girl, I don't know what I am going to do about her. She clearly likes Ben but wouldn't admit it. You know Danny I think we should help them to get together. "

"How can we help? They are adults, if we interfere things might get complicated for them. They have to realize their own feeling and act on that." Daniel suddenly pulled Ava into his arms.

Ava's body froze but she didn't push him away. After she started to have contact with Oliver, whenever she was close to Daniel she would be very uncomfortable. She didn't know what to do with her heart. "You are right, we should let them figure it out."

"Alright, it's late, you should go to bed." Ava finally pulled out of his arm and said softly.

"Ok, Good night, wife," Daniel said in a low voice and turned off the light as Ava lay down on her bed and left.

Ava chuckled and thought, such a gentleman. No matter how difficult it was for him he would never force her to do anything. Ava sighed and closed her eyes.

Daniel came back to his room and lay down, but sleep didn't come to him. A lot of things were going on in his mind taunting him. He feared Ava will leave him if Oliver kept pestering her like this. After a while, he picked up his phone and dialed an old friend's number. Earl Su! He used to work under Daniel at the court but they were very good friends. Daniel always recognized his potential, so after he left Earl took his position and over the years with his hard work, he achieved the post of deputy director of prosecution.

After a few rings the call finally connected however instead of Earl, some woman picked up the call. Hearing the breathless woman, Daniel realized he called at the wrong time and instantly felt embarrassed to call at this hour but since the call was already connected he might just say hello.

"Hello, who is this?" The woman asked.

"Oh Hi, Isn't this Earl Su's number?" Daniel asked hesitantly.

"Yeah, hold on a second. Hubby someone is looking for you." The woman shouted.

"Hello, who is this?" Earl's cold voice came from the other end.

"It's me," Daniel said lightly.

"Danny!" Earl almost shouted out. His buddy who he didn't see in years was calling him, and he was overjoyed.

"Yeah. Are you done with your workout or should I call tomorrow?" Daniel said shamelessly. They were friends after all although they haven't been in contact for years but he didn't think they needed to talk politely.

Earl was afraid that Daniel will hang up so he quickly said "No, please don't don't don't don't don't. We are done. So tell me, Danny, It's been so long, you seem to prosper well in the business world. Why did you suddenly remember me?" He said teasing him. He has already seen the news of Daniel's return on the TV and he was very happy for his friend.

Daniel fell silent so Earl said in a serious tone, "Danny if you need my help with something just tell me. You know I'll help you with anything." Earl knew Daniel's character very well to know why he was hesitating, therefore he said it himself. Besides Earl would help him no matter what. Earl has always been grateful to Daniel because he taught him many things when he first started as a prosecutor and if Daniel didn't recommend him to replace his position then he wouldn't be where he was today.

"It's not convenient to talk over the phone. Can we meet? It's been a while since I've seen you anyway."

"Well, I am free tomorrow night. Let's meet."

"OK, I'll text you the time and place. See you tomorrow." Daniel hung up.