Chapter 4: Too Close

Sofia, with her pale complexion and delicate features, bore an astonishing resemblance to Ava.

It was hard to pinpoint exactly where the similarity lay, but at first glance, the two looked nearly identical. Only upon closer inspection could one discern the differences.

Examining carefully, Sofia's features were even more exquisite and delicate, her gently arched brows carrying a faint trace of worry. Her small nose and cherry-like lips gave her an air of fragility, like a porcelain doll that could shatter at any moment.

Ava, on the other hand, possessed a quiet calmness, an inherent steadiness and resilience in her very bones.

At this moment, Ava suddenly understood—she was nothing more than a substitute in Liam's heart.

She let out a self-deprecating laugh. No wonder five years ago, he had agreed to the marriage after just one glance at her. Now, she finally knew why.

"Oh, Liam, you're here." Sofia's mother, Hilda, forced a smile in greeting, but when her gaze landed on Ava, there was a hint of hostility.

Liam gave a slight nod in response.

Hilda walked to the bedside and gently patted Sofia's shoulder. "Sofia, your brother Liam is here to see you."

Sofia slowly opened her eyes, her gaze sweeping over Ava's face without a hint of surprise, as if she had long been aware of their resemblance.

Looking at Liam, her eyes reddened as she weakly spoke, "Brother Liam, I didn't mean to commit suicide. I just couldn't sleep and took a few more sleeping pills. Mom overreacted and insisted on sending me to the hospital for a gastric lavage. I'm really sorry for troubling you and Sister Ava to come all this way so late."

Hilda, her eyes red with tears, scolded, "A few more? You nearly finished the whole bottle! If I hadn't discovered it in time, you might have…" She covered her face, sobbing.

Liam sat down by the bed, looking down at Sofia, his tone both indulgent and reproachful. "Don't ever do something so foolish again, do you hear me?"

"Okay." Sofia pouted, her eyes glistening with tears, making her look both adorable and pitiful.

Liam took out a handkerchief and carefully wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes, his touch as gentle as if he were handling a priceless piece of porcelain.

His gaze was filled with tenderness and affection.

Ava stared blankly at Liam.

In five years of marriage, he had never shown her such tenderness.

This was, perhaps, the difference between love and indifference.

Even though Sofia had abandoned him during his hardest times, he still loved her.

Perhaps, to some men, the woman who truly left a mark on their hearts was the one who had once hurt them. No matter how deeply another woman loved them, she would always remain insignificant.

Ava's throat tightened, as if she had swallowed a fishbone. She could no longer stay. Turning, she said, "You two talk, I'll be going now."

Hearing this, Liam finally turned to look at her, his expression as calm as still water. "Before you go, explain things to Sofia."

Ava took a deep breath and slowly spoke. "Miss Sofia, Liam and I… only married to keep Grandma from worrying, so…" Her throat tightened, and before she could finish, she turned and left.

This was the first time she had ever defied Liam, the first time she had lost her composure in front of him.

As the door closed, Sofia softly said, "Brother Liam, go after Sister Ava. She seems upset."

Liam was silent for a moment before replying indifferently, "It's fine. She won't be upset."

"She has such a good temper," Sofia said lightly. "I never imagined Ava would have such an elegant demeanor—so gentle and gracious. She doesn't seem like someone who grew up on a farm at all. I originally thought she wasn't worthy of you."

Liam frowned slightly, feeling uncomfortable at her words. "Though she was raised on a farm, her mother and grandmother were both tutors, and her grandfather was an art restoration specialist at a museum before he retired. Her family was steeped in culture."

"No wonder."

The room suddenly fell into silence.

After a moment, Sofia tentatively asked, "Sister Ava is so beautiful and has such a good temperament. You must love her very much, right?"

Liam, who had been looking down at his phone, only now lifted his head, frowning slightly. "What did you just say?"

A hint of disappointment flashed through Sofia's eyes as she softly said, "Brother Liam, you should go send Sister Ava home. It's not safe for a girl to walk alone at night."

Liam stood up. "I'll take her back and return afterward."

Sofia smiled gently. "Go ahead."

Watching his retreating figure, Sofia's eyes gradually dimmed.

Once he was gone, Hilda complained, "Silly girl, you finally got him to come, and now you let him leave?"

Sofia frowned. "Didn't you see? Brother Liam was here in body, but his heart was with Ava. Letting him go along with his feelings is the best move. If something happens to that woman on the way, he'll feel guilty and might even blame me."

Hilda clicked her tongue. "For someone so young, you sure are more scheming than your mother."

Liam found Ava just as she was about to reach the hospital entrance.

Her slender, upright figure stood in the cool spring night, hazy and beautiful like an ink painting.

Liam quickened his pace and caught up to her.

They walked side by side in silence, the quiet between them as heavy as the night itself.

Exiting the hospital, Ava headed toward the roadside, preparing to hail a taxi.

Liam reached out, grasped her wrist, and pulled her toward the parking lot.

Once inside the car, Liam took out a card from his bag and tucked it into Ava's coat pocket. "I'm in a bad mood tonight. This is some compensation. The password is your birthday."

Ava felt nothing but humiliation.

To him, she was just someone who could be placated with money, not even worth a few words of comfort.

He only knew how to console Sofia.

Ava reached into her pocket to pull the card out.

Liam pressed her hand down, his voice low and firm. "Keep it. Other than money, I have nothing else to give you."

Ava felt as if a handful of sand had been thrown into her heart—bitter and unbearable.

Money was never what she wanted.

Back at Liam's family estate.

As soon as they entered, they saw Madam Maxwell slumped on the sofa, her face pale but her gaze sharp as she looked at them.

She extended her hand. "Give me your phone."

Liam silently handed over his phone.

Grandma scrolled through his contacts, found Sofia's number, and dialed it. Her tone was severe. "Miss Sofia, Liam is a married man. Please have some self-respect and stop contacting him so frequently! You broke up three years ago—stay away and stop interfering in his life!"

Before Sofia could respond, she hung up and tossed the phone onto the coffee table.

Liam frowned. "Sofia has severe depression. She can't handle emotional distress."

Grandma let out a cold laugh. "Even if she had a terminal illness, it has nothing to do with you! The only person you should care about is your wife!"

Liam's expression turned icy. "Grandma, you…"

Grandma coughed violently.

Ava immediately stepped forward to support her, gently comforting her.

After settling Grandma down, Ava returned to the guest room and saw Liam just putting down his phone—he had probably just called Sofia.

Without a word, she took a long pillow from the couch, placed it in the middle of the bed, and pulled out an extra blanket—one for each of them.

Then, she took off her coat, got into bed, and closed her eyes.

Exhausted beyond measure, she didn't want to think anymore. She quickly drifted into sleep.