Chapter 528
Aveline stayed silent, realizing her initial thinking had been overly simplistic.
Selena continued, “It’s not enough to just take away everything she values; she needs to experience the despair you felt. After all, true empathy doesn’t exist. Once she’s faced the brink of death, she’ll understand how precious life is.”
Aveline blinked. “You make a good point.”
Selena smiled confidently. “Sometimes my brain works pretty fast.”
Aveline pondered for a moment. “But doing that would be illegal.”
Selena sighed. “Did Sophia consider the law when she did those things to you?”
Aveline fell into deep silence.
Russell said, “That woman really deserves a lesson.”
Selena’s eyes lit up as she looked at Russell. “Russ, you’re so handsome! Do you have a girlfriend? Being with you must feel incredibly safe!”
She glanced meaningfully at Aveline.
Aveline took a sip of her beer, pretending not to notice.
Russell, with his gentle and handsome face, smiled faintly and gazed at Aveline. “I don’t have a girlfriend.”
“Wow!” Selena exaggeratedly swooned.
Aveline, afraid Selena might say something inappropriate, quickly pulled her away. “Come on, let’s drink.”
Selena turned to Aveline, smiled, and raised her bottle. “Aveline, I’m on your side. Whatever choice you make, I’ll support you.”
Aveline felt deeply moved.
The two of them drank until they were thoroughly intoxicated.
As promised, Russell took care of the cleanup. Meanwhile, Aveline and Selena sat on the sofa, wrapped in each other’s arms and chatting away, creating a scene that was almost comical.
After tidying the dining table and kitchen, Russell said, “You two should get some rest. I’m heading out.”
Selena, holding onto Aveline with one arm, raised her other hand high. “Goodbye, Russ!”
“Goodbye.”
Russell glanced at Aveline. Her face was flushed, and her eyes were dreamy and unfocused. She looked less aloof and more adorably vulnerable.
His gaze deepened for a moment before he forced himself to look away and leave.
The door closed.
Selena cupped Aveline’s face, her words slurred from the alcohol. “Aveline, have you really not
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Chapter 528
considered Russ? He’s really great…”
Aveline pushed her gently. “Stop it. He’s too good for me. I’m just an ordinary person.”
“What’s wrong with being ordinary? Can’t ordinary people find love?” Selena protested, clearly unhappy with the notion.
Aveline half–closed her eyes, memories of recent events flashing through her mind like a fast–forward reel.
“Maybe,” she said softly after a long pause.
When there was no response, she turned to see that Selena had already fallen asleep.
Aveline smiled, helping Selena to her feet and guiding her to the bedroom. She struggled to get Selena onto the bed, wiped her face, and tucked her in before stepping out of the room.
She opened the fridge and took out a bottle of ice water, gulping down a large mouthful to quell the heat and agitation inside her. Perhaps it was the alcohol, but she felt particularly restless.
Holding the bottle, she walked to the balcony and gazed at the beautifully lit night scene of the neighborhood. The self–mockery in her eyes grew stronger.
Just then, her phone rang. She glanced at the screen and saw that it was Lucas calling.
Aveline hesitated for a moment before rejecting the call.
