---- Chapter 16 No.16 Her mother didn't love her. This was something Ava had always known. She felt a momentary sadness, then pushed the emotion away and curled up in her bed. The bedding was soaked with her tears, then dried, just like her hopes of being loved had gradually withered. The next morning, she got a new phone number. Her father was surprised. She explained that it was more convenient and that she had already notified all the important people. Her father, pleased to be considered "important," didn't ask any more questions. The moment she snapped her old SIM card in half, she felt a sense of rebirth, of freedom. A few days later, she was busy with new student orientation, pushing all the unpleasantness to the back of her mind. In her economics class at NYU, she ran into Julian and realized he was the lecturer. She was secretly impressed. Julian couldn't be much older ---- than her, yet he was the youngest professor in the department. They were just nodding acquaintances. She didn't bother him. Her university life was gradually getting on track. Back home, Ethan, after learning Ava had gone to New York, was anxious to find her, but he was held up by company matters. Half a month later, he was on a flight to New York. He arrived in New York and saw Ava walking with a handsome man in a suit. The attractive pair drew many stares. Ethan saw them instantly, his face darkening. He strode over to Ava. "Is this why you came to New York?!" he demanded. Ava stiffened. She turned to look at Ethan, wondering why he was here, what he wanted, what he meant. She frowned. "What are you doing here?" Ethan's face was as black as ink. He hadn't expected her to be so cold. Julian pulled Ava behind him, shielding her from Ethan's gaze. He asked softly, "Do you know him? Do you need help?" ---- The sight of Julian's hand on Ava's arm sent a surge of anger through Ethan. Ava shook her head and told Julian to go on ahead, that she would talk to Ethan. Julian gestured to a maple tree nearby, indicating that he would wait for her there. Ethan's breathing grew heavy. He suppressed his anger and asked, "Why did you come to New York?" Ava's eyes were calm. "| was immature before and caused you trouble. After you got engaged, | gave up." Thank you for taking care of me all these years, she continued. "| will be settling in New York from now on. | won't be a bother to you anymore. | will only respect you as my former guardian."