372 He Loved Her, She Loved Him (1/2)

”Why hasn't she started talking yet?”

Nora had been curious about this for a while now. She had seen how Jackie started talking at the age of 2. He could clearly make coherent words but Ava only babbled even now.

”At first, I also didn't understand why she was taking so long to learn to speak but I think I get it now,” he said in a voice soft with affection.

”Is it because of the accident? Is she not able to talk because of my carelessness?” Nora's heart was suddenly being pricked by a needle as she thought about how if she had been more careful, her daughter wouldn't have to suffer this much. But before she could shove herself down the pit of self-blame again...

”Ba-ba-ba!” Ava's voice made Ah-Si chuckle softly.

Nora looked up at him. ”My baby girl is saying you think too much.”

”She didn't say that,” Nora retorted. Her eyes looking at Ava were brimming with affection and love.

”She did,” he argued back. ”You don't believe me?”

”I...” Nora was left tongue-tied as she glanced at his face. He seemed exceptionally relaxed and calm at this moment. And the way his gaze was challenging her, she didn't dare to stare for long.

”Normal kids do talk at her age but our Ava is special. She can't be like everyone. So, she's taking her sweet time in learning how to talk.” He spoke in a friendly fashion. ”Don't think so much. There is nothing wrong with her. She's absolutely fine.”

If Ah-Si thought that Nora would be able to give him a complete reply after this, he was really wrong. Because 'Nora.exe' has stopped processing the moment he said 'Our Ava'. It not only sounded natural but also so beautiful that Nora felt like her heart was gonna explode. Her thinking ability had already crashed so she could only nod in reply.

Seeing her smiling to herself, like an idiot, he frowned slightly but didn't comment. Since the time they met again, this was the first time he had seen her acting like this. He had fallen in love with her silliness in the first place. One couldn't comprehend the emotions sparkling in his soft eyes. Even his lips had curled up instinctively as he stared at her face.

After Nora.exe started processing again, she felt an intense stare at the side of her face. She tilted her head to look, and Ah-Si instantly cleared his throat awkwardly while avoiding her eyes. He felt like he was caught doing something he wasn't supposed to.

”By the way, you really don't want to spend more time with Ava? You can really take her with you if you want as long as you promise to bring her back.”

”I want to but I can't,” she nibbled on her bottom lip. ”Your dad said that...”

”He wouldn't mind that?” she quirked up her brow.

”He can do this much for his granddaughter,” answered Ah-Si while shrugging nonchalantly. ”So, if you want...”

She shook her head at him. ”I can't.”

”Huh?”