Stars Waited Above Empty Streets by Lorin Wren 144

Chapter 144 An Apology Too Late 

Ava and Lianne sat together on a couch and chatted for a while. 

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Lianne was the restless type–she couldn’t sit still for long. After a bit, she spotted a few acquaintances talking nearby and started itching to join them. Ava followed her gaze and said, “Friends of yours? Go join them then.” 

Lianne didn’t move. “What about you? Why don’t you come with me? I can introduce you to them.” 

Ava smiled and waved her hand. “It’s fine. I’ve been in heels all day–my feet hurt. I’ll rest for a bit. You go 

on.” 

As she spoke, Ava rubbed her ankle, and only then did Lianne head off to join the girls. 

Watching the lively scene around her, Ava let out a soft sigh. She stood up, walked over to the floor–to- ceiling window, and opened the glass door. 

Beyond it was a closed–off balcony. A rocking chair sat there, and through the glass she could see the dark night sky outside. There wasn’t even a moon that night–just a few scattered stars hanging overhead. The rare quiet of this corner stood in sharp contrast to the bustle inside. 

Ava lay back in the rocking chair, one hand resting on the armrest as it swayed gently. She closed her eyes, dozing lightly. 

“Ava…” 

Instantly, Ava felt an oncoming headache. She turned around and saw Daniel standing behind her. Her expression immediately soured. She had come all the way out here to escape the noise, only to be disturbed anyway–and by the very man she least wanted to see. 

“Ava,” Daniel said as he walked in, stopping at one corner of the balcony. “Congratulations on coming of age. Have you been doing well lately?” 

Ava’s eyes were full of mockery. “Thanks to you, I’m doing great. Didn’t you see? I’m a young lady of the Morren family now.” 

Daniel looked at her half–reclined in the rocking chair, making no move to stand. The room inside was brightly lit, yet this small, quiet balcony felt like a world cut off from everything else. She hid here in silence, as if the celebration inside had nothing to do with her at all. 

She’s still the same as she used to be–afraid of trouble, hating crowds, never fond of social activities. Her life is so narrow it’s almost dull. 

Daniel spoke slowly, “I’m sorry. I never meant to hurt you back then.” 

Ava looked at the man in front of her, at the pain and regret flickering across his face, and realized with some surprise that she didn’t understand him at all. Once she stripped away the halo of academia, the professor’s title, and the filter she’d once placed on him because of his profession, he was nothing more than an ordinary man. 

She felt like laughing–and she did. “Daniel, are you seriously putting on an act right now? Do you think you’re the star in some melodrama? That without you, I’d be so devastated I’d want to die?” 

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Chapter 144 An Apology Too Late 

Her words clearly stung. Daniel caught the ridicule in her eyes. 

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He turned away, staring out at the pitch–black night, his voice hoarse. “No matter what, I owed you a personal apology. Not long after I returned to Capitol Planet, my family found out about our calls. I had no choice but to break up with you. I’m sorry. I remember it was right around your 25th birthday. You must’ve been heartbroken. If you hate me now, I accept that.” 

Ava fell silent. Is he really putting on a full performance now? Huh! Men. 

Goosebumps rose all over her arms. She cut him off sharply. “Stop. I don’t want to hear any of this. And sneaking over to talk to me–where does that leave your fiancee? If you have even a shred of conscience left, you’ll pretend we never knew each other. You live your life, I’ll live mine. Daniel, Isa is a good girl. Since you chose her, I hope you cherish her properly.” 

“But, Ava… I—” 

Daniel’s words came to an abrupt halt when he noticed someone standing at the doorway. 

Ethan walked in without sparing Daniel so much as a glance. “You really picked a quiet spot. It’s colder out here than inside. Sit for a bit and then come back in–don’t catch a chill.” 

Ethan took off his jacket and carefully draped it over Ava’s shoulders, covering her from the neck down. The long sleeves hung all the way to the floor. 

Daniel’s eyes widened in shock. He stared at the man in front of him, hesitant. Ethan Brock? Then he watched as Ethan placed his jacket over Ava. How are they… 

Ava pulled the jacket closer around herself. “It was too noisy inside. I just wanted some peace.” 

Ethan smiled and lightly flicked her nose. “If anyone tries to flirt with you, you can just turn them down.” 

“Mm. I’m only sitting here for a bit. I’ll head back in later.” 

They spoke as if no one else existed, while Daniel felt as though a bucket of cold water had been dumped 

over him. 

What kind of person was Ava? She was diligent, full of life–that was one of the things he had fallen for back then. 

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