Stars Waited Above Empty Streets by Lorin Wren 77

Chapter 77 The Hope 

44% 

Finished 

“You’re amazing, Ava. Own it. If they’re a match for you that’s their lucky break! You should never feel pressured about this. And don’t you dare doubt yourself you’re more than enough for them!” Jane said. 

Ava was struck by just how perceptive Jane was. She hesitated for a moment, then spoke with a calm. honesty. “I don’t even want to get married. With my matches, this whole forced match thing makes me feel guilty inside, but I don’t wish to just accept it. That’s why I was trying to leverage the Morrens‘ influence to get out of this marriage that the law is shoving down my throat. 

“I’m only twenty–five. By society’s standards, I’m barely an adult. I’m still stuck in the Ivory Tower, studying, and yet they’re pushing me to marry? It’s just not fair. 

“a man refuses to marry, people call him a social failure, a loser in the mating game. But why the hell should I be forced to marry the moment I come of age? And it’s even illegal not to!” 

Jane fell silent. 

No wonder she’s been so fixated on trying to break it off. 

Jane let out a sigh, finally starting to grasp a bit of what Ava was thinking. “Ava, some things we just can’t change. All we can do is, when we have a choice, live as freely and boldly as we can. Society’s expectations aren’t something you can just flip overnight.” 

“I know, but I can’t accept it,” Ava murmured, her voice tinged with quiet frustration. “I get that I can’t change the world. I’m not some goddess out to save everyone.” She exhaled slowly. “But I really hope that someday, the world will be different. And if I’m lucky enough to have a daughter in the future, I want her to have more choices. I want her to see more of the world.” 

It took Jane a long moment before she patted Ava’s shoulder. “This is going to be a tough road. But I believe there will be others walking it with you. If, just hypothetically, your hopes don’t pan out, would you regret it?” she asked, pressing gently. 

“I wouldn’t! I’m not trying to do something impossible in one shot. I’m not trying to break the rules of the world. I just want society to stop thinking so rigidly that women have to get married by a certain age or they’re doing something wrong,” Ava said, rubbing the bridge of her nose. “I know my views might not fit in with the times, but that’s just how I feel at my core.” 

“Then we’ll work at it together,” Jane said, taking her hand. They shared a small smile. 

Back at the Morren Residence, Ava treated herself to a long, relaxing shower. As for her own matters, the things she couldn’t handle alone, she decided to leave to her family to sort out. 

It was almost noon by then. Seeing that no one else had any plans to leave the Morren Residence, Jane thought quietly to herself. 

They’ve got some nerve! Well, they’re Ava’s husbands in the legal sense, and sitting down to eat with the Morrens doesn’t seem wrong at all. 

Jane smirked and grabbed a magazine from the side, flipping through it. 

By the time Ava finished her shower and got dressed, she walked back downstairs and noticed the others were still there. Her expression froze for a brief second in hesitation, but she quickly smoothed it out and made her way over to sit beside Jane. 

13:21 Sat, Jan 10 GS. 

Chapter 77 The Hope 

༥ ༩ 44%– 

Finished 

Jane reached out and tucked some of Ava’s half–dry hair behind her shoulders. She let out a sigh of envy. “Your hair is amazing. I’m so jealous. I even got a hair transplant, but, honestly, it didn’t turn out that great.” 

Ava glanced at Jane’s big, red waves and grinned. “Girl, you’ve got plenty of hair yourself. Fire–engine red lips, red hair, and blue eyes. Total boss energy. You could slay anyone, guy or girl.” 

Jane laughed, her eyes sparkling. “You sure know how to flatter someone. No wonder Asher keeps going on about you. Honestly, I think he’s just full of himself, trying to get everyone riled up.” She shot a glance at Asher and rolled her eyes. “Do you even know what Asher got…” 

Before she could finish, Asher suddenly jumped up and pressed his hand over Jane’s mouth from behind the couch. “Shut up! Ava, don’t listen to her nonsense.” 

Ava watched them bicker, utterly confused. “Wait, what’s going on?” 

From the other side of the couch, Ryan jumped in. “Oh, Asher took a nasty fall last night. Broke a bone.” 

Ava’s eyes went wide. “Broke a bone?” 

Asher squirmed, clearly embarrassed about being beaten up by those guys the night before. He mumbled awkwardly. “Yeah, I kinda… missed a step coming down the stairs. Fell and, uh, ended up breaking a bone.” 

Asher shot Ryan a glare, annoyed that he had to reveal it at home like that. 

This guy is such a jealous mess, still sitting there all bitter. How is he not crushed by it yet? 

“Already got treated at the hospital. Nothing wrong at all” Asher said, but he rolled his eyes at Ryan when he thought no one was looking. “Last night I was planning to stay with Ava, keep watch over her, you know? Too bad someone wouldn’t let me.” 

Jane snorted, couldn’t hold it in, and smacked Asher on the head. “Asher, who do you think you’re giving eye drops to here? They’re married, legit. What kind of watch are you even talking about? I swear, you’re just asking for it.” 

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