CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND TWELVE - Love's Battlefield: Family vs. Future

A few minutes later, she heard footsteps behind her. "Ava?" Max's voice was hesitant. She turned to face him, seeing the mixture of anger and apology in his eyes. "I'm so sorry about that," he said, running a hand through his hair. "My mother... she's not usually this bad." Ava raised an eyebrow. "So she's just saving her best behavior for me?" Max winced. "I know it's not an excuse, but she's always been overprotective. Ever since my father died..." Ava's expression softened. She knew Max's father had passed away when he was in college, but he rarely talked about it. "I understand she wants to protect you, Max. But I'm not going anywhere, and she's going to have to accept that." Max stepped closer, wrapping his arms around her. "I know. And I promise, I'll talk to her. Make her understand how important you are to me." Ava leaned into his embrace, hoping he was right. But as she looked over his shoulder and saw Evelyn watching them from inside the restaurant, her eyes cold and ca