Several minutes earlier ....

As soon as she passed the entrance, Ava's face changed. Her breathing was heavy, her steps slowed.

"How could he say we were going to get married? When did he propose to me? No—let alone proposing, he never even confessed his love."

With pursed lips, Ava looked back. Jeremy looked like he was being lectured by his mother. The two toddlers there also looked patronizing.

"But is he really that stupid?" Her speech now sounded pitiful. "He must have made the ...