CHAPTER FOUR: CHEATED

James POV

Avery stormed out of the room, her shoulders tense, but her chin held high like she was trying to keep the last fragments of her pride intact. I stayed where I was, sinking further into the couch, gripping the glass of whiskey like it was my lifeline.

Watching her leave didn’t make me feel better. If anything, it made the frustration brewing inside me more potent.

I knocked back the whiskey, letting the burn distract me. But as the alcohol warmed my throat, the memories came rushing in. Memories I wished I could drown for good.

I thought about Avery, about how much she’d changed. Or maybe she hadn’t. Maybe I was just too blind back then to see her for what she was. My mind drifted back to that day years ago, the day everything shattered.

I was drowning. I could still feel the icy grip of the lake pulling me under, water rushing into my lungs as I struggled to stay afloat. I thought Avery, the girl I trusted with everything, would save me.

She was standing there, watching, frozen on the shore while I fought for my life. It wasn't for my sweet, loyal Sadie, who didn’t hesitate to jump in and save me; maybe I'd be one forgotten body by now. 

That was the moment Avery stopped being the girl I loved and became the woman I resented.

The hatred I carried for her wasn’t something I could let go of, even now. And being forced into this marriage with her, sharing a home with her, only amplified it. Seeing her brought it all back — the anger, the betrayal, and the suffocating feeling of drowning all over again.

I sighed, pulling out my phone and dialling Sadie's number; I needed a place of peace. She answered after a few rings, her voice guarded. “What is it, James?”

“I’m sorry about yesterday. I shouldn’t have snapped at you,” I said, my voice quieter than I intended. 

There was a pause, and then she sighed. “Meet me at the mall. We’ll talk there.”

I agreed, eager for the distraction, and drove there as quickly as I could. When Sadie walked in, I felt a sense of calm I hadn’t felt in days. 

Her soft smile made me feel like maybe there was one person in this world who still cared about me.

We strolled through the mall, and I bought her a few things—dresses, jewellery, whatever caught her eye. 

Watching her laugh and light up at every little thing filled a part of me that had been empty for too long. She deserved it. She deserved the world for what she’d done for me.

We got back to my car, and I drove to my house without a second thought. 

Sadie hesitated as we pulled into the driveway. “James, I don’t think this is a good idea. What if Avery sees me?”

I smirked, leaning closer to her. “I don’t care what Avery thinks. This is my house, and you’re the only one I want here. Let her deal with it.”

She looked uncertain but eventually giggled, letting me lead her inside. It felt right having Sadie here, like she was the piece that had been missing in this cold, lifeless house.

I took her to my room; I thought I'd see Avery there, and her eyes would have been filled with tears again, staring at me and Sadie, but surprisingly, no one was in the room. I wondered where she went; it was none of my concern, and I didn't care.

I let out a deep sigh, tucking every thought of Avery behind me as I pushed my focus to the present. 

Sadie and I sat on the bed, opening the whiskey I’d brought upstairs as she fetched two glasses from my wardrobe, and we started drinking, letting the tension of the day melt away.

Suddenly, Sadie leaned closer, her hand brushing against mine. I froze for a moment, but when she climbed onto my lap, her hands on my chest and her lips inches from mine, all hesitation vanished.

My thoughts wandered to Avery, and she walked up on us like this, and I felt guilt cloud my system. I shut my eyes tight, trying to shove my thoughts away. I do not care about Avery; all I knew was that I didn’t want to lose Sadie, definitely not for Avery and not for anyone.

Without another thought, I slammed my lips against her, kissing her hard and desperate, pulling her closer until there was no space left between us. 

My hands roamed over her body, tugging at her dress, my lips trailing down her neck, as her soft and sweet moans filled my ears. 

This was what I needed — someone who wanted me, someone who didn't act like they were being forced.

I pushed her back onto the bed, pulling her dress off as she helped me out of my shirt. 

Every movement felt natural, like this was where I was meant to be. My lips moved over her, tasting her, claiming her, and soon I was thrusting into her as she moaned my name, her voice filled with something I hadn’t heard from anyone else in a long time—desire.

Suddenly the sound of the bathroom door opening filled the air, shattering the moment. I froze, my body going cold as I turned to see Avery standing there. 

She was wrapped in a towel, her hair dry, her face pale, and her eyes red and puffy. She had been crying, but now she just stared at us, her expression of shock and pain. 

I jolted away from Sadie, scrambling to tuck my dick into my pant. “Avery…” I started, but my words felt empty even as I said them.

She didn’t say anything. Her gaze dropped to Sadie, who was pulling the bed sheet over her exposed body, her face flushed with embarrassment. 

Tears welled in Avery’s eyes again, but this time, she didn’t let them fal

l. She looked at me, her lips trembling, before turning and walking out of the room without a word.