Chapter 10

The day had passed in a blur, and Avery had finally recovered. That night, Anthony shared the master bedroom with her, but he lay with his back turned. Avery didn’t dare let her body touch his.

As morning broke, she stretched and sat up. Today, she planned to visit her father.

After a quick shower, she slipped out quietly.

The moment the door shut behind her, Anthony, who had been pretending to sleep, sat up and grabbed his phone.

“Fish,” he said, his voice rough but calm, “give me every detail about her whereabouts today. Keep me updated daily.” Then he ended the call.

As the cab pulled away, a black car with tinted windows followed closely behind. Fish was on the trail.

When Avery arrived at the hospital, she was told her father had been discharged the day before.

Her heart leapt with joy. She exhaled deeply, her face lighting up. He’s alive. I didn’t lose him.

As she exited the hospital, a strange feeling crept over her. The hairs on the back of her neck stood. She felt like she was being watched. She glanced around and there was nothing. Shaking it off, she hailed a cab to her father’s house.

The place was just as she remembered: unkempt and aged. She knocked, and after a few seconds, Victoria opened the door.

“Avery,” Victoria smiled warmly. “It’s so good to see you. Your dad's been worried. Come in.”

Avery stepped inside. “How have you guys been? I’m sorry I didn’t come earlier. Something urgent came up.”

“It’s okay, I understand,” Victoria said kindly, leading her down the hall. She opened the door to the bedroom. “Go ahead.”

Avery stepped in alone.

“Father,” she called softly.

“Avery?” Her father turned his head toward the voice. “Is that really you?”

“Yes,” she said, a small smile forming as she moved to the bedside and hugged him.

Despite everything he had done to her and her mother, seeing him in that moment, weak, vulnerable had made her chest tighten. That day at the hospital, when he was gasping for breath, she thought she would lose him.

“I thought you’d never come back,” he said, voice cracking.

“I’m sorry, Avery. Please... find it in your heart to forgive me,” he whispered, trembling.

Avery closed her eyes, a storm of thoughts swirling in her mind. Should I forgive him? What do I gain by holding on to the anger? He was her father, after all.

“It’s okay,” she whispered. “If I hadn’t forgiven you, I wouldn’t be here.”

“I’m so sorry I missed your graduation. I promise, I’ll spend the rest of my life being the father you deserve.”

He gently stroked her hair.

“I really wanted to hear those words,” she whispered, sitting up.

“How have you been?” he asked, concern in his voice.

“Life hasn’t been easy since you kicked us out,” she said honestly. “But I’m trying my best.”

“I’m sorry you had to go through that,” he murmured. “But I have one favor to ask.”

“What is it?” Avery asked, wary.

“My company... it’s going bankrupt. And I’m not well enough to manage it. I want you to take over, don’t let it fall.”

His eyes searched hers.

“It’s always been my dream to grow the family business into something greater."

"Collin, he was my PA, he's going fill you in on everything, I'll also give you a list of names to contact for investment"

Just like a dream come true, Avery was still going to become the CEO of her favorite company.

Even though it was going bankrupt, she had that feeling in her guts that she could still bring the company back to greatness.

"I promise you father, I'll do the best with everything in me to see that the company gets back to it's feet" Avery gushed and her father smiled.

A genuine smile, a feeling he missed so much. But it still felt incomplete with his wife.

Regret sat deep in his chest. He promised himself that he would never make such mistake again. Now that Avery was giving him a second chance to be her father, he would love and care for her until death.

************

Later that day, Avery went home after spending time with her father.

He had given her Collin's phone number and the list of names for her to contact.

When she got home, Anthony sat in the living room with some of his friends and a young girl sat by his side and they were all drinking.

Were they having a party or what?

Who was that girl? She was probably his girlfriend or something. She brushed off the thoughts.

She walked past them but the girl said something that made her pause in her tracks.

"She doesn't even have manners. She's married yet she still dresses like a hoe" Chelsea spat and Avery turned to her slowly.

Did she just call her a hoe?

She clenched her jaw and her her hands folded in a fist, her knuckles turning white.

"Did you just called me a hoe" Avery's voice was dangerously calm, the anger brewing inside of her began to rise.

"And there's nothing you can do. Not like Anthony is gonna sit here and watch you do anything to me."

"Shut up Chelsea!" Anthony said sharply ." Avery is my wife and you have no right to talk her in that manner"

Chelsea's head snapped to Anthony.

Anthony hated women so why was he supporting her.

"Anthony......" Chelsea wanted to speak but Anthony cut.

"Not a word." He raised his index finger.

Chelsea frown as she clenched her jaw.

Anthony turned to Avery "let's go". He said firmly without meeting her gaze.

He wheeled himself away and Avery followed behind, her brows creased.

Since when did Anthony become so nice to her?

Was it a dream?

Feeling embarrassed, Chelsea had no other option than to leave.

When Anthony and Avery got to the room, Anthony spoke. "This is still a marriage of convenience, but everyone believes we're a couple, so I couldn't just sit there and watch. I had to save my image" he explained before rolling to the balcony.

Just as she had thought. Not like he cared about her. Just his reputation.