Chapter 12

The car rolled to a stop in front of the grand mansion. Lights lit up the entire area. The chauffeur hurried and opened the door.

Anthony rolled out first and Avery followed behind.

When they entered in through the grand doors, a maid led them through the high ceilinged hallway to the grand dining room where four people sat on the polished mahogany brown table.

Cole sat beside Mrs Valerie and Lana and her husband, Smith sat opposite them.

"Avery, Anthony." Mrs Valerie cooed. "I'm glad you could come"

Her face bloomed with a smile. Avery smiled back but Anthony. He just rolled over and sat at the head of the table. Avery sat beside Mrs Valerie.

"Since Anthony woke up, we haven't had any meal together. So I decided to take this opportunity to introduce Avery to the family." Mrs Valerie began.

"So everyone this is Avery, Anthony's wife. Avery, this is Lana, and her husband Smith, this is Cole." Mrs Valerie introduced pointing to everyone accordingly.

"Hi everyone, it's nice to finally meet the entire family." Avery beamed a smile that reach her eyes.

Just like Anthony, Cole didn't seem interested in what was going on. He just kept looking down at his screen.

"Anthony should be the one introducing his wife." Lana said.

Avery's heart sank at those words. Anthony had never even called her name before not to mention introducing her as his wife.

"Mum seems to love doing introductions, so why not let her have the pleasure of doing so?" Anthony's voice was cold and sharp.

For a second, Avery could feel a warmth grow in her chest but then she remembered.

He wasn't defending it for love, not even for the fact that they were married but for his own gains. Reputation, he said.

Avery's heart sank. Her stomach clenched. But she just looked down, tears glistened her eyes.

"I have to use the toilet." Avery said as she stood up.

"Let me accompany you, this is your first time, you might get lost." Lana stood up.

Before Avery could reject her offer, she had already walked up to her.

" Let's go." Lana smiled. A smile that didn't reach her eyes.

They both walked up the stairs. When they were out of earshot, Lana began.

" How's your marriage going?" Lana asked with a hint of mockery in her eyes.

Avery swallowed holding back her words.

" What happened to your wrist. Poor thing! Did you get into a fight with Anthony" Lana cackled and Avery could feel her blood boil.

What was wrong with this woman, could she not just mind her business?

" I'll take it from here, you can get back to dinner" Anthony's voice rumbled behind them.

Lana turned to him eyes wide and her mouth gaped. She didn't expect him to follow them. The Anthony she knew would never do such.

"Oh. Anthony... Err... Okay" Lana stuttered before walking back to the dining room as if she had just been defeated.

Avery stared at Anthony, but he didn't look at her. Why was he here? Did he know what Lana was up to? He couldn't just do this for no reason, he must've known.

"Are you going to use the bathroom or just stand there all night?" Anthony snapped dragging Avery out of her thoughts.

She entered the bathroom and after the sound of water flushing through the toilet was heard, Avery came out and met Anthony. When he spotted her coming out, he rolled away.

She heaved a sigh and went down to the dining room.

The rest of the meal was eaten peacefully with the family chattering away.

*********

Avery and Anthony sat in the car as they drove home. Avery stole glances at Anthony. He leaned back on the chair, he eyes closed, he arms rested on his thighs.

It was as though he was retreating from the world.