Chapter 8

That night, Anthony slept in the guest room. His stomach sank as he laid on the bed. Maybe he had been a bit too harsh. She just walked out on him, she didn't disrespect him. And he knew very well that she was grieving. She had just lost her mum and her dad was in the hospital. That explained her behavior.

He knew all these but he still decided to punish her.

Doesn't that make me a monster? He thought. No, she deserves it, after everything she had done.

She broke his heart more times than he could remember. And not once had she stopped to consider how it affected him. So if she was hurting now, it was just karma catching up to her.

He closed his eyes and let sleep take over him.

The sun light seeped into the room through the curtains. Casting soft golden lines through the curtain. Anthony stirred as his eyes slowly opened.

The first thing that crossed his mind was Avery. His heart sank. Was she okay? Was she crying by now or not?

Punishing her felt like he was punishing himself.

Maybe he should reconsider. No way! What she did was way worse than the punishments she was receiving right now.

When Avery woke up in the morning, she headed to the bathroom. Why didn't her husband sleep in their room? Maybe he was just mad about the way she walked out on him.

She would apologize to him with a warm breakfast before going to see her father.

She dressed up and headed to the door. She pulled the door knob but it didn't budge. She didn't remember locking the door.

She never even saw the keys to the room. Questions spun in her head. She turned and examined the room again. It was the same bedroom she had been sleeping in for the past four days so it meant she wasn't kidnapped.

What was going on?

She began knocking then banging on the door but didn't get any response.

She turned and leaned on the door, sliding down to her butt in frustration.

She ran her fingers through her hair. Could it be Anthony looked her in?

"No. That's not possible." She scoffed.

"Avery. Are you awake?" She heard Mrs Meyer's voice from the other side of the door, soft and cautious.

She sprang up to her feet and leaned closely to the door.

"Yes. Mrs Meyer, what's happening? Why can't I come out?" Avery inquired.

"I'm sorry, master ordered for you to be locked up for three days. With no food or water." Pity wrapped around Mrs Meyer's voice. "As much as I wish to help, I can't." Of course she couldn't because Anthony was not to be messed with.

"Why?" Was the only thing she could asked. Her eyes narrowed. Did she do anything to annoy him?

"I wish I knew." Mrs Meyer paused for a while. "I shouldn't be here talking. I'm sure madam Valerie would come back soon. She would definitely help you"

With that Mrs Meyer left.

Avery stared blankly at the door and sank to the ground again.

Anthony had done this just for walking out on him yesterday.

Her stomach twisted in knots. He really was a monster.

Later that day, Anthony went to the hospital to visit his mum.

News had gotten to him that she had woken up the previous night.

The drive was long as he couldn't stop thinking about Avery.

Maybe he shouldn't have done what he did, but he kept telling himself that she deserved it.

After what felt like hours, the driver pulled the car to a stop at the parking lot.

Anthony wheeled himself out of the car and into the hospital. He was taken to the room where his mother was.

"Mother." He called softly as he entered the room.

"Anthony." She cooed as she slowly sat up on the bed.

"Where is Avery?" She asked as she didn't see Avery coming in with him.

"Don't you care about anything else?" Anthony's brows were creased "like me, or your own recovery" he didn't hide the bitterness in his voice.

He had just woken up from a coma and all she cared to ask about was Avery. Anthony sighed.

"I care about you just as much as I care about Avery. So why aren't you with Avery" Mrs Valerie stared intently in his eyes waiting a response.

"I decided not to come with her." Anthony averted his gaze, scanning the room as if looking for an escape. "She's fine" he knew deep down that it was a lie.

"Anthony." Mrs Valerie's voice was sharp. "I hope you didn't send her away?"

"I'm not surprised that you arranged a wife for me while I was dying." Anthony rumbled.

"Anthony. Did you send her away?" Mrs Valerie asked again in a firm voice.

"No." He didn't meet her gaze "daughter-in-law is what you want, I'll just let you have it." Anthony spoke quietly.

He was feared by everyone else except his mother. He loved her so much that he couldn't go against her even if it cost his happiness.

"I hope so." Mrs Valerie muttered. But worry still lingered in her eyes.

"The doctors would not let me come home yesterday. They said I would be discharged today but I can't wait." She murmured.

"Mother, I think the doctors know what's best for your health. If they say you can be discharged this evening then I think that's the best"

"Anthony, I know you always have your way please, I can spend any more time here" Mrs Valerie cooed and Anthony knew he was in trouble.

If she got discharged, then she would definitely want to see Avery and he can't let her know that he locked her up.

"Mother....." He wanted to persuade her to stay but she cut him.

"Anthony I am your mother...." the emotional blackmail he was expecting.

It was just so hard to say no whenever she said that.

His chest tightened. What he did was wrong and he knew but he just didn't want his mother to spell it out for him.

"Fine, I'll talk to the doctor." Anthony cut her and wheeled himself out of her room. Each push of his chair heavier than the last.