Part 3: I Don't Need a Second Chance

"For God's sake, Avery. I've told you before and I'll say it again, The Reeds are crazy! How cruel of them to let you leave that house in a storm like this. Especially when you're with Baby Adelia!" scolded Sarah, Avery's close friend since their college years.

They were now at the Kingston residence, a home belonging to Sarah's parents that had since been passed down to her. Earlier, Sarah had arrived with her driver to pick up Avery dan Adelia.

Avery just gave a small smile, letting out a sigh of relief as she gazed at Adelia's face. The baby was now swaddled, lying on a soft, warm bed. Meanwhile, Sarah still couldn't stop her rant.

"Aren't they just the strangest people? How could they reject the presence of a daughter in the Reed family? Do they think a fetus can choose its own gender? Ugh, they’re so stupid!" Sarah's voice snapped Avery out of her slight daze.

"I, I don't know, Sarah. I initially thought Oliver was different. I thought he would soften over time and come to accept Adelia's existence. But with his mother's whisperings, it seems he was influenced after all."

"No, Avery, no. There's a reason my family doesn't get along with The Reed. They're a bit lunatic and have no morals, sorry not sorry!"

Avery knew that. However, Sarah had been completely unable to stop her when she decided to marry Oliver Reed. She should have listened to what Sarah said back then.

Sarah stood up from the edge of the bed. "Hmph, enough of that! For now, you don't need to think about them. What's important is that you and Adelia are safe. I'll ask the maid to prepare a warm meal for us!" she declared. "You're breastfeeding, so you need to eat plenty of nutritious food."

Sarah was about to leave the guest room when Avery suddenly stood up as well. "Sarah, thank you again. You truly are my best friend, my savior," she said genuinely.

Sarah just laughed as if it’s nothing. "No sweat, Avery. No sweat! I’m only glad you reached out to me."

A heavy sigh escaped Avery's lips once she and Adelia were alone in the room. Her eyes remained fixed on her little daughter's rosy face.

"At least we're safe for tonight. But Adelia and I can't stay here forever, it would only be a burden to Sarah," she murmured.

Dressed in one of Sarah's warm, thick nightgowns, Avery climbed onto the bed and curled up beside her daughter. She placed a gentle kiss on the soundly sleeping Adelia's forehead.

Avery's eyes were just about to close when her phone rang. She squinted, her hand quickly grabbing the device before its sound could wake Adelia. The name "Oliver" was displayed on the screen, filling her with a sense of dread.

"What is it now, Oliver?" she answered, her voice flat and cold.

"Where are you?" Oliver asked directly, as if he hadn't kicked his wife and child out just a few hours ago.

"That's none of your business, Oliver! What matters is that my daughter and I aren't stranded on the streets." Avery's emotions began to flare.

"Don't be stubborn, Avery. After some thought, I want to give you a second chance. But—"

"HUH? You think I need a second chance from you, Oliver?" Avery cut in quickly, half-whispering as she moved away from the bed. "I fucking don’t!"

"Just listen to me, Avery. I'll find foster parents for Adelia—"

"Fuck you, Oliver!" Avery completely lost her composure. The words "foster parents" hit her like a goddamn sledgehammer. How could he even consider doing that to Adelia?

"Avery." Oliver's tone, which had been slightly gentle moments before, was now sharp and icy. "I'm still trying to save your face, and this is how you act?"

Avery bit her lip. Her chest pounded with an erratic heartbeat. If Oliver were standing in front of her, she might have struck him.

"My mom is willing to give you that chance, on the condition that you agree to carry a second child, and of course, it must be a boy. Think about it!"

Avery's blood began to boil again. She didn't understand, she truly didn't. The Reed was supposed to be a family of intelligent people, so why was their way of thinking so old fashioned?

"You and your mom can go to hell, Oliver. I won't ever go back to that shithole you call home!" Avery hissed.

"You stubborn woman. Fine, then don't regret it later. There will be a surprise for you tomorrow!" After saying that, Oliver ended the call abruptly.

Avery's hand trembled as she clutched her phone. "A surprise? What kind of surprise does he mean?" she murmured, brushing the hair from her forehead.

A knock sounded at the door.

"Come in!" Avery called out, her voice still trembling slightly.

"Ma'am, Miss Knight is waiting for you at the dining table," one of the maids reported.

"Ah, yes. Thank you. I'll be there shortly."

*

At 6 in the morning, Avery walked down the seemingly endless hallway of the Knight residence. About ten minutes earlier, she had woken up with an overwhelming thirst.

She had been woken up several times throughout the night by Adelia's whimpering and by nightmares about Oliver and Rose.

The white walls on her left and right were decorated with photographs of the Knight family members. Then, Avery's gaze fell upon a particular portrait on the wall.

It was a face she knew very well. The handsome face of Ashton Knight, Sarah's older brother. Avery's steps faltered, and she unconsciously moved closer to the 12-inch photograph.

"I wonder where he is now. It feels like it's been a long time since I last saw Ashton," Avery murmured, her eyes fixed on the portrait.

Her hand reached out, caressing the edge of the high-quality, carved wooden frame. Of course, there was nothing cheap in the Knight residence, much like at the... Reed’s.

Ashton's gaze in the photograph seemed to mesmerize Avery. She remembered clearly, about five years ago, when she had a suppressed feeling for him. However, Avery felt she wasn't worthy and decided to forget him. Besides, Ashton had to work overseas.

A smile graced Avery’s lip. "I'm sure you're somewhere important, admired by many people. The girls must be crazy about you too," she said, as if Ashton were right there in front of her.

The sound of footsteps made Avery turn, snapping her back to reality. One of the Knight family maids, who had already begun her morning chores, gave her a polite nod.

"Ma'am, is there anything I can help you with? Miss Knight usually wakes up at 7," she said.

Avery looked at the woman. "Would it be too much trouble to ask for a few slices of toast and a glass of warm milk?" she requested.

The maid smiled. "Of course not, Ma'am. I'll prepare it right away. You can enjoy it in the dining room."

"Thank you," Avery replied.

She then let out a soft breath before stepping away from the photograph she had been admiring, intending to head to the Knight family's dining room.

However, her steps halted once more when one of the doors in the hallway opened. A figure she never expected to be there appeared.

They stared at each other, their eyes reflecting the same evident shock.

 ***