Part 7: The Dirty Move

The heavy doors of the drawing room closed behind them, shutting out the storm of shouting reporters. The sudden silence was deafening. Avery’s legs felt like jelly, the adrenaline that had fueled her speech draining away, leaving her hollow and trembling.

“You did it, Avery,” Ashton’s voice was a low, steady anchor in the disorienting quiet. “You were incredible.”

“I think I’m going to be sick,” she confessed, her voice a weak whisper. She swayed slightly, reaching out a hand to brace herself against a nearby console table. Her fingers fumbled, knocking over a small, silver picture frame.

“Whoa, easy there.” Ashton moved in a blur, his reflexes sharp. He caught the frame with one hand while his other shot out to steady her, his fingers wrapping firmly around her upper arm.

The contact was electric. A jolt of warmth shot through the fabric of her dress, spreading through her entire body. It was a simple, protective gesture, but after months of being emotionally neglected, it felt so intimate. Her skin tingled where he touched her. This was the accidental skinship she had been so careful to avoid, and it was undoing her completely.

“I’m… I’m alright,” she stammered, trying to pull back, but her legs still felt unsteady.

“Just a second,” he murmured, his grip remaining firm but gentle. He kept her upright, his thumb stroking her arm in a small, soothing motion. “Breathe, Avery. You just faced down a pack of wolves. You’re allowed to tremble.”

She looked up at him, her breath catching in her throat. They were standing so close she could see the flecks of gold in his hazel eyes, could even smell his masculine perfume.

The world seemed to shrink to the small space between them. The noise in her head, the fear, the anger, it all faded away, replaced by the simple, overwhelming reality of his presence.

“Thank you, Ashton,” she said, her voice barely audible. “For everything. I couldn't have done that alone.”

“You were never alone,” he replied, his voice soft. He held her gaze for a moment longer before reluctantly releasing her arm, leaving her skin feeling both cold and hyper-aware. “Now, I think you need to sit down. Sarah is on her way with some tea.”

“And I think I need to check on Adelia,” Avery countered, forcing herself to move, to put distance between them before she did something foolish, like lean into him.

As if on cue, a soft cry came from the baby monitor Sarah had left on the table. It wasn't a cry of distress, just a gentle stirring.

“Speak of the little angel,” Ashton said with a small smile.

In the guest suite, Avery went straight to the crib. Adelia was awake, her tiny fists waving in the air, her brow furrowed in a prelude to a real cry.

“Hey, sweet girl,” Avery cooed, lifting her daughter into her arms. Adelia immediately settled against her, the familiar scent of her mother calming her. “Did we wake you up with all that noise?”

Ashton stood in the doorway, watching them. The sight of Avery, so fierce and defiant just minutes ago, now transformed into a soft, loving mother, struck a chord deep within him.

“She’s beautiful, Avery,” he said quietly.

“She is, isn’t she?” Avery’s face was illuminated with a love so pure it was breathtaking. She tried to adjust Adelia in her arms, but her hands were still shaking from the press conference.

“Here.” Ashton stepped forward, his presence filling the room. “You look exhausted. Let me take her for a bit. Go on, sit down.”

Avery froze, her heart giving a painful lurch. Oliver had never once offered to hold Adelia, never. He’d called it ‘women’s work.’ He’d recoiled from a dirty diaper as if he’d been asked to handle toxic waste. Ashton’s simple offer felt like a revolutionary act of kindness.

“You… you don’t have to do that,” she said, her voice tight with emotion.

“I want to,” he insisted gently, his eyes soft. “I’m good with kids. Sarah wasn’t always the composed woman she is today, you know.”

Hesitantly, Avery showed him how to support Adelia’s head and neck, her fingers brushing against his as she transferred the precious bundle. His hands were so large, yet so careful, cradling Adelia as if she were made of glass. Adelia, who usually fussed with strangers, simply blinked up at him, her tiny mouth forming an ‘o’ of curiosity.

“See? We’re already best friends,” Ashton murmured, his deep voice a gentle rumble. He looked down at the baby, and a genuine smile slowly appears on his face.

Avery sank onto the sofa, her heart fluttering uncontrollably. She watched him, this powerful, intimidating tycoon, as he walked Adelia slowly around the room, humming a tuneless, soothing melody. He looked so natural, so at ease. A dangerous thought entered her mind: This is what a father should look like.

“You’re… you’re very good at that,” she finally managed to say.

“I am,” he replied, not looking away from Adelia. “But you, you’ve done an amazing job, Avery.”

Tears pricked her eyes at the simple, heartfelt praise. Just as she was about to reply, Ashton’s phone rang, the sharp, professional tone slicing through the peaceful moment. He shifted Adelia expertly to one arm and answered, his expression immediately shifting to one of sharp focus.

“Finch, what is it?” he said, listening intently. “I see… When did they file? That’s impossible, the courts are closed.”

Avery sat up, a knot of dread forming in her stomach. The look on Ashton’s face was terrifying.

“What do you mean he found a judge to sign an emergency order?” Ashton’s voice was dangerously low. “On what grounds? You’re joking.”

He turned to look at Avery, his eyes blazing with a protective fury she had never seen before.

“What is it, Ashton?” she asked, already standing up, her hands clenched into fists. “What did they do?”

Ashton looked at Avery without blinking, still listening to the phone. “So let me get this straight. They submitted a fabricated psychological evaluation and a sworn statement from Rose Reed claiming Avery is an immediate flight risk and a danger to her child?” He let out a harsh, disbelieving laugh. “That’s an idiotic move. We’ll tear it apart in court.”

“But that’s not the immediate problem, is it, Harrison?” Ashton’s face went pale. “What did you just say?”

He fell silent, listening for a long, agonizing moment. The color drained from his face completely.

“Ashton, you’re scaring me,” Avery pleaded, her voice trembling. “What is the problem?”

He slowly lowered the phone, his eyes filled with a horror that chilled her to the bone. He looked from her to the baby sleeping in his arms.

“That was the legal distraction,” he said, his voice flat and hollow. “While our lawyers were focused on the slander suit, they made another call.”

“Another call? To who?”

He finally met her eyes, and the words he spoke next shattered the fragile peace of the room into a million pieces.

“They called Child Protective Services, Avery. They filed a formal report alleging child endangerment. They have an emergency order. They’re on their way here. Right now.”

***