LOGINAVERY WINTERS NEXT MORNINGMorning came far earlier than usual for the both of us.Normally, he would wake up around 6:30 every morning, but today, by exactly five o’clock, he was already awake and getting dressed.Honestly, I doubted he had gotten any sleep at all throughout the night.I remained silent and simply watched him quietly as he prepared himself. I knew his mind was restless, and there was nothing I could say right now that would calm the storm raging inside him completely.Once he finished dressing up, he walked toward me and stopped directly in front of the bed.“You’re leaving this early?” I asked softly, my sleepy voice barely above a whisper. “It’s not even six o’clock yet, Bernard. At least wait until the weather clears up a little.”“That’s exactly why I need to leave now,” he replied immediately. “I need to get this over with once and for all. I just… I don’t know anymore, Avery.”His voice sounded tired, anxious, and emotionally drained.“Do you want me to come w
AVERY WINTERS THREE MONTHS LATERBernard and I arrived home at the same time, and the moment we stepped inside the mansion and made our way upstairs to our bedroom, we both decided to take a shower. The entire house was quiet and calm, wrapped in the stillness of the late night, and honestly, all I wanted was to crawl into bed beside my husband and sleep peacefully in his arms.The moment he walked out of the bathroom with only a towel hanging loosely around his waist, a sudden knock echoed through the room.Both of us immediately turned toward the door at the exact same time, exchanging confused glances because we were not expecting anyone at this hour. It was already very late into the night, and neither Bernard nor I had invited anyone over.“Who’s that?” Bernard asked coldly, his deep voice sharp and controlling.I instantly noticed the slight change in his mood again. Ever since we returned home earlier, he had been unusually quiet and distant. In fact, his mood started shiftin
AVERY WINTERS Finally, peace had returned to the house.For the first time in a long while, the mansion no longer felt suffocating or filled with hidden tension. Everywhere felt calmer, lighter… cleaner. It was almost as though the bad omen that had been hanging over this house for months had finally disappeared together with Hazel.Now that she was gone, we could finally focus on something else— the spies she had planted all over the places and within the mansion itself.Although Bernard had already managed to fish out many of them, deep down, I still believed there were more hiding among us.And if there truly were more traitors left, then we would definitely deal with every single one of them.“So, what’s next now?” Charlotte asked curiously.I smiled softly before grabbing her hand and gently caressing her arm.“What else besides your wedding?” I asked teasingly. “It’s already around the corner, and we absolutely cannot afford to make any mistakes.”“Avery is right,” Harper immed
AVERY WINTERS The same punishment that had once been bestowed upon Jonathan was now being given to Hazel too. However, hers was far worse than what Jonathan had suffered. Exactly the way Bernard and I had discussed it in private was exactly how he carried it out before everyone.While Bernard was exposing every single thing Hazel had done, he almost revealed Aaron’s true identity as well, but I quickly stopped him before the words could leave his mouth completely.Even after all her secrets had been exposed before the entire organization, Hazel still refused to admit to any of it. Despite the countless accusations, the evidence against her, and the hateful glares directed her way, she continued denying everything stubbornly. She kept insisting that Bernard was mistaken, as if all the proof against her meant absolutely nothing.Even while the guards dragged her away, she continued screaming and threatening me at the top of her lungs. She kept yelling that Bernard belonged to her, and
AVERY WINTERS Fake tears immediately began streaming down her cheeks uncontrollably.She squeezed her eyes shut tightly for a few seconds as though trying to force herself to appear pitiful before slowly opening them again.“Bernard… please…” she cried weakly, struggling against his grip as he continued choking her mercilessly. “I don’t know what you heard, but whatever it is, you’re mistaken. I would never hurt you. You know that already…”Her voice came out strained and broken.At this point, her eyes were already rolling backward from lack of air, and it looked like she was only seconds away from fainting completely.Then suddenly, Bernard released her violently and shoved her away from him with so much force that she stumbled backward roughly.She almost collapsed completely before managing to steady herself weakly.Without sparing her another glance, Ben turned to face the people.“This woman standing here…” he began coldly while pointing directly at Hazel, “is not only connecte
AVERY WINTERS “As everyone gathered here already knows…” Bernard began slowly, his cold gaze sweeping across the faces of the people seated and standing inside the hall, “I invited all of you here tonight because there is something extremely important I need to announce.”The entire hall instantly fell into complete silence.No one dared to make a sound.“It concerns Hazel,” he added finally, turning his gaze directly toward where she was seated.The moment everyone’s attention shifted toward her, a bright smile immediately appeared on her face.Of course.She truly believed this gathering was meant to honor her.Without hesitation, she gracefully rose from her seat, smoothing down her dress proudly before bowing slightly toward the crowd with that same fake innocent smile still plastered perfectly across her face.If only she knew what was about to happen next.The woman sitting there proudly, believing she had finally achieved nothing but victory, had no idea that she had already d
AVERY WINTERS"Is this... Is this real? Or did someone else take your form? I can't even understand you. Just last night, you didn't love me, but now, you suddenly do? How is that even possible? What changed?" I bombarded him with questions, my mind struggling to understand him."Nothing changed, A
AVERY WINTERS"The car is ready," he announced, his voice smooth as usual. Bernard nodded, his expression stoic. "I will be down shortly with Avery. You can go ahead," he ordered, his tone firm.Lucas bowed again and left, and as the door shut, he turned to me with a soft smile spreading across hi
AVERY WINTERS"I swear, I hate him," Bernard hissed.I chuckled, shaking my head, my hands still wrapped around his neck.We both knew that wasn't true. But in this moment, he would say anything to make himself better. "Come on, Bernard, don't be like this. I'm still here, right?" I said, locking
BERNARD REED"Is this still because of Hazel?" Ezra asked, and I narrowed my eyes at him. "I guessed right, right? She's the reason why you can't tell your girl how you truly felt about her?" He asked again, his eyes widened in surprise, as he pointed his index finger at me.I know he's right, but







