MasukAVERY WINTERS “No, no, no…” she started, waving her index finger slowly in the air, her lips curling into a twisted smile. “That’s not how you should say it.”Her eyes gleamed with something dark and unsettling.“It should be... what have I schemed this time? Because I’m already done scheming everything… and I’m winning!” she exclaimed excitedly, a maniacal laugh escaping her lips. “I’m already one step ahead of you, Avery!”“What nonsense are you spewing this time?” I asked again, my voice laced with anger as I glared at her.“Well…” she trailed off, clasping her hands together casually. “Don’t rush it. I will definitely explain everything to you. One... after the other.”She took slow, deliberate steps toward me and began circling me like a predator sizing up its prey.Instinctively, I stepped back.In the process, we switched positions— she now stood where I had been earlier, while I unknowingly took her place, my back now facing the entrance of the room.“It all started when you
AVERY WINTERS In one swift motion, Hazel shoved Harper away from her, quickly straightening her shirt as if nothing had happened.“What are you doing?” she snapped, rolling her eyes before tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.“What do you mean?” Harper shot back, her expression instantly turning pitiful. “I was trying to comfort you. You looked so sad… I just wanted to console you. Is there something wrong with that?”Her voice trembled just enough to sound believable.I, on the other hand, bit down hard on my lip.I was this close to bursting into laughter.“Enough,” Bernard's voice suddenly cut through the tension. “We’re not here for this.”Without sparing anyone another glance, he turned and strode upstairs.The atmosphere shifted immediately.Heavy.Urgent.From what we had gathered, Aaron was supposed to be rushed to the hospital, but instead, the doctor had brought the necessary equipment here and had been treating him in the house. Apparently, it had been a seizure—and th
AVERY WINTERS I can confidently say that Bernard and Ezra have not been themselves ever since we told them about the pregnancies.The overprotectiveness… the constant pampering… the way they won’t let us lift a single finger— it’s almost overwhelming.And it’s not just them anymore.Caleb and Asher now knows about my pregnancy too.Now, we’re all on our way back to the New York. Morning has already broken, though Bernard' private jet had landed late last night.Everything happened so fast.We barely had time to truly enjoy ourselves. Yes… I had fun, but not as much as I wanted to.And honestly?I’m done stressing over things I can’t control, because right now, my focus needs to be on my child.On protecting myself… for my baby… and for my husband's legacy. Am I being selfish?For not putting Bernard's first son before mine?I know I’ve always said I see Aaron as my own, and I meant it… I still do. But... Gosh!I don’t even want to think about it.The mere thought makes me feel guil
AVERY WINTERS I nodded gently, my gaze never leaving his.“Yes, Ben… I’m pregnant,” I said softly. “We have our child growing inside me.”“What?!” His brows furrowed deeply, confusion flashing across his face. “But how is that even possible? I thought Scarlet was the only one who’s pregnant?”“You’re right,” I replied calmly. “And when I first found out, I was just as confused as you are right now. But… it’s the truth, Bernard. I’m carrying our child.” My hand instinctively moved to my stomach, gently rubbing it as if to reassure both myself and him.For a brief moment, he just stared at me—silent, stunned.Then slowly… so slowly… a smile began to form at the corner of his lips.That smile.The exact one I had imagined countless times.That deep, grateful, overwhelmingly joyful smile.Before I could even process what was happening, he suddenly lifted me off the bed and pulled me into a tight embrace, spinning us around as his laughter filled the room— raw, unrestrained, and full of l
AVERY WINTERS After he ended the call, he didn’t say a single word to anyone. Not even a glance. He simply turned around and started walking away.My heart dropped instantly.Without thinking, I reached out and grabbed his arm, stopping him abruptly.“Where are you going, Bernard?” I asked, my voice laced with confusion and disbelief as I stared up at him.I had no idea completely of what was going on. He hadn’t explained anything yet, but one thing I knew for sure… he couldn’t just walk out like this.It was already getting dark. Not too late though. It's just a little past 8 p.m. But still… he couldn’t possibly be leaving at a time like this.He turned to face me, and by then, everyone’s attention had shifted to him, their eyes fixed on him expectantly.“Aaron is not only running a high temperature, but his breathing had seized too," he said, his voice tight with worry, yet firm with authority. “No matter what they do, it’s not working. It's not solving it. We need to leave. Now.”
AVERY WINTERS “Okay… what’s going on?” Asher asked, his gaze shifting between Scarlet and I.We had gone all out to make the evening feel special, preparing all sorts of dishes just to celebrate. Of course, the men had no idea what we were celebrating. Scarlet and I had decided to break the news at the dinner table. Even now, Ezra and Bernard wore suspicious expressions.Earlier in the afternoon, we had told them we had something important to share, but insisted it would have to wait until dinner. They had tried to get us to talk then, but we held our ground.Now… it was finally time.Scarlet and I exchanged knowing smiles.“With those looks on your faces, don’t tell me you’ve done something crazy again and you’re trying to cajole us into—” Bernard began, his tone stern as his eyes moved between the two of us.“You have nothing to worry about, Bernard. It’s far from that,” I cut in quickly, offering him a reassuring smile.They still looked unconvinced, but we urged them to take the
AVERY WINTERSAn hour and a few minutes later, we were done with the meeting. Although, we're still engrossed in our conversation.Just then, the waitress from earlier arrived again, but Mr. Moore dismissed her. He let her know, she would be called once we're ready.As soon as we are done talking,
AVERY WINTERSI swear, I never meant to upset him this much. I neber meant to make him feel like he meant nothing to me. I did respect him, and our relationship too. But this also involves my dad too. I didn't mean to disrespect him.What if, Caden does knows something? What if, my dad's death was
AVERY WINTERSAs we waited outside the patient's room, at the hospital, pacing back and forth, waiting for the doctor, Bernard suddenly appeared."Bernard, you-" I began.But he brushed passed me, walking up to his mom. "What happened? Why did she fainted?" he asked, his gaze fixed intently on Rose
AVERY WINTERSI sauntered downstairs, the soft click of my heels on the marble floor announcing my presence. Bernard's gaze slowly snapped up from his phone, his eyes locking onto mine with an intensity that made my heart skipped a beat.His lips gently parted, and for a moment, time seemed to sto







