7.

Avery’s POV

She turned back to Vivian, lifting her chin. “I do belong here. And whether you like it or not, I’m not going anywhere.” She said with a firm voice.

Vivian’s smile disappeared almost immediately. Her fingers curled slightly, as if itching to claw at something. She had to know that no matter what she said, Avery still had a place in the family.

Vivian sighed loudly. “You’re getting awfully bold for someone who doesn’t have real power in this family.” She warned. “You’re nothing but an inconvenience we’ve had to tolerate, and I wouldn’t mind nipping the bud.”

The crowd around them grew, hushed whispers filling the space as they watched the scene unfolding. It was now late to back down, the guests would think that grandfather Wellesley daughter in-law was a weakling. She wasn’t.

Avery clenched her jaw, forcing herself to remain composed. “You don’t get to decide that.” She spat.

Vivian’s eyes flared with irritation. “Watch yourself Avery…” she added.

Before Avery could respond, a deep voice cut through the tension like a blade.

“That’s enough!”

The single word was enough to do it’s magic and stop any response that would have come from her.

Silence fell. The crowd parted slightly, revealing Grandfather Wellesley as he stepped forward.

The hallway they were standing in seemed to shift, his presence commanding immediate respect and fear. Even the boys clinged deeper into her legs.

His sharp blue eyes that was identical to the boys, swept over the scene before settling on Vivian with an expression that was unreadable; but unmistakably unimpressed. He wasn’t happy that they had both caused a scene on his birthday celebration.

Vivian immediately straightened, her lips pressing into a thin line. “Grandfather,” she greeted smoothly.

His gaze, sharp and assessing, swept over her before landing on Avery.

His face was unreadable, but there was something calculating in his eyes as he studied her and the boys. Then, finally, he turned back to Vivian.

“What,” he said, his tone deceptively calm, “do you think you are doing?”

Vivian stiffened. “I was simply reminding her of her place.” She voiced, with a level of arrogance that could only come from being mean for a long time.

Grandfather narrowed his eyes at her. She was his daughter and he would still choose her over Avery anyway. “I don’t recall giving you permission to publicly humiliate the mother of my grandsons,” he said, his tone dangerously even.

Vivian opened her mouth and closed it as if deciding that what she wanted to say was not worth it. “… Father, Avery has to know her place in this family. She is…” she started, but he cut her off with a raise of his hand.

Grandfather Wellesley took a step closer, and though he never raised his voice, the weight of his authority settled over the place. “Her place,” he said slowly, “is here.”

Vivian’s jaw tightened. His words was enough to shut her up and at least make Avery feel that someone was on her side.

“You may not like it,” he continued, “but Avery is the mother of my heirs. And that means she is family.”

Vivian’s face twitched, her fists clenching at her sides. She hated that word heirs and had disputed the fact over and over again in front of Avery.

Avery was also not about to give up her peace over something as flimsy as her sons being successor. She didn’t care. All she wanted was peace. If grandfather Wellesley decided to choose then, then fine.

“I will not tolerate public spectacles in my home,” Grandfather continued, his sharp gaze moving to the gathered guests. “And I certainly will not tolerate insulting the mother of my grandsons.”

Avery inhaled sharply, not expecting that level of acknowledgment. She didn’t know why he had supported her in front of everyone, but she appreciated it more than she cared to admit.

Vivian’s hands curled into fists at her sides. “Grandfather, you can’t seriously think—”

“I am not in the habit of repeating myself,” he cut her off, his voice hard now.

Vivian’s mouth snapped shut. The murmurs died instantly. Guests averted their gazes, suddenly pretending not to have been watching.

Avery could feel the eyes on her, the shift in the crowd’s energy. Some still judged her, but others seemed to take Grandfather’s words as final. At least some of the news that would be spread about her would be good. She had stood her ground against Vivian and that was all that mattered.

Grandfather Wellesley turned back to Vivian. His expression, while still composed, was unmistakably displeased. “Dismiss yourself, Vivian.” He ordered.

Vivian’s jaw tightened, her face flushed with humiliation. But she didn’t argue. She knew better than to defy him in front of everyone. He was her father afterall.

With one last glare in Avery’s direction, Vivian turned on her heel and strode away, her gown billowing behind her.

Avery knew that this was not going to be the last she would see of Vivian. If anything, grandfather’s support would cause Vivian to get back at her, and it wouldn’t be funny. Tomorrow would take care of itself, Avery thought.

The moment she was gone, Grandfather’s gaze swept over the remaining guests. “This conversation is over. Return to your evening, there’s a lot to celebrate.” He told them in his most polite voice.

Though polite, It was an unspoken command that left no room for arguments or disobedience.

People quickly scattered, pretending they hadn’t been watching, their conversations shifting to more polite topics.

Grandfather finally turned to Avery.

His expression was hidden behind those clear blue eyes, but the weight of his stare sent a clear message. He had no patience for weakness; but he had just defended her, even if it was only for the sake of keeping the family’s reputation. It wouldn’t go well if rumors spread that the Wellesley daughter in-law was not loved by the family.

“Go inside,” he instructed. “I will call for you when the time is right.”

She hesitated only for a second before nodding. “Come on, kids,” she said softly, gently tugging Neal and Noel who were clinging to her away.

As Avery guided Neal and Noel toward the grand hall, she felt the weight of the lingering stares on her back. They didn’t talk, just stared at her.

The tension from her standoff with Vivian still clung to her like a second skin. She ignored what she was feeling and she kept her head high, refusing to show any form of weakness in front of the guests.

Avery released a low breath as they got to the entrance of the ballroom. She couldn’t wait to get a glass of wine. At least, to calm her nerves.

At least this time she had won. But she knew that Vivian was never going to let this go.

That thought alone was more unsettling than the confrontation itself.

Just as she reached the door, her eyes caught a familiar presence. Standing at the far corner of the hallway, partially hidden in the dim lighting and crowd that was there, stood Asher Storm.

Her steps faltered for a split second.

He wasn’t watching her; not directly. But there was something intentional about the way he lingered just outside the crowd, as if waiting to see what would happen.

Avery’s fingers twitched at her side. Without thinking, she took a small step toward him, the urge to confirm his presence overtaking her.

“Asher…” she started.

But the moment her voice barely left her lips, he turned sharply, slipping through the ballroom doors close to him, without a second glance her way.

She blinked.

He was here. Asher was here and had probably witnessed the scene between her and Vivian earlier.

Her pulse quickened. Who had invited him? And why was he here?

Avery hesitated, glancing toward the doors he had just disappeared through. She had thought about him since the last time he showed up at her house and no matter what she did, his presence still lingered at the back of her mind. A part of her wanted to follow, to demand answers.

But Neal’s small hand tugging at her sleeve pulled her back to reality. “Mommy, aren’t we going inside?” he asked softly, looking up at her with curious eyes.

Avery swallowed, pushing aside the unsettling feeling twisting in her gut. “we are honey,” she murmured, forcing a small smile. “Let’s go inside.”

But as she stepped inside the ballroom, she couldn’t shake the thought still lingering in her mind.

Asher Storm was here, And that could only mean trouble.