MasukThe gates of Valemont University were intimidating.Tall. Polished. Prestigious.Avery stood just outside, clutching her bag tightly as she stared up at the campus.“Why does it look like a place where people judge you for breathing?” she muttered.Lacy laughed beside her. “Because they probably do.”Avery turned to her. “Remind me again why we chose this school?”“Because you said and I quote ‘I want a challenge.’”Avery groaned. “I say a lot of things. People shouldn’t listen to me.”Lacy smirked. “Too late. We’re here.”Students walked past them in groups — confident, polished, effortlessly put together.Designer bags. Perfect posture. Quiet arrogance.Avery leaned closer to Lacy. “They look expensive.”“They are expensive,” Lacy whispered back.Avery straightened slightly. “Okay… act normal.”“You’re married to a billionaire.”“…Act extra normal.”They stepped onto campus.And just like that, attention shifted.It started subtly.A glance.A whisper.A second look.Then…“Is that
The shopping mall was chaos.“Avery, we do not need five throw pillows,” Lacy said, staring at the cart like she was questioning her entire friendship.Avery hugged one of the pillows to her chest. “We absolutely do. This one is emotional support.”“Emotional support?” Lacy repeated flatly.“Yes. Look at it. It’s soft, it’s pink, it understands me.”Lacy dragged a hand down her face. “You’re going to bankrupt yourself before school even starts.”Avery waved her off, already tossing another pillow into the cart. “Relax. I’m investing in our comfort.”“Comfort?” Lacy scoffed. “At this point, we won’t have space to sit.”Avery gasped. “We’ll make space.”Two hours later, their cart was overflowing.Fairy lights. Rugs. Scented candles. Wall art Avery insisted was “aesthetic.”Lacy had managed to sneak in actual essentials — kitchenware, cleaning supplies, storage boxes.At the checkout, Avery casually pulled out her card.Lacy narrowed her eyes. “Is that…?”Avery blinked innocently. “What
Avery leaned back against him for a moment before suddenly pulling away with renewed excitement.“Oh! I almost forgot,” she said, rushing toward the coffee table where her phone and scattered lists were lying. “Lacy and I are going apartment hunting tomorrow morning.”Evan’s arm slowly dropped to his side. “Tomorrow?” he repeated.“Yeah!” Avery chirped, completely oblivious to the heaviness in his voice. She picked up one of the lists and waved it excitedly. “We already looked at a few online. There’s this cute two-bedroom near campus with huge windows and a balcony. Lacy says we can decorate it however we want.”Evan watched her pace around the living room, her excitement bubbling over in every movement.She looked so young. So alive.And suddenly the thought of the house being empty without her laughter made his chest feel tight.“You really thought this through,” he said quietly.Avery nodded enthusiastically. “Of course! We’ve been planning it for weeks.”She walked over and plopp
The morning felt different.Avery stood in front of the mirror, turning slightly from side to side, her graduation gown draped neatly over her shoulders.“This thing is not cute,” she complained, tugging at the fabric.Behind her, Lacy laughed. “It’s not supposed to be cute. It’s a gown.”Avery pouted. “But I want to look cute while graduating.”“You always look cute,” Lacy shot back. “Relax.”Avery huffed, then smiled at her reflection anyway, smoothing down her hair.“I’m really graduating,” she whispered, almost to herself.For a brief second, everything hit her at once.The exams.The stress.The loss she was still quietly carrying.Her hand instinctively moved to her stomach… then stopped.Her smile faded just a little.Lacy noticed immediately.“Hey,” she said gently.Avery blinked, forcing the feeling away. “I’m fine.”And just like that—she bounced back.“Come on, let’s go before I miss my moment,” she said, grabbing her cap dramatically.The school grounds were buzzing.Stude
By the time they finished dessert, Avery’s phone buzzed again. “Guess who’s outside?” she said, showing Lacy and Maddie Evan’s message: I’m here. Don’t take too long.“Already?” Lacy asked, raising an eyebrow. “He’s fast.”Avery rolled her eyes, grinning. “You’d think he’s been waiting all day just for me,” she whispered.Outside, Evan leaned casually against the sleek black car, arms crossed, watching the restaurant doors. When Avery stepped out, he straightened, smirk tugging at his lips.“Well, well… if it isn’t my stubborn little wife,” he said, his voice teasing but warm.Avery puffed her cheeks in mock offense. “Stubborn? Me? Never!”“Yes, you are,” he said, stepping closer, eyes sparkling. “Headstrong, impossible, and full of life”Avery laughed, spinning on her heel to give him a playful shove. “Don’t flatter yourself, Mr. Benson!”He opened the car door for her, hand brushing hers as she slid in. Lacy and Maddie waved from the sidewalk. “Bye! Don’t get into too much trouble!”
Meanwhile, in his father’s office, Ivan was already fuming.“Too close,” he muttered, staring at his phone. “They’re getting too close.”He tapped furiously at the screen, fingers flying over the keys.A message was sent to Tara:“Investigation closing in. We need a new plan. Meet tonight.”Ivan leaned back in his chair, running a hand through his hair. He could feel the walls of control closing in. He had underestimated Evan’s persistence before, but this time, there would be no mistakes.Tara’s quick responses were already lighting up his phone. They were coordinated, ruthless. Ivan smirked, but there was a shadow in his eyes. Evan’s investigation was getting sharper and that made the stakes higher than ever.By evening, Avery was home, curled on the couch. Evan knelt beside her, holding her hands with a grip both gentle and firm.“I know it hurts,” he said softly. “But you’re not alone. I’m here.”Avery pressed her forehead against his shoulder. “I just… I feel so broken,” she whis
Avery's eyes snapped open, greeted only by darkness. She tried to move her hands and legs, only to discover that she had been tied up. It suddenly occurred to her that she had been abducted by some unknown men not long ago.Her heart sank as various devastating scenarios played in her mind, leaving
"Huh? I think you must be mistaken, Mr. Benson. You told me you're no longer in need of my services, and now you show up at my house asking me to come back with you?” Avery let out a breath in one go as she looked away from him.“Yes, I’m aware of that, and I didn’t show up at your house because I
As Avery and Natalie walked out of the gym, Natalie couldn't help but marvel at Maxwell's great basketball skills. "Well, who knew he turned out to be as good at basketball as he is at annoying people?" she taunted."He once mentioned he used to be the captain of his ex-school basketball team," Ave
As the day ended, Natalie accompanied Avery to her place to help clean up, as she would be moving back to her house. The place was dusty, as Avery had thought it had been more than two weeks since she last visited their neighborhood. Everything was exactly how she had left it the day she moved int







