As David turned the doorknob, the aroma of sizzling chicken filled the air, immediately tantalizing his senses. Avery stood in the kitchen, diligently tending to the frying chicken, not bothered by David's presence.David furrowed his brow, contemplating her culinary endeavor. Without uttering a word, he made his way to his room, feeling his pride bruised as Avery didn't acknowledge his arrival. She couldn't care less.Within minutes, David emerged from his room, drawn back to the kitchen where Avery still stood. Trying to start a conversation with her, he asked,"What's the occasion? Why are you frying chicken?""Well, a little something called hunger, in case you didn't know," Avery, her sass evident, retorted.He frowned at her snarky remark."I thought I told you not to cook anything with strong odors in this house. The smell has permeated my room, and I find it quite unpleasant."Rolling her eyes, Avery couldn't resist firing back, "It smells unpleasant to you because your room'
Avery was engrossed in her ebook when her phone buzzed, signaling an incoming call from Simon. A smile couldn't help but bloom on her lips."Hey..." she answered, anticipation creeping into her voice."Hey, how's your Sunday evening going?" Simon asked."Awful! Boring!" Avery exclaimed with a hint of playfulness."Really? How? Hasn't it always been like this... you indoors all the time?" "Um... well... yeah..." Avery hesitated, her voice faltering as she searched for the right words to explain her feelings."I never got bored during those times because, well, it was my house and... Tiffany was still in my life back then," Avery confessed, a touch of nostalgia tugging at her heart."Oh... true. Care to come over for a talk over a few drinks? I'll pick you up," Simon offered, silently praying in his heart that Avery wouldn't turn down his invitation.Avery considered his offer, her eyes glimmering with a newfound excitement. "Okay then," she agreed."But don't come pick me up. I'll ta
"Where's Avery?" Mrs. Park asked, her tone dripping with scorn as she and Mr. Park arrived at the dining table and took their seats."She's sick, so she's going to be a bit late," David explained."Sick? Really? What happened to her? Is it something serious? Should we call the family doctor?" James inquired, genuine concern in his voice."No, it's not that serious. She just woke up with a stomach ache this morning," David reassured his dad."Wow. You must have quite the touch, managing to get her pregnant within two days of marriage. Your business skills may be lacking, but your bed skills seem to be quite impressive," Alex smirked at David, a devilish glint in his eye."Must you always talk? Can't you keep quiet for once?" David retorted."What?" Alex slammed his hand resolutely on the table. "Enough!" James interjected, his voice firm. "No arguments at the breakfast table."Both boys obeyed their father's command and began eating breakfast in silence."After breakfast, give me Ave
His heart raced and thumped harder, torn between reciprocating the hug and reminding himself of the pain she had caused him. After a moment, he gently unraveled her arms from around him."What is it? Why did you want to meet?" David asked, keeping his tone firm."Aren't you happy to see me?" Melissa responded, her voice tinged with sadness."I want to be, but I just can't," David confessed, meeting her gaze. Seeing the tears welling in her eyes, he couldn't help cupping her right cheek in his palm."Tears? Stop it. It breaks my heart every time I see you cry. What happened, Mel?" David asked, his voice softening."It's Alex. Alex is a monster, and I can't take it anymore!" Melissa exclaimed, her emotions overflowing.David's hand dropped from her face, and he turned away for a deep breath, needing a moment to process her words as hearing the name 'Alex' made him furious."You didn't know that when you opened your legs for him?" David scoffed, his bitterness seeping into his words."Da
Avery's phone abruptly rang, jolting her out of a peaceful slumber. With a groan, she fumbled for her phone to see the caller ID flashing the name "Robert.""What is it?" she grumbled, rubbing her eyes."Seriously? Since yesterday, you couldn't call to thank me for the gift?" came Robert's accusatory voice.Confusion washed over Avery's face as she murmured, "What gift?""The hundred thousand dollars I sent to you. That's my wedding gift to you," Robert declared proudly.Her eyes widened in disbelief. "So it wasn't Mom who asked you to send it to me?" she inquired hesitantly."Mom? Emily? You know she never goes back on her word. Why would you think it was from her?" Robert scoffed.A pang of disappointment stung Avery's heart. "Oh..." she muttered."Why did you gift me that amount of money then?" Avery demanded."Like I said, wedding gift. I am happy you are married now, so I just thought to give you a present. And I know you really needed the money," Robert explained, his voice sof
Avery woke up the next morning feeling slightly better than the restless night before. She stretched her tired body for a few seconds, trying to erase the lingering thoughts of the previous night's chaos. Determined to start fresh, she made her way out of her room into the living room, only to be greeted by the unwelcome evidence of the wild night that had taken place. Empty beer bottles cluttered the center table, clothing items like jackets and t-shirts were scattered haphazardly throughout the room, and even the front door was wide open. Closing her eyes, Avery attempted to dismiss the frustration bubbling inside her. But no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't ignore the mess that lay before her. Just two days had passed since she had meticulously cleaned the entire house, and now it was a disaster yet again. The sight of the unkempt surroundings grated on her nerves; she despised living amidst such disorder."No responsible adult should have such disregard for cleanliness,
"A restaurant?" David said. It was Saturday, 8pm, and the address he had snapped at Melissa's house led him to a restaurant.He parked in the restaurant's parking lot and went inside.To his surprise, the restaurant was empty with no staff in sight."Maybe I got the date wrong. Perhaps it's next Saturday," he thought as he turned to leave."Mr. David Park?" A feminine voice called out his name.A staff member, dressed in official attire, approached him."How do you know my name?" David asked suspiciously."I was informed that a 'Mr. David Park' would be arriving today at 8pm and I am supposed to direct him to the hall," the lady explained."The hall?""Yes, sir. Please follow me," she said and began leading the way.David felt a mixture of curiosity and unease as he followed her. Something didn't feel right. Maybe he should text his current location to..."Oh..." he realized that he didn't have Avery's number."Damn it!" he muttered under his breath."So, this small and unremarkable
Avery stepped out of the taxi, carrying some of the groceries she had just purchased. After deciding to have dinner out, she decided to swing by the supermarket on her way home. As she entered the living room, she noticed that all the lights were strangely switched off."He's not back yet?" she wondered to herself. She flicked on the lights and let out a scream when she saw David kneeling on the floor. His head was bowed, eyes shut tightly, and his hands resting on his thighs."What's wrong with him?" Avery exclaimed. Although he was blocking her path, she cautiously maneuvered around him, making sure not to disturb him. However, just as she reached his side, David unexpectedly grasped her wrist, startling Avery."Let go of me," Avery demanded, trying to free her wrist from his grip."Please, let's talk," David pleaded.Avery managed to wriggle her wrist free and replied, "Go talk to someone else," before retreating to the kitchen to unpack the groceries. They hadn't spoken since th