Avery, on getting outside, bumped into Robert."Hey, hey... look who's here, it's my favorite sister..." Robert said smugly, flashing a fake smile."What the hell?" Avery snapped at him, irritated by his cheerfulness. She could feel the cold wind biting her cheeks and the noise of the traffic filling her ears."What?" Robert said, feigning innocence."Why are you being so fake like you are excited to see me?" she questioned, crossing her arms."Come on, I am honestly excited to see you," he said, stretching his arms open for a hug. "Come to your big brother. Don't leave me hanging."Avery looked at him, dumbfounded. He was acting like they were still kids, not adults who hated each other. His sudden display of affection made her stomach churn."The last time I hugged you, we were kids. We are adults, and also enemies. Your sudden display of affection is making my stomach sick," Avery said and made her way to leave, but Robert grabbed her arm."Come on, sis. Why so serious?" he said, t
"Avery, do you have feelings for David?" Simon asked abruptly, his eyes piercing hers."What? No!" she exclaimed, feeling her cheeks heat up."Then why are you pushing me away?" he demanded, taking a step closer to her."Because I'm married?" Avery retorted, rolling her eyes."It's an arranged marriage with someone you don't even love! We had something special, Avery, and I know you still feel it. Please, don't shut me out. I made you a promise, remember? I'll get you out of this sham of a marriage in six months. But it hurts me to see you act like I don't matter to you," Simon said, his voice softening."Now you're just being ridiculous. You want me to cheat on my husband because you're doing me a favor?" she snapped."He doesn't deserve your loyalty!" Simon shouted, his frustration boiling over."And you don't deserve my trust! If you can't see how wrong this is, then I've lost all respect for you. Stop helping me, Simon. I don't need your help. I'll find my own way out of this
"Say it again," he commanded."Please touch me," she repeated, her voice a murmur. To her astonishment, David released her abruptly."What on earth?" she thought, taken aback. What just happened?"What was that?" she asked, bewildered."I was just unlocking your phone with your fingerprint," David said, grinning proudly.She realized then that he had used her thumb to unlock her phone while he had her pinned to the door. She felt mortified. Her words, "Just touch me," echoed in her head. Embarrassed was an understatement.He tapped something on her phone and handed it back to her. She looked at the screen and saw a name; "Dear Hubby, Just Touch Me.""That's my number. You can text me next time you're late, getting drunk with some random dude," David said."Why did you save it as 'Dear Hubby, Just Touch Me'?" Avery asked."Because it was hilarious when you said that," David laughed.She wished the ground would open up and swallow her. He would never let her live this down. How could
Avery closed her eyes tightly, different thoughts and emotions swirling inside her. Then, she recalled how much she desired to see the expression in his eyes when her chest was bare before him. Taking a deep breath, Avery gathered all the courage she needed to act on her desire. Slowly, she removed his shirt and let it drop to the floor.Her breasts stood free, but for only a few seconds as she covered it with her hands.David's gaze was fixed on her, intense enough to bore holes through her. "Are you happy now?" she asked, her voice pulling David out of his trance.He retreated a step, bent to pick his shirt, and went to his room, leaving Avery in silence.Her confusion mounted. Was it just about the shirt, or was there a deeper motive behind his actions, perhaps to embarrass her or just see her body?Lost in her reverie, she stepped into her room only to find her bed missing. "Where's my bed?" she voiced aloud, even though no one was there to answer.A note taped to the bed fr
"You're hurting me—let me go!" Avery protested as he dragged her along, but his grip didn't loosen. He hauled her up the stairs and into his room, then pushed her onto the bed."David!" she cried out."Didn't I tell you I'm not going to the birthday party? I said I'd find another way to convince my dad. Why did you have to blurt it out in front of my parents? I'm not attending, and that's final!" David yelled."Maybe we wouldn't be having this conversation if you'd just tell me why you don't want to attend your own birthday party. Do you hate parties? Or is it that you can't stand your family? What's so important about this birthday that your dad insists you be there? Tell me! If we're really a team like you say, don't keep me in the dark. I blurted it out intentionally so you'd have no choice but to attend, or at least provide a reason for your refusal!" Avery shot back, her breaths coming in heavy gasps.David glared at her, fury evident in his eyes. "I guess I got too famili
Avery had barely walked a few meters when exhaustion set in. Since she hadn't been to the gym in three days, she decided that walking home would be a good substitute for a workout, instead of taking a cab."I can't believe he didn't try to stop me or apologize for what he said!" she muttered to herself, still upset.As she walked, a car pulled up beside her. The passenger window rolled down, revealing a man with a familiar face."Headed home? I can give you a ride," he offered."No, thank you," Avery declined with courtesy."Don't worry, I'm a friend of David's. You don't remember me? I was at his place the night you two got married," he reminded her."Oh, that's why you looked familiar. I didn't really see your face that night. I just recall there were a few guys with David. It feels like we've met somewhere else too," Avery remarked."There were four of us, but come on, I'll take you home," he insisted.With some hesitation, Avery accepted the ride. In no time, they were at Davi
The car stopped, and David got out, moving with a confident stride. Avery followed, her heels clicking on the pavement. They stood in front of a large hangar, its doors open wide, revealing a luxurious private jet. David gazed at the plane, a hint of a smile on his face."No way you own a private jet," Avery said, her voice laced with disdain. She caught up to him, her eyes narrowing as she looked him up and down. David didn't turn around, just adjusted his suit jacket and walked up the stairs into the jet."Get in," he said, his voice low and commanding. Avery clenched her fists, feeling frustrated. She had expected him to be arrogant, but this was something else. Inside the jet, she saw plush leather seats and a team of attendants catering to David's every need. He settled in, his movements smooth, and accepted a blanket, earbuds, and a sleep mask without a word.Avery hesitated, then took the seat across from him. She collected the blanket she was offered and then focused her
"What?" Emma stood up, shocked.Stephanie's hands balled into fists on her lap, and Alex gave Avery a taunting smirk. Avery glared at David, her eyes asking, "What are you up to?"David just smiled and walked over to her. The guests started cheering, and music filled the room—it was dance time."What was that about?" Avery whispered to David."Avery, you're pregnant? I'm so happy," Michael exclaimed, trying to get up from his wheelchair."Dad, please sit," Avery said, but Michael resisted."I need to stand and hug you for this," Michael said, embracing Avery before she helped him back into his wheelchair."She's not really pregnant. It's all an act. I can't wait to find out what they're planning," Emily said sharply."Congrats, sis," Robert said."Thanks, bro," David replied in stead of Avery."Let's dance," David said, leading Avery away. He put his arm around her waist, and she wrapped hers around his neck."Why announce that without asking me? Were you trying to make Stephanie jea