"Don't yell at my wife!" David's voice resonated through the room, filled with a mix of anger and protectiveness. Emma looked at her son, taken aback by his sudden outburst. Even Avery seemed shocked, her eyes widening at his words."David?" Mrs. Park called as though attempting to confirm whether it was really her son who had just yelled at her."Mom, you can't speak to Valerie like that. She's someone's wife. My wife." David declared firmly, his gaze unwavering as he locked eyes with his mother. The room fell silent, tension hanging heavy in the air."I wasn't insulting her. I was simply stating facts and addressing her behavior. It was irresponsible of her to go out, even if it was to see her family, without taking care of household chores," Emma retorted."She wasn't the one who made a mess of the house. I'll clean up when I'm ready," David responded."No, you won't. Avery, change your outfit and begin cleaning the house now. Then, make breakfast for me and David," Emma ordered."
Avery headed to the kitchen in search of a snack, and her attention was immediately drawn to the note resting on the dining table. She couldn't help but roll her eyes at the opening line: "Ignore what I said yesterday about the rules in this house." Clearly, he wasn't one to readily admit when he was wrong.As she continued reading, Avery couldn't help but scoff at his attempt to apologize. "I'm sorry if you felt insulted by the things I said yesterday (I don't think they were mean though). Let's just act as roommates and let's talk on how we can balance or make rules in this house that suits or balances our boundaries (without forgetting that I am still the owner of the house and boss here). If you are up for a conversation about this, write 'Yes' and stick it on my room's door." How generous of him to believe his insults were somehow not mean. She resisted the urge to crumple the note in frustration.Feeling a surge of defiance, Avery muttered under her breath, "Still the boss
"Alex?" David mumbled, his disbelief causing him to stumble and fall to the ground. "No... I saw wrong," David whispered to himself. He rose to his feet and swiftly scanned the cars in the parking lot, attempting to recall where he had parked his own vehicle. Hastily, he hopped inside, determined to pursue the car that Melissa had been spotted in, alongside a man with a striking resemblance to his brother, Alex."Alex is the reason Melissa left me?" David pondered aloud, pursuing the vehicle amidst the chaotic hustle and bustle of the road. ***Avery sat alone at the dining table, absentmindedly sipping her usual glass of orange juice. Her gaze drifted toward the commotion happening in the house, where a group of men were diligently working on the renovation. While their efforts unfolded before her, her thoughts were consumed by David.Why did he run off like that? She had patiently waited for him at the mall, hoping he would return, but he never did. Forced to hire a taxi to transp
"Why did you change the couch in my house without my permission?" David asked, his voice filled with frustration."It's the same design and fabric... does that really matter? Is it such a big problem? Is that why you called me out?""Of course it's a problem. That chair meant so much to me and you just discarded it without even asking me? Who do you think you are?" David shouted again.Avery's voice rose, matching David's frustration. "If you were so sentimental about the chair, why didn't you take proper care of it? Food crumbs, sweat, water, wine... It was in dire need of a change, and it annoyed me to see it in such a state. In fact, your whole house is as irritating as fuck!"David clenched his jaw, his eyes narrowing. "You changed the chairs, the curtains, and rearranged the entire house without even consulting me. You're pushing my boundaries, woman! Who gave you the right? Can't you mind your own business? I can't stand it when my things are out of place...""And by 'out of p
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