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“You suffered a minor concussion on the left side of your brain but Congratulations Miss Russell, the children's vitals are stable and they are twins. A boy and a girl!”

Five Years After…

Avery laid in bed, staring at the ceiling, her mind drifting back to the night she had left everything behind. Five years ago, she had run away from Luca, from the hurt knowing that her father murdered her mate's parents. 

It was the hardest decision of her life, but looking back now, she knew it had been necessary. She had built a new life, one where her children, Ria and Raymond, were her everything. Yet, as peaceful as her mornings seemed, the memories never truly faded.

Avery tumbled over to the other side, her hands falling on a masculine silhouette beside her. She jerked up, her eyes wide open when it didn't feel like her kids’ bodies. “The kids! They need to get ready for school...and work! God!”

Beside her, Alnos stirred from his sleep, wrapping his arm around her waist. His warmth settled her anxiety momentarily as he chuckled softly. “Good morning, angel,” he whispered into her ears. Barely was there any gap between the two of them as he nestled nearer to Avery.

“Relax, it’s the weekend. The kids don’t have school. I figured out that yesterday you must have been drained so I put a call to the CEO of Belham Corps and had the deal signing pushed to next week. You can get some more rest.”

Avery let out a deep sigh of relief and collapsed back onto the bed, turning over to face him. Her lips slightly curled up, figuring out this was her and Alnos’ new life. Waking up on the same bed, and co-parenting her adorable twins. “You’re the only thing keeping me together, Alnos. I swear, I’m losing my mind. Motherhood hormones are strangling me.”

Alnos smiled and pulled her closer, holding her in a tight embrace. She melted into him for a moment, but then gently pulled away as gradually memories of last night faded in. She turned her back and curled up into the blanket.

“Alnos, I was drunk last night. If I did kiss you or do something inappropriate, forgive me. It's just that, I can't bear these instincts and hormones to protect my children and you are always there for me.” 

Alnos straightened up from the bed, raising the bed sheet up to Avery's neck and tucked her in. Avery gulped in, noticing Alnos was only in his underwear, with his broad chest and hardened nipples shooting right in front of her. 

“I don’t regret stepping down from my position to be with you, Avery and what I said yesterday, I meant every word. And no, nothing happened between the both of us. You collapsed right after you took your showers. Then, you ran a fever and I stayed with you in bed to warm you up.” Alnos said softly, picking up clean clothes from his wardrobe. 

“Don’t reject me, Avery. Just...give my words from last night a second thought.”

He gave her space, standing momentarily with a slight sigh before leaving the room quietly, closing the door behind him.

Alone, Avery bit her lip, her head in a big mess. Last night; She didn't want to think about last night, but it was impossible to forget.

Yesterday, Avery came home late from work, exhaustion clinging to her like a heavy cloak. She pushed open the door of the villa, ready to collapse, but was instead greeted by the soft glow of candlelight. The flicker of warmth illuminated the living room, where Alnos stood waiting for her.

And the least expected thing for Avery was when Alnos told her how he truly felt for her. Why he had stepped in when Luca pushed her to a corner. He had never stopped loving her, even if it meant burying those feelings for her and Luca to be together.

It all flickered right into her memory and Avery groaned, grabbing a handful of her blonde hair in frustration. “Why did he have to remind me I wasn’t drunk last night?” She muttered to herself. She had heard every word. For a damn 14 years, they've been friends, very good friends. Why did Alnos have to throw it away by constantly reminding her of his love for her?

Besides, relationships aren't her best options; she completely sucked at the blind dates lined up for her. All she wanted was to raise her twins, Ria and Raymond. Alnos had been her rock ever since then. 

She wasn't just ready. She had to find a way to reject him gently, without ruining the bond they had built.

As she wrestled with her thoughts, her gaze fell to a small note on her bedside table. The colorful handwriting was unmistakably Ria’s. Avery picked it up and smiled softly. It was a Mother’s Day card. At the bottom, in Ria’s innocent scrawl, were the words: 

[Don’t worry, Mom. Dad will come along soon.]

The smile faded, and her heart clenched. Luca. Where was he now? How had he fared after all these years? Did he even care that she was gone? Avery murmured to herself, “He probably didn’t even notice I left...”

Shocking how her brain clutched to memories of Luca: his cold, hardened expression the last time they saw each other. She had loved him once, deeply, yet he threw that love into the ocean.

‘Focus, Avery.’ She pushed herself out of bed and padded downstairs, entering the kitchen where the smell of sizzling bacon filled the air.

It took only five years of hard work to give her and her children the Mcdreamy life she wanted them to grow up with. She was already raising the bar when it came to gurus in the jewel industry, and even got her first award, Newbie CEO, CEO Emma Russell, CEO of Hallington Jewels. 

That's right, everyone knew her as Emma and only a few including her children called her Avery, her real name. It wasn't hard climbing the ladder when your name was one of the top most favored late person in the universe.

Avery walked over to the kitchen table, Ria was already seated, eating her breakfast. Avery leaned down and kissed her cheek. “Mommy doesn’t need a dad to take care of you,” she said softly. “Mommy can do it all by herself.”

Raymond, ever the sharp one, looked up from his plate and grinned. “But Mommy is tired! You need a daddy. The other kids have one. Uncle Alnos is really nice, why don’t we just make him our daddy?”

Avery froze, her breath catching in her throat. Alnos, who was at the stove finishing breakfast, choked on the glass of water he was drinking. He quickly set it down, took off his apron, and stepped forward, covering Raymond's mouth.

“Raymond, what did Uncle Alnos tell you? Don't say anything to Mommy about our discussion. Also, marrying someone isn’t something you rush into, little man. Let your mommy take her time. When she’s ready, I’ll be here.”

He smiled awkwardly at Avery’s stoned face. Both didn't expect for the kids to bring it up during breakfast. Alnos placed the bacon on their plates. “Now, what do you say we head to the park after breakfast? A bit of fun might be just what we all need.”

Avery stared at him, her fork poking the bacon. “Alnos, the kids really love you. I'd be wicked if I didn't give your words a second thought.”

“No rushing, Avery. I am here with you and if you reject me, I will still tag along as your friend.”