The next few days after the dinner night were filled with dodges and avoidances.Fredrick spent every day working tirelessly, in order to avoid contact with Avery.Avery spent every day studying for her Medical school entrance examinations.She was nervous about it, therefore she decided to give it her all.However, she was more nervous about bumping into Fredrick in the kitchen whilst she went to find food, but no sooner did she realize that Fredrick was avoiding her as well. She rarely heard his footsteps or his door creak open, he was almost never at home.Avery seized the serenity of the house to study harder, she was grateful to Adrian for gifting her the portrait of her parents.Every time studying felt tiring, she’d look at the portrait, motivating herself with the promise she made to her dad.“Whatever happens, I have to make it work!” She said, pushing herself to work harder.She had almost completed her task of the day when the door bell rang vigorously.Avery made no attem

The first rays of the morning sun sieved into the room, leaving its warmth on Avery’s face.She opened her eyes to a strange surrounding and glanced around trying to figure out where she was.She fell into a daze of confusion about what had transpired between the time she was in the garden…“The garden, I don’t remember leaving the garden to this room” “I carried you” Fredrick replied promptly. He had been waiting to taunt her.At that reply, Avery jumped in surprise, she hadn’t noticed a second party in the room.As she peered around, she instantly recognized a figure laying wearily on the couch in the room.Her eyes widened in surprise as she turned to Fredrick.“You carried me?!” She asked, slightly embarrassed. The images of last night occasionally flashed through her mind.Fredrick nodded with a devilish grin on his face.“Yes, I carried you Avery Grah…”He paused as he realized she went by a different name now.“Avery Luca Hughson” he corrected himself, saying it out loud for

The next few weeks at the Hughson’s mansion was quiet and filled with tension.Fredrick had been avoiding Avery since their last fight, he had been spending his time with Claire and her baby.Claire on the other hand was trying hard to get even with Avery, she had felt belittled and embarrassed during their last conversation.“You have refused to tell me how you fell into a contract marriage.” Claire probed, trying to find a loophole, which she planned to use against Avery but Fredrick would not open up to her.“You have refused to tell me who the father of your child is. What happened to you?” Fredrick asked.“It’s a long story I can’t quite get out of my stomach. It is heavy.” Claire said, looking grave and sad.Fredrick’s heart immediately went to her and so did his body, he slowly leaned over to her, his head dizzy with emotions. Claire was his first love, his first love whom he hadn’t quite gotten over despite everything she did to him, and how much she wrecked him.When he saw

Fredrick and Avery waved goodbye to Nei-nei and Adrian as they departed for their home in White Avenue.Having fortified himself with Grandma Jojo’s advices, he felt prepared for the ride back home. Nei-nei had provided him with the help he needed to make his marriage work.“Show concern, be interested in her life.” Nei-nei had advised.She was more than happy to provide guidance for Fredrick, “You need to learn communication” Nei-nei continued.“I communicate…” Fredrick argued.“No you don’t!Her voice resounded loudly as they drove through the streets, the ride so far had been quite quiet and he could hear his grandma’s mocking voice telling him “I told you so”. Fredrick tightened his grip on the steering wheel, as he began to garner confidence to begin a conversation,“Please stop here…” Avery said as they rounded a corner leading to Mainland.“Why? Are you going somewhere?” Fredrick asked, alarmed and concerned.He was hoping to spend the weekend at home, practicing Nei-nei’s a

Fredrick’s heart dropped at the sight of his wife, hauling up to her room.He felt his heart sting from pain, he hated that he had put her through distress again. Claire’s behaviors jeopardized the relationship he was trying build with Avery.The farther Avery went from him, the more his anger intensified.Determined to put an end to her thoughtlessness, he mustered all his composure and approached Claire in the dining room.“Claire, why did you come back here?”“I was clear about us yesterday when we spoke. Why are you still here?” He asked sternly.Claire’s demeanor shifted slightly and her expressions softened.“I’m sorry…” she said in a low tone.Fredrick was relieve that she seemed to be apologetic about her actions.In a less stern tone, he began “I need your attention this time, listen attentively.” “I loved you…for a long time I did.”“Loved?” Claire repeated, agitatedly.“Yes, loved. All that is in the past…I’m married now”“It’s a fake marriage!” Claire exclaimed.“It is