"What the...?!" Avery exclaimed."What is it now?" David frowned."Do you not see anything wrong here?""Answering a question with a question... that's all I see wrong here, and don't ever repeat that," David warned."Why is your house so... so messy? What on earth? Don't you have a maid, cleaning lady, or something? Don't you do chores?!" Avery said disgustedly."I do chores, and there's nothing wrong with my house," he defended."Really? The couches are out of place and covered in what appears to be cookie crumbs. There are slices of bread on a plate on the coffee table next to a jar of jam and a can of beer. Who the hell eats bread, jam, and beer? And why do you have boxers and t-shirts on the couch?" Avery was infuriated."Listen here, Valerie...""It's Avery.""This is my house, and I have the right to do whatever I want here...""And by that, you mean you have every right to let your house become a mess?" Avery interrupted him."The living room is only like this because I was wo

"Right on time," Jennifer said, flashing a warm smile as she swung the door open to welcome Avery. The two friends immediately embraced, feeling the excitement bubble between them.They settled down at the center table, adorned with a delicate white tablecloth. Jennifer carefully poured liquor into the shot glasses, her eyes glinting mischievously. "Now beware. This liquor is not for the faint of heart," she warned, her voice laced with anticipation.Avery smirked confidently. "I'm ready for the challenge," she declared, her eyes locked with Jennifer's."Cheers!" they exclaimed in unison, clinking their glasses together before downing the shots. Their expressions quickly morphed, teeth clenching tightly as the fiery liquid crept through their bodies. Their eyes involuntarily squeezed shut as the intense burning sensation overwhelmed them, causing their faces to contort in discomfort. Jennifer and Avery quickly placed their shot glasses back on the table, exhaling sharply and excha

"Alexander Park, the daring, confident and accomplished CEO of Phoenix Holdings, a prominent conglomerate with subsidiaries spanning across six diverse industries," Alexander proudly declared over breakfast."Alex, I'm still alive and haven't retired yet. Stop discussing business matters during breakfast, you know I hate it," James, Alex's father, firmly replied."Oh, Daddy, don't fret. I'll soon be appointed as the CEO of Phoenix Holdings, so there's no harm in talking about it now, is there?" Alex retorted."As I mentioned before, I haven't retired and I'm far from dead," James reiterated."Right, right. Hurry up then, would you?" Alex grinned mischievously."Look at that! Your son wants me dead," James remarked to Emma.Emma sighed. She found the father-son banter tiresome and uninteresting."Darling, what's wrong with you?" James asked, reaching out to hold Emma's hand on the table."I feel awful about David. I shouldn't have allowed them rush the marriage, even though that was wh

"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."

"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