Avery's POVI shouldn't have come. This is the first thought that enters my mind as I am escorted into the pavilion where the tea meeting is to be held. I would rather be on the phone, talking about random topics with Anita and Marcella,or even video calling with my sons who were in Nana's place, than to be greeted with the fake smiles of the eight women who were seated here. They all seemed to be in their early and late thirties.It was awkward at first. I watched as their eyes scanned my outfit and handbag enviously. It was ironic because I almost left the house in a simple jean trouser and top only to be pulled back inside by Lawrenta and get dressed up.“Oh, hello, Madam Avery. It is a pleasure to meet you!” A brunette haired lady in her thirties, who was likely the host, greeted me, walking up to give me a side hug. Her heavy perfume almost choked me in the process, and I sensibly pulled away from her. I counted four to five pieces of gold accessories on her.“Nice to meet you to
**Three days later**Avery's POVIt is a weekend, and Ethan is in his study upstairs having a business video call with some foreign business partners. We agreed on hosting a birthday party for the boys in one of the halls in the mansion. The mansion's size is finally coming to use in my books because I found it unnecessarily large at first.I am presently seated with Lawrenta in the pavilion in the garden, trying to settle on a theme for the birthday party.“What about this?” Lawrenta suggested,pointing at a pirate themed decoration on the tab.I shook my head. “I think a pirate themed birthday party might be too wild, and honestly,I don't really like the idea.” I sighed and dropped the tab on the table. “How about a career themed birthday party?”Lawrenta paused as if in thought. “What about a Mafia-themed one?”I looked at her as if she had two heads. “That's ridiculous. That might encourage violence among the children; there's no way I am allowing such for the party.” I stopped to
Avery's POV“I can't believe you made this grandson of mine prepare a meal for me.” Nana smiled, caressing my cheeks.I and Ethan were seeing her off. For reasons best known to her,she insisted on going back to the ancestral mansion tonight instead of staying the night at ours.She faced Ethan and put on a serious expression. “Your wife can definitely tame a storm if she is capable of such a feat!"Ethan nonchalantly agreed. “Yes,yes, Nana. She can. Now,good night.” He said,kissing both of her cheeks affectionately.“Do you see what I am talking about? He can't wait to get rid of me!” Nana exclaimed and hit his shoulder playfully. It is so obvious Nana is very fond of Ethan from the way she jokes with him. For a second,I wished I had someone dote on me so lovingly like Nana did with Ethan after my father's death. I gathered my thoughts, not wanting to affect my mood. That was then, and now I had Lucas, Carlos, and even Ethan as my family. A smile appeared on my lips as the thought cam
Avery's POVI was seated outside in the pavilion, writing out invitations for the birthday, with Lawrenta helping out with the guest list.“Your handwriting is so beautiful,madam.”I looked up to see the young maid, who was busy clearing up the table, sneaking a peek at my work. I smiled at her compliment. “Thank you.”“You are welcome,madam,” she bowed politely before walking away.“She is so young and bold; I dare not say a word when I was her age.” Lawrenta mummured,handing me an envelope.The corner of my mouth pulled up in a small smile. “Really,who did you even work for at first?”“I worked for Emilia at first before Nana had me sent here.” She grimaced. “I don't want to even remember it. Can we not talk about it?”I nodded. “Sure.” I don't want to imagine what working for an arrogant woman like Emilia would be like. I wonder how she is Nana's daughter; they are both so different in their personalities.“Is this Jake the same person as your friend?” she asked, eyeing the envelo
Avery's POVI pushed the door to his study open.“What is the meaning of what you just did?” I asked loudly as soon as I entered.Apparently, Ethan is on a phone call, and he only cocks a brow at my actions. “I would speak to you later, Mr. Hendrix. Domestic issues.” He says,a smirk appearing on his face as my jaw dropped in shock at his words.“Do...Domestic issues?” I asked,giving a laugh of disbelief."Look, woman,I have no time for tantrums.”“Tantrums? You are calling me childish while you are the one behaving childish, Ethan.”A quizzical look appeared on his handsome face. “Me? Kitten,are you sure you know what you are saying?”“Yes. You have been avoiding me since that day at the mall! I never knew you didn't go to work, and you didn't come down to greet our son's teacher! Wouldn't you care to know what the issue was? How are you extending your pride to the children's issues?”Ethan didn't answer me and only reached into his drawer to pull out a cigarette.I couldn't stop mysel
Avery's POVThe voice of the host announcing the participants for the parent-child activity faded into the background. We were all seated in the large school hall. Each parent has a child or children, as in our case since we had twins. In fact,Carlos and Lucas were the only twins in their class.From the corner of my eyes,I watched Ethan entertain the boys side talk and how they would whisper words to each other from time to time so as not to disturb those around them. It was cute, and my heart couldn't help the warmth that enveloped it.“You have a wonderful family.”I almost groaned loudly when I heard Gladys voice sound beside me. I had forgotten about the tea meeting and how she mentioned her kids attend the same school as mine.Somehow, we were directed to sit close to her family table. Right since they came,she and her husband had been trying to gain our attention. It was almost comical.Gladys had first veered off into a boring monologue of the history of tea and biscuits, mentio
Avery's POV“Yes please. I am only sending invitations to their classmates and not the entire school; there is only so much we can take. Thank you.”A sigh left me, and I dropped my phone on the table. I was making preparations for the boys' birthday. It is just three days away now, and my nerves can't stop growing.The whistling of the kettle brings me to reality, and I reach to turn off the cooker.I heard Lawrenta giggle from behind me. “It is like a feast.”I smile at her words. We were the only ones in the kitchen, and I was preparing a lunch box to send to Ethan's office. “He needs to heal faster, and that would require a good diet. He is not even supposed to go to work today, but you know my husband—I mean,Ethan and his work are almost inseparable.” I explained,hoping Lawrenta wouldn't notice my slip-up at the last part. She would use that opportunity to tease me every chance she got.“Look at how you said it so naturally. You have fallen for your husband, haven't you?”Sigh. Sh
Avery's POVI nodded,breathless and unable to form a word. I ran my tongue over my lips, only to hear a needy groan from him.“Sweetheart,I need you. Now.”“Are you fit to do that n—mphh!”Ethan's lips covered mine in an urgent manner that left me moaning for more. He left my mouth and started trailing kisses from my neck down to my shoulders.A groan left him when he couldn't reach my cleavage. “Fuck,why did Lawrenta have to pick such a covered up dress for you?” He complained while trying to rip off the front of my dress. I held his hand. “Wait,it has a zipper on the back.”A frustrated sound left him before he made me stand up to my feet, while he stood closely behind me, fiddling with the zipper.I should be laughing at the way Ethan is muttering words under his breath about alternatives to zippers, but his hot, unignorable erection is pressing tightly against my ass. I succumbed to the temptation and pushed my ass against his erection. I felt a yank on my hair, and Ethan's hot br
Avery's POV *Five years later*“No Ethan. It's already morning, let's get dressed.” I said, stifling a moan as I felt his hot tongue trail my skin.“Kitten, are you sure?” He rasped, his voice heavy with desire.It was hard to refuse, but we had to be up and doing. Today was going to be a long, eventful day.“I am very sure, honey.” I took a look at his grumpy expression and giggled. “We will have all the time later in the evening. Get dressed.” I instructed, my tone leaving no room for argument. He grumbles before climbing down the bed to pick up his joggers that we had discarded on the floor last night as we gave into our passion. I try so hard not to stare as he wears his joggers, but who am I kidding? Even after all these years, Ethan is still as breathtaking as ever, and it feels like he grows hotter as he ages.“I can feel your eyes on me, kitten.” He turned to face me with a smirk. “Let's just have a qui—”The door pushed open at that instant, and a beautiful, angelic voice fo
Avery's POV **Three months later**“The baby cannot stop kicking, and most of the time I am tempted to check for the gender, but I want to do that with you, honey. The boys won a math competition, and every time I think about it, I can't stop being proud of them because they did an incredible performance.” A smile formed on my lips, and I gave his hand a gentle squeeze. “I am glad they didn't take after me; I hate math and can't stand it. I think our baby is going to be good in math too. And oh, speaking of babies, did I mention that Estella and Anita had given birth on the same day?”That was a month ago. I guess I must have mentioned it over and over again, but it didn't stop me. I have read that patients in coma could hear what was going on around them, so I didn't mind repeating some stories just to keep him from being lonely.A lot has happened in three months. Emilia had committed suicide two days after my visit that day to the detention center. Nana didn't bother to show any f
Avery’s POVThe cold salt water pushes into my lungs and eyes, but I swim harder, searching in the dark sea water for him.Ethan.Just as I desperately call for him in my heart, a stream of bright white light appears, and I see him slowly sinking into the depths. No! I swim faster, kicking my legs desperately and pushing my arms forward just in time to catch his hand.“Ethan!” My eyes snap open at once, and I realize it was a dream. My memories slowly returned to me, and a mixture of fear and anxiety welled up in me—the sound of gunshots echoing in my mind. I must have fainted.“Avery, please calm down.”“Try to take a deep breath.”“Call the doctor.”But I can't see anyone. I want to see Ethan. “Ethan. Where is he?” I yelled hysterically, trying to get down, and I felt two people pull me back. My vision slowly focused, and the worried faces of everyone in the ward were what I first noticed. Camilla and Anita still had their firm hold on my shoulders while Nana and Estella stood watc
Avery's POVMy eyes opened with a start, and a stream of light entered my vision. The horrid smell of gasoline filled my nose at once. I take in the sight of the small spaced room with iron plated walls and a small window that let in light. A small stair with about ten steps that led up to an iron door was on my left and another door,three steps away,stayed to my right. Unlike before when I had felt fear,I am filled with determination to leave this place. I had to,not just for myself but for my baby too.My hands are tied to an iron pole behind me, and a frustrated groan left me as I struggled to loosen the rope. I place my feet firmly on the floor and use my body weight to drag the chair forward, attempting to loosen the rope from my hand. Big beads of sweat rolled down my face, and a wave of tiredness started to grow in me, but I didn't give up.I am still struggling to loosen the rope when the door on my right is pushed open, Jake's voice following. “Don't worry about that, Red. Yo
Ethan's POVI couldn't find the courage to come outside the car. Immediately I left Avery in the house, I had ordered my men to find that ‘woman's’ location and report in less than an hour. The location was sent to me in ten minutes, and presently, I stared at the simple bungalow building located in the city’s developing area.Estella's annoyed sigh brings me out of my thoughts. “I still don't understand why you dragged me out here with you. I should be picking the right dress for the evening’s dinner.”“Estella.” I call, my voice low.She was still not listening as she continued to complain. “Or do you want to buy the houses around here? I really don't have too much knowledge about this t—”“She is here.” I interrupted, this time my voice firm and audible. “She has been in the city and met my wife to setup that dinner.”I don't need to clarify who this'she’ is because we both know. We had both gone through that phase together and somehow always knew when one of us meant to talk about
Avery's POV “Make sure to enjoy your weekend at Nana's place.” I instructed as I escorted the boys to the car that was waiting to take them to school.A small pout appears on Carlos face.“But I want to stay with you and baby.”“Yeah, mummy, I want to read a storybook to baby.” Lucas adds,I understand them. Just yesterday evening, we told them about the exciting news of the baby, and this morning, I am sending them to spend the weekend at Nana's. But I can't help it.Today is the day for the dinner meeting I set up for Camilla to meet Ethan and Estella. I am not sure of how Ethan might react when he returns from dinner later in the evening, so I am sending the boys to spend the weekend at Nana’s in case things don't go as planned.I bend down to their height and ruffle their hair. “You are going to spend the whole time with the baby when you are back.” They don't look convinced, and I quickly add. “Your daddy and I might move back to our old house after this.”Wide smiles appeared on
Avery's POV“Daddy, when can we see the new baby?” Lucas asks, and I can hear the excitement in his voice.It's the evening of the same day we visited Marcella in the hospital, and we had just finished having dinner. The boys and their father sat on the rug as they solved the several puzzle pieces in front of them, while I sat on an armchair knitting a beanie. I don't know, but visiting Marcella today sparked a new feeling of excitement in me, and I couldn't wait to see my baby.Ethan chuckles. “Are you that excited to meet him?”“Yes.” Carlos answered. “We would have a new friend.”I pause in my movements and look up to meet Ethan's gaze. He gives me a small nod, and I smile at him. There was no use delaying the news of the pregnancy to the boys. Warmth floods my chest at the realization that we could communicate with our eyes. It felt so natural and intimate.He returns my smile before turning his attention to the boys. “Boys,” he calls, and they both look up at him. Ethan continued
Avery's POV I hesitantly take a step forward when I enter Marcella's VIP maternity ward. I hadn't expected Nana and Estella to be here with Marcella. The cot where her baby boy is supposed to be lying is vacant, which meant he was taken away to check his vitals.The saying that blood is thicker than water might not have had any profound meaning to me until now. Even though they didn't know that they were related, they still found a way to be around her, and while we drove here, Ethan couldn't stop pondering why he felt so excited more than he should.Now that I look closely, Marcella’s hair, which was previously dyed brown and short, is now long and a rich shade of black, and her blue eyes are the same as those of Estella and Ethan!I suddenly feel a wave of guilt about hiding the truth from them, even though it's Camilla’s place to come clean.Warm arms pull me into an embrace, bringing me out of my thoughts, and I look down to see Nana hugging me.“My dear child, how have you been?
Ethan's POV“The kids.” I repeat, and a smirk forms on my lips when I see her dazed look.“What?”“The kids, sweetheart.”“Oh! Gosh,did I…” She trails off, and her cheeks turn red at once. I smirk and rub a thumb across her soft lips.“It's okay. I don't think they heard.”“Bu—”I gesture for her to keep quiet. The kitchen turns quiet, and we can now clearly hear the boys voices from the living room.“See? I gave them enough questions to keep them busy.” I grin, and relief washes across her features. “Then let's get this done and continue later, huh?”Avery winks. “You have to be fast, though. I can't wait, honey.”*I watched in horror as my mother tore my paintings apart into pieces as she screamed, her voice piercing through the quietness of the evening.“How many times have I told you to stop painting?” She thundered, making me recoil in shock. My nine year-old mind couldn't fathom the reason for her behavior.“Mum! Why are you behaving like this?” My older sister, Estella, yelled