3

Avery Thompson

"Mr. Williams, this is the baker you've always wanted to meet. Here she is," Mrs. Clara repeated, pulling me closer to her and positioning me to face him properly.

At that moment, I only wish for the ground to open up and swallow me right now.

I can't believe this is actually happening to me. In a situation like this, what would you do when you come face to face with the person you despise most after so many years? What would you do when you thought they would never resurface, but there they are, standing right in front of you like a resurrected ghost?

I blink my eyes again, trying to confirm what I'm seeing.

"It's nice to meet you, Ms. Thompson," he says, extending his right hand for a handshake. He doesn't even seem surprised to see me here. It's as if he already knew I would be here. He still offers his hand, and I'm unsure whether to accept it or not.

Avery, you can't let his presence affect you. Just accept it - my subconscious tells me.

I briefly clasp my right hand with his and remain silent. After that, I attempt to excuse myself, but Mrs. Clara's voice stops me once again. I mentally groan and roll my eyes. "Where are you going, Avery dear? I haven't introduced you to Mr. Benjamin yet."

There would be no need for that! I already know who he is! I did know this heartless man standing right in front of me!- I wanted to yell that out to her.

"I already know who he is! There's no need for introductions," I wanted to tell her but end up controlling myself.

"Avery, this is Mr. Benjamin Williams. He has been our benefactor for a very long time now. A good man with a kind heart. You have no idea how many people he has helped. He makes sure he touches people's lives with his kind gesture," she announced with a wide grin on her face as she introduced us.

Throughout the introduction, I could feel his gaze on me, but I purposely avoided making eye contact. Instead, I looked away, anywhere but at him.

I nodded my head and quickly made my exit when the event started. It was the perfect opportunity to escape. My heart was racing as I walked back to the kitchen.

I can't believe it!

Benjamin Williams?!

He was the benefactor who fell in love with my cupcake. He's the sponsor she's been talking about all this time!

After three years of being divorced, I had tried so hard to forget about him. And just when I was finally starting to move on, he decides to show up out of nowhere!

Why is he here? What does he want? I worriedly pondered as my heart continued to beat erratically. It never seemed to calm down.

Don't think about him, Avery. Besides, there's no way you two will ever get back together. You'll never accept him back after everything.

This meeting is purely coincidental. He never had any affection for you and you are aware of that. Furthermore, you overheard him referring to you as Ms., indicating that he no longer has any feelings for you. It is likely that he is happily married to his mistress, so there is no need to panic - I thought to myself.

He is probably married to Amelia by now. Pull yourself together and make him know that you are no longer the same person he once knew. Show him that you have changed.

I supervised the servers as they placed the cupcakes on the tray. Once they are served to the guests, I will have to endure being around him or, even better, show him the new me. Yes, that would be preferable.

I continued working tirelessly, ensuring that everyone enjoyed their dessert.

"Avery dear, Mr. Williams would like to speak with you," Mrs. Clara said as soon as I stood by her side at their table. I had just finished placing their desserts in front of each person.

I lifted my head and looked at him with a raised eyebrow. A smile appeared at the corner of his lips as he gazed at me. How dare he act this way? As if our separation was the best thing in the world.

He had never smiled at me before. In our three years of marriage, I had never witnessed this side of him, so why now? Why is he giving me this strange, calm look? Why is he looking at me as if we were lovers?

"Please, have a seat, Ms. Avery... Come and join us," he offered, surprisingly using a gentle tone. It was the same tone I had always longed for, but he had never used it with me before. In the past, he would have shouted at me.

He, Mrs. Clara, and other important sponsors were gathered around the table.

"No, thank you," I quickly declined his offer without hesitation.

"Have you eaten, dear?" Mrs. Clara asked, sounding concerned.

"I've already eaten, please don't worry about me," I lied.

"What did you want to tell me, Mr. Williams?" I faced him bravely as I asked.

"Could you please take a seat, Ms. Thompson?" He asked again for the second time.

"I don't have time to sit right now, Mr. Williams. Now, if you'll excuse me since you have nothing to say," I said to him coldly.

I could see the surprise on everyone's faces, especially Mrs. Clara who shot me a glare, but I didn't care.

On the other hand, Benjamin didn't seem surprised at all. He looked like he already knew this would happen.

"I wanted to tell you that your cake is the best cake I've ever tasted," he said as I was about to walk away from them.

"Thank you," I said curtly and left.

A few hours later, after the event, I found myself surrounded by the children. I could also feel Benjamin's presence behind me. Moreover, I could feel his gaze on me, but I refused to look at him.

"Thank you, Ms. Avery. We truly appreciate all the love and care you have shown us," one of the children said to me before they all decided to give me a group hug. I loved these kids so much.

Every time I see them, it reminds me of Stanley. I love her deeply, as if she were my own, but he managed to separate us. I had no choice but to leave her behind, even though it hurt so much.

I hugged them and smiled, but unfortunately, they all left to play, leaving Benjamin and me alone.

Suddenly, I heard him say, "You've changed a lot, wifey," just as I was about to leave.

Wifey?!

How dare he call me his wife! And yes, I have changed!

I turned to look at him, raising an eyebrow.

"You've... changed a lot," he repeated.

"Everyone changes, Mr. Williams... You can't expect me to be the same girl you used to know," I replied coldly.

"Avery, can I-"

"Why did you come here? What is your purpose for coming here? Couldn't you donate to another orphanage instead of this one? How did you find out about this place? Didn't you tell me to leave? Haven't I run away from you enough? Why have you decided to show your face to me again after all these years?" I bombarded him with questions.

"I came to reclaim someone," he said, stepping closer to me.

"I came here to reclaim you, Avery," he said, looking into my eyes.

I stared at his face for a few seconds and then burst into laughter. "This... This must be a joke, right?"

It has to be. He can't be serious right now.

"No, I'm deadly serious. I've come here to reclaim you as my wife," he reiterated, catching me off guard as he suddenly grasped my hand. I hadn't anticipated that. And I swear, I don't know what came over me, but the moment his hand made contact with mine, my heart fluttered instantly.

"Please, just leave me alone..." I responded, forcefully pushing his hand away. "I don't know what game you're trying to play this time, but it won't work. Just stay away from me, or else I'll walk out of here too," I threatened.

"I don't care, Avery! I don't care! I made the mistake of letting you leave me three years ago, but today, I won't repeat that mistake. I will never let you go," he declared firmly.

What is wrong with this guy? Why did he have to appear out of nowhere? Why now? After rejecting me for six years, now he wants to claim me back?

God, I hate him! I truly hate him and his audacity. I don't know what gave him the impression that I would accept him back. Not after everything he's done to me.

"So, you've finally revealed your true motive for coming here, huh?!" I asked, my face filled with fury as I continued to glare at him.

But then, what he said next made my heart skip rapidly.

"Stanley is sick, Avery! She needs you. Please, you have to come with me," he pleaded desperately.