Cecilia had always longed to have Jason as her father. She really liked him and would be overjoyed whenever she saw him. The concern he showed her intensified her fondness of him. She had always thought that she would be the happiest girl if Jason was her father. However, she couldn't understand why her mother got so upset whenever she saw Jason. If she was upset, she could just scold her—but why was she fighting with Jason instead?Watching as Jason and Avery argued, Cecilia felt horrible. Before she could say anything, a young woman came forward. "Miss, Jason is just saying this for you and your child's sake. It's bad enough that you don't appreciate it. Don't you think it's too much for you to be sarcastic with him?"It was at that moment that Avery finally noticed the woman next to Jason.The woman was dressed in a gown that made her look like a princess. She was young and looked barely 25. However, she stood before Jason with a righteous and protective expression.
Cecilia was terrified by the way they argued. One was her mother and the other was an uncle that she liked, so she didn't want them to fight. Feeling devastated, she burst out crying. Avery immediately ignored Jason and started consoling her. "What's wrong, Darling? Don't cry. It's my fault. I must have startled you."Avery continued in a sweet tone, "Come on, let's just go home, okay? We'll go find Faye and take you to the playground later. After that, we'll buy something delicious to eat." She then glared at Jason as though she was blaming him for making Cecilia cry. Jason clenched his fists. He desperately wanted to ask further but held back after seeing Cecilia's tears. He couldn't get ahead of himself and startle the child. If Avery wouldn't tell him the truth, he could always find out by himself. He refused to believe that Avery had the ability to hide all the evidence.Cecilia kept crying despite Avery's efforts. Feeling troubled, Avery said, "Be a good girl. I
Jason sped up the investigation into past events. A set of documents was submitted to him that very night. Jason eagerly opened the file, but upon reading its contents, he fell into a deep silence.Although it wasn't the final findings, the documents indicated that the start of his relationship with Avery wasn't an accident. He had always thought that his first encounter with Avery was a coincidence. At that time, Avery was a student at the Jorn Dance University, struggling to afford her education. To cover her expenses, she would take on dance performances, honing her stage skills and earning some extra income at the same time.On that particular day, after a performance in a distant city, the organizers provided accommodation for her. Avery had come along with her senior at the time. After the show, the senior invited Avery to relax at a bar. Being lively and spirited, Avery agreed. Initially, Avery had told Jason that she got intimate with him that night because he
Avery had never met someone this shameless. Himself instead of compensation?Who did he think he was?Why would she want to be with a person who forced himself on her?"You wish!" she shouted, her face flushing. Jason's features tightened into a frown. "What will you have me do, then?"He had never been a gentle person and hadn't interacted much with girls apart from his sister, Ruth. Ruth grew up in a rural area and loved money the most, so all he had to do was give her money. He assumed that all girls loved money. "What will I have you do? I want you to experience the same pain. I want to tie you up and deprive you of all food and water in a hotel room," she said, her face twisting with rage. After the torment she went through in the past few days, she still hadn't recovered. Jason scoffed. "Why don't you also suggest that you want to force yourself on me as well?"Avery's face turned red from anger. "If you can't do it, leave. No one wants to sleep with you."Jas
That time, Jason saved Avery once again. The resentment Avery felt toward him diminished somewhat after that. Having endured endless torment during that period, her mental state was in shambles.When Jason took her to the hospital, the doctor emphasized the need to promptly adjust her state, or she might fall into depression.Jason wasn't good at comforting people. After leaving the hospital, he took her to the seaside without saying much. Initially, Avery was worried that he might have ulterior motives. However, he didn't touch her. Instead, he brought her to the beach and they took a stroll against the sea breeze.Spotting the disheartened look on her face, Jason furrowed his brow. "I know you've been through a lot lately, but giving up won't change anything."Avery ignored him. Feeling frustrated, he scratched his head. "I've experienced even more terrifying darkness than you. I've thought about giving up—even considered death. But if I die, who will punish those who
The room number on the door matched the message he received. Instantly, he saw stars and came close to fainting. Stumbling backward, he felt exhausted from lacking rest. To surprise Avery, he had forced himself to stay alert and didn't want her to see that he was tired. This was the first time he prepared so much for a girl's birthday, yet this was what she did to him in return. If this was any other time, he might've kicked the door down and stormed in. However, he was too tired and the scene before him left his mind in a state of chaos. Just then, he heard the woman inside moaning and shouting profanities. He had been dating Avery for some time but had never heard her say such things even when they were in bed. He felt as though he was being punched in the stomach. Had she been acting innocent in front of him and behaving disgustingly in front of other men?He gagged and held his stomach in pain. It had been days since he ate properly. He broke into a cold sweat
Leaving the hospital, Avery wandered around for a long time before returning home. She didn't understand what she had done wrong and why Jason was treating her this way.Though they had not been dating for long, they had known each other for some time. She thought that she knew Jason after all these years. At the very least, they had been getting along. Jason could be hot-tempered at times, but he cared for her and had a warm heart under his cold exterior. Once he set his sights on someone, he would go to great lengths to care for that person.It wasn't until after she started dating Jason that she realized how it felt to be loved. She thought she would spend the rest of her life with Jason, but what happened earlier in the hospital left her feeling helpless. Had all the care he showed her before been an act? Did that woman threaten him into behaving this way?Avery knew that the elite community was a battle zone. Though Jason was formidable, he was still an illegitimate
Avery didn't know what Jason heard. She wanted to ask, but he didn't give her the chance to."You're not the person I thought you were. You disgust me," he spat.With that, he stormed out. Shortly after, Marie came in, all while cursing at Jason and informing Avery about what was being said on social media. Avery was devastated. She didn't do any of the things he accused her of. Ever since she started dating Jason, all she did was practice, dance, participate in competitions, and stay with him. Apart from Jason and Edward, there were no other men around her. Yet why?She grabbed Marie's hand, pleading, "Marie, can you tell me what happened on my birthday?"She was already regretting not investigating the incidents of the night herself.However, she had just recovered from the fever and felt completely drained. She didn't know what to do apart from asking Marie about it. "I was drunk and can't remember anything. I think I was drugged too …" she said. Avery was no fo