LOGINThe morning felt different.Avery stood in front of the mirror, turning slightly from side to side, her graduation gown draped neatly over her shoulders.“This thing is not cute,” she complained, tugging at the fabric.Behind her, Lacy laughed. “It’s not supposed to be cute. It’s a gown.”Avery pouted. “But I want to look cute while graduating.”“You always look cute,” Lacy shot back. “Relax.”Avery huffed, then smiled at her reflection anyway, smoothing down her hair.“I’m really graduating,” she whispered, almost to herself.For a brief second, everything hit her at once.The exams.The stress.The loss she was still quietly carrying.Her hand instinctively moved to her stomach… then stopped.Her smile faded just a little.Lacy noticed immediately.“Hey,” she said gently.Avery blinked, forcing the feeling away. “I’m fine.”And just like that—she bounced back.“Come on, let’s go before I miss my moment,” she said, grabbing her cap dramatically.The school grounds were buzzing.Stude
By the time they finished dessert, Avery’s phone buzzed again. “Guess who’s outside?” she said, showing Lacy and Maddie Evan’s message: I’m here. Don’t take too long.“Already?” Lacy asked, raising an eyebrow. “He’s fast.”Avery rolled her eyes, grinning. “You’d think he’s been waiting all day just for me,” she whispered.Outside, Evan leaned casually against the sleek black car, arms crossed, watching the restaurant doors. When Avery stepped out, he straightened, smirk tugging at his lips.“Well, well… if it isn’t my stubborn little wife,” he said, his voice teasing but warm.Avery puffed her cheeks in mock offense. “Stubborn? Me? Never!”“Yes, you are,” he said, stepping closer, eyes sparkling. “Headstrong, impossible, and full of life”Avery laughed, spinning on her heel to give him a playful shove. “Don’t flatter yourself, Mr. Benson!”He opened the car door for her, hand brushing hers as she slid in. Lacy and Maddie waved from the sidewalk. “Bye! Don’t get into too much trouble!”
Meanwhile, in his father’s office, Ivan was already fuming.“Too close,” he muttered, staring at his phone. “They’re getting too close.”He tapped furiously at the screen, fingers flying over the keys.A message was sent to Tara:“Investigation closing in. We need a new plan. Meet tonight.”Ivan leaned back in his chair, running a hand through his hair. He could feel the walls of control closing in. He had underestimated Evan’s persistence before, but this time, there would be no mistakes.Tara’s quick responses were already lighting up his phone. They were coordinated, ruthless. Ivan smirked, but there was a shadow in his eyes. Evan’s investigation was getting sharper and that made the stakes higher than ever.By evening, Avery was home, curled on the couch. Evan knelt beside her, holding her hands with a grip both gentle and firm.“I know it hurts,” he said softly. “But you’re not alone. I’m here.”Avery pressed her forehead against his shoulder. “I just… I feel so broken,” she whis
They walked into the living room where a tray of tea and pastries awaited them. Avery poured herself a cup, the warmth in her hands easing the tension she had carried since Italy.The old man leaned back in his chair, fixing his gaze on both of them.“You two don’t need to worry so much,” he said with a twinkle in his eye. “One day… you’ll have four babies at once and then, the house will truly be filled with laughter.”Avery’s eyes went wide. Her cheeks turned a soft pink, and she looked down at her tea, trying to hide her blush.Evan, however, didn’t miss a beat. His lips twitched in a small, amused smile as he glanced at her.“You hear that, wifey?” he said quietly. “Four babies at once.”Avery peeked up at him from behind her cup, her voice playful but shy. “Grandpa, don’t say things like that!”The old man laughed, a warm, rumbling sound.“You’re going to need all the energy you can get,” he said, winking at Avery.For the first time in days, Avery felt lighter. The grief, the st
Morning sunlight streamed through the tall windows of the Benson mansion.Avery sat at the dining table with several textbooks spread around her. Her final exams had officially started that week, and despite everything that had happened, she refused to fall behind.Her pencil tapped lightly against the page as she reviewed her notes.Evan walked into the dining room moments later, already dressed for work, his tie neatly in place. The first thing he noticed was the dark circles under her eyes.“You’ve been studying since dawn,” he said.Avery shrugged slightly.“Final exams wait for no one.”Evan set a plate of breakfast in front of her.“You still need to eat.”She sighed but picked up her fork.“Yes, Mr. Benson,” she teased softly. “Responsible student.”Evan almost smiled but his phone buzzed.He glanced at the message from his security team.Restaurant network interference confirmed. Cameras were manually disabled.His expression hardened slightly.So it wasn’t an accident.Someon
By lunchtime, the whispers had already spread across the entire campus.Avery sat quietly at the usual table with Lacy and Maddie, slowly stirring the straw in her juice.She hadn’t touched her food.Students nearby kept glancing toward her, their voices lowered but not quiet enough.“Is that really her?”“I heard she lost the baby during vacation.”“That’s so crazy… she’s still in high school.”Lacy slammed her fork down on the tray.“Can they be any louder?” she muttered angrily.Maddie leaned closer to Avery.“Hey… you don’t have to stay here if you don’t want to.”Avery shook her head softly.“It’s okay.”But it wasn’t.The whispers kept growing.A group of girls passed their table, and one of them didn’t even bother lowering her voice.“Imagine being pregnant in high school and still losing the baby,” she said with a small scoff.“Maybe it’s karma,” another one whispered.Lacy immediately shot up from her seat.“Say that again!” she snapped.The girls froze.Before the situation







