**Four Years Later** The jet touched down softly on the private airstrip, its engines humming as it rolled to a stop. Inside, Avery stared out the window, her thoughts swirling like the clouds they had just descended through. Her twins, Michael and Marissa, were too excited to sit still, their small faces pressed against the glass, eyes wide with anticipation. It had been four long years since she had left, and now, the thought of stepping back into her past, of reclaiming her role at Stellar and the life she had once known, filled her with a strange mix of emotions—nervousness, hope, and maybe even a touch of fear. As the plane's door opened, the cool breeze rushed in, sweeping across the cabin. Avery took a deep breath, steeling herself for what lay ahead. The twins, unbuckled and bursting with energy, leapt out of their seats, their laughter echoing through the cabin as they bounded toward the open door. "Mom! It's Uncle Simon!" Marissa squealed, her small hand pointing towar
"Do you, David Park, take Avery Downs to be your wife, pledging to stand by her side through all the triumphs and trials of life? Will you cherish her, nurture her dreams, and walk beside her as an equal in every moment of this journey?" The priest’s voice echoed across the picturesque wedding venue, drawing all eyes to the groom. David’s gaze locked on Avery, his expression unreadable. The silence that followed felt suffocating, a weight pressing down on everyone as they waited for his response. David took a deep breath, his voice low but steady. "I, David Park, wholeheartedly choose Avery Downs as my partner, my friend, and my equal. I vow to cherish her, support her, and—" Avery’s heart hammered in her chest, barely hearing the rest of his words. “This is ridiculous,” she thought. ‘We met barely a week ago, and he’s giving me a speech about love and commitment?” Her mind raced, bitterness twisting inside her. She was here, at this altar, not because of love, but because her
Avery stood up, her arms already halfway extended in anticipation of a hug. But Tiffany raised a hand, refusing the embrace. “Hey, we’re in public. We can’t hug here,” Tiffany said. Avery's smile faltered slightly, disappointment flickering across her face. “But girls hug in public all the time,” she replied, trying to mask her hurt. “I know I’m not just any girl to you, and I know it isn’t going to be a regular hug. Let’s save it for when we’re alone, okay?” Tiffany suggested, motioning toward the empty seat across from Avery. With a deflated sigh, Avery settled into the seat opposite Tiffany, watching her order a drink with a practised ease that felt all too foreign now. “So, how was your day? How did you spend it?” Avery asked, forcing a smile. Tiffany took a moment to consider before replying, “Oh, I was at home all day. Although, I did visit my mom at the hospital. How about you?” A wave of sadness washed over Avery upon hearing Tiffany's response. It pierced her heart, sca
Avery sat in the passenger seat, her tears flowing freely, creating a stark contrast to the crisp, tailored navy blue suit of the man beside her. Simon, with his perfectly groomed dark brown hair and chiseled jawline, exuded an air of calm that only intensified her turmoil. "Get in," he had said earlier and guided her into his car without a word of protest from her. “Avie…” Simon finally broke the silence, but his gentle call only made her tears flow harder. She had been crying since she got into the car. “It’s okay to cry…” he murmured, his hand resting gently on her thigh. “Everything will be fine…” “Those are empty words! Everything will not be fine! This life sucks! Nothing goes the way I plan, every single time. Just when I thought I had found love…” The pain in her voice was palpable, choking her as she recalled the hurtful words that had pierced her heart. “Avery, take a deep breath. She isn’t worth the tears,” Simon urged, his voice soft yet firm. “No one understands m
It was a Saturday evening, and the atmosphere in the room was thick with anticipation as Avery and her mother sat around the elegantly set dinner table. Tonight marked a significant occasion, and despite Avery's internal resistance, there was no escaping it. Her "perfect match" was on his way. Avery had begrudgingly allowed herself to be transformed into a vision of elegance. The black dress she wore hugged her slender figure, the intricate lace details adding an air of sophistication. The capped sleeves and a soft V-neckline left just enough skin, while her soft waves of hair framed her face, enhancing her natural beauty. Every part of her appearance had been perfected—perhaps too perfect for a meeting she had no interest in. Her mom beamed with pride, but Avery remained indifferent, her thoughts far from the evening’s purpose. Her phone, confiscated by her mother to ensure full attention, left her with nothing but her growing impatience. She glanced around the room, irritated tha
***Present Day*** It turned out he wasn't messing with her because seven days later, Avery had on a wedding dress! The dress was a masterpiece that seamlessly blended elegance with her mom’s specific wishes. The deep V-neckline plunged just above her chest, trailing down to her abdomen, revealing a subtle hint of cleavage. Despite the beauty of the gown, Avery felt a wave of discomfort. The amount of exposed skin made her uneasy, but she couldn’t bring herself to defy her mother who said she needed to charm David with her body. "It's just for two hours," Avery reminded herself, trying to push down the gnawing discontent. She had already fought against the idea of a wedding reception, feeling unenthusiastic about the entire marriage. After all, why celebrate with strangers when none of her closest friends were present? The only familiar faces around were her family and Simon’s, making her feel lonelier than ever. The ceremony moved forward in what felt like a blur. David’s voice
David's cocky grin spread across his face as he boasted, "The ladies call me the Adonis of the town." Avery bit her lip, fighting back a laugh. "You really think that highly of yourself, don't you?" "Why, of course! A heartthrob, a dreamboat, the epitome of male perfection. Can you blame them?" David gestured dramatically at his reflection in the car window. "Hours at the gym, meticulous grooming, and natural charm that only I possess-it's all me." "Wow, such dedication," Avery mocked. "Well, Valerie, when you're blessed with the looks of a Greek god, it's a full-time job.” "It’s Avery," she corrected, frowning. "Of course, Valerie," he replied absentmindedly as the car came to a stop. Staff opened the back doors for them to step out. Avery struggled slightly due to her dress, but managed to make her way out. She took in the sight of the magnificent mansion before her, pretty impressed. "This is your house?" "No, it’s not," he said, taking off his suit jacket and handing it to
"Why don’t you mind your own business and stay out of mine?" Avery fired. Alex chuckled darkly, “You can put on a show on how you don't care, but trust me, you'll start caring soon.” Mr. Park’s commanding voice interrupted, "Stop bothering her, Alex." David then returned to his position for the next shot. His gaze flickered briefly to Alex’s hand still on Avery’s waist, but he said nothing. He didn’t seem to care. Then it was time for Avery and David to pose as a couple. David sat on a tall chair while Avery was asked to lean against him. "Can you please smile?" the photographer asked, sensing the tension. "Just take the picture like this," David snapped, frowning. The photographer hesitated. "The ones I’ve taken so far don’t look great. Could you just—" "They’re not a typical 'happy couple,' so let’s keep it serious," Mrs. Park cut in sternly, her remark making Avery's stomach churn. "Let’s make it look more like a power couple," Mr. Park suggested in an attempt to ease the
**Four Years Later** The jet touched down softly on the private airstrip, its engines humming as it rolled to a stop. Inside, Avery stared out the window, her thoughts swirling like the clouds they had just descended through. Her twins, Michael and Marissa, were too excited to sit still, their small faces pressed against the glass, eyes wide with anticipation. It had been four long years since she had left, and now, the thought of stepping back into her past, of reclaiming her role at Stellar and the life she had once known, filled her with a strange mix of emotions—nervousness, hope, and maybe even a touch of fear. As the plane's door opened, the cool breeze rushed in, sweeping across the cabin. Avery took a deep breath, steeling herself for what lay ahead. The twins, unbuckled and bursting with energy, leapt out of their seats, their laughter echoing through the cabin as they bounded toward the open door. "Mom! It's Uncle Simon!" Marissa squealed, her small hand pointing towar
Avery remained under the covers, her fingers tracing the edges of the divorce agreement, rereading the terms yet again. The cold legal language mirrored the hollow feeling in her chest. A soft knock interrupted her thoughts, followed by the familiar sound of Simon stepping into the room. “Hey,” she greeted him, sitting up slowly, trying to muster a smile. "Here’s the lemonade you asked for," Simon said, chuckling as he handed her the glass. "Though it’s store-bought, not homemade." “I wasn’t expecting you to squeeze lemons in the kitchen,” she smiled, accepting the drink. As she took a sip, her eyes fell on the fresh cut on his lip. “What happened to you? Your lip…” “Oh, that,” Simon shrugged casually. “Got into a fight with some guy at the store. He wanted the last bottle of lemonade. You should’ve seen him—it was ridiculous,” he added with a playful wink. Avery shook her head lightly, amused by his antics, but her smile faded as her thoughts returned to the papers in her ha
"Avery..." His voice cracked as he whispered her name into the silent room. He rushed out in search of her, running through the house in a frantic hurry. He flung open her bedroom door, but it hit him like a punch to the gut—her things were gone. "No... no... no... don’t do this to me, Avery," he muttered, breathlessly, racing outside to the driveway. Her car was missing too. Panic seized him, his heart hammering in his chest. He hurried back inside, grabbing his phone with trembling hands, dialing her number. "The number you are trying to call doesn’t exist..." was the cold, automated response. The phone slipped from his grip, landing on the bed with a soft thud. David stared at it in disbelief, his mind whirling. She’d disconnected her phone. It was as if she’d wiped herself clean from his life, leaving him in a void of emptiness. "No, no, no... this can’t be happening," he whispered to himself, a mixture of fear and frustration bubbling up inside him. He snatched his car key
David stared at the paper in disbelief. "Divorce Agreement." The words felt foreign on the paper, like they belonged in someone else’s life—not his. Not Avery’s. Not their life. "Avery..." His voice cracked as he looked up at her, his eyes searching for answers, for a trace of hope. "I thought we were okay. I thought we were—" "Okay?" Avery interrupted, her voice sharp, laced with anger and hurt. "We were never okay. Not since the moment you betrayed me. Not since you let Stephanie and the rest of them walk all over me." David shook his head, stepping closer to her, desperation evident in his every movement. "But I thought we were moving past it. We’ve been through so much together—this doesn’t have to end like this. We can fix this, Avery." Avery's expression hardened, the tears threatening to spill over but held back by sheer force of will. "You slept with Stephanie! Stephanie!" She spat the name out like poison. "All because you found out that she and I had a thing in the
The room felt suffocating, thick with unsaid words and emotions neither could fully express. Avery stood still, her eyes reflecting a mix of resolve and vulnerability, while Emma, regarded her with an air of superiority, completely unbothered by the emotional storm brewing between them. "What exactly are you doing, Avery?" Emma asked, her tone still icy. "Trying to win some sort of 'wife of the year' award? You certainly won't be getting any accolades here." Avery’s throat tightened. She knew Emma's better nature still existed, and she was just hurt by her kids' actions and it was heartbreaking, standing in front of her and seeing nothing but disdain. "I am supporting my husband," Avery responded, her voice steady, though her eyes were pleading for some semblance of understanding. But it was clear Emma had none to offer. "Support him?" Emma scoffed. She snapped her fingers, her face hardening as she barked, "Security!" The door opened, and two large men entered the room, their
The room descended into a profound silence, each word from Avery hanging heavy in the air, striking like a hammer on stone. Her calm, controlled demeanor was a stark contrast to the chaos Stephanie had attempted to create. David sat still beneath her firm yet gentle grip on his shoulders, the weight of her presence both comforting and intimidating. He had no idea what was coming next, but he was certain that nothing would remain the same. Stephanie’s eyes darted around the room, searching for someone to back her up, but she found none. Olivia, her ally, had fallen silent, her confidence shattered by Avery’s revelations. The air buzzed with tension as every eye fixated on Avery, waiting for her next move. "Stephanie," Avery’s voice sliced through the quiet, calm yet laced with an edge of steel. "You’ve spun a web of lies, hoping to destroy the man I love. But your plan was flawed from the beginning." Her gaze hardened, her words precise and cutting. "Your desperation led you t
All eyes turned toward her as she strode confidently into the room, the clicking of her heels echoing through the tense silence. She was dressed in a sharp, corporate ensemble—a tailored navy blazer over a crisp white blouse, paired with form-fitting pants that emphasized her graceful yet commanding presence. Her dark, wavy hair cascaded just past her shoulders, framing a face set with bold determination. A pop of red lipstick gave her a look of unshakable confidence. In her hand, an elegant leather bag swayed as she approached the table. Without hesitation, she dropped it onto the surface with a controlled authority. Standing behind David, she gently placed her manicured hands on his tense shoulders, her touch both reassuring and unwavering. The air in the room shifted, and her presence seemed to electrify the space, demanding attention without uttering a word.David’s heart raced. His shoulders tensed beneath her hands. What was she doing here? This wasn’t how he imagined her fi
As the meeting adjourned, David stormed back into his office, his mind swirling with unanswered questions. The situation with Stephanie should have been wrapped up by now, but somehow, Alex had twisted things in his favor. Now, this scandalous post was threatening to bring everything crashing down. Grabbing his phone, David quickly dialed his lawyer. "I need damage control, and I need it now," David barked into the phone. "Find out who truly made that post, and locate Stephanie. We can't afford to let this story gain any more traction." His lawyer's voice came through steady but cautious. "We'll get to work, but David, this is going to be tricky. We need solid evidence on your side-and fast. Especially considering the... steps you took to distance her from the situation." David ran a frustrated hand through his hair, trying to maintain his composure. "Get it done. Fast. And prepare something for the emergency board meeting. I'm not going down without a fight." After hangin
He was busy in his office when Olivia knocked on his door and entered."Is there a problem?" David asked."Not exactly. I just came to report to you that Stephanie resigned. She dropped her resignation letter this morning, and everyone said they didn't see her when she came to drop it," Olivia said. "Ohh, that's cool. Her paycheck should be sent to her," David ordered. "Yeah... they are working on that, but don't you think it is weird? The letter just showed up on the table this morning even though she wasn't at Phoenix this morning, and she isn't even reachable too," Olivia said."Reachable? You tried contacting her?" "Yes. Not just me. We all tried. She was passionate about her job, and it is super odd that she resigned out of the blue," Olivia said."Well... do I look like I care? Also, is that your job?" David frowned at Olivia.Her gaze fell to the floor, and she bowed her head before exiting.His door opened again, and this time around, it was Avery."Hey, look at you, lookin