If Avery had an ounce of dignity left, she would end the call immediately.As expected, Avery suddenly became aware when she heard Zoe's voice."I'm sorry for interrupting your date. I'll accept the gift, but I won't give you anything in return. Please don't give me anything ever again."She hung up the phone before Elliot could respond.The sound of the call being terminated made Elliot feel as if his heart had been pierced. He felt a dull ache in his chest. "I heard that Avery locked herself in her car last night. Is she alright now?" Zoe asked."She's fine." Elliot was disinterested and did not want to discuss Avery. "You mentioned there was a doctor you wanted to recommend. Who is it?"Zoe pulled out a business card from her bag and handed it over to Elliot."I heard that this is Aryadelle's top psychiatrist. Her appointments are booked up until next year. I used my connections and managed to get you a slot for next Wednesday morning. You can take Shea to see her, then."
Hayden turned up the brightness of the bedside lamp.There was a CD and a piece of paper.Layla unfolded the piece of paper and stared at the words on it.After inspecting it a few times, she cluelessly handed it over to Hayden and said, "What does it say, Hayden? I don't know how to read this."Hayden glanced at the piece of paper, then said indifferently, "I can't read it either."After all, he too was in preschool.The words on the piece of paper looked to be in a foreign language. The reason for that was that the paper was written using professional jargon. "What's this, then?" Layla asked as she picked up the CD and inspected it.There were no pictures or words on it.Hayden also felt curious about the CD.However, there was no way for him to check its contents without his laptop."Don't we need to put this in a computer to see what's inside, Hayden?" Layla asked, then something hit her. "We could borrow Uncle Mike's laptop!"Hayden saw the spark in his sister's eyes.
If Layla had known about the contents in the box, she would not have gone through all the trouble to bring it home.However, it would be difficult for her to return it now without anyone finding out.She probably would never be able to go to her dirtbag dad's house ever again.Forget it! She would just keep the box hidden under the bed.It was nothing but a CD and a piece of paper, so it definitely was not anything important.By the time Hayden entered the bedroom after returning the laptop, Layla had already fallen into a deep slumber.In the other room, Avery was wide awake.Perhaps it was because she had overslept that day that she was now wide awake.When wide awake, one's mind would wander when one had nothing else to do.At this moment, for example, Avery's mind was obsessing over Elliot.Her head was filled with images of his handsome face, while every breath she took reminded her of his.She could even remember the touch and temperature of his skin.If he had not fo
Ten minutes later, Cole appeared in front of Zoe.He was dressed in his pajamas and a pair of sandals.His hair was disheveled because he had rushed over right after the phone call.He wanted to throw a fit!That phone call from Zoe baffled him.How could Zoe be so rude to him?He had not planned the events that had taken place at the hotel. He was a victim, too!However, when he saw Zoe's eyes red with tears, the rage inside of him instantly vanished."What's wrong, Dr. Sanford?" Cole asked, then cleared his throat and said, "My uncle didn't dump you, did he?"Zoe laughed bitterly as she grabbed onto the tree that was next to her and got to her feet. "I'm pregnant, Cole Foster!" she hissed through gritted teeth as her mouth filled with the strong taste of blood. "You're the father!"The corners of Cole's lips twitched."No way… We only did it once…" he said in disbelief.Before he could cry out, Zoe picked up her bag and violently attacked him with it."You b*st*rd! You
Elliot took out a couple of pieces of candy from his pocket and placed them in Shea's hand.Shea finally let go of Elliot's hand when she saw the candy.After watching Shea enter the treatment center, Elliot's heart filled with unease.This was the first time he had taken her to see a psychiatrist.Moreover, she was with one of the country's leading psychologists. He wondered if Shea would be able to overcome her mental and emotional obstacles.The doors to the treatment center opened about half an hour later.Shea hurried out and ran straight into Elliot's embrace.Her emotions were relatively stable.She was not crying, but she was just a little scared and nervous.Elliot wrapped his arms around Shea and patted her back."It's alright, Shea. I've been waiting here the entire time."The doctor offered Elliot a seat on the couch next to them."Mr. Foster, I took a look at the information you sent over last night. From my interaction with Shea just now, I don't think she's
"Let's have lunch together," Elliot said. He was inviting Avery to lunch. Avery met his eyes and asked, "Have you been waiting out here this entire time?"In silent acquiescence, Elliot nodded lightly.If he had not been waiting for her, he would have left a long time ago. Avery looked up at the sun.It was early fall, so it was not as hot out, but the afternoon sun was still rather hot."Where's Shea?" she asked.Elliot shot a look over to the parking lot, then said, "She's in the car.""I see… You two go ahead! My mom cooked, so we're going home for lunch," Avery said, declining his offer without hesitation.She could not figure out what Elliot was thinking by asking her to eat at the same table as Shea.Did he not feel shame?Even if he wanted to two-time—No, three-time anyone, there was no need for him to be this obvious about it!"I made a reservation at that restaurant over there," Elliot said as if he was unfazed by Avery's rejection. "I need to send Shea to school
This was Elliot's chance to start a deep conversation with Avery."Shea and I—"He began to speak, but the photo on Avery's phone screen grabbed his attention."Who's this man?"He looked a little familiar.Elliot kept glancing back at the photo. He was sure that he had seen the man before, but could not recall anything about him.Avery snatched her phone back."You haven't changed at all. You're still just as controlling. Is this a common problem that older men face?"She shoved her phone into her bag, then said mockingly, "He's a celebrity I've been following recently. He's handsome, right? Not only that, but he's also very young. I've recently been into this type of man."Elliot gritted his teeth in rage.Was she calling him old?He planned on having a proper conversation with her, but it looked like there was no need for that!After all, she had no interest in older men and only liked young men!"What did you want to tell me just now?" Avery asked.The anger in Elli
Tammy's words left Avery speechless. It was all her own fault!Why did she have to accept Elliot's gift?!Things would not be this awkward if she had just rejected it.Avery hung up on Tammy, then called Mike and said, "Don't you think you should tell me before reorganizing a birthday party for me?""What if I told you, and you said no?" Mike said. He knew her too well. "If I inform everybody else before I tell you about it, then you would have no choice but to show up."Avery laughed bitterly."You have fun with everybody on your own, then! I'm not going!""I already invited Elliot Foster! That shameless man accepted the invitation right away!" Mike said mockingly. "Your ex-husband sure is thick-skinned, Avery. Why do you like men like him?"Avery lifted her hand to massage her temples, then hung up the phone.Tammy called again less than a minute later."Elliot's going to the party, Avery! I thought that someone as proud as him would definitely decline the offer, but he d