Although Elliot had not done a paternity test, he knew Hayden's character and he saw Hayden. There was no denying that Hayden looked and behaved like him. There was no denying that Hayden was his son. Avery had also said that Layla was her biological daughter. How could she have given birth to both of them in the span of four short years?The only possibility was that the two children were born at the same time.When Elliot was thinking about it last night, he had found himself seized with excitement that he had found it hard to sleep… He truly liked Layla.From the moment he met Avery's children, he preferred Layla.It did not matter who Avery had had Layla with, he had never once hated Layla because Layla looked a lot like Avery. Layla also possessed a very interesting character. Although she was a good child, she was not a child given to blind obedience. She was rather eccentric and quirky. Elliot lacked such characteristics which was part of the reason why he liked her so m
"Elliot the evil man! He kissed me here!" Layla pointed at her plump cheeks. She began to calm down. "My Dirtbag Dad kissed me, does that mean that he likes me?" she wondered. However, she had not decided to forgive him yet!Elliot walked over to Avery and apologized sincerely, "Avery, I'm sorry. I was just entranced by how adorable Layla is— which was why I could not help myself." This was the first time Avery had heard such a self-justified apology."I know my daughter is cute, but I just can't have people kiss her because they find her cute. If everyone who finds her cute kisses her, then how can she be expected to lead a normal life?" Although Avery was reprimanding him, she could not help the conflicted feelings welling up inside her. Elliot was a person who could control his desires. "Did he kiss Layla because of the parental bond that they shared?" she wondered. "Layla, I'm sorry," Elliot apologized to Layla once more. "I'll let you hit me, okay?"Elliot stretched out
Avery's words were ambiguous, but Elliot understood the deeper meaning behind her words.She was warning him not to get any ideas about Hayden and Layla. It did not matter whether or not they were twins, neither did it matter if Hayden was his son or not. The only child that belonged to him was the one she was carrying.In the past, Elliot would have begun shouting at her by this point, but he was more stable now than he was before, and her answer was better than nothing. Avery dabbed on some ointment and picked up the gauze. She had intended to bandage his wound."Just stick a simple plaster on it," Elliot said. He thought that bandaging the wound was going a bit too far, and people might end up thinking that he had suffered a far more serious injury than he had. Avery ignored his request, placed the gauze on the wound, and began to bandage his hand."Keep the wound dry for the next couple of days," she instructed."How am I going to take a shower, then?" Elliot asked."Is t
"Why did you sleep in the same room?" Tammy asked.She was an expert at picking up on key details like that."We were in the middle of a storm," Avery said. "It's not like I could just kick him out.""I see. Did you share a bed? How could you let him into your bed this easily? All it took was a storm for him to get his way?! Where is the effort he needs to put in?!" Avery froze for a moment, then said, "We didn't do anything… Well, he didn't exactly do nothing—""I knew he did something…"Avery had a feeling that the conversation was heading in a strange direction and quickly said, "It's not what you think, Tammy! He just— He washed… my… feet…"She did not want to tell Tammy this, but when she saw Tammy's seething glare, she had no choice. Tammy was an intimidating lady!Tammy chuckled delightfully and said, "Way to go, Mr. Foster! Not only can those noble hands of his earn money, but they can also wash a woman's feet! Is this ability to endure humiliation and roll with the pu
Elliot looked down and saw Layla with adorable puffed-up cheeks. "You should not use my full name like that? It's not very polite," he said in gentle reprimand. Layla huffed, then said, "It's because you're a bad man.""Did your mother say that?" Elliot asked. He looked calm. He was not upset. Layla was just a child. What did she know?She was only aware of the things that she had been taught by the adults around her. "No way! Mommy wouldn't say bad things behind someone's back!" At this point, Layla was worried about snitching on her brother, so she cleverly changed the subject and asked, "What are you making?""Sweet barbecue ribs," Elliot replied as he showed her the marinated ribs. "It's your mother's favorite. What do you want to eat? I'll make it for you."Layla answered without hesitation, "I want chocolate! I also want meat! Could you hide some chocolate in the meat for me? Whatever you do, don't let Mommy find out!"Elliot thought about it, then said, "I can do that
Once Avery was out of the room, Tammy said, "Did I say something wrong?"Ben answered earnestly, "You knew that Elliot had given Zoe three hundred million dollars and yet, you chose to bring up the money anyway. He could have given Avery that much money as well, but the reason behind it would be different." "I would've already forgotten about Zoe Sanford if you didn't mention her.""She's the reason they fought this time," Ben said. "Don't underestimate the destructive power of an ex-girlfriend.""That's true! Besides, Avery's pregnant now, so mood swings are common to begin with… However, I think her allowing Elliot to cook for her is a sign that she is willing to have a relationship with him again!" Tammy could not really understand what Avery was thinking."They are the only ones who know if they are going to get back together," Ben said nonchalantly. "As their friends, all we have to do is sit back quietly and watch!"…Upstairs, Avery pushed open the door to the master b
Avery wanted to say something, but she was shocked by the glistening tears and undisguised vulnerability in Elliot's eyes."Elliot—"She could not help but speak, and it was his name that first escaped her lips. She had wanted to ask him what was wrong.However, Elliot wrapped his large hand around her arm and pulled her into his arms before she could say another word.Avery supported her weight with her arms as she blinked. He watched her eyes framed by long lashes. Their faces were only inches apart.She could see the brokenness in his eyes even more clearly now."What's wrong Elliot?" she asked in an unintentionally gentle voice as her heart clenched tightly in her chest."I dreamt that you left me." Elliot's Adam's apple bobbed in his throat, and his voice was hoarse. "You ran off with another man."Avery felt a lump in her throat. She could not speak.She would not tell him about the recurring nightmares she had back when he was dating Zoe. She had always had dreams a
"Okay… Yes, Sir! Let's go play with Shea!" Layla dragged Hayden and headed in Shea's direction. "She said she'll take us out to play! She's getting the bodyguard to drive us!"At five in the afternoon, Elliot helped Avery down the stairs.Everyone watched the couple walk down. They looked warm and harmonious. All kinds of thoughts began to fill the minds of the watchers. An hour was the average time for an afternoon nap. Two hours were normally considered rather long for a nap. However, Elliot and Avery had spent the entire afternoon resting upstairs.How was it possible for them to nap for that long?They were all adults, so everyone had an idea of what had happened without having to ask."Weren't you guys playing poker?" Avery blushed as realized that everyone was looking at them, and she tried to change the subject. "We stopped playing at four in the afternoon and started helping Chad with dinner! Were you two really sleeping so soundly upstairs that you couldn't hear any