**Two weeks later**Avery’s POV Every day after that night had gone by in a blur, and I had never felt so distant from him before. Ethan had said we needed a break, and he took it so seriously. I woke up the next morning after crying myself to sleep and found out he had moved most of his things out of our bedroom. It felt so heartbreaking, and I couldn't even make it downstairs for breakfast or see the boys off to school that morning.We stayed in the same mansion, but we were as distant as the north and south poles. The only time we spoke was in front of the boys. I have never been more grateful for my sons,their presence and smiles were the only reason I had not lost my mind. Ever since Ethan stopped sleeping in our bedroom, most nights after we read the boys their nighttime stories and they fell asleep, I would later sneak in and spend the night on the couch and make sure to leave very early in the morning. It felt better than crying myself to sleep like I did the first three nigh
Avery's POV My question is met with silence, and Mr. Steve glances from me to Ethan in fright. “I think I should leave.”Mr. Steve hurries out of the study, slamming the door loudly behind him.“What do you mean divorce?”“You heard me clearly. I want a divorce, and I am taking my kids along with me.” I state my decision firmly.“Avery, stop this joke at once! Do you even know what you are saying? There is a contract —”“A contract that doesn't exist anymore.” I interrupt, walking towards him. “I heard everything. I must say I was touched because it sounds so romantic. What is it? Putting the power of attorney in my name? Taking off the marriage contract? Buying properties in my name?” I chuckled and stopped in front of him."Oh, you know, if you had told me or if I heard that any other day, I would have thought you felt more for me,maybe I would have even thought you loved me.” I poked at his chest angrily. “But you are a hypocrite! You were just using me, and I am done with you!”M
Avery's POV "Mummy, why are we here?” Lucas asks as soon as I open the door to the luxury apartment.It was the apartment where I stayed with Ethan after he rescued me from Dimitri. Even in my decision to leave, I am a mother and can only think of my kids well-being. That's why I picked up the key to this apartment and a black card while packing earlier today. I couldn't help it. I needed all the money to make sure the kids were comfortable.I had only planned for my children's comfort, but I had forgotten the main issue at hand, which was facing their questions. And now, as two pairs of innocent eyes peered up at me, awaiting my reply, I discovered I do not have the heart to tell them even half of the truth.Even teenagers would feel sad about their parents separating, not to mention my innocent angels.“Uh,I—”"Madam, how about I take them for a bath?”For once, I am grateful for Lawrenta's interruption. I smile at the boys. “How about you go freshen up?”“Yay!”“Yay!”The boys run
Two weeks laterEthan's POV I struggle to open my eyes as the knocking on the door intensifies. I planned on ignoring,but whoever was at the door was persistent.I had been in my hotel suite since that day, and nobody knew I was here—not even Marcus. Much to Butler Jenkins surprise, I drove out that day on my own and had been in this same hotel suite where I asked her to marry me.Where it all started. Maybe not entirely, but yeah, my life definitely changed after that night.I let out a mirthless chuckle as I remembered the look of shock on her face when I popped the question in the most unusual way.“Who asks anyone to marry them after sleeping with them?” My inner voice chides, and for once, I wish I could shut that voice out.The sound of the knocking—no, banging—on the door increases, pushing me from my thoughts.“You better kiss your job goodbye.” I groan, rising to get on my feet, where I painfully land back on the floor.Damn, I was too drunk to reach the door. Whatever! When
Avery's POV"Stop running around!""I came first!""Who started the race?""Don't play with the swing!"The noise from the children in the kindergarten fills my ears as I stand in the distance, watching them. My eyes sting with unshed tears as I watch the little boys run happily around the slide. Vivid memories of when I first held them in my arms flood my mind, and I bit my lip to prevent myself from sobbing loudly and attracting attention.A nice-looking lady, presumably the kindergarten teacher, holds the children to play with the rest of the other kids who were running around with so much energy in the open space of the kindergarten playground.I finally move my feet and settle on a bench,some distance away from the playground. The cool breeze and the noise from the children in the background bring a kind of serenity to me—a rare occasion for my turbulent mind. Sometimes,it is hard to face reality, and I still can't believe my reality from five years ago, when my whole life came c
Avery's POVMy eyes slowly open, and an expensive chandelier dangling from the ceiling is the first thing that enters my vision. Where am I? I sit up on the bed,my heart hammering against my chest in panic, and memories of how I was knocked unconscious on the kindergarten playground flood my mind.My eyes scan the expensively furnished bedroom, and a scream almost escapes my throat when I see a man seated on a couch not far from the bed where I am sitting. He is fiercely handsome. He has dark hair that is perfectly slicked back, and his deep-set features are like those of a fallen angel. The first three buttons of his long sleeve are left open, and I can see a peek of a tattoo on his hard chest. He exudes an intimidating aura, and for some reason,I am very wary of him.I quickly climb down from the bed. "w..who..are you?" I ask,my voice shaking.A dark chuckle reverberates across the room. "Avery Rosaline Williams." He calls my full name, and I wonder why his voice sounds familiar."
Avery's POVI watch as the car drives away into the distance, and I sigh in relief. I turn to walk back into my apartment when I am engulfed in a hug. I am initially frightened, but I am calm as soon as that familiar scent reaches my nose. I smile, and I hug him back."Where exactly have you been?" He asks as soon as he breaks the hug."Awww,were you so worried about me?" I tease,my voice dripping with mischief."Of course I was. I mean—"I interrupt him. "Alright, Jake. I am fine. I just visited some new clients who were interested in my designs. Sorry for how I had you worried."I feel bad about lying to Jake, who has been nothing but a good friend to me, but I have no choice. Without being told,I know I have to be confidential about the entire situation with Ethan and the contract.If Jake feels I am hiding anything,he doesn't show it and gives me a bright smile. "Alright,red. I will be going now. Take care of yourself."I smile as I hear his nickname for me; he calls me red becaus
Avery's POVI sigh for the umpteenth time as I am unable to find a single idea for my jewelry design idea. A hobby that I have now developed into a skill over the past few years. My pencil hovers above the blank page of my drawing book, where all my ideas reside. My mind is unable to focus on the task at hand because my thoughts are occupied by a certain blue-eyed man. I finally drop the pencil and pick up my phone, opening the search bar at the top of the screen.I am at a loss for what to type because I only know him by his first name. My fingers tap rapidly on the phone's keyboard. 'Ethan Billionaire' appears on the search bar, and I tap the search icon.My eyes widen as I skim through the various articles that appear. There are many things I learn about him at once, and I feel as if I have been struck by lightning.I can't seem to wrap my head around the fact that I was a surrogate for the wealthiest person in the country, Ethan Lorenzo.He is the owner of Kings Enterprise, a pow