Chapter 3

Avery's fever subsided after she finished the IV drip. However, the doctor told her that she had a viral infection.

Even though she wasn't burning up anymore, she needed to spend a few more days in the hospital so that the infection could be treated.

Sometime in the evening, Avery's sister, Jessica Llyod, burst into the room anxiously. "Aves, are you okay?"

Avery felt the urge to cry when she saw Jessica. "I'm fine, Jess."

"How did you end up like this?" Jessica looked at her with heartache.

They'd lost their parents at a young age. Jessica was seven years older than Avery and had played the roles of both a mother and a sister in Avery's life. They were very close to each other.

Avery didn't want Jessica to worry, so she held her tears back and said, "I only burned up because I caught a cold last night, I think. But I'm fine now. There's nothing to worry about."

Jessica relaxed a little when she saw that Avery didn't look like she was doing too badly. She turned to Summer. "And you are…"

"Hi, I'm Summer Hall. I'm Avery's colleague." Summer held out a hand politely to shake Jessica's.

"Oh, I see. Were you the one who brought Aves to the hospital?"

"No." Summer shook her head. "Our boss was the one who did that. I only spent the day here with her."

"Thanks so much for that. Aves' personality is a little soft; she's lucky to have a colleague like you," Jessica said.

"That's too kind of you." Summer had stayed at the hospital for long enough to figure out that Eason probably wouldn't be back. She picked up her bag from the couch and said, "Since you're here, I'll leave Avery in your hands. I should get going."

Jessica saw her out. When she returned, she said to Avery, "That colleague of yours looks like a pretty nice person. Is she a new friend?"

Avery shook her head. "We've barely even spoken to each other."

Summer was pretty nice, but she was the closest to Violet. Avery wasn't the bubbly type and only focused on work. She actually found it pretty odd that Summer had been so nice to her today.

"That's even nicer of her, then. She sacrificed her whole day to be here with you," Jessica said.

Avery nodded. She made a note to herself to repay the favor. She didn't want to owe Summer or anyone else anything.

Jessica said the hospital was too noisy and insisted Avery head home with her. Avery thought it was fine, but she did feel less at ease without Jessica by her side. So, she agreed to leave.

A gust of cold air blew at them as they left the hospital. Jessica wrapped her coat around Avery to keep her warm.

Her own outfit wasn't the warmest, yet she cared more about Avery's well-being than her own. Avery pursed her lips and sped up as they got into a cab.

While they were in the car, Jessica's husband, Eugene Carlton, called and said he'd be home late because he had to attend a function. He told them not to wait for him for dinner.

Jessica reminded him of a few things, to which he responded with some impatience before hanging up.

Avery held Jessica's hand. "I want to have your pasta for dinner, Jess."

Jessica smiled. "Alright. I'll start cooking once we get home."

"Okay."

When they got home, Jessica helped Avery into her room and put a pillow behind her back. Then, she got Avery a glass of warm water and felt her forehead. She said, "You stay here and rest while I cook. Just holler if you need anything."

Avery nodded obediently.

Jessica put on her apron and started cooking.

Avery got out of bed when she heard Jessica getting busy in the kitchen. She sneaked into Jessica's bedroom and pulled open the bedside drawer to find a bottle of birth control pills inside. She quickly read the instructions before taking some pills.

Avery took a bath after dinner. As she stared at her naked body in the mirror, she couldn't help thinking of the craziness she'd indulged in the night before. The thought of it still scared her.

She tossed and turned in bed, unable to sleep—perhaps it was because she'd slept too much in the day, or perhaps it was because she still felt horrible. Amidst her daze, she vaguely heard an argument outside her room.

Avery rubbed her temples as she got out of bed and pulled the door open a crack.

The lights in the living room were on; a man's tie and socks were strewn across the floor. Eugene lay sprawled on the couch. He reeked of alcohol.

Jessica was cleaning up after him. At the same time, she said, "Didn't I tell you not to have so much to drink? Judging from the condition you're in now, you're going to have a headache tomorrow…"

"Is nagging the only thing you can do? Do you think I want to be like this? I was only doing it for you, our family, and that burdensome sister of yours! Why else would I be so exhausted?" Eugene snapped.

This upset Jessica. "I don't care if you complain about me, but don't say anything about Aves."

"What?" Eugene raised his voice. "She's staying in my home and using my money. Can't I say a few things about her? People familiar with us would know she's your sister, but strangers would probably think we owe her or something!"

"Aves has already found a job, and she's been giving us money to cover her expenses since she was a freshman. How can you say she's using your money?" Jessica countered.

Eugene poked her. "Fine, then. Tell her to move out tomorrow if you think she's so great. The sight of her gets on my nerves!"

"Aves is my sister and my only family. She's yet to graduate from college and has just found a job. How can you kick her out at this juncture?"

Eugene didn't look like he cared. "This is my house—I spent money on it and pay the mortgage every month. I want her out of here, and that's final!"

"Why, you!" Jessica burst into tears of exasperation.

Meanwhile, Eugene fell asleep as the drunkenness took over him.

After a while, Jessica wiped her tears and shook him awake. "Come on, get up. Take a shower and go to bed."

Avery quietly shut the door and got back into bed. She didn't fall asleep, though. She spent the rest of the night tossing and turning.

…

Early the following morning, Avery got up and made breakfast. Then, she left Jessica a note and an envelope before leaving with her luggage.

Avery was partly the reason Jessica had married Eugene. Jessica had always talked about the two of them facing hardships on their own; she had figured nobody would bully them if they had a man in the household.

Jessica wasn't highly educated. She made a living by running a small stall, but it didn't earn much. Buying a house had become an out-of-reach dream.

Eugene had graduated from a regular college and now worked for a public-listed company. At first, he'd been a pretty nice guy.

But perhaps the stress had gotten to him—he grew increasingly irritated by the day. He was always drunk when he got home and would start fighting with Jessica.

Jessica would always be the first to give in and back down because she had Avery with her. She would keep her anger at bay when arguing with Eugene.

Avery knew Jessica still loved Eugene, but love was minor compared to reality's harshness. She didn't want to be a burden to Jessica and Eugene, so she hoped her moving out would make things better for them.

The elevator stopped at the eighth floor. The doors slid open, and Avery came face-to-face with the people outside. She tightened her grip on her luggage when she saw them.