"I don't think the reason why Elliot won't see Avery is that he's upset…" Jun said. "His bodyguard told me that his face was covered in scratches from the fall. I doubt someone as proud as him would want anyone seeing him in that condition.""So, that's what it is! I have to tell Avery before she overthinks things," Tammy said, then sent Avery a text telling her what she just heard from Jun.Avery simply replied with a smiling emoji.Tammy: [Elliot's birthday is coming up in a couple of weeks. Have you thought about what you're getting him?]Avery: [Not yet. I don't know what to give him.]Tammy: [Since it's getting cold out, you should try knitting him a sweater!]Avery: [Are you serious? Who wears knitted sweaters anymore?!]Tammy: [Just do it. Men like stuff like that.]Avery: [Problem is, I don't know a thing about knitting!]Tammy: [The people selling the yarn would teach you! Or you could look for tutorials online. You're a smart girl. You'll figure it out!]Avery: [Why

"I prescribed some medication to help, but he won't take them," said the doctor with a frown. "He won't get better if he continues to refuse help.""I'll talk to him tomorrow," said Rosalie."I heard that he listens to Miss Avery. Maybe we should—""Absolutely not!" Rosalie snapped furiously. "She's the reason my son is like this. That woman brings nothing but bad luck!"The doctor did not argue.His only responsibility was to Elliot's health. "I know you didn't mean to take her side…" Rosalie said as she tried to quickly reach a compromise. "Let's see if he listens to me tomorrow."She only hoped for her son's speedy recovery.Everything else could wait.…After Avery took a shower, she walked to the window and looked outside.The snow on the ground looked like a layer of silver powder that illuminated the night.She felt a strange compulsion rise within her.She picked up her phone and wanted so badly to give Elliot a call.She wanted to hear his voice.After some tho

"Yes, sir," Chad responded.Soon after, a cup of coffee was placed in front of Elliot.As Chad exited the room, he bumped into Chelsea who was charging toward Elliot’s office.She was not wearing any makeup, and her face looked unusually haggard.Chad approached her, intending to speak to her, but in the end, he did not say anything. Chelsea entered Elliot's office and shut the door behind her."I'm sorry, Elliot," she said in a hoarse voice as she stood in front of Elliot. "This was all due to my brother's scheme. He knew that you were still recovering, so he made you go up that hill. It's an especially steep hill. We don't usually go up there ourselves. He wanted you dead."Elliot stared silently at her pale face, then said, "I know.""I'm sorry. He won't apologize to you. He already left the country." There was a lump in Chelsea's throat as she spoke. "Please forgive my family, Elliot. My father's getting old, and I'm afraid he won't be able to handle the backlash. If you h

Elliot was lying through his teeth, but Ben had no reply.Of all the years they had known each other, Ben had never once seen Elliot in a sweater.Although, perhaps a sweater that Avery knitted for him was much more meaningful than one that was bought with money."Your mom called me saying your nephew was discharged from the hospital," Ben said. "She wants you to go home for dinner tonight.""She can tell me that herself," Elliot said."Did she upset you recently? She was pretty cautious when she talked to me earlier. Don't be mad at your mom, Elliot. There's nothing like a mother's love in this world—""Please stop talking."Ben burst into laughter."Do you want to go back to the old mansion for dinner with Avery?"Elliot thought for a moment, then said, "Didn't you say she's been busy knitting?""That's true! There's only a week left. I wonder how she's doing."…When Elliot arrived at the old mansion that night, Rosalie was beside herself with joy.Everyone else, on the

Cole's previous debt with the loan shark had forced Henry to lose a huge sum of money."Let's accept it since Elliot offered!" Henry's wife, Olivia, chimed in. "We're one family, there's no need to feel embarrassed."Henry's face turned crimson. He picked up the check and said, "You don't need to do this again, Elliot.""I'm done eating," Elliot said. "I'll leave now."Rosalie got up and sent him off.Once they were out of the house, Cole slammed the spoon to the ground."Dad! Why did you take his money?!" He felt humiliated.He hated being treated like charity."How dare you, you spineless piece of sh*t?!" Henry roared furiously. "Return to me three million dollars that I had spent to discharge your loan if you can!" Olivia also chimed in, "Your uncle may look down on us, but there's no reason to reject free money! Do you know how much he just gave us? Eight hundred thousand dollars! Your dad's company don't even make that much in a year!""Is our situation really that bad?

Elliot glanced up at Avery's face, then said in a hoarse voice, "Thank you."The sweater felt more comfortable and warm than he had expected.Avery was shocked by how good he looked in it.She could not decide if it was the quality of the sweater, or if he was just that good looking.She picked up the paper bag and pulled out a gift box."I also got you this just in case you didn't like the sweater," she said.Elliot stared at the box in her hand."It's a lighter," Avery explained quickly. "I didn't know what else to get you so I got this. It's practical and you could probably use it. You shouldn't smoke too much, though. It's bad for you."Then, she placed the box in Elliot's hands.Elliot opened the box, pulled out the lighter, and sparked a light."I'm not a heavy smoker," he said in a sultry voice. "I only smoke when I'm stressed out."Avery's brows raised in surprise as she said, "You were always smoking when I was living at your place.""That's because you were always

"I have no idea," Elliot said. "Don't worry about them.""Let's get a bigger one, then!" Avery said. "Ten inches, maybe?"Elliot turned to the shop assistant and said, "Ten inches.""Sure thing. Are you guys on a date? You look cute together," said the shop assistant with a smile.A wave of embarrassment washed over Avery's face, turning her porcelain skin ruby red.On the other hand, Elliot glanced at the desserts on display and asked, "Do you want to get anything else to bring home?""It's fine…" Avery answered."Go ahead and get something for your mother."Avery noticed the rosy tint in Elliot's cheeks, chuckled to herself, then said, "Sure! I'll get something."They left the bakery an hour later.Elliot was holding the cake with an uncomfortable expression on his face.There were not many people out on the streets.The temperature outside was around 41 degrees Fahrenheit, but the warmth from the sprouting love helped him fight the cold.When they arrived at the restaur

Soon after, Elliot opened his eyes and blew out the candles on the cake.The curtains were pulled back, and light flooded the room once more. "What did you wish for, Elliot?" Ben asked with a grin."Do you always reveal your birthday wishes to people?" Elliot countered.The room burst into laughter.Elliot cut a slice of cake and placed it in front of Avery."You should eat the first slice," Avery said as she pushed the cake back to him."I can't eat that much," Elliot replied.He picked up a fork, took a bite out of the slice, and pushed it back to Avery.It was as if a giant pink heart popped up between them, engulfed them, and separated them from the rest of the room.The crowd began to roar and make fun of them."Should we start calling Miss Tate Mrs. Foster now?""Why don't you give it a try? I don't think the boss would mind!""Hahaha! Miss Tate wouldn't mind either, right?"…Avery was so embarrassed and uncomfortable that her ears and the back of her neck turned

At the door to the guest room, Avery said, "I'll take you back to the room. I can come back here to rest after that. I'll join you after I wake up."Elliot entered the room and said, "I'm tired, too."Avery was stunned."You didn't eat anything! You should go eat—""Drop it. Get some rest."How could Avery possibly drop this?She did not feel good about letting him starve on his birthday.She rushed back to the private room to get Elliot something to eat.Everyone in the room happily helped her."Get some more meat, Miss Tate! You have to make sure he eats it all! He lost so much weight after his accident.""We'll leave the boss to you, Miss Tate! Take care of him for us!""Get some rest after you eat, Miss Tate. We won't bother you at all!"…Avery left the room with flushed cheeks and returned to the guest room with a tray of food.Elliot was texting someone.Avery placed the tray of food in front of him."Don't you want to take the sweater off? It looks like you're s

The boom of a gunshot pierced through the night followed immediately by the sound of car tires coming to a screeching halt.Avery felt like her eardrums were about to burst as she held tightly onto Elliot.Tears were streaming down her face as her body shook uncontrollably.The tires of the black sedan had been blown up. It had swerved and crashed into the cotton candy stand that Avery had purchased cotton candy from. Elliot had his arms wrapped around Avery as he watched coldly the car from the corner of his eyes.Someone was trying to kill him but had failed.Then came the sound of another gunshot.This time the bullet had hit the driver's seat. Avery and Elliot were surrounded by cries of terror as people scattered and sought shelter from the danger.Avery's skin was cold to the touch.Elliot cradled her face in his hands, stared at her terrified face, and said hoarsely, "Don't be scared. It's over now."Avery's chest rose and fell at a frantic pace. Uncertainty flick