"I don't care what they say about me." Elliot held Avery's hand, pulled her into his arms, and rested his chin on the top of her head. "Have you eaten?"

"I have." Avery took in the smell of medicine on him and said sadly, "I didn't have much to eat in the morning, so I was really hungry at lunch and ended up eating."

"Good."

"How's Nathan? You didn't beat him up too much, did you?" Avery felt uneasy.

When Elliot had seen Nathan earlier, he was overcome with rage.

Avery was worried that he would be too hard on him and cause more trouble.

"I don't know. He's probably still alive," Elliot said hoarsely. "We wouldn't have to deal with all of these problems if it weren't for him. I wouldn't be this mad if he had just stayed in Bridgedale and asked me for money."

"He isn't a good father at all. Don't be mad, Elliot. Whatever he does from now on has nothing to do with us."

"Alright."

At the hospital, Nathan was covered in bruises, but he did not have any serious injuries.

Once the d