"Oh... Is he going to visit Uncle Mike during his holidays?" Layla beamed because she had been planning on taking Robert to Bridgedale to visit Hayden. If Chad was traveling to Bridgedale, they could all travel together."I didn't ask him." Elliot got up and took her hand. "Did you have fun at the water park?""Robert had more fun. I think it's a bit childish." Layla was wrapped in a towel, and her hair still dripping wet. "Daddy, I will go shower now. Go check on Uncle Chad!""Sure!" Elliot watched as Layla walked back into her room, before approaching Robert, who was soaking wet.Robert looked up at Elliot with his doe-like eyes and pouted. "Daddy stinks."It was the first time Elliot had drank so much at home since Robert was born."You can sleep with Mrs. Cooper tonight, then. Go shower!" Elliot said and Mrs. Cooper carried Robert into the bathroom.Elliot returned to the dining room to find Chad rubbing his face."Have you sobered up?" Elliot teased. "Your alcohol toleranc
"I thought you said you would prioritize work and wouldn't consider marriage for now? Why did you change your mind?" Elliot asked after taking a sip of water."We are just having a meal together. Don't read too much into it," Lilith said."Both families are meeting now, so you are not that far away from getting married," Elliot said calmly. "You should really think about whether you want to marry Ben or not. There's still time to reconsider.""Can't I change my mind after this meal?" Lilith asked."You can change your mind at any point, or even get a divorce from him after marrying him. It's just that I have a unique friendship with Ben, and I want you to act carefully." Elliot tightened his grip around the glass. "Ben isn't young anymore and he truly wants to settle down...""And how would you know that he wouldn’t cheat after we get married?" Lilith retorted. "You think that he is a good man just because you are close to him.""It's precisely because I'm close to him that I kno
It had become clear that Helen had only wanted Lilith to give birth to a child for the Schaffer family.Elliot's expression darkened and Ben immediately shot a look at his mother."Of course, that is if the worst scenario happens. Naturally, I want Lilith and Ben to cherish one another and grow old together. Ben, if Lilith agrees to marry you, you have to treat her well. If you dare to mistreat her, your father and I will beat some sense into you even if Elliot doesn't say anything!""I know," Ben said before looking over at Lilith. "Lilith, I know that you are way out of my league, but I promise to care for you with all I have once we get married. The reason that I've called Elliot along today is that I want him to stand witness to my promise as well. If I mistreat you or upset you in the future, you can punish me however you want."Lilith blushed.Despite his age, Ben was not shy to make romantic promises, and Lilith's heart leaped in joy over his words. The frustration she felt
Avery could not help but chuckle.[You would have still accepted Ben's proposal even if Elliot hadn't said a word to you!][Probably not this soon though. I enjoy being pursued. What happens if he puts less effort into our relationship once I agree to marry him?][Hahaha...][The way you laugh is really unsettling, Avery.][Life wouldn't always be thrilling. Peace and stability are the best things that you can ask for. Just think about how other married couples fight. Isn't that more terrifying?][True. I just want to continue working even after I marry him. Otherwise, I would lose my mind from staying at home every single day and start picking fights with him.][Just enjoy the moment and don't overthink it.][Yeah!]...Elliot was on his way to Avery's house when he received a call from Natalie. He put on his bluetooth earphones and answered the call."Elliot, I heard that Avery is dating the owner of Dream Maker, is that true?" Natalie asked."Why are you asking?"Natali
"I don't care about what kind of man Avery dates, but I'm worried about you," Natalie said. "Since I mentioned Billy to you before, I worried that this might make you feel miserable. If I had not said anything, I wouldn't have to worry." "You only mentioned that he was horrendous-looking and short, right?" Elliot said casually. "I wouldn't be in misery over something like that.""That's not the worst part. Billy is a psychopath." Natalie's features twisted in pain. "People who are talented but disabled like him tend to be sick in the mind. He has all these horrible pets like snakes, lizards, mice, and spiders... Just thinking back to it gives me chills... He told me that if I want to be with him, I will need to accept his pets."Elliot fell dead silent when he heard that."Maybe it's because Avery is a doctor, so she probably won't be scared of those animals... But I don't think that's the end of his insanity," Natalie continued, "I don't understand Avery's tastes. Why would she d
Rage burned within her at his rejection. She should not have brought him an umbrella and should have left him to walk through the rain without it. She should not have opened the door for him. Had he returned without seeing her, she would not be this enraged.Avery finally realized why Layla had decided not to tell Elliot before they arrived in Bridgedale. It was because Layla knew exactly what Elliot was like. However, it was too late for Avery to regret it since she had already let him in.Regardless, she was not going to simply tolerate him."I only informed you because I didn't want to fight. I am taking the kids to Bridgedale even if you say no!" Avery retorted. "This was Layla's plan. So if you still want to maintain a good relationship with your daughter, you better leave us alone."Elliot studied her flushed cheeks and ignored her as he entered the living room. "There's no point in running away from this conversation." Avery followed him. "I have the right to see them and
"Do you need to speak to your boyfriend before going to Ylore with me?" he asked."This is my decision. Why do I have to ask for someone else's opinion? He is still just my boyfriend right now, and even if he becomes my husband in the future, he has no right to interfere with my affairs."Elliot gritted his teeth.Avery's response had revealed two things: her relationship with Billy was real, and Billy had no control over her, which meant she was not unequal to him."If that's the case, go ahead and pack! If you are not telling your boyfriend, you should at least tell Layla," he said."I know what I need to do; mind your own business!" Avery glanced outside at the rainstorm. "The rain is getting heavier. Will tonight's flight be canceled?"Elliot unlocked his phone to check the weather report. "The rain will stop at seven tonight.""Oh... Are you going now? You can take the umbrella next to the door." Avery intended on heading back to her room to pack, and she no longer wanted t
"Layla, your dad and I aren't enemies," she said awkwardly."So you mean you are still good friends?" Layla interpreted."Of course, not..." Avery was not sure how she would explain it to her daughter. "I can talk to him, but we will not sleep together. Do you understand?""Okay," Layla muttered regretfully. "Hey, Mommy. Remember to protect yourself. You don't want to sleep with him, but what if he wants to sleep with you?"Avery fell silent at that.Avery quietly slipped out of the master bedroom after the call with Layla to check on Elliot. Layla's words triggered the insecurity within her, and she kept feeling like Elliot was doing something behind her back.To her bewilderment, he glanced over as soon as she headed out, as he saw right through her."You called Layla?" He noticed the way she was sneaking around but decided not to mention it."Yeah. Did you tell her?""Not yet. You did, so I don't have to.""I did talk to her about it, but you have to do it as well!" Avery