The smile on Avery's face instantly froze.

"I like it that you are dominating," he added. "Back then, I used to consider protecting you and the kids as my responsibility, but now that I can't and need you to protect me instead... It's a hard pill to swallow, so I was quite upset for a while."

"And now you are okay?" Avery could sense that he was more relaxed from his tone.

"Hayden taught me a lesson today." He shrugged. "I feel like maybe I've really aged."

"Don't think like that. Everyone ages, and like an old machine, anyone would experience difficulties." She served a piece of steak onto his plate. "Eat well and drink well. There’s always hope."

"You went to meet with those experts today, right? Do you think you can rely on them?" Elliot couldn't help but feel hesitant about the people Mike had gathered.

Avery bit down on a piece of vegetable and chewed slowly. "I don't know them enough to say anything just yet, but Peter is famous. I didn't think he would come to our aid."

"