Chapter 21

With so much blood lost, Calvin's breathing grew weaker and weaker. Even as people rushed in and tried to lift him, all he could think about was finding Avery. His mind grew hazy, and all the memories from the past began to play in front of his eyes like a film reel. He remembered how, after Britney's so-called accident, he drowned himself in alcohol every single day, falling apart so badly that even his own family had given up on him. It was Avery who stayed by his side, holding him up when he could barely stand, preparing hangover remedies when he was too drunk to care, sitting up all night to nurse him through his stomach bleeds, even taking care of company business for him. She poured her entire heart into loving him. Deep down, he always knew it. But the blow of losing Britney had left him numb and blind to everything else. He never let himself see what Avery did for him—until that one night, when he made a mistake, reaching out for comfort and crossing a line he never intend