Chapter 2

Back in her room, Avery sent one more text to Julian. "My baby is yours." Her phone rang immediately. "Avery." Julian laughed in exasperation. "Do you even know what you're saying?" She understood why he was reacting that way. Five years ago, Julian had fallen for Avery at first sight. He pulled out every trick he knew, even setting off 99 fireworks shows to make her smile and flooding her doorstep with gifts. Yet, Avery never looked at anyone but Damien. In the end, Julian had said, "If you ever regret it, just call me." Then, he disappeared from her life. "Avery?" Julian called her name. His cold voice pulled Avery back to reality. She told him what she had overheard in the study. Julian went quiet for a beat. "Last month, during my body check, the doctor added a fertility panel. It looks like that is when my sperm sample was taken—" Avery cut him off. "Julian, do you want to work together with me?" Julian was stunned for a moment. "You want to use me to get back at Damien?" "Don't you want the same thing?" she asked. He thought it through, then replied, "Fine. Divorce him first, then marry me." "Okay. Give me a week." "Alright." Just then, Avery heard footsteps in the hallway and quickly ended the call. Damien pushed the door open, surprise flickering across his face. "When did you get home, Avery?" "Just now." She kept her voice even. He narrowed his eyes and looked at her. "I was in the study with Benjamin and the others. We didn't keep you up, did we?" Avery didn't answer. Instead, she changed the subject. "I want to ask you something. My baby—" She wanted to get an answer, but before she could finish, Damien's phone rang. He glanced down and answered it immediately. "Okay. Wait for me. I'm coming to get you." He ended the call and put on an apologetic smile. "Work emergency. I have to go. We'll talk when I'm back." With that, he leaned in to kiss her. Avery turned her face away. "Didn't you say you had to go? Hurry, then." Damien paused. Something about Avery felt off tonight, but Serena was waiting. So, he nodded and left. Avery watched him walk out and dug her nails into her palms. She didn't need to guess to know who had phoned. Sure enough, half an hour later, Serena posted an Instagram story. "I don't know what I'd do without you. Thanks for always being there." It was a photo of Damien's profile while he was driving. Comments from mutual friends popped up quickly. "Wow! Damien really treats Serena like she's everything!" "Of course. Remember when Damien almost drowned while diving? Serena risked her life to save him! If not for her, he might've died!" Avery's eyes widened in disbelief. She was the one who had saved him. Why were they saying it was Serena? Her thoughts drifted back to Pulgido five years ago. She'd been diving when she spotted Damien underwater. Even though he was wearing an oxygen mask, she recognized him at once. He signaled that his oxygen tank was empty. Without a second thought, she hooked his breathing tube to her oxygen tank and kicked for the surface, sharing the last breaths of air. By the time they reached the beach, both of them had blacked out. When she woke up, the doctor told her that her lungs were damaged and she could never dive again. She kept it to herself so he wouldn't feel guilty. Was that why he defended Serena no matter what? Because he thought Serena had saved him? While her mind wandered, a noise came from outside. Seconds later, the door swung open to reveal the face Avery despised the most.