Chapter 5

Avery stopped Damien with a light laugh. "It's a secret. You'll find out soon." She planned to deliver that surprise herself at their anniversary dinner. Damien actually smiled. "Fine. Buy whatever you want, as long as you're not angry with me." A thought seemed to occur to him. "By the way, didn't you say you had a question for me last night?" Avery kept her expression calm. "Oh. I forgot." "Then tell me when you remember," he said. "Get some sleep." … The next morning, after Damien left, Avery took the signed divorce papers to a law firm and retained an attorney. The attorney advised her to gather solid proof of Damien's affair as quickly as possible. Once business was settled, Avery drove to the mall to choose a thoughtful birthday gift for her grandmother, Brianna Pearson. It was Brianna's birthday, and Avery was expected at the Langford residence for dinner. In past years, Damien had always gone with her, but this time, she didn't ask him to come. But when Avery reached the Langford residence, she was stunned to see Damien already there, sitting so close to Serena that it was as if they were joined at the hip. Thomas was there too, and so was her stepmother, Yvonne Tucker. Yvonne spoke in a warm tone, like they were one big happy family. "Serena has a temper, but thank you for overlooking it, Damien." "Of course," Damien answered. "She has taken a lot of heat for me." Avery's stomach churned. So, everyone already knew Damien and Serena were the real pair, and she was the only one still left in the dark. Serena noticed her first. "Avery!" Heads turned toward the doorway. Damien stood and walked toward her, but Avery gave him a cold glance and headed upstairs to see Brianna. Yvonne couldn't resist a jab. "No manners at all. You didn't even greet us." Avery paused on the stairway without looking back. "You're a homewrecker, Yvonne. Why would I ever greet someone like you?" "You!" Color flared across Yvonne's face. Since Damien was present, she swallowed her anger and appealed to Thomas instead. "Honey, did you hear that?" Thomas' face darkened. "Avery, apologize to Yvonne!" Serena jumped in quickly. "Yeah, Avery, how could you speak to my mom like that?" She paused and widened her eyes, pretending to remember something. "Oh, I get it. You're mad because Damien came back with me and didn't call you, right? It's not what you think. He only took me to the hospital this afternoon for a follow-up, and then we—" Avery had had enough. She turned around and snapped, "Serena, if you love acting so much, go be an actress!" She needed a follow-up for just two slaps? Please! Damien chimed in, "Avery, you're out of line. Apologize to Yvonne and to Serena, or else—" "Or what?" Avery looked him straight in the eye. "Are you going to divorce me?" Damien froze, clearly not expecting that word from her. By the time he found his voice, Avery had already turned away. Brianna lay in bed half-asleep. At the sound of footsteps, she opened her eyes. "Avery, is that you?" she asked hoarsely. Avery hurried to her side and set the gift on the nightstand. "Happy birthday, Grandma." Brianna held her hand, worry lining her face. "I heard you're pregnant. Is it true?" Avery hesitated, then nodded. "It is." Brianna sighed, her eyes welling red. "You've suffered enough. IVF is torture, and Damien actually let you go through 99 attempts. If he ever wrongs you, I'll stake my life to fight for you!" Avery didn't want her to worry, so she kept the truth to herself. They chatted softly until Brianna drifted back to sleep. Then, Avery slipped out and headed downstairs. Laughter spilled from the dining room, but the moment Avery appeared, the room fell silent.