**Chapter 15** The bottle of calcium supplements sat innocuously on the kitchen counter, with its clear label boldly proclaiming “calcium tablets.” These were the same ones that expectant mothers took, not to mention the elderly and those in dire need of stronger bones. Avery’s heart raced as she stared at it. “Do you really need to divulge every detail about your medication?” she asked, her cheeks flushed with a mix of embarrassment and irritation. The steadiness of her voice betrayed none of the turmoil swirling within her. Without awaiting a response, she bolted from the room, desperate to escape the scrutiny. The pills were hastily tucked away in a drawer, hidden from prying eyes. Moments later, she made her way to the bathroom, taking deep, calming breaths. This chaotic situation couldn’t continue. If she lingered too long, the truth would spill like a broken dam—the checkup reports lay scatteringly about her room like a time bomb waiting to go off. Sure, reason flickered in her mind—Elliot wasn’t a maniac; he wouldn’t delve into her personal space. But the knowledge that he could, at any moment, uncover her secrets sent shivers down her spine. The thought of being unable to escape this entanglement gnawed at her. After all, her family had accepted the staggering betrothal gifts from the Foster family, binding her to this life she hadn’t chosen. Avery perched on the edge of her bed, a tempest of anxiety and regret swirling within her. Hunger pangs went unnoticed, drowned out by the weight of her thoughts. The sharp knock on the door jolted her back to reality. She padded over and opened it to reveal Mrs. Cooper, a welcoming smile gracing her features. “Master Elliot is back in his room, Madam. Come! It's time for a meal!” Mrs. Cooper chirped, her eyes sparkling with warmth. Avery felt her tension ease slightly. Within the grand walls of the mansion, aside from Elliot, everyone had treated her with gentle kindness—perhaps a result of her youth. As they entered the dining room, an exquisite spread lay before her, vibrant and inviting. “I can’t possibly eat all this, Mrs. Cooper! You should sit and share the meal with me!” she protested, glancing at the plate full of culinary delights. Mrs. Cooper chuckled softly. “Eat as much as you'd like, Madam. We have our ways—my presence at the table would not be appropriate.” “Ah, I see…” Avery mused, her mind drifting before she promptly added, “Do you have children?” Now that Elliot was absent, the air felt lighter, and she sought genuine connection. “I do! They’re in college now, not much younger than you. Why do you ask?” Avery felt a blush creep across her face; she smiled, a genuine warmth behind it. “I was just curious. I’ve heard that your body changes after giving birth, but you look wonderful!” “Oh, I hardly ate much while pregnant,” Mrs. Cooper replied with a nonchalant wave of her hand. “I never exceeded 110 pounds, which is why my figure remained intact." “Really? So you didn’t have a noticeable bump?” “Not at all! By the time I was seven months along, I still looked only five months. If I wore loose clothing, folks wouldn’t even realize I was expecting!" Inspired by the older woman’s words, a sudden thought crystallized in Avery’s mind. She picked at her meal, hardly making a dent in the lavish feast. For the sake of her figure, she needed to conceal any trace of a budding pregnancy. “Why have you stopped eating, Madam?” Mrs. Cooper’s eyes narrowed with concern upon noticing the barely touched plate. “A touch of loss of appetite,” Avery explained lightly. “Perhaps next time, avoid leaving me with such an abundance of food—I’d rather not gain excess weight.” “Believe me, you’re not heavy at all!” Mrs. Cooper reassured her. “I’ve never truly fancied exercise, so I find it's best to simply monitor my meals.” After their meal, Avery retreated to her sanctuary of a room, a place that felt increasingly like a cage. She pulled out her latest checkup report, the doctor’s handwritten note reminding her of her next appointment looming ominously on the horizon. Tomorrow. Tomorrow she would return to the hospital for another round of tests. Avery sank back against her pillows, fingers resting gently on her belly, yearning to feel the connection with her child, yet feeling only a hollow silence. Barometers of her body had shifted; her appetite had waned, and with it, her weight had slipped. Just yesterday, her belly had been completely flat, its roundness yet to manifest. The dawn of the next day found her awake early, determination propelling her to the hospital. The hours crawled as she endured test after test, the clock edging toward noon. The flip of time revealed her growing hunger—she had entered the hospital an empty vessel, her stomach protesting fiercely now. The moment she stepped outside, a sudden tap on her shoulder spun her around, and there she stood—Chelsea, a vision in white and black. “It’s really you,” Chelsea beamed, her flawless makeup accentuating her sharp features. “Are you unwell?” she inquired with an overly concerned tone. “Just a routine checkup,” came Avery’s clipped response, wishing to slip past this encounter unscathed. Yet Chelsea’s intentions were clearly stubborn. “Have you eaten? Let me treat you to lunch. I owe you an apology for my behavior the other day,” Chelsea insisted, the faux innocence in her voice ringing hollow. “I assure you, I'm not upset,” Avery replied coolly. “Ah, but I'd simply like to chat. I don’t mean to be a bother,” Chelsea continued, feigning a helpless charm. With a resigned sigh, Avery acquiesced to the lunch invitation. Her fraught stomach pressed her to accept, even though she longed to escape the conversation. They settled in a nearby restaurant where familiar scents danced around them. Avery selected simple vegetable dishes in an effort to keep her meal light. Chelsea, on the other hand, indulged in two salads before releasing the menu back to the waiter. “I avoid heavy meals for lunch,” she explained, waving a dismissive hand. “It’s all about maintaining my figure.” “Let’s talk about your situation with Elliot! Rumor has it, Madam Rosalie adores you and isn’t keen on a divorce—could you be in a tight spot?” Chelsea’s voice was dripping with mock sympathy. Avery sipped her water, trying to sound casual. “Why didn’t you make yourself known when his mother was seeking a wife for him?” she inquired, curiosity edging into her tone. A bitter laugh escaped Chelsea’s lips. “I was abroad at the time, completely out of the loop. By the time I returned, you and Elliot were already wed.” “Oh, how convenient,” Avery remarked, a hint of satisfaction bubbling beneath her words. “Do you doubt my dedication to Elliot? He’s always been faithful to me—he can’t stand the thought of other women. I know this better than anyone!” Chelsea's tone was sharp, defensively wrought. “I didn’t say anything about you,” Avery replied, her heart racing. “But let’s not mistake arrogance for loyalty. What I meant is that he harbors feelings for someone else. You should stop burning yourself for him.” Chelsea’s laughter rang out, a discordant note in the air. “That’s impossible! Elliot can’t possibly like you!” she exclaimed. “I’m not suggesting he has feelings for me. But there’s someone else—another woman,” Avery sighed, frustration leaking into her words. “More impossible still!” Chelsea retorted. “Elliot has had no other women—my brother’s been friends with him for nearly twenty years. I know him like the back of my hand!” In that instant, something inside Avery clicked. She felt unmoored as confusion began to blur the lines of reality. Could Chelsea really be lying? But then her mind flashed back to their earlier lives, filled with quieter moments she seldom pondered. Yet, if Chelsea spoke the truth… What of that image she saw hovering on Elliot’s computer screen? Her heart thumped against her ribcage. The meal faded into the background, as the whirlpool of emotions spiraled deeper and deeper, engulfing her in uncertainty.