**Chapter 16** “Who told you there was someone Elliot liked? Where did you hear that? Do you know who she is?” Chelsea's voice trembled with an uneasy edge, though she adamantly clung to the belief that Elliot harbored no affections for anyone but her. Avery shook her head, a hint of doubt clouding her eyes. “What I said was merely my opinion... I can't claim to know Elliot as intimately as you do.” As the tension in the air began to settle, Avery shifted her stance. The complexity of the situation became increasingly apparent, and she felt a wave of urgency to remove herself from the chaos. All she ever wanted was to bring her babies into the world and lead a quiet, uncomplicated life. “You scared me! I thought you’d seen him with someone!” Chelsea exhaled, relief washing over her after hearing Avery’s clarification. “Elliot isn’t the man you think he is. He despises women and children,” Chelsea stated firmly. Avery, intrigued, asked casually, “Do you know why he dislikes children?” “To be honest, I have no idea, and I don’t want to know either. If he doesn’t like them, then I just won’t have any,” Chelsea mused, a slight frown creasing her brow. “But he’s actually quite nice to me.” “As long as you’re happy,” Avery replied, resigning herself to the futility of trying to shift Chelsea’s perspective. Everyone should have the liberty to choose their own path; the critical part was accepting the repercussions that inevitably followed those choices. In her eyes, Chelsea’s decision to bear Elliot's children seemed foolish, yet, to the outside world, perhaps it was Avery’s own stance that appeared misguided. As food was laid before them, Avery's stomach grumbled with eagerness, compelling her to dig in. Meanwhile, Chelsea, enveloped by her swirling thoughts, found herself losing her appetite once more. “Are you really sure you haven’t fallen for Elliot?” Chelsea probed with a mixture of curiosity and concern. “I’m positive,” Avery affirmed with a decisive nod. Chelsea looked confused. “Why? He’s capable and undeniably attractive.” Avery met her gaze, sincerity illuminating her features. “If I had to choose between you and him, I’d choose you.” It was the truth—loving Chelsea would spare her the wounds love had inflicted in the past. Chelsea’s expression shifted from disbelief to shock. “Why?! Are you—” Avery waved her hand dismissively. “I was just using it as a hypothetical. You understand what I mean, right?” Slowly, Chelsea’s defenses crumbled, unveiling a newfound warmth towards Avery. She remembered how Avery had held the weight of her father's company on her shoulders after his passing. A surge of sympathy surged through her heart. “You’re still in college, right?” Chelsea asked, her voice softening. Avery took a moment to sip her water before replying, “I’m graduating next year.” “Hmm, I heard about your father’s company. His debts are not yours to bear since he’s gone. You should focus on graduating and living your life,” Chelsea said with honest concern. “How are you supposed to come up with the money to cover all of his debt? Please don’t push yourself like this.” Lowering her eyes, Avery chose to remain silent. The chorus of voices urging her to abandon Tate Industries intensified, her mother among them. One hundred and twenty-five million dollars loomed large, an insurmountable wall blocking her way. Yet Shaun persistently assured her of the brilliance of their new product, insisting that with perseverance, only bright days awaited them on the other side of this crisis. Inside her, a tumultuous battle raged where hope and despair intertwined. As the meal reached its conclusion, Chelsea picked up the check, ensuring the bill was settled without even a thought of protest from Avery. “Give me your number,” Chelsea said, approaching Avery after paying the bill. “What’s the point?” Avery replied with a hint of melancholy. “Elliot and I are getting divorced soon. There won’t be a reason for us to meet afterward.” A trace of disappointment flickered across Chelsea’s face, yet a glimmer of comfort nestled there too, knowing she might escape the tumult that surrounded Avery. “That’s true. Once the divorce is finalized, I’ll be the only one by Elliot’s side,” Chelsea retorted, shooting Avery a sharp glare before sauntering away. --- At 2:30 p.m., the moment finally arrived for Avery to meet the doctor regarding her test results. As she entered the room, the doctor adjusted her glasses, perusing each page before looking at Avery with an unexpected spark in her eye. “Everything appears to be normal. However, I have some surprising news: you’re pregnant with fraternal twins!” Avery was rooted to the spot, her mind racing with disbelief. “Do you still want to consider terminating the pregnancy?” the doctor teased lightly. “The odds of having fraternal twins are akin to winning the lottery; you’ve truly hit the jackpot!” Her heart raced, thoughts spiraling. Twins—she had only ever heard of them, never met anyone bearing this extraordinary gift. “If you’re contemplating an abortion, it’s essential to act in your first trimester. The risks grow with time, and it’s a painful process for both you and the babies. They’re already starting to take shape within you,” the doctor cautioned her, a note of gravity in his voice. “Doctor, I’m keeping them. I want to give birth to my babies.” In that instant, clarity washed over Avery like a wave, solidifying her resolve. “Excellent. Please fill out these forms, and I’ll set up your file.” --- As the clock approached four in the afternoon, Avery emerged from the hospital, her head swirling in a blend of exhaustion and exhilaration. Perhaps it was the early rise and the lack of rest, but sleep clung to her like a shadow, threatening to pull her under. The world around her blurred—a kaleidoscope of people and vehicles swirling into oblivion. Hailing a taxi, she made her way home, her heart heavy with the magnitude of the day’s revelations. She stumbled into her room and succumbed to a deep, uninterrupted slumber. When the darkness of night draped itself over the world, Avery finally stirred from her dreams. Sitting up in bed, she felt adrift, as if caught in a haze. Her mind was as empty as her stomach, gnawing with hunger, yet she couldn’t muster the will to move. Suddenly, her phone rang, jolting her from her stupor. She picked it up, recognizing Shaun’s voice on the other end. “Avery, did you reach out to those names on the list I sent you?” Avery lowered her eyes, inhaling deeply. “I didn’t. I’ll get to it tomorrow.” “Tomorrow’s the weekend! Don’t worry about it, or maybe you could call them now?” Shaun prompted, his voice earnest. “Alright,” Avery replied, half-heartedly. “Do you need me to send you another copy of the list?” Shaun continued. “No need; I've got it right here,” she assured him. “Just remember, when you call, try to be sincere—” “I know, I know. I’m about to have dinner,” she cut in, desperate to end the conversation. “Oh, by the way, where have you been since they repossessed your house?” Avery took a glance around the guest room that felt so foreign, responding softly, “I rented a place. Don’t worry about me. I’m managing.” “Okay, Avery. I’ll be looking forward to some good news from you.” The taste of her dinner was lost on her as she returned to her room, determination spiraling to a new height. Picks up the phone, she began her calls, weak hope anchoring her as she pressed each number. But as each voice on the other end heard her name, they dismissed her without a moment’s hesitation—cutting her off and hanging up before she could even convey her message. Twenty minutes later, Avery had failed. Every single call had been met with rejection. Did she really need to give up on everything? If she did, did it mean the end of Tate Industries? If she didn’t, what more could she strive to preserve it? The weight of the room closed in around her, suffocating, palpable. Avery shrugged on a long cardigan, escaping her solitary confinement. The living room sat empty, silence stretching through the air like a taut string. Clutching the cardigan around herself, she stepped outside into the night. The cool breeze danced through her hair, the chill biting at her skin. Wandering down the street aimlessly, memories struck her like a flurry of icy wind. She had always been perceived as the heiress of Tate Industries, living without a care in the world. No one knew the truth—those lonely nights of cold meals, terrifying solitude, and the constant struggle. Just then, a sleek black luxury sedan glided into her line of vision, rolling to a stop. Elliot’s eyes opened slowly, and he spotted a woman beneath the soft glow of the streetlights, curled up with her knees drawn tightly to her chest. Avery’s shoulders quaked with muffled sobs, revealing a private storm of regret and despair.