### Chapter 65 As Elliot approached the living room, an urgent wave of instinct propelled Avery to retreat to the sanctuary of her room, her heart racing with foreboding. Inside, Rosalie fought to catch her breath, her chest tightening as if an invisible hand were squeezing the air from her lungs. Yet, the moment her eyes landed on Elliot, a strange calm washed over her like a soothing balm. “Elliot… My son…” she whispered weakly, reaching out with a trembling hand, desperate for his touch. He rushed to her side, enveloping her in his strong embrace. “Divorce Avery Tate… You must do it. Go tomorrow… Just get it over with…” Tears streaked down Rosalie's cheeks, dark pools of regret forming in her eyes. “I’m so sorry… I’ve been so blind… How could I allow you to be with such a woman?” Elliot gently brushed away her tears, a flicker of anger flaring in his gaze. “Mom, this isn’t your battle to fight. Keep out of my relationship with Avery. And as for Cole…” “Cole lost a finger… Can you even imagine the pain he must be in? He blamed you, but I know that’s not the truth…” The corners of Rosalie’s mouth quivered as she pressed on. “You’re not a monster, Elliot! You wouldn’t hurt your own family like that…” “If you mention this again," Elliot growled, the severity of his expression freezing the air around them, "I will have the driver take you home this very moment. I refuse to divorce Avery. Unless I choose to, no one can force my hand.” Dejection swept through Rosalie as she drew in a shaky breath. “Is this love? You’d turn your back on your brother’s entire family for her?” With that, Elliot released her, his heart heavy with conflicting emotions. He turned his attention toward the driver waiting by the door. “Please take my mother home.” And with that final statement, he ascended the stairs, leaving Rosalie in a cloud of sorrow, the tears cascading down her cheeks unchecked. “Why must he be so cold?” she thought, despair clawing at her heart. “This is all Avery Tate’s doing! Elliot wasn’t always like this!” Avery, alone in her room, leaned against the headboard, the sting on her cheek a constant reminder of the recent turmoil. Though the bruise would fade, the ache embedded in her heart felt like it would endure indefinitely. Even if today brought a semblance of normalcy, she feared that any moment could trigger the haunting memories of that dreadful night. By the time morning light broke at eight o’clock, Elliot sat stiffly at the dining table, a storm brewing within him as the thought of Avery consumed his mind. “Mrs. Cooper,” he suddenly broke the silence, his voice firm yet laced with urgency, “fetch Avery.” Mrs. Cooper scurried off to the guest room, but returned moments later, her face drawn with worry. “Madam Avery isn’t in her room. She might have left… I’ll check at the front gate.” After a short while, she returned, her brow furrowed. “She left around six this morning. Should I call her?” A flicker of concern passed through Mrs. Cooper. The force of Rosalie's slap was not trivial, and while Avery appeared gentle, there was a resilient pride within her that could lead to unpredictability. Mrs. Cooper dialed Avery's number, but was met with the chilling sound of the dial tone. “Her phone’s turned off,” she reported softly, disappointment casting a shadow over her gentle features. “Left at six and turned off her phone… What on earth is going on?” Elliot thought, his expression hardening. The worry began to morph into something darker. Could grief drive her to despair? Was a single slap enough to push her over the edge? His coffee cup hit the table with a decisive thud as he stood abruptly, striding out of the dining room with a cold indifference. In the living room, a sense of urgency propelled him to pull out his phone, dialing his assistant with an air of determination. “Chad, find me Avery Tate’s mother’s phone number.” “Yes, Sir. Right away,” Chad responded, his efficiency immediate. But the moment he dialed Laura Jensen’s number, the voice on the other end delivered a blow to Elliot’s growing apprehension. “Sorry, the number you are trying to call is not reachable. Please try again later.” Elliot's heart sank as the implications of the day sunk in. Both Avery and her mother were unreachable, their phones silent. A fear edged itself into his thoughts, whispering the unthinkable: what if something had happened? With a dark cloud of anxiety enveloping him, Elliot knew he wouldn’t rest until he had uncovered the truth.