**Chapter 75** As dawn broke and painted the sky in soft pastels, Avery and Elliot found themselves at the breakfast table, shrouded in an uneasy silence. The low hum of the morning was punctuated only by the clinking of cutlery—Avery's plate, adorned with fluffy scrambled eggs and crisp toast, stood before her, while Elliot quietly spooned cereal from a bowl that hardly seemed to interest him. "Thanks for getting my phone back last night," Avery finally broke the stillness, her voice tentative yet filled with gratitude. The weight of their unsaid words hung between them like a fragile thread. "I’m sorry about my mother," Elliot said, the apology laced with the heaviness of his thoughts. It was a burden he could no longer carry alone, and as he spoke, Avery felt her cheeks flush with an unexpected warmth. "You weren’t the one who hit me. Why are you apologizing?" she replied, her brow furrowing in confusion, the memory of the slap still fresh in her mind. “She shouldn’t have slapped your face,” Elliot responded, his tone stiff, the anger simmering just beneath the surface. “If anyone dared—” Before he could finish, Avery leaned in, her fingers lightly grazing his cheek. The unexpected softness of his skin sent a rush of warmth through her, igniting a flurry of emotions. The moment felt suspended in time; Elliot's fierce gaze flickered with surprise, his throat constricting as he attempted to steady the tremor in his grip around his glass of milk. “Okay, we’re even,” she murmured, withdrawing her hand as she lowered her gaze to her tea, her heart racing as if it were trying to escape her chest. The faint burn where her fingers had touched him lingered—a reminder of the charged connection that swirled in the air. She hastily finished her breakfast, her thoughts racing, and retreated to her room, the weight of their exchanges still heavy on her mind. In the solitude of her space, she inspected her reflection; the bruise on her face had faded to a soft hue—a sign that healing was underway, though the sting of it remained a ghost of the past. With deft hands, she applied a light veil of makeup to conceal the remnants of her mother’s wrath. Determined to break free from her confines, she stepped out, ready to face the world again. The office had been relentless in its attempts to reach her, and inquiries from Trust Capital flooded in like the tide—a reminder of her responsibilities that stretched far beyond the walls of her home. As she descended the stairs, she noticed that Elliot had already left. Mrs. Cooper appeared at her side, her expression brightening with purpose. “Are you going to the office, Madam? Let me call for the driver.” Avery was just about to affirm her plans when her phone rang, shattering her thoughts. “Do you have time today, Miss Tate?” Ben’s voice was warm yet urgent, echoing through the speaker. “What is it?” she replied, curiosity piqued. “Are you sure I can help?” “I’m sure,” Ben reassured her confidently. “Are you at home? I can swing by and pick you up. I need to discuss something in person.” “Okay,” she responded, a hint of hesitation creeping into her voice. Thirty minutes later, Ben arrived at the gates in a sleek white car, an exact replica of Elliot’s but for the color. “Aren’t you going to the office today, Mr. Schaffer?” Avery queried as she settled into the passenger seat and secured her seatbelt. “I don’t need to clock in,” Ben replied with an easy grin. “We need your assistance picking out a present.” “What do you mean by ‘we’? Who else are we talking about?” she asked, her interest piqued. “The other managers at the office. Elliot’s birthday is coming up, and we need you to help us find something special for him.” A barely perceptible blush crept onto Avery's cheeks. “When is his birthday?” she asked, caught off guard. “Do you not care about your husband at all?” Ben chuckled, a hint of pity evident in his tone. It seemed an odd juxtaposition—while Chelsea adored Elliot like a deity, Avery appeared to treat him as if he were a mere annoyance. Flustered, Avery stumbled over her words, “I’ve been... busy.” “Of course, you are. Your company is facing challenges, and I know you’re knee-deep in your thesis. I’m sure you’re even busier than Elliot,” he teased lightly. “That’s not fair,” she retorted, half-laughing, as his easygoing nature disarmed her. “I genuinely don’t know what he likes. I’m afraid I won’t be much help.” “You can definitely help,” Ben insisted, steering the car onto the freeway. “Let’s hit the mall.” Minutes later, they pulled up to the city’s largest shopping mall, its quiet expanse offering a reprieve from the usual weekend crowds. Avery felt a flutter of nerves as they stepped inside, heading straight for the jewelry section on the first floor. Avery raised an eyebrow, skepticism coloring her voice. “Does he like jewelry? I’ve never seen him wear any…” Ben sighed, a hint of exasperation in his expression. “Elliot has never accepted gifts from us before. But with you now in his life, he might just accept one if it’s from you.” The weight of Ben’s words hung heavy in the air, and Avery felt a mix of anticipation and trepidation about the task ahead. Today’s expedition could mean more than just finding a gift; it could be a bridge to understanding the man she shared her life with—and to perhaps discovering the things that made his heart beat a little faster.