Jeremy pulled out his phone and saw his wife, Avery, was calling. His heart skipped a beat. He knew she was expecting him and Mia at home by now, but he wasn’t ready to explain where they were just yet. He quickly answered the call, trying to sound as natural as possible. “Hey, babe!” Jeremy said, forcing a smile, even though Avery couldn't see him. He hoped the cheerfulness in his voice would mask his anxiety he's good at doing it. “Darling” Avery's voice was soft but had a note of concern written all over it. “I just got home, and... well, you and Mia aren’t here.” Jeremy’s mind raced. He couldn’t tell her the truth, not now. He squeezed the phone a little bit tighter, and he looked up things to think of something more convincing to say. “Oh, uh, yeah” Jeremy stammered, searching for a quick excuse. “I took Mia out to get her something. We’re just finishing up now. We’ll be back soon, okay?” There was a brief pause on the other end, and Jeremy could almost picture
Jeremy, sensing an opportunity for some quality family time, suggested a change of plans for breakfast. "How about we eat out this morning as a family?" he asked Avery, who had been standing in the kitchen, ready to begin her morning cooking routine.Mia's enthusiasm was immediate, her eyes lighting up with excitement. "Hurray!" she exclaimed, her voice bouncing with delight. "Can we go to the pancake house?"Jeremy chuckled at his daughter's eagerness. "Why don't we let your mom decide?" he said, glancing at Avery.Avery, despite recognizing the value of family time, seemed hesitant to venture out into the world. "It's a good idea, but I'm tired of bumping into people who seem determined to upset me," she said, a weariness in her voice that spoke of her thinning patience.Jeremy, sensing her reluctance, offered a reassuring smile. "Don't worry, we won't run into anyone who'll bother you," he said, his tone confident and soothing. "I'll make sure of it. We'll choose a quiet spot, away
Avery, sensing Jeremy's unease, slipped her hand into his. "What was that about?" she asked, her eyes darting in the direction the man had vanished."I'm not sure," Jeremy replied, his voice low and cautious. "He was clearly trying to avoid being seen. It could just be a coincidence, or it could be something more."Mia, oblivious to the tension between her parents, skipped ahead, humming a tune to herself.As they drove back home, Jeremy couldn't shake the feeling that they were being watched. He kept glancing in the rearview mirror, scanning the road for any signs of a tail. even though he didn't want Avery to be worried, he couldn't help but the diligent for their sake.Avery, catching his nervous glances, placed a reassuring hand on his arm. "It's probably just your imagination," she said, her voice soothing. "It was probably just a random guy who bumped into you. Maybe he was on his way to do something sketchy and didn't want anyone to recognize him."Jeremy nodded, but deep down
Jeremy arrived at Blue Silver Entertainment Company, his mind already fixated on the conversation to come. Ignoring the hustle and bustle of the building main entrance, he made his way to Jefferson's office, his footsteps echoing through the empty halls. Having learned from their past oversights, the security guards at Blue Silver Entertainment Company had long ago learned to recognize Jeremy's familiar face. In their eyes, he was no longer an outsider, but a friend of the Jefferson, a friend of the company, and thus, they afforded him the respect and courtesy he deserved, allowing him to pass unhindered into the company wherever he arrived.Jeremy's heart was racing with a mix of anxiety and fury, he didn't bother with the formalities of knocking on Jefferson's office door. Instead, he burst through the entrance, his concern for his family's safety overriding any sense of etiquette. His words came out as a demand rather than a question, sharp with urgency. "Jefferson, what's going
Avery's brow furrowed with a mixture of confusion and concern as she spoke into the receiver. "Who is this?" she asked, her voice tinged with suspicion.The feminine voice on the other end responded, her words hinting at familiarity. "I'm an old friend of Jeremy's," she said, the hint of a smile seemingly audible in her voice."What's your name?" Avery asked, her voice tinged with skepticism. She knew Jeremy had no friend, let alone any female friends, so this unexpected call had caught her off guard.On the other end of the line, Edith Cowan replied without hesitation. "I'm Edith Cowan," she said, the sound of her own amusement evident in her voice. "And I know what you're thinking: what does this Edith Cowan want with me? But don't worry, I'm not here to cause trouble."With a breath of what seemed to be genuine laughter, Edith continued, "I'm calling because I want to meet with you. You see, I have some information that I believe you'd be interested in."Avery's mind raced, trying
Jeremy cast a worried glance at Avery across the dinner table, his instincts telling him something was amiss. Avery, usually the picture of cheerfulness, seemed distant and preoccupied, her gaze focused on the plate in front of her. Jeremy knew his wife well. She was not one to wear her emotions on her sleeve, preferring to keep her feelings hidden beneath a mask of positivity. And yet, something about her countenance that evening had him on edge. After finishing their meal in near silence, Jeremy cleared his throat, determined to break the ice. "Is everything okay?" he asked, his voice gentle but firm. "You seem distracted tonight." Avery quickly composed herself, her lips twisting into a forced smile. "Oh, it's nothing," she lied, her voice light but strained. "I think I'm just a bit stressed from the day's activities." She avoided Jeremy's gaze, knowing all too well that her husband's piercing eyes could read her like a book. He could always tell when she was lying, and she cou
At precisely 10 am, Avery pulled her car into the parking lot, her heart full of anticipation. she couldn't help but wonder if she was making a terrible mistake. With the poise and grace of a seasoned executive, Avery stepped out of her car, the clack of her heels echoing across the parking lot. Before she could take more than a few steps, a perky waitress appeared, beaming with excitement. "Good day, Mrs. Avery," the waitress chirped, her eyes shining with admiration. "This way to Miss Cowan's table, please." Avery raised a brow, curiosity and a touch of skepticism flickering in her eyes. "How did you know it was me?" she asked, her tone polite but quizzical. "Oh, who wouldn't know the famous Mrs. Avery?" the waitress exclaimed, clearly thrilled to be in the presence of such a successful and influential woman. "I'm a huge fan. I mean, a female CEO? That's pretty impressive." Avery couldn't help but smile, her face softening slightly at the waitress's enthusiasm. "Thank you," she
Avery let out another harsh laugh, her eyes hard as they darted from Edith to her son, then back to Edith. "You do realize the implications of this, should it turn out to be false?" she asked, her tone dripping with skepticism.Edith, her face now contorting into a mask of tears, replied in a voice that shook with emotion. "Why would you think I'd lie about something as serious as this?" she asked, her eyes welling up with tears. "Why should I deny my son the right to know who his father is?Avery took a long, deep breath, her mind spinning as she considered Edith's responses. She could see the carefully planned display of emotion, the well-rehearsed lines, and yet there was still a small part of her that wondered if it could all be true."If this is true, then why did you choose to tell me and not Jeremy himself?" Avery asked, her tone still laced with skepticism. "And why did you wait twelve years before showing up again?"Edith's expression hardened as she tried to maintain her com