“What have you been so busy with?” Elliot asked as his seething gaze bore into Avery.
Avery finished tending to his wound, then turned and packed up the first aid kit.
“I’ve been busy with work,” she answered casually.
“You‘re lying. If it‘s work, then why aren‘t you going to the office?”
Elliot sat up straight, then grabbed onto Avery’s arm and continued, “You‘ve been giving me a weird vibe
recently. I can’t read you at all.”
“What‘s there to read?” Avery said. “Listen, Elliot. I‘m thankful that you saved me last night and I can buy
you dinner... Or I could give you a medal.”
Elliot was taken by surprise as he released Avery‘s arm and said, “I didn‘t save you for your thanks. Take
your daughter and go! Also, that bratty son of yours messed with my home’s power and internet today. If
you won‘t discipline him, then don‘t mind if I do so myself!”
“I’m sorry,” Avery apologized awkwardly. “I‘ll teach him a lesson when I get back. I promise this won‘t
happen again.”
Avery put the first aid kit back where she found it, then picked up Layla and prepared to leave.
“Avery!” Elliot called out as he approached her and handed her a box. “Happy birthday.”
Avery‘s gaze landed on the giftbox in his hand.
She did not know exactly what was inside of it, but she could tell it was something expensive.
“Thank you, Elliot...”
She was about to say that she was grateful for his wish and that there was no need for a gift.
However, she did not get a chance to say any of that, because Layla already accepted the gift for her.
Avery was left speechless.
Elliot let out an inner sigh of relief because he expected Avery to reject him.
“Let‘s go home, Mommy! I miss Hayden and Grandma...” Layla whined sweetly as she nuzzled against
her mother‘s shoulder.
“Alright, we‘re going home now,” Avery said.
Her emotions were a mess as she lifted her gaze to look at Elliot and said, “Goodbye.”
Elliot watched as they left.
If Avery‘s children could be as gentle and obedient around him as they were with her, he felt like he could
perhaps treat them as his own.
Over at the Starry River Villa, Laura finally saw Avery and the children return home after much
anticipation.
“Don’t drive when you’re tired ever again, Avery! That‘s too dangerous!” Laura said through bloodshot
eyes.
“I know, Mom. It smells amazing! Did you make my favorite clam chowder?” Avery said as she made her
way to the kitchen.
Mike was starving, so he sat himself down at the dining table after washing his hands.
On the other hand, Layla pulled her brother into their room.
“Do you have any idea how awesome I was today, Hayden?” Layla bragged. “I took something back from
Dirtbag Dad’s house.”
Hayden stared at his sister‘s face, then said sternly, “Layla, you can‘t just take people‘s things. How is
this different from stealing?”
Layla hung her head and pouted as she felt a little guilty.
It was not like she was taking someone else‘s stuff.
She was taking something from her father.
She wished very much that Elliot Foster was not a dirtbag, so she could have a Daddy!
“I‘m not blaming you,” Hayden said as he suddenly changed his train of thought. “You can take whatever
you want from Elliot Foster as long as you don‘t get caught.”
Layla broke into an ecstatic beam and said, “Don‘t tell Mommy, Hayden. I‘d be in trouble if she knew.”
“Okay. Put it away for now. Let‘s go eat.‘
“Okay! Hayden, I was so scared when I was alone today. How could all of you leave me behind? ” Layla
mumbled after placing the box under the bed. “It‘s a good thing I was brave. Otherwise, I would have
been scared to death.”
Hayden took Layla‘s hand and said with remorse, “I won‘t forget you ever again.”
“Good!” Layla said as she was instantly cheered up. “Dirtbag Dad gave Mommy a present, Hayden. Do
you think he still loves her?”
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