61

Avery’s pov

“What are you doing?” Xaden asked once he spotted me in the living room area, shifting through the boxes so I could pack up.

“Trying to help with putting things where they should be. I want him to be surprised when he gets home.” I mumble as I open the box and begin to remove the sofa pillows.

They were new so I knew Xade was trying to make this place feel more at home for me. He never really liked decor, and was bored with it. But he knew I liked color so I am surprised he chose like green plush pillows to be on the cream colored sofa. My favorite

or

Xaden look at me silently with pity and I had to look away. “You just got out of the hospital not too long ago Avery. Maybe you should rest.

I snorted. “Rest? Don’t you think I had enough rest?” I asked sarcastically. “I need to get the house ready for when he comes back.”

Xaden grumbles something under his breath and walks to the kitchen area. “I’ll start up dinner. Is there anything you specifically want?”

I looked up from the box.

“Yes. Xade.”

Xaden winced, looking gobsmacked by my words before he clears his throat and goes toward the phone. “I just order us some pizza.”

I nod stiffly and a second later the intercom buzzes. Eloise, Xade and Xaden’s mom’s voice fluttered through warmly yet there’s an urgent edge in her voice.

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Xaden spared me a glance and then walks toward the door. He opens it and she steps in. She had always been a beautiful woman. blonde hair and green eyes. The boys took after their father more whose name was Xadeon and his father before him was named Xadell. It was a family tradition I found endearing.

There’s something I notice about her expression today that was different than how I’ve always seen her. Her green eyes glassed over with tears and when they fell on her son, she took a step in and enveloped him in a hug.

Her voice trembles as Xaden hugs her back. but I can’t pick up on the was clearly enough to know what she was crying about. But the ache

gut told me this was about Xade, which caused my throat to

men.

Kaden tells her something and she pulls away, I don’t miss the way Xaden had gotten more tensed by what she had crie im abc am on edge, itching to know more. But I had a feeling they wouldnt tell me a thing.

She cups his face, her eyes flowing oddly before she turns to face me. She steps away from Xaden and smiles at me warmly, yet her eyes showcased the trouble in her soul.

“Avery dear.” she moves to come over and I drop the cushion pillow on the sofa to hug her when she reaches me. Her embrace is warm and comforting but I can feel the tension in her body.

know something is wrong.

“Eloise.” I said softly as she kissed my cheek. She had always been a second mother to me. She gave me a good squeeze.

“I’m so sorry this happened to you my darling.” she breathed. squeezing me one more before pulling away. “I promise that boy will

never step foot in any room you stand in “Her eyes drop to my neck. and they darken in horror

I swallowed when she moved her fingers over my skin where his fingerprints had stayed “Oh Avery”

I had pecked at my neck in the hospital bathroom when I got ready It was horrible and I cried so hard, Xaden had knocked and asked if everything was okay.

But nothing was not

She hugged me agam and then looked around the place, her brows

in a frown “Why aren’t you resting Avery Had you not just en out of the hospital?”

looked away and shook my head as I go back to the box. “Resting when I don’t know if Xade’s actually okay? How caEloise? When half of my soul is now not here with me and noi The will come back?”

I picked up another pillow “I need to get these things done before he gets back I need to

I need to feel him I need to see him I need him I need him