<< Avery >>
I am escorted to a room with a large glass window. Five men stand on the other side, their faces obscured by the reflection of the sterile white room I am in. My heart races as the reality finally sets in. I am here to identify my attacker.
I approach the glass hesitantly, my hands shaking. My memory is hazy, and it seems like a lifetime ago. I was told it usually happens after a traumatic event. I am worried because I struggle to recall the face of the man who attacked me in the dark parking lot. What if I don’t recognize him?
Miles stands just behind me. So it feels comforting.
At first glance, I don’t recognize anyone.
“One at a time,” Miles mutters, and I nod.
I close my eyes and take a breath. I look at the first man, but he is not familiar. The second man evokes no recognition either. An overwhelming feeling creeps on me when I try to focus on the third. A flash of memory hits me like a bolt of lightning.
“It is him. I confirm. “The man in the middle. Third one.” Now I know it without a doubt.
I step back from the glass, turning my face away. It’s odd that he looks so different compared to what he looked like in that dark parking lot.
“Good! He is the one we caught.” The officer confirms, and I sigh with relief. I was worried. What if I ID some wrong person and the entire investigation goes south?
I am led back to a waiting room, my mind whirling. The man I have just identified will pay for what he did to me. I will make sure he never gets a chance to attack somebody else.
Now comes the burning question. Was he hired, or was it a mugging case?
Miles holds my hand, and I smile. His presence is nice. I wasn’t expecting him to come, but he did anyway. An officer comes to talk to me about the next steps, but my heart is racing and aching. The thought that my half–sister might be involved weighs heavily on my mind. I don’t want her to be involved, but the possibility is there.
Media totally took the bait of leaked messages and yes, it looks like Della and Joy did something. It would be a cosmic coincidence that somehow their messages and the attack were aligned.
“Ms. Avery, we just need to ask you a few more questions,” the officer says, pulling out a notebook. “Can you tell us more about the night of the attack? I mean, what happened before the attack. Especially at the party.”
I try to remember as much as I can, but my memory is still hazy. As if everything that happened was shadowed by
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the attack and its aftermath.
“It… was my first public appearance after coming back… and Ethan cornered me twice. So Della was kind of upset
with me.”
“Did she make any threats?”
“I–I don’t think so… She insisted that I should change my dress.” I try to think hard. Then I shake my head. “That’s all I can really remember.”
The officer nods, scribbling something in his notebook.
“What about Ethan? Was his behaviour suspicious?”
“Other than him being a clingy and apologetic, Please–Take–Me–Back, Ex? No.”
Officer snorts and takes a note. It makes me feel funny that it will be added in official record.
“What is going to happen next?”
“So far, the attacker refused to admit he had to do anything with you. But now that you have identified him…. We will try to press him to spill the truth… If he gives us a name, we can start an investigation on your sister too.”
I frown. “So, she isn’t a prime suspect?”
He glances at Miles and says, “No. Not officially.”
I frown. What does Miles know about it?
“Oh.. Okay…
The officer nods and gets up. “Alright. We’ll take it from here. The attacker has a history… We’ll keep investigating and try to get to the bottom of this.”
His words bring little comfort. I want my life back. I don’t like Raylan or someone escorting me out all the time. The thoughts swirl around in my mind, making me feel dizzy.
Miles takes me to his car, his arm wrapped around me.
“I need to talk to my dad about this, but I’m not sure how to even begin.”
He is living with Joy and I am sure they are having arguments every day.
“It’s going to be okay,” he says, sensing my distress.
I nod and get inside the car. Tears simmer in my eyes and I look out of the window.
“It’s not that I like Della or something… But for dad it would be so hard… So I am hoping it all turns out to be a fluke.”
“That’s because that would be an easy way out.” He squeezes my hand and adds, “We know nothing for sure yet. Let’s
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just take it one step at a time and let the police do their job. And if your sister is involved, we’ll deal with it together.”
I nod, feeling grateful for his support.
Miles reaches over and takes my hand. “Is there anything I can do to help you right now?” he asks, his voice soft and concerned.
I snort.
“Look at you… Ticking all the checkboxes of the perfect boysister…
He quirks his brow at me.
“Boysister? I thought I was your husband!”
I tsk. “Are you? I don’t think so.”
He shakes his head and focuses on the road.
“Yea sure. Be a brat and I will teach you how to be compliant in training.”
“What did I do?” I choke as heat rushes through my whole body.
“I will tell you in the evening.”
I see promise in his words.
Miles is driving me back home when my phone rings. It’s Lena.
“Avery!” she whispers. “Your dad is here. He was expecting to see your Miles, and he’s confused about why Raylan
and I are living with you. Not your husband.” Her voice filled with urgency.
“Oh shit, I mutter, looking at Miles dubiously. My heart races as I realize what Lena is saying.
How many lies do I need to tell dad?
“Uhmm okay… I will be home in fifteen minutes,” I say and cut the call.
“What’s wrong?” Miles asks.
“Dad is at the house, and he’s expecting to see Liam aka you,” I say.
Miles nods. That’s Okay, I will come and meet him.”
I bite my lips.
“After coming back from the resort… I told him I was living with my husband.”
“Oh. His expression troubled.
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“That’s okay, I will make up some excuse,” I say, trying to sound casual, But I am unsure in my heart. I know for sure that we cannot live together. It’s definitely a No–No if it’s Miles‘ first relationship.
He probably won’t like the intrusion.
We pull up to the house. Dad’s car is parked in the driveway. Miles and I exchange a look. Unsure how the conversation will play out.
We walk into the house, and I can feel my dad’s gaze on me as soon as I step through the door. I can tell he’s not happy, and my heart races.
He gets up from the settee and asks, “Avery, what’s going on?”
His voice is a little stern for my comfort. He notices Miles behind me and adds, “Hello Liam… It’s good to see you. Please tell me the truth… Have you two been fighting? I am confused why you two are not living together? And why is Avery living with her sisters?”
I take a deep breath, trying to steady my nerves. “Dad, it’s nothing…” I say, hoping my voice doesn’t betray me.
Dad’s expression darkens. “Are you lying? That’s what everyone does with me nowadays. At home I am fed up of listening to Joy and Della as they try to convince me how they have nothing to do with the mess and your attack. I came here hoping may be meeting my daughter, and my son–in–law will make me feel better…… and what do I see here?”
“Dad! Relax!” Miles says, and my eyes widen. I think it’s the first time I have heard him say that. “Yea, it was a small fight, but we patched up last night and I am taking her to my place today.”
My jaw goes slack, and he slips his arm into my waist, pulling me closer to his side.
“Why don’t you join us for dinner at my place? I will cook…”
“What?” I ask him quietly.
Miles shrugs. “Yea… why not.. Pack your clothes. We can shift the rest of your stuff over the weekend. As we discussed last night…..” He stresses on the last few words.
I blink at him.
Is he out of his mind? Is this his way of asking me to live with him?
Doesn’t matter.
Because I feel butterflies in my stomach and I feel as light as a bird in the sky.
“I guess it’s about time you bring your stuff from New York too. Because, my doll, you are not going back anymore.”
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