Chapter 25: Long Ride
Evelyn’s mouth opened, wondering if Avery was concocting a story again just to bring them closer. But when her eyes met Natalie’s, silent and guilt-ridden, she knew it was true.
Avery recalled the day she called Zevian for marketing suggestions, only to hear he was returning from a week-long trip. It was the first time she had heard the usually stoic tycoon drop things midway and eager to rush home, to find Katherine with another man in their house. Investigations revealed this man had been sneaking in whenever Zevian was away, with Katherine threatening the staff to keep silent.
Katherine smartly used their daughter, Kiana, to keep their marriage intact, promising never to see her secret lover but failing within a month. Unable to take any of her excuses, Zevian ended the marriage. But just as they were finalizing the divorce, they got eternally parted away in that accident. Avery believed it wasn’t truly accidental, and Zevian knew it too but never spoke about it, forcing her to stay silent.
"And you know what’s crazier?" Avery’s voice tightened with frustration. "When Sabrina learned her daughter was cheating, she defended Katherine, blaming Zevian for not giving her enough time and love. This guy, handling such an empire, did everything to be with his wife during her last month of pregnancy, and still got accused?"
Evelyn felt her skin prickle, her fists clenching with irritation, and a pang of guilt for avoiding any mention of Zevian in the past. Avery had tried to talk about him many times, but Evelyn had always shut her down, not wanting to reopen old wounds. Who knew behind the perfect facade, he was trapped in such a toxic marriage?
"Go to your room, Avery," Penelope warned, sensing her daughter’s words were worsening Natalie’s pain.
Sensing her intention Evelyn nodded and ushered Avery upstairs. "Where’s your room?" she asked. When Avery pointed to the right, she glanced at Zevian’s room before dragging her best friend away.
Inside Zevian’s room, Kiana clung to her father, a part of her wanting Evelyn there too. But she realized her daddy didn’t like to talk to anyone after fighting with her Nana, and didn’t complain about it.
"Are you okay?" the little girl asked, looking up at Zevian. He nodded, and she hugged him tight, hoping all his sadness would disappear by morning.