"Couldn't even give me five minutes before bringing your little shadow along?"
"Or is this a demonstration of how you literally can't function without clinging to each other?" I sneered with a scoff.
He really had the guts to bring her here with him, after what had happened at the hospital. Riley's face turned crimson red at my direct accusation.
"It isn't what it looks like Avery... I was just here to..."
"Save your explanations for someone who cares." The indignation in my word was as clear as water. I sounded vile but I didn't care, as long as my words gets passed.
But I was wrong.
All of a sudden, I felt Liam's strong hold on my wrist again as he cornered me at the wall.
"Don't you speak to us that way!!" He let out a low menancing rumble, showing his dominance and intimidating self.
I gently cocked my head to the side, wondering why he would think that I would succumb to his authority, I was his mate for fuck sake!! His equal!!
"What are you going to do about it??" My lips twitched into a smirk when I noticed how increasingly infuriated he was at my boldness and resistance to his authority.
He snarled, his blue eyes had a piercing glare as they stayed on mine while I maintained the eye contact all through. I wanted him to see how serious I was.
"A.. Avery..." Riley's pretended gentle voice finally echoed in the hallway, earning a mental eye roll from me.
She must want the attention back to herself so bad.
"We don't want any trouble, we just came here to check up on you. You weren't at home and..."
I didn't listen to the rest of her honeyed tone blabbering as it only irritated me the more. I pushed Liam off me, making him stagger back a little before he regained his composure.
"I was doing better before you dragged yourselves here!!" I snapped in an abrasive tone.
"What the hell is wrong with you Avery?" I scorned what I heard Liam's question.
"Really???"
Just then, I heard sniffs and whimpers. I turned to my side only to see Riley shedding tears, with so much emotions... insincere emotions.
"Avery.... I know it's all my fault... I know I've wronged you but why can't you just find it in your heart to forgive me?"
Liam, obviously deceived by her feigned emotions moved to console her, right in front of me.
"You see what you've caused? Riley left the hospital to search for you even though she's supposed to be resting because she was worried for you and you...." He paused with a grimace like he was trying to hold back himself from saying something.
"She already apologized... what more do you want from her? Why are you dragging this so far? Hasn't she suffered enough?"
His questions now made him different from how I knew him. He had changed so much in the span of two days. Where is the Liam that supported me then?
Just then, from the corner of my eyes, I saw Riley's sly grin, the malevolent gloating she shows only to me, to let me know that she would always emerge the winner no matter what happens.
And that was all it took, for me to finally snap.
"She hasn't!!" I deadpanned.
"Avery..." Riley called out in sorrow but I ignored her.
"Until she has been betrayed by somone she trusts, stripped off all that she owns and is actually fighting for her life in a sick bed will I consider us equals. Until then you all should leave me the fuck alone!!!!" I roared in outrage.
I noticed the stunned and petrified look they both gave me but I didn't care.
"Get out!!" I screamed out again, barring my fangs to show I wasn't playing.
"L...let's go.." Riley stammered as she pulled Liam with her. She looked shaken to the core by my reaction but I know it was all a facade.
Liam on the other hand wasn't ready to leave yet. He was about to say something when I walked into my penthouse and slammed the door behind me.
A few seconds later, I heard the elevator ding again, they've left.
I walked into the kitchen the sound of my heavy movements hitting the marble tiled floor filled the penthouse. I opened the fridge and pulled out a bottle water.
I gulped down half its content before slamming it against the counter. My encounter with them filled me with rage. The audacity!!
The sound of my ringing phone echoed in the kitchen. With annoyance, I pulled the gadget out of my robe's pocket. I was about to end the call when I saw Jenny's name on the screen.
Jenny was another friend of mine aside Savannah.
"Congratulations!!" Her cheery voice echoed from the other side of the call the moment it connected.
"How does it feel to finally cut ties with those losers?" She asked, not bothering to hide her excitement.
Savannah must have filled her in on everything that has happened. I sighed as I plopped down on the kitchen stool.
"Uh..uh.. don't tell me you're feeling down.."
"It's just too much to take all at once." I muttered as I gently massaged my temples.
"I understand but you don't have to waste your time being bothered by people that don't value you, you're worth more."
A comforted smile appeared on my face. "Really??"
"Of course. Now that you've cut ties with them, why don't you come back to the company. It's getting hard to handle those scums on the board alone."
"Jenny..."
"You've been gone for too long Avery and coming back would help take your mind off things easily." She coaxed.
The invitation was enticing and better than what I had in mind before. I was initially planning to return to my family as the devoted daugher and impeccable heir after taking some time off but my encounter with Liam and Riley served as an eye opener for me.
My parents don't care about me, never have and never will so why should I keep trying to earn their approval? They don't deserve me.
"Alright.." I whispered in agreement after my mind had been made up.
"Finally!! Can't wait!!" She yelled out happily.
I smiled softly as the call ended. I was about to head into my room when another call came in. It was from an unsaved number.
I stared at it silently, trying to see if I recognize it nut I couldn't pinpoint whose it was. After the third ring, I clicked on the answer button and placed it on my ear.
"Avery.." I stilled the moment I heard my name.
The sonorous and baritone voice... I could recognize it anywhere... it was something I had heard for more than half my life.
My breath hitched and my heart beat faster against my chest in eagerness. My body felt restless as I listened to his rhythmic breathing through the phone call.
"Marcus.."