The sobs wouldn't stop.
Avery lay curled on her side, the bedsheet twisted around her legs like vines, her pillow soaked with silent tears. Her hand trembled as it hovered over her mouth, stifling the cries she didn't want her mother to hear.
But it was already too late.
A soft knock. The door creaked open.
"Avery?" her mom's voice was gentle, but laced with concern.
Avery wiped her face hurriedly and sat up, blinking in the dim glow of the bedside lamp.
"I'm fine," she said too quickly, voice raw.
Michelle Carter stepped inside, eyes narrowing as they scanned her daughter's red-rimmed eyes and blotchy cheeks. "Don't lie to me. I know that look. Talk to me, baby."
Avery looked away. "I said I'm fine."
Michelle sighed and sat on the edge of the bed. She didn't say anything right away—just reached out and tucked a strand of Avery's hair behind her ear.
"I know it's not easy," she whispered. "Being a young mom. Trying to build something from nothing. But you're not alone. I'm here. And if you won't talk to me…" She stood. "Maybe you'll talk to Lexi."
Before Avery could argue, her mother was already walking out with her phone in hand.
Ten minutes later, Lexi burst into the room, still in leggings and a hoodie, her curly hair pulled into a pineapple bun. She shut the door behind her gently.
"What happened?" Lexi's voice was soft, but her eyes held worry. "Avery, your mom said you've been crying for hours."
Avery looked up from the pillow, mascara streaked down her cheeks.
"He's married, Lexi."
Lexi blinked. "Wait… what?"
Avery's voice cracked. "He's married. Grayson. He's married."
Lexi sat beside her in a heartbeat, eyes wide. "Okay, slow down. Start from the beginning."
---
Flashback — Monday Morning
Avery stood outside Grayson Reid's office, palms sweaty against the folder she gripped. Her heart pounded. Her lips trembled as she whispered to herself:
You can do this. Just go in. Tell him. He has a right to know.
All weekend, she'd thought about it. Rehearsed the words a hundred times in front of the mirror. Eden deserved to know her father. Even if he hated her afterward. Even if it changed everything.
She raised her hand to knock.
But then — his voice, faint through the door.
"Bye, baby… I'll talk to you later."
Avery froze.
Her breath caught in her throat.
"Yeah, kiss the kids for me. I'll call before dinner."
Her heart slammed so hard she thought it might crack through her ribs.
Kids?
Baby?
What…?
The door suddenly creaked open from the inside.
Grayson glanced up from his phone, surprised to see her standing there. "Ms. Carter? Do you need something?"
Avery blinked, swallowing back the scream clawing at her throat.
"I… I was just… uh…" She shoved the folder into his hand. "The updated budget reports. Sorry for the interruption."
Grayson raised an eyebrow but nodded. "Thanks."
She turned and nearly sprinted away, legs numb.
---
Back at her desk, Avery sat frozen for over an hour, her thoughts spiraling.
Maybe she misheard. Maybe he was just dating someone. Maybe the "kids" were his niece and nephew.
But she couldn't shake the chill in her chest.
She needed confirmation. She needed truth.
At lunch, she pulled Jamie—the office's gossip goldmine—aside.
"Hey," Avery asked casually, "is Mr. Reid… um, married?"
Jamie laughed. "You didn't know? Yeah. Three kids. Wife and family live overseas. He flies out once every few months."
Avery felt the air leave her lungs.
"I think his wife used to be a model," Jamie continued, sipping her iced coffee. "They keep it quiet. Very private. But yeah… he's taken. Hardcore."
Avery nodded numbly and excused herself.
---
Present
"He has three kids, Lexi," Avery whispered, voice cracking. "Three."
Lexi was speechless. "You're sure?"
"I heard him. On the phone. Then Jamie confirmed it."
Lexi looked away, processing the shock. "So he was… already married when you guys…"
"Yes," Avery said, biting her lip. "He didn't mention it. Not once. That whole night he acted like… like he was single. Like I was the only one in the world."
Lexi's hands clenched. "What a bastard."
Avery shook her head. "I feel sick, Lex. I slept with a married man. I didn't know, but it doesn't change the fact."
Lexi softened. "You didn't know. You're not the bad one here."
Avery looked at her hands. "I wanted to tell him about Eden. I was so ready. I stood at his door with her name in my heart. And then I heard him say 'kiss the kids for me.' Lex… how do I look that man in the eye again?"
"You don't," Lexi said quietly. "Not yet. Not until you're ready. You're not a homewrecker, Avery. He wrecked himself."
Avery broke down again.
Lexi pulled her into a hug, holding her as she cried.
"I don't know what to do," Avery whispered.
"I know," Lexi said. "But we'll figure it out. One day at a time."
Avery let the silence fill the room for a while.
Then she looked down at the baby monitor screen glowing by her bed.
Eden's tiny chest rose and fell with each breath. Peaceful. Innocent.
Avery reached over and touched the screen gently.
"I just want her to be okay. That's all that matters."
Lexi nodded, brushing tears from her own cheeks. "She will be. Because she has you."
A beat of silence passed.
Then Lexi said, almost in a whisper: "What are we going to do now?"
Avery looked out the window into the night, her eyes burning.
"I don't know," she said softly. "But I'm not letting him break me again."