Chapter 705 Avery, If You Want Me, Give Me All of You
Night had fallen by the time Isadora stirred on the couch.
She thought about checking on Lila.
But the moment her eyes opened, she saw Avery sitting in the single armchair by the bed. He had changed into a fresh set of clothes — a black dress shirt and tailored slacks — looking every bit the picture of quiet authority and sharp-edged elegance.
He wasn't sleeping. A laptop rested on his knees, his gaze fixed on the screen as though weighing something important. From where Isadora lay, his profile was all clean, decisive lines, as if carved with intent.
When she spoke, her voice was rough. "Why haven't you gone home?"
At the sound of her voice, Avery closed the laptop and crossed the short distance to her. He sat beside her, reached out, and pressed the back of his hand to her forehead.
His expression eased, his voice low. "The fever's gone down a bit."
"I had a fever?" she asked, hesitant.
Avery's answer was maddeningly matter-of-fact. "A little. Otherwise, how else would you fall asleep still holding on to me? Isadora, do you like sleeping in my arms that much?"
Her mind went blank. She genuinely couldn't remember.
But Avery seemed certain.
One moment he was talking about her fever, the next he was leaning over her, bracing his hands on either side of her body. He lowered his head and caught her mouth with his.
After a few seconds, he pulled back just enough to murmur against her lips, his voice low and unhurried, "That kiss wasn't finished. Let's fix that."
Isadora felt weak all over. She told herself it was the fever.
Otherwise, why wasn't she stopping him, even though she was perfectly awake?
In the middle of the night, Lila woke.
One glance, and she found herself staring at a scene she had no desire to witness. She shut her eyes immediately. Better to pretend she'd seen nothing — self-preservation was worth more than curiosity. At her age, she wasn't about to get dragged into that kind of drama.
The next morning, when Isadora woke, Avery was gone.
She froze for a moment, then touched her lips lightly.
Last night had been a dream, the kind that left her breathless, and Avery was there in every heartbeat.
She knew she was wavering, but she also knew she had no sense of security with him.
After turning it over in her mind for far too long, she decided to push it aside for now. She had only just broken off her engagement with Tobias.
For the next week, she didn't see Avery at all.
When Taylor came to visit, she hinted — not so subtly — that Avery was away on business, and that he had taken Maggie with him.
Isadora blinked. "Is that even convenient for him? And Maggie still has school, doesn't she?"
Taylor smiled. "My parents tried to talk him out of it, but you know Avery. Don't worry — he'll take good care of her. And with Maggie around, he won't be chatting up random women. Honestly, I think it's a good thing."
Isadora said nothing.
Taylor chatted a little longer before leaving the room.
As the door clicked shut, Lila spoke from her bed. "I think Avery's serious about you. His family seems to treat you well, too. When you've got someone good, you should pay attention. Don't take it for granted just because they're good to you now. If their feelings cool, you might not get another chance."
"I know."
Isadora sat peeling a pear for Lila, her thoughts tangled, wanting to stay by her side for a while.
Just before Lila was discharged, news broke — Avery had been spotted in a compromising situation while away. If it had been anyone else, Isadora might have brushed it off. But the woman in question was Autumn — the same Autumn he had once been on the verge of marrying.
The photo was grainy, clearly taken in secret.
In a hotel corridor, Autumn wore a black cocktail dress, draped against Avery's arm as though her bones had given way. Her cheeks were flushed — she had obviously been drinking.
Avery's hand settled at her waist, steadying her in a touch that felt as much like an embrace as it did support.
Alone in the hush of midnight, his arm curved around her, her breath warming the space between them.
Avery's eyes lowered, lashes veiling a tenderness that could not be mistaken.
Sitting in her office, Isadora read the entertainment headline in silence, her expression unreadable.
What was she thinking?
She thought of that evening in the parking garage, when Avery had held Autumn the same way, his face just as indulgent.
She called the airline to check Autumn's flight records. Nothing came up. Which meant Autumn had flown in on a private jet — and the Foster family didn't own one.
Isadora realized Avery had never actually said he didn't like Autumn.
He had taken her along on his trip.
Isadora had no wish to pry into Avery's feelings for Autumn—if he even had any.
But if he wanted to be with her, it had to be with his whole heart, leaving no room for blurred lines with other women.
She intended to hold her ground in this relationship.
So she flew to Oceancrest City herself.
By the time night fell, she had checked into the most luxurious hotel in the city — the same one Avery was staying in. When she knocked on the door of his suite, it was Jennifer who opened it.
Jennifer's eyes widened. "Ms. Penrose? You're here?"
Isadora's tone was cool. "I'm taking Maggie home."
Jennifer's stomach dropped.
When Avery had arrived at the airport for this trip, Autumn had suddenly appeared, claiming she'd just gone through a breakup and needed to get away.
Even though they were no longer together, the long-standing ties between their families had made it hard for him to refuse. So he had let her tag along — on the jet, at the hotel. That was all.
Nothing else had happened.
Jennifer found herself explaining anyway. "Last night Autumn got drunk. Mr. Montague has already broken up with her. They didn't cross any lines."
Isadora's expression only grew colder.
Avery could have any woman he wanted, she thought, and as long as they never crossed that line, no one would question his faithfulness. But letting Autumn that close was already a mistake.
He had given her the chance.
A heartbroken woman in a man's gentle arms — how could that not intoxicate him?
Isadora didn't argue. She only asked where Avery and Maggie were. After a brief pause, Jennifer told her the location of the banquet, her voice dropping as she added, "Mr. Montague is sincere about you."
'Empty words,' Isadora thought. 'Nothing more.'