Chapter 1
The desire of a 30-year-old man was blunt and unfiltered.
Avery Sawyer felt as though her body had fallen apart. Consumed by overwhelming lust, she was unable to breathe properly.
“Starting tomorrow, don’t schedule anything for me for a week. I’ll be on vacation. Book two tickets to Mavrelle,” Marcus said as he stood by the bed, getting dressed.
Avery moved numbly, a trace of joy flashing in her eyes. “Marcus, you’re taking me on vacation?”
Marcus Lowell paused and frowned slightly as he looked at Avery. “I’m going with Madison.”
The smile on Avery’s face froze, and she lowered her head awkwardly. “Okay, Mr. Lowell…”
Seeing Avery’s pale face, Marcus spoke again. “Avery, you’re an orphan, and you’re young. I could never marry you.”
Avery looked up at Marcus and smiled bitterly. “I never hoped you would marry me. Since Ms. Harper is divorced and back in the country, should we end our relationship?”
Marcus’ expression darkened. He rubbed Avery’s head with forced patience and placed a card on the nightstand, coaxing her gently, “Here. You can buy whatever you want.”
“Mr. Lowell, I don’t want to be a mistress.” Avery looked at Marcus stubbornly. It was only a matter of time before he married Madison Harper.
“It’s too early to talk about that now. We’ll discuss it when I actually get married. Stop throwing a tantrum. Whether we end this or not isn’t up to you.” Marcus was evidently growing impatient.
After saying that, he glanced at Avery and left.
Even after the door closed, Avery’s ears were ringing. She couldn’t hear anything.
Avery was an orphan. When she entered university as a freshman, she was bullied by a rich woman—Mindy Lowell—because of her good looks. Avery was beaten deaf in one ear, had her pinky toe broken, and was nearly blinded by cigarette burns.
Someone filmed the incident and posted it online, causing a huge stir at the time.
The school had to call in the parents, and Marcus was the one who showed up for Mindy.
Marcus was Mindy’s older brother.
Perhaps for the reputation of Lowell Group, or maybe out of pity, Marcus extended a helping hand to Avery, whose body was covered in injuries.
The first thing he said to her was, “Don’t be afraid. I won’t let anyone bully you again.”
It was pathetic and disgraceful.
Avery fell in love with Marcus because, during the time she craved love the most, Marcus fulfilled all her fantasies about men and gave her a sense of security.
She had always thought Marcus was her salvation, but now it seemed that Marcus didn’t love her. Be that as it may, he also refused to let her go.
…
At Lowell Group, Marcus was preparing for a meeting and to hand over his work.
Madison was waiting for him in the office.
They were about to fly to Mavrelle and spend the next seven days there together.
Avery placed a cup of coffee in front of Madison, her heart aching as if it had been sliced with a knife. “Ms. Harper, here’s your coffee.”
Madison glanced at Avery and smiled gently.
Madison came from a good family and was Marcus’ childhood sweetheart. She was a perfect match for him.
Madison was an intellectual woman with an outstanding presence. She was a true socialite.
Though she was only sitting there, her confidence hurt Avery’s eyes.
Avery knew she had lost—that she had never stood a chance.
Love stories for the ages wouldn’t happen between people from different worlds.
Marcus would only use Avery to pass the time when he was bored.
After placing the coffee mug down, Avery almost fled the office in embarrassment.
She had no confidence. Whether it was her being an orphan, her poverty, or her physically abused and disabled body, every pore of her exuded inferiority.
“Mr. Lowell and Ms. Harper are going on a honeymoon? I heard they’ve confirmed their relationship and will go public once they return. Both families have agreed to their marriage.”
In the break room, people were discussing Marcus and Madison’s upcoming wedding.
While Avery was refilling hot water, the water scalded the back of her hand.
The cup dropped to the floor, and it took Avery a moment to react. She panicked and rinsed her hand under cold water.
Marcus and Madison were getting married.
That meant it was over between her and Marcus. Her internship at Lowell Group was also ending early.
“Avery, Mr. Lowell asked you to drive him and Ms. Harper to the airport at 11:00 am,” informed a colleague.
Avery smiled bitterly, finding Marcus cruel.
She knew Marcus did it on purpose. He had a driver but insisted on her driving them just to make her realize her place and stop fantasizing about things that weren’t real.
Honestly, Marcus and Mindy were both bullies. They just had different ways of going about it.
One would bully her physically, while the other emotionally, especially when her heart was already broken.
Taking out her phone, Avery hesitated for a long time before deciding to dial a number she had once blocked.
“Hello, Mr. Langston. You once said that if I married you, you’d help me further my studies in Ispon. Does your offer still stand?” Avery asked, voice trembling.
Maybe marriage was her only way to escape Heisenville, to escape Marcus.
On the other end, the man’s low voice came through. “Think it through. Come to Bullmar Main Manor at 7:00 pm on the 13th. We’ll discuss the details.”
The 13th was eight days away.
