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"Information on Avery Bennett" flashes in bold letters, and my mouth goes dry. Why would Victor get an email like that? I pick up the device, my fingers shaking slightly. Maybe it's some kind of mistake? But when I tap the notification, the screen lights up, betraying a snippet of text so chilling it feels like ice in my veins.
"Background check completed. Findings indicate..." I can't even finish reading the sentence aloud, my throat closing up on me. My mind races—findings? What findings? What was he looking for?
"Financial records uncovered potential leverage..." The words blur as my eyes sting with unshed tears.
I can't breathe. The words swim before my eyes, each one a dagger to my chest. Victor asked for this? He's been digging into my past?
"No," I whisper, my voice trembling. "No, no, no."
I hear Victor's footsteps approaching, and panic floods my system. What do I do now?
I drop the phone like it's burning my hand and bolt. My legs carry me up the bleacher steps two at a time, heart pounding in my ears. I've got to get out of here, got to find Olivia before Emily takes her home.
"Avery?" Victor's confused voice calls out behind me. "Where are you going?"
I don't turn around, don't slow down. Can't let him see the tears stinging my eyes or the way my hands are shaking. How could he do this? After everything we've been through, after all the walls I let down for him.
"Avery, wait!" His voice is closer now, urgent. "What's wrong?"
I push through the heavy doors into the lobby, scanning frantically for Olivia's familiar curls. Please, let her still be here.
"Mom!" Olivia's voice cuts through the chaos in my head. She's standing with Emily near the vending machines, backpack slung over one shoulder.
"Change of plans, sweetie," I manage, forcing a smile I don't feel. "We're heading home now."
Emily frowns, concern etching her features. "Everything okay, Avery? You look pale."
I shake my head, not trusting my voice. Olivia's brow furrows, her eyes darting between me and the arena doors.
"Is Victor coming?" she asks, a hint of excitement in her voice that makes my heart ache.
"No," I choke out. "It's just us tonight."
As we push through the exit doors, the cool evening air hits my face. I take a deep breath, trying to steady myself. I knew I shouldn't have trusted men, I think bitterly. Especially ones with piercing blue eyes and promises that seemed too good to be true.
Chapter Fifty-Four
Victor
"Hey, sorry, I gotta go,”I mumble to the rink manager, my eyes fixed on Avery's retreating figure as she hustles up the steps.
Something is clearly wrong.
“Avery!" My voice echoes through the cold arena, but she doesn't even flinch – keeps moving like I'm invisible or something. That's not like her; usually, she'd at least throw a glance back or offer a half-smile.
I hurry over to the bench where I left my stuff scattered and fumble for the phone that's buzzing with urgency. The screen lights up, and my stomach drops when I see Jenna's name atop an email notification. Crap. The information I'd asked Jenna to find on Avery when all this started. I forgot I'd ever asked andwould absolutely have told her to stop had I remembered.
"Hey, Avery, wait up!" I call again, louder, hoping to cut through the noise of her thoughts, but she's already out of earshot.
The words on my phone blur into accusation. Jenna's update is weeks late, but timing's everything, isn't it? And Avery catching a glimpse now, after we've started to build something... She must think I'm the enemy, still prying into her past like some corporate spy. It was just due diligence then, but now? I'd give anything to take that request back.
"Jenna," I groan under my breath, swiping the email away with a flick of my thumb as if I could swipe away the mess it's caused. Avery, with her fierce independence and hard-earned trust, would see this as a betrayal. After what she went through with Eric, after fighting tooth and nail to carve out a life for Olivia and herself, how could she not?
I pocket the phone and look up just in time to see the door swing shut behind her.
I bolt up the stairs two at a time, my heart pounding in sync with each step. "Avery!" My voice echoes off the walls, desperation edging into the shout. She's got to hear me this time.
The lobby is chaos – a swirling mess of parents corralled by their offspring. I scan the crowd, my eyes darting from face to face, but no Avery. Everywhere Ilook, someone's trying to snag my attention. "Victor! Quick question about—" But I'm already past them, muttering apologies over my shoulder.