Page 83 of Exile

Christopher closes his laptop screen, giving her his full attention. "Go on."

Avery clears her throat, concentrating. "Alexander made me sign a Will that he had drafted. He also made me sign the awful document advising I was in agreement with him so our shares can be combined to overrule Damon's majority percentage."

"Right," Christopher remarks, following along.

She glances at me over her shoulder. "We have two choices here. Either we have Dr. Smith sign off and say that I'm not lucid to make decisions, thus invalidating my signature on both of Alexander's documents."

"That could jeopardize the marriage certificate," I point out. "They will argue that if you aren't lucid now, then you weren't lucid enough to enter into a marital contract."

"Not to mention," Dr. Smith cuts in. "Considering I was the one to officially marry you, they will question my licenses."

Avery nods, turning back to Christopher. "Then our second option," she starts. "Is to prepare a new Will that overrides the one I signed for Alexander."

Interesting.

Christopher frowns at her. "If he gets wind of it…"

"He won't," Avery answers. "You will keep it somewhere secure. But it's a backup plan, just in case something happens to me. Lily was good at protecting Damon. I wantto do the same."

"No one is going to touch you," I growl.

She twists her body, placing her arm behind my head and strokes the nape of my neck. "I know," she says softly. "But it's a safeguarding plan. At the moment, it's something we can do to override Alexander's motives. This is bigger than just me. We need to make sure we protect our legacy."

Our legacy… she really is one of us now.

I had no doubts. I knew she'd become this person. I saw the potential behind those sad eyes that first day in Charmaine's class. There was something about her that stood out, something different than the other patients that walked through those doors. I knew she'd be mine—knew she'd become one of the strongest people I'd ever met.

"I can type it up," Christopher offers. "I have some spare time."

"Good," Avery answers sharply without breaking eye contact with me. "Grey can be my second witness. Or Dr. Markel. I just have one condition."

"Yes?"

She smiles at me. "We find a way to incorporate Grey and Theo into it. All three of them are my life. It's only fair they are mine in death too."

Chapter 31

Avery

** One Year Ago **

Crash.

My choked up scream is drowned out by the shattering sound of the beer bottle smashing above my head. I only just managed to duck out of the way—this time at least. You'd think with all the practice I'd be getting quicker, but I'm just so exhausted I find it hard to do anything now. The only thing keeping me going is the natural urge to run. I don't even think about it, my body just springs into action, sheltering and doing everything possible to protect.

But I can't keep running. I'm tired. And he always catches me anyway so, what's the point?

I tried to convince myself that it was just easier to take it. On the good days, it usually blows over pretty quickly and then I'm rewarded with the eerie silence I've grown to love.

This is a bad day.

It feels wrong to try to categorize my father's moods into good and bad—there's nothing but anger and hatred. Some days it's just better than others. Some days, I come out of it almost intact.

Please walk away… please.

"Worthless… exactly like your mother."

I bite down on the back of my lip, staying quiet until he walks away. But when I don't respond or acknowledge his words, he storms toward me.