Avery’s heart did a flip-flop. What does he want to say? Is he going to terminate their relationship?

“Yes, go ahead, I'm all ears.” She mastered the courage to say. Jay looked into her eyes and held her hands in his.

“Avery, can I go see your mom the next time you are paying her a visit to the hospital?” he asked shyly.

Avery stared deep into his eyes. Was that all he wanted to say? Or did he just change the topic because he noticed her discomfort? Anyway, she is thankful because he didn't bring up anything about their relationship.

She playfully pulled him by the cheeks and said, “You know you don't have to get permission from me before going to see Mom. She keeps asking me all the time about when next you'll come to visit her, and I am sure the old lady misses you a lot.” she replied.

Jay looked at her in awe. How can a person be this beautiful? So irresistible and charming? Is she not conscious of her beauty? Does she not know the effect she has on him? He thought to himself. A boxy smile broke at the corners of his lips as he drew her tight in a warm embrace. He squeezed her so hard that Avery could barely breathe.

“Jay, can you please loosen your grip on me a bit? She asked him with a faint voice.

“So that you can slip away from me? No Darling, I am not taking the risk.” With this, he tightened his grip more.

They sat side by side beside the lake. Avery leaned closer to Jay rested her head on his shoulder and, in turn, wrapped his arms around her. Avery heaved a sigh of relief. The two watch the fishes diving in and out, ducks swimming gracefully in the lake, and birds, singing from tree to tree. The serene atmosphere made it even more calming.

Neither of them realised how tired they were till they fell asleep in each other's arms.

Avery woke up to the sound of Jay’s ringtone. The phone kept ringing, but she noticed he was fast asleep. She took out the phone from his pocket and decided to check the caller. It was Mrs. Henryson! She held the phone and called out to Jay softly, but he didn't move an inch. She picked up the call-up.

“Hello, son?” the caller sounded

“Hello, mother?” She replied.

"Who's this and where is my son?!" She demanded angrily.

"Ma'am, this is Avery and Jay is catching a nap. Is there a message that you'll leave behind? When he wakes up, I'll convey your message." She replied politely.

"How dare you? How dare you speak to me in such a manner, you bloody ingrate!"

Avery's mouth dropped in shock. Did she say something wrong?

"You know what, I don't blame you. It's my stubborn son that I blame. Go and give the phone to my son this instant you gold digger!" She continued her outburst.

Avery wiped away a tear that made its way down her cheeks as she leaned over Jay and shook him gently. He opened his eyes and saw his wife with a sad face. He reached to pull her down beside him.

"Honey, what's the matter? Why are you wearing this gloomy face?" He inquired.

Avery shook her head and motioned to his phone in her hands.

"Your mother wants to speak with you," She said faintly. He shot some glances at her before taking the phone from her hands.

"You mean, Dad fell off the stairs?" He asked with eyes popping out of their sockets.

"Don't worry Mom, we will be home in a few minutes!" He added before pulling Avery off the ground and headed toward their car.

Avery seemed a bit confused because she didn't know who had fallen off the stairs at home.

"Jay, who did Mom say fell off the stairs?" She asked.

"It's Dad. She said he missed a step, resulting in his fall." He replied with obvious pain.

Even though the Henryson's never approved of her relationship with their son, she doesn't wish any bad upon them either. She stared straight ahead of her and prayed for the old fellow not to sustain any major injuries.

About thirty minutes later, they arrived at the giant mansion. Both of them rushed inside the living room just to see a scene that they never expected to behold. Right there in the living room was Mr. Henryson, dancing to cool country music cheerfully. Jay and Avery exchanged shocking glances.

Didn't they receive a call that this man had fallen off the stairs? The man standing right in front of them didn't seem injured, neither was he showing any signs of pain. Or might they have heard wrong?

"Dad, is that you?" Jay asked with a stammering voice. The old man laughed gently at his son.

" Of course it's me. Unless you have a twin dad," he said jokingly. His son looked too stunned to speak and Avery could see it.

"Dad, we had a call from Mom that you fell off the stairs this morning. We had to rush back home after hearing the news but, it seems you appear fine", Avery broke the tense atmosphere.

"Vivian, called and told you I fell off the stairs?

What is wrong with this woman? Son, as you can see, I am alright, so there's nothing to worry about." he patted his son on the head and headed to his room.

Jay turned towards Avery slowly with a disappointed look written all over his face. Avery hugged him and whispered,

"Go and find your mom. She might have her reasons for doing this. I'll be waiting for you upstairs." Jay nodded in response. He walked to his mother's room only to see Rosie lying in bed with her head bandaged and her body buried deep under the blankets. Just then his mother walked in. He hesitated a bit before walking towards them. As soon as his mother saw him, she quickly went to drag him towards Rosie.

"Stop it, Mom! What are you doing? Why did you lie to me that Dad fell off the stairs? Do you know how worried I was?" he yelled out with clenched fists.

"I'm sorry son. What else was I supposed to do? If I hadn't used your father as bait, you wouldn't have been home this early. You were out there having fun with that poor wretched thing of a girl, while your beautiful wife is lying sick here!" She retorted.

Jay could barely believe what his mother was saying. He walked over to his mother to see if she was alright.

"Mom, do you realise what you just said? Don't you care a bit about your husband? And who's my wife that's lying sick?" He questioned his mother.

Rosie opened her eyes. She moved her hands, and slightly parted her lips as if to say something, but no sound escaped her lips. Jay stood and stared at her with dissatisfaction.

"You'd better stay by her side tonight till she gets better or consider that Avery of a girl, out of my house!" Mrs. Henryson screamed at her son.

"Mom, what games are you trying to play with me? If Rosie is sick or something, why don't you take her to the hospital? Am I some kind of medical practitioner now? What am I supposed to do with her?" He asked his mom bluntly.

"I don't want to know how you'll take care of her. You are staying here with her and that's final." She answered and walked out of the room, locking the door from the outside.

"Mom, open this door! Open this door this minute! Mom! Mom!" He yelled while banging on the door.

He felt a touch around his waist. He turned quietly, only to see Rosie standing behind him.