"Shit." Erica cursed.
The sound of a squeaking chair echoed in the dining room.
"Erica," Stefan growled.
He slammed the fork to the table when Erica stood up. She'd been on his nerves for the past thirty minutes, paying more attention to her phone than him.
Erica rushed towards the door. Her phone and Suzzy's had been hacked. She scrolled through her contacts frantically, calling the person who promised this would never happen.
She spun around, a hand on her arm.
"What do you think you're doing, Stefan?"
Stefan bit his lower lip to calm himself down.
"Why are you in a hurry? It's late, Erica."
Erica scoffed and pulled her arm from him.
"I have to attend to something important."
Stefan turned his back to her and dragged a hand through his hair.
This woman.
If someone had told him he'd meet a girl who'd match his personality, that person would've been six feet under.
"Erica," he said, holding her shoulders.
"I don't give a fuck what you have to attend. I need attention. First, it was fucking Greyson, now, your phone. Do I exist in your world?"
She rolled her eyes at him.
"Attention? Giving you attention isn't difficult."
"Then why am I begging for it?" He gritted his teeth.
"Maybe, if your friend believed Avery, this wouldn't be happening. He was supposed to be her husband—someone she could confide in. But no," she breathed out harshly.
"What did he do? He doubted her, and now her friends have to support her. I'm saying this once. If you want attention, Alex has to fix everything he started."
She pulled herself away from him and slammed the door.
His hand balled into a fist.
Alexander. He was going to make him pay.
_Fresh Greens
He cleaned his palm on his pants as he fidgeted with Ben's phone. He kept refreshing his contacts and seeing the same name.
His wife's name.
Months have passed. He'd been with a replica of Avery. The only thing pulling him back was the guilt he felt.
Was she going to be happy to hear his voice?
He knew he'd be happy, but... would she forgive him for his negligence?
He took in a deep breath and pressed the caller.
She answered with the first ring.
"Hello, Ben?"
His heart sank.
Ben.
He'd forgotten he was using his phone.
"A-Avery,"
He choked on his breath.
There was silence. Why? Did she hang up? Did he press something?
"Alex?"
"Avery. I've missed you."
No response.
"Say something, babe."
"Where's Ben, Alex?"
"Ben? Why are you asking for him when I'm here?"
"Because he works for me."
"And me? I'm your fucking husband. The husband you left for three months. Th-
"Yes. The husband who didn't believe me when I told him his ex was alive."
Neither of them was willing to back down.
"Give the phone to Ben. And he better be okay."
Alex scoffed. He went downstairs, and he spotted Ben lying on the floor, still clutching his leg. But he had his doctors in the room with him.
"Here," he said, giving the phone to him.
Ben swallowed the lump in his throat before taking the phone.
"Mrs Avery? Good evening."
"Did he hurt you, Benjamin?"
Alex scowled at him.
"I'm fine, ma'am."
"Let me know if he makes things uncomfortable for you."
Ben looked at his leg and Alex.
Alex raised a brow at him.
"Since you're fine, I'll call you soon. Bye."
Alex snatched the phone from his.
"What do you mean, bye? Av-"
The room suddenly felt too quiet.
A humourless laugh escaped him.
"She hung up. On me. Her husband."