Reclaiming the CEO's Heart

Chapter 186 Unveiled Facades and Escape Room Panic

Avery, normally so compliant, exuded an indefinable petulance that left Jacob feeling uncomfortably blocked. He had brought her back from the island, and with his nature, he should have kept her confined by his side. Restraining his own desires, he granted her freedom, catered to her every wish, and even took special care of those two boys.

He had thought that after all he did, she would be as happy as before, her eyes sparkling like stars. But now, her eyes were like a clear, still lake; no matter what he did, he couldn't cause even a ripple. His cold gaze fell upon Avery's serene face. "Avery, you'd better know where to draw the line."

Jacob's voice was tinged with uncontrollable anger. "Even if I marry her, it won't affect your status in the slightest."

His words sounded like charity.

Avery laughed, her derision unmasked. "She has already obtained the title of Mrs. Hill. What status of hers can I affect?" Without waiting for Jacob to respond, Avery straightened his collar and did not delve into the topic any further.

After all, a scandal would be hard to settle, and she would have to waste more effort on pleasantries. "That's enough. Go be with your fiancée. I understand my current position and won't make things difficult for you."

With that, she stepped back. "Thank you for not holding a grudge against Carl and the others."

Jacob opened his mouth and watched as Avery disappeared from his sight.

Avery had returned, but her heart had not.

It was like beating the air.

He told himself that she loved him so much, and she was just temporarily upset.

She would soon come back, becoming once again the girl whose eyes held only him.

Avery took the children to many places, and the two boys never stopped talking.

She smiled as she touched their heads. "Study hard, and this city will surely have a place for you."

"Avy, we won't let you down," Randy raised his little fist.

"Avy, with such talent, why didn't you become a painter?" he asked, puzzled.

Biting her straw, Avery replied, "Painting is just one of my hobbies. I prefer medical studies. But because of someone, I gave up what I loved most. For that person, I've become what I am now and can no longer paint the way I did at thirteen. So, don't be like me, love-struck and foolish."

The sweetness of the milk tea could not mask the ache in her heart, and her stomach twinged in sympathy.

Lately, she hadn't been vomiting blood, but her stomachache was not quick to fade. After taking some painkillers, she took the kids to play an escape room game.

Though she was only a few years older than Carl, her maternal instincts overflowed. She wanted the kids to experience everything they had missed out on.

Even if they didn't like sweets, Avery insisted, arguing they had to have what other kids had.

Before entering the escape room, Avery reassured them, "Don't be afraid. I'll protect you."

Three seconds in, as a pale figure jumped from a bed in the stark dorm room, Avery screamed, "Ah! Run!"

Without a second thought, she grabbed a hand and bolted.

After running a good distance, she realized something-in a rush, she hadn't seen who she grabbed and might have left the other behind.

Oh no, did she grab Carl or Randy?

As Avery turned to check, she came face-to-face with a ghastly pale visage, hair hanging long and limp.

"Ah!"

Heaven help her. She had brought the NPC with her?

Before she could finish her scream, a hand covered her mouth and dragged her into a nearby cabinet.