Avery's Silent Betrayal

Everywhere in her body hurt when Avery Brooks woke up. Her muscles ached with every movement she made. It felt like she had been working out nonstop for days because she couldn't remember ever feeling this sore. She became aware that someone was lying beside her as her thoughts started to clarify. After a brief pause, she called out to him by name. "Dylan?" Her voice was dry, barely audible above the room's quiet. There was a strange feeling. She had been seeing Dylan Carter for two years, and her heart was racing as confusion began to set in. The man beside her, however, didn't feel like him. Her assumption was incorrect. Gently, she turned her head to look at him. The muscularity of his body told her he was male. She hoped it was Dylan, but her instinct told her it wasn't. She remembered bits and parts of her celebration with Dylan and Madison, her best friend, at a pub last night. After dancing and having a few drinks, they did nothing. The specifics were unclear. Even though the room was dark, the little light that did shine on her was enough to let her know that the stranger sitting next to her wasn't Dylan. If she hadn't been in such a frenzy, she would have stopped and stared at his sharp, striking features. She didn't know him, though. Not even his face was familiar to her. Anxiety made her stomach turn. Despite her inability to recall any of the events, she was certain that she had lost her virginity to an unknown someone. Additionally, she was unsure of how to explain this to Dylan. Without awakening him, Avery hurried away from him and gradually untangled herself from the covers. She gathered her belongings, hurriedly put them on, and slipped from the room. The sun was just rising, and it was still dark outside. In the hopes that Madison would be there, she hailed a cab and went straight to her flat. Searching wildly, she dashed into the flat. There was no sign of her best pal. Avery's heart was pounding. The only person who could tell her what had happened was Madison. Madison's phone went straight to voicemail when she tried to call it. Desperate to get rid of the stench of another man, Avery stripped off her clothing and dove into the shower. She tried to remove the traces by washing and rubbing her flesh raw. After scrubbing frantically for an hour, she believed she heard Madison's voice. In a hurry, she turned off the water, dried herself, and gathered whatever clothing she could find. She was about to leave her room when she was startled by Dylan's voice. "Where is Avery, Madison? What did you do? Her stomach sank with her heart. This was not anything she wanted to hear. The words that followed made her feel as though everything was falling apart around her, even though she didn't want to open the door and see his face. "Calm down, sweetie. It seemed like she had cheated on you, and you wanted to cut her out of your life. I did just that. I put her in a random room and gave her a tainted drink. She wouldn't be aware of what transpired while under the influence of the substance. You would uncover her deception, and she would forfeit her virginity to the person inside. Madison had a silky, almost satisfied voice. Avery's blood turned cold. With hesitancy, Dylan's voice trailed behind, but it was clearly nasty. "I simply didn't want to interact with her any longer. However, I never intended it to get this far. Madison was the only reason I consented to this. She is carrying my child. My family's reputation would be ruined if anyone found out. If Avery is still in my life, I can't get married to her. I wanted her out for that reason. However, Madison, this was excessive. Avery's chest grew constricted. She was unable to breathe due to the depth of the betrayal. The two people she trusted the most had betrayed her in the worst possible way. "You don't have to worry about Avery." She's finished," Madison yelled. "The baby and I are what matter. Please focus on the baby and me at this time. Avery felt her heart twist. Dylan was having trouble. Madison's threats and the weight of his reputation had trapped him in this nightmare, despite his apparent affections for her. "All right. Give her a call. Let's finish this up. Instead of introducing Avery as my fiancée today, I will now introduce Madison. At ten, the journalists will arrive. The idea made Avery's stomach turn. How could he be so cruel to her? After pulling out her phone, Madison called Avery and waited. Both of them were eagerly awaiting the phone. Suddenly, from inside her room, Avery's phone rang. Both Madison's and Dylan's cheeks were white as they exchanged shocked glances. When Madison rushed to open the door, Avery was standing there, motionless. She appeared to have the weight of the world on her shoulders but was unwilling to reveal it; she didn't appear to have been crying or distressed. "Avery?" Madison muttered in surprise. Avery fixed Madison with her gaze. Her brain rang with the hurtful things they had just said. She didn't say anything for a long time. She was unable to. Her heart was broken. Madison found herself speechless. "How did you?" Don't. "Don't even start," Avery cut her off, her voice as icy as ice. "I would rather not hear anything you have to say. Dylan, too? Her eyes were intense as she gazed at him. "I wish to never again see your face. Proceed. Declare your engagement to her. I don't care. Dylan tried to speak, but nothing came out. He was aware of her correctness. There was nothing he could say. He had ruined everything. He didn't say anything. Avery's gaze returned to Madison. Having known Madison for years, she had complete faith in her. However, Dylan could never have committed this treachery on such a deep level. "Why?" Finally, Avery asked, her voice breaking through the impenetrable shell she had constructed. Madison simply grinned, triumphant. "I had had enough of always coming in second to you. You always had Dylan, a decent job, and high grades. I desired everything. I desired his company. I took him from you, then. It's as simple as that. Madison's words were so raw that they overtook Avery's thoughts. Avery had never realised that the girl who had always been her best friend had been secretly plotting and conspiring against her. "Did you never get it?" With a disappointed shake of her head, Avery remarked quietly. "I earned everything I have. It fulfills all your desires effortlessly. You were having a good time while I was out with friends studying. You could have had the meal too, if you wanted it. However, you never put in the effort. Madison merely scowled, clearly not paying attention to anything Avery had to say. "Well, I have him now. And it's the only thing that counts. Avery stepped forward, her gaze steely. "This flat is mine." I pay every bill. Didn't you truly wish to live this life? Alright. However, I refuse to carry you on my shoulders. I've had enough of you. She slammed the door behind her as she turned around and returned to her room. All she needed was room. In an instant, her life had fallen apart. She had been unaware of Madison's intense jealousy, but suddenly she became aware of everything else happening around her. However, she refused to let this break her. She had put in too much effort to allow these two individuals to destroy her. She would overcome this.