Chapter 158: Sort of Compromise

Avery knows she can't ignore the signs, but she wants nothing more than to rush over and stop Evan. She wants to tell him the baby is his. She wants to help him.

"We're young and can afford to lose a child; we'll have more in the future," Avery thinks, "But do we have a future? Even if I help him and convince him to trust me again, so what? The poison in my body means that I can't have heirs for the Howel. And if I risk my life in labor and die, Evan and I won't be together. How's that better than this?"

Avery catches her breath and takes a final look at the man on the bed. As if he can sense her eyes on him, he turns and gives her a mocking look. Their eyes meet, and she holds his gaze. Avery is the first to break the stare; she drops her eyes down to the floor.