Chapter 22
Unfortunately, Calvin realized it all too late. That was why he had to watch Avery walk out of his life.
But things were different now. He finally understood what he really wanted. As long as Avery could forgive him, he was willing to do whatever it took.
Just thinking about what life would be like if Avery came back to him filled Calvin with hope and happiness. He found himself genuinely looking forward to seeing her again.
After an eight-hour flight, the plane finally touched down. Calvin didn’t waste a second. He rushed straight to the address Gabriel had given him, hoping to see the woman he loved with all his heart.
They had agreed to meet at a coffee shop. The bell over the door chimed as Calvin stepped inside, and he immediately spotted Avery sitting quietly in the far corner.
It had only been a month, but it felt like a year had passed.
Seeing her in person, Calvin was hit by a wave of emotion, almost as if he were dreaming.
Avery looked so different. When she was with him, she always dressed plainly, devoting all her time to taking care of the family. But now, she wore a casual outfit with her hair tied up, revealing her slender
neck.
Calvin was struck by how much she reminded him of the young woman she used to be-the one who’d
once had a crush on him.
He took a moment to collect himself, then walked over with a smile.
“Avery, it’s been a while.”
He tried his best to hide how much he wanted to just pull her into his arms. Instead, he stood there,
soaking in every detail of her face, as if he could imprint her back into his life.
Avery didn’t have any desire for small talk. She sipped her coffee, then got right to the point. “Let’s keep
this short. I only agreed to meet so we could clear the air.”
Before she could say anything else, Calvin cut in, desperate to say his piece.
“I know what you’re going to say. It was all my fault. I didn’t know my heart, and I let Britney hurt you. Avery, I realize now that I love you. You’re the only one I’ve ever truly loved.”
He got it all out in one breath, his eyes shining with hope as he waited for her response.
In his mind, Avery loved him so much that she would forgive him. Surely, she’d go home with him.
But from start to finish, Avery’s expression never changed. She just gave a faint smile.
“Calvin, it’s too late. Your apology and your love don’t matter anymore. If you’re finished, I think I’ll leave now. There’s nothing left for us to talk about.”
2/2
Calvin’s face fell. Instinctively, he reached for her hand, his voice trembling with panic.
“It’s not too late, Avery. We still have a future. I’ve already punished Britney. If you come home, I’ll give you anything you want. If you need to yell at me or hit me, I’ll take it. Please, Avery, come back, okay?”
Avery shook off his hand and said indifferently, “I don’t love you anymore, Calvin. I’m not coming back. I hope you and Britney have a wonderful life together.”
With that, she got up and turned to leave.
Calvin was completely caught off guard by her reaction. In his mind, Avery’s love for him ran so deep that it was impossible for her to ever walk away. How could she suddenly stop loving him?
A sudden wave of panic hit him. He had always believed that Avery still loved him, even after she left. But now, hearing her say she didn’t love him anymore, he was completely shaken.
At that moment, Calvin felt like a knife had torn through his heart. He grabbed her hand again, his whole body trembling, all pride gone as his voice broke, nearly in tears.
“Avery, please don’t do this. I know I was wrong. If you can forgive me, I swear I’ll never let anyone come between us again. I won’t hurt you again. I’m begging you, Avery. Just forgive me this once. We’ve been through so much together. Please don’t leave me just because of one mistake.”
If it had been before, Avery would’ve been overjoyed to hear those words. After all, she had loved him so much that she was even willing to be a stand-in.
But now, after everything Britney had done, that love was gone. Thinking back only made her hate herself for being so blind and wasting all those years on Calvin.
She took a deep breath and pried his fingers off her hand.
“Calvin, I’ve said all I needed to say. There’s no future for us.”
Watching her unshaken indifference, Calvin felt like he was about to lose her for good.
His composure crumbled, and for the first time in his life, he broke down in tears in front of someone else, desperately reaching for her.
“Avery, I really was wrong. Just give me one more chance. Avery… Avery! Come back with me, just for a day. I have something to show you. And the boys miss you, too. Noah and Simon want you home.”
Anyone who saw Calvin in that moment would’ve been shocked at how humble and broken he looked.
But he didn’t care about his pride anymore. All that mattered was getting Avery to give him one more
chance.
Avery hesitated for a moment, then nodded.
She wasn’t doing it because she wanted to forgive him, and she certainly didn’t miss the boys. She was simply curious about what kind of punishment he had given Britney.
How could the same Calvin who once would’ve died for Britney now be begging her like this?
