Her Heart, Her Undoing novel Chapter 6

That night, Jace returned to the apartment with his head wrapped in bandages.

"Ave? You're back already? I thought you'd stay and rest at the hospital," he said, as if he'd never said those things on the phone.

Avery swallowed back the ache and disgust in her throat. "I was up all night, and I'm tired. I needed some rest."

Jace crossed the room and tried to pull her in. "Look what I did for you," he said, angling for credit. "Don't be mad at me anymore, okay?"

His hands slid the way they always did, and he leaned in to kiss her.

Avery shoved him away again.

His face darkened. "Avery, how many times do I have to coax you? I keep trying, but you push me away every time! Haven't you had enough?"

"Is that all you think about when you're with me?" she asked, her voice breaking in despair.

"Of course not!" he shot back, already putting on an act. "I like you for you!"

Avery looked at him and suddenly laughed, tears spilling down her face. She said nothing more, only staring at him with a gaze that was cold and full of grief.

He shifted under her look, irritated for reasons he couldn't name. Then, he snorted, snatched up his jacket, and slammed the door behind him.

Avery knew that he wouldn't be back tonight, and she finally let out a sigh of relief.

…

The next day, Nora Olson, president of her student society, caught Avery outside a lecture hall. "Avery, we're having a team-building this weekend. We booked the grill place. You have to come!"

Avery wanted to decline. "Nora, I—"

"Don't turn me down," Nora said, catching her sleeve and lowering her voice. "And can you ask Julian to come too? Many seniors are desperate for internships, and his family's company is a great opportunity. We have no other way to reach him. You have to help us."

Avery doubted Julian would reply, but the student society had always been good to her. So, she typed a message and hit send.

On Saturday, Julian actually showed up. But he didn't come alone.

Tessa came in with him with a bright smile on her face.

Julian glanced at Avery and said flatly, "You texted while I was with Tessa, so we came together."

The line stung. Avery nodded and said nothing.

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