The air in the dining room is thick with the smell of alcohol. A large ice bucket filled with several bottles of wine sits on the table. Some of the bottles have already been opened. Evan leans back in a chair, swigging directly from one of the bottles.
Andrew frowns. She crosses the room and snatches the bottle from Evan. He's reluctant to let go, and some of the wine spills on her arm."It's too early in the morning for that," she scolds.
Evan glances at her, and his eyes are bloodshot; they look crimson.
"Who do you think you are?" he slurs.
Avery doesn't know how to answer that. She wants to say she's his wife, but she can't—they've already signed the divorce papers. Even though the divorce won't be official for six months, she's leaving today. In a few hours, they'll be married in name only.
Avery doesn't answer. Evan sneers bitterly and grabs the bottle back.
"She won't even admit she's my wife," he thinks bitterly.
Avery puts the bottle on the table heavily and grabs his hand with hers. He takes another bottle and begins swinging.
"Evan, it's our last day together," she said softly, "Can't we end things on a good note?"
Evan's expression remains indifferent, but he stops drinking.
"You don't want me to remember you like a drunk, do you?" she asks, "Can't we try to get along, just for today?"
Though they've been together for over three years, they've never spent so much as three days at peace with one another. Evan looks up at her, and his eyes reveal some complex but unreadable emotion.
"Can't we forget the unpleasantness and stop hurting each other?" Avery continues.
Avery wants them both to forget the misunderstandings, the awkwardness, and quarrels, of the past. She wants the remaining seven hours to be happy.
"What do you want?" Evan asks thickly.
Normally his eyes are bright and full of power and mastery, but now he looks drunk and powerless. He wants to trust her about Andrew, and he wants to believe that she's carrying his child, but he feels like he can't read her. Every time he tries, he feels he's left with more questions than answers. She's like an unsolvable puzzle.
"How about I ask the kitchen to prepare a nice breakfast for us?" Avery suggests.
"And who exactly will I be having breakfast with?" Evan asks with a dark look.
"With your wife," Avery says determinedly.
The bottle shakes slightly in Evan's hands. After a long silence, he nods and orders Robert to make the necessary preparations. When Robert returns, he speaks directly to Avery.
"Mrs. Howel, the dough is ready, and it's time to start the sauce," Robert announces.
Avery looks confusedly between Robert and Evan.
"How about making pasta for your husband one last time?" Evan asks.
"Okay," Avery agrees without hesitation, "Come with me?"
Avery reaches her hand out to him, and he grabs it in his. Then he puts down the bottle and takes her other hand too. Their fingers intertwined, and their palms are pressed against each other.
Though Robert has asked most of the kitchen staff to clear out, the few remaining cooks look admiringly at the couple. Robert stands unobtrusively in a corner and takes pictures of the couple. Through the lens of the camera, they look like a perfectly matched pair.
Avery is showing Evan the correct way to cut the ingredients. Though Evan is bad at cooking, he's handsome, and the photos look great despite his lack of talent. Robert imagines that Evan will want to store these photos in his safe too.
"You can't put too much force, or you'll crush it," Avery explains, "Small chunks are perfect."
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She puts down the knife and waits for Evan to take it, but Evan doesn't move at all. She looks up at him and finds him staring down at her with a hungry look in his eyes.
Evan suddenly bends over. He can always locate her lips quickly. Avery responds, thinking it'll be their last kiss. She sucks, nibbles and bites as he taught her. Evan grabbed her waist and pulled her body against his. She grabs his neck, runs her fingers through his hair, and kisses him as hard as she can.
Evan is slightly surprised by her response. Avery used to be reluctant to kiss him, and when he kissed her, she seemed to be counting the seconds until it was over. Now she seems to lose track of time, becoming increasingly enthusiastic as they continue. He lifts her up, and she wraps her legs around him.
"You're overzealous today," Evan murmurs against her ear.
His deep voice sends tremors through her body. She wonders why she can't control herself this time.
"Maybe it's because it's the last time," she thinks.
"Don't go," Evan suddenly says.
Avery stiffens and pushes away from him.
"Are you changing your mind?" she asks.
"Do you want me to?" he replies.
Avery shakes her head without hesitation, "I don't."
She considers telling Evan that Andrew is holding Gabrielle hostage, but she's worried that his involvement will cause more troubles and put Gabrielle in even more danger.
"Wait until the results come," Evan suggests.
Avery feels even more panicked. She knows Evan will never let her leave once he sees the results.
"No," she says, "Andrew's guys will pick me up at 11 o'clock."
She's terrified that the results will come early and ruin all her plans. Upon hearing Andrew's name, Evan begins to scowl.
"Are you afraid?" Evan asks menacingly.
"Why should I be?" she responds.
"I think you know exactly why," Evan says, giving her a deep and searching look, "I think you and your baby are all mines."
Evan's look is horrid. Avery half wonders if he's going to look her up to keep her from escaping.
"No," she says, trying to remain calm, "That's why I'm afraid."
"You're lying," Evan snarls.
"Now, if you want to ask me for anything nice, I can grant that wish," Avery says lightly, "It'll be like a bonus for you in the remaining hours."
There is burning rage in Evan's eyes, but he lets go of Avery.
"I'll let you go," he whispers, "Rest assured."
The sentence gives Evan an unbearable pain, but the relief on her face hurts him even more deeply.
"I could never tolerate a wife who cheats on me," Evan says cruelly, "I'll let you go—the further, the better. You'd better pray you never see me again in your life."