Chapter 3 A House Divided

Adrian studied Avery for a moment. Something about her calm acceptance felt... different. But he didn't question it. Avery looked down at her hands before speaking quietly. "Tomorrow is Monday. If you're free this afternoon, perhaps we could meet with the solicitors and start the divorce proceedings early." She paused. "There's no reason we have to wait until after the baby's born to prepare everything." In England, filing for divorce wasn't something completed in a single afternoon. There would be paperwork, legal formalities, and time before everything became official. If they started now, everything would likely be settled not long after their daughter was born. Adrian's expression remained unreadable. "You don't get to decide the timing." His voice was flat, leaving no room for discussion. Avery simply nodded. "I understand." The rest of the journey passed in silence. ***** Blackwood Manor stood on several acres of private land just outside London, an elegant Georgian estate that had belonged to Adrian's family for generations. The reason Catherine Blackwood had insisted they come that evening became obvious the moment they walked inside. "The baby's a girl?" Catherine's face lit up. "What wonderful news." Richard Blackwood laughed warmly. "Finally. Our family's been overrun with boys for decades." The Blackwood family tree was remarkably one-sided. Adrian's uncle, Charles Blackwood, had two sons. The eldest already had twin boys of his own, while the younger remained unmarried. Adrian was the only child of Catherine's younger son. A granddaughter would be the first little girl born into the family in nearly three generations. Catherine could hardly contain her excitement. "It seems this little one has already brought us good fortune." She smiled toward her husband. "Your grandfather has been recovering remarkably well ever since we knew about the pregnancy." Even Adrian's mother, Victoria Blackwood, who rarely showed Avery much warmth, offered a polite smile. "Congratulations, Avery." Avery thanked her quietly. She understood perfectly well. Their kindness wasn't for her. It was for the baby. Catherine motioned for a velvet jewelry box to be brought over. Inside rested an exquisite antique emerald bracelet. "My dear, this belongs to you now." "Oh... I couldn't possibly." "You can," Victoria interrupted before Catherine could respond. "If Grandmother wishes you to have it, you should accept." The words sounded polite enough. The tone did not. Avery smiled faintly. "Thank you, Grandma." Catherine reached over and gently squeezed her hand. "Look after yourself. Eat well, rest well, and give us a healthy little granddaughter." "I will." ***** Dinner had been planned. Then Adrian's phone rang. Standing alone on the terrace, Avery happened to glance toward him through the open French doors. His expression softened. It was subtle. Almost imperceptible. But she'd never seen him smile like that. "Hello, Anya." His voice carried warmth she'd never once heard directed at her. Avery looked away. She couldn't hear the woman on the other end. Only Adrian's reply. "Don't worry." "I'll come over." "I won't be long." He ended the call. As he turned back toward the house, he found Avery standing near the doorway. Their eyes met. The warmth disappeared from his face instantly. He became Adrian Blackwood again. Cold. Reserved. Distant. Avery forced herself to speak first. "Grandma was looking for you." He gave a brief nod before walking past without another word. Avery stood alone on the terrace. The winter wind suddenly felt much colder. She realized something then. If Adrian ever had children with the woman he truly loved... He would probably be a wonderful father. ***** A short while later Adrian joined his grandparents in the study. Catherine closed the door behind him. "We know this marriage wasn't your choice." He remained silent. "But Avery is an intelligent young woman," Catherine continued. "She's educated, gentle, and devoted to this family. Marriage isn't only about passion. Stability matters." Adrian's jaw tightened almost imperceptibly. Lord Blackwood spoke next. "You're in the public eye, Adrian. A divorce now would invite endless speculation." He folded his hands. "If she hasn't wronged you, there's no need to rush." "Wait until the child is older." Catherine nodded in agreement. "Exactly." "There will be plenty of time later." After a long silence, Adrian finally answered. "I understand." Whether he agreed... No one could tell. ***** Before Avery left that evening, Catherine stopped her near the entrance. "Take care of yourself." "I will." "And another thing." Her voice became more serious. "Being part of this family carries expectations." She looked Avery over thoughtfully. "When I was your age, pregnancy never stopped me attending charity functions or hosting guests." She smiled kindly. "Don't lose yourself simply because you're expecting." Avery understood the message immediately. Catherine wasn't criticizing her pregnancy. She was reminding her that appearance, confidence, and composure mattered in their world. "I understand." This time... She genuinely meant it. Not because she wanted Adrian to notice her. But because she didn't want to disappear beneath the weight of heartbreak anymore. ****** That evening, something unexpected happened. Adrian came home. Avery had just finished reading in the sitting room when the front door opened. She looked up in surprise. "You..." "I've had too much to drink." He loosened his tie as he walked past. "Could you make me something for the headache?" Then he disappeared upstairs to his study. For a long moment, Avery simply stood there. Then she quietly walked into the kitchen. Twenty minutes later, she placed a steaming mug of homemade ginger and vegetable broth beside him. He didn't even look up. Documents covered his desk. His attention never left them. "Thank you." Two simple words. Nothing more. Avery left without disturbing him. Despite sleeping under the same roof... They still occupied different worlds. Adrian stayed in the master suite upstairs. Avery had moved into one of the guest bedrooms months ago. ***** The following morning the house staff prepared breakfast. Adrian noticed something immediately. His shirts hadn't been laid out. His cufflinks remained untouched. And Avery wasn't in the dining room. Usually she handled those things herself. He frowned. "Where's Avery?" Mrs. Harris, the senior housekeeper, sighed dramatically. "I tried waking her." "She wouldn't come downstairs." "We take meals to her room, but she's never satisfied." "It's only pregnancy. Mrs. Blackwood carried children while attending charity galas and managing an entire household." Adrian's expression darkened. "Ask her to come downstairs." "Of course, sir." ***** Mrs. Harris pushed open Avery's bedroom door without knocking. Avery looked up from the sofa. "I thought I asked everyone to knock." Mrs. Harris ignored the remark. "Mr. Blackwood is waiting." Avery stood slowly. Before leaving, she looked directly at the older woman. "I've tolerated your behavior because I want peace." Her voice remained calm. "But don't mistake patience for weakness." "If anyone in this house continues speaking to me disrespectfully, Grandma will hear about it." Mrs. Harris stared. This wasn't the quiet Avery she'd grown used to. After a tense silence, she muttered, "Breakfast is getting cold." ***** When Avery entered the dining room, Adrian was halfway through his meal. She sat several seats away. He glanced briefly at her swollen stomach before speaking. "Mrs. Harris has worked for this family for over thirty years." "You don't need to make things difficult for her." Avery almost laughed. "So I'm the difficult one?" He looked up. "It's a pregnancy, Avery." "You're not incapable." She placed her spoon gently into the bowl. "I never asked anyone to wait on me." "They're free to return to Blackwood Manor if they'd rather not stay." "I've managed perfectly well on my own." That much was true. She cooked when Adrian wasn't home. She cleaned her own room. Most of the staff only pretended to serve her when the family visited. Adrian's brows drew together. "I'm informing you." "Not asking." Avery lowered her eyes. "As you wish." Something about her indifference irritated him more than any argument could have. After breakfast, he instructed the staff to stop waiting on Avery altogether. If she wished to manage alone... She could. Avery simply accepted the decision. It made little difference now. She would be leaving soon anyway. ***** Later that morning, she drove into central London. Her destination was King's College London, where Professor James Thornton kept his office. At just twenty-seven, James had already become one of the university's youngest professors in economics and behavioural finance, earning recognition across both academia and the financial world. Avery stopped outside his office door. She took a quiet breath. Then knocked.