Chapter 45


    Avery did not know whether tough or cry.


    “Rx… I was forced into it. When our family was struggling with money, my stepmother married me


    off for the engagement gifts and cash. I’m still waiting to get a divorce!”


    “What the hell was she thinking?!” Tammy eximed. “Why didn’t you tell me sooner? We should go to


    the police!”


    Avery reached out to calm her down, then said, “It’s not as bad as you think. We’re from twopletely


    different worlds, so we should get divorced anytime now.”


    Tammy was still not convinced.


    “Who is he? Tell me… You husband… Dimn it! I still think this is insane!”


    “It is pretty nuts. I’ll tell you who he is after we’re divorced.”


    “Absolutely not! You need to tell me right now! I’ll stand up for you!”


    Avery knew about Tammy’s bad temper all too well.


    If she found out about Elliot, she would definitely go after him.


    ? 2024 N?v/el/Dram/a.Org.


    Her rtionship with Elliot was already on the rocks, and Tammy’s involvement would just add fuel to


    the fire.


    “Just focus on looking into Jun Hertz for now! I’ll definitely tell you who my husband is after that,” Avery


    said, trying to negotiate with her best friend.


    “Ha! Look at how easily you called him your husband. I bet you call him ‘Honey’ all the time!” Tammy


    teased.


    Avery’s cheeks flushed. She sighed, then said, “As if he would respond to that. He was forced into this,


    too.”


    “Really? Here I thought you were whisked away and forced into marriage by some sleazebag-”


    “Hey! I think you’ve watched too many soap operas! It’s not like that at all!”


    Tammy shook her head and said sympathetically, “It looks like that senior in your department lost his


    chance. You know he likes you, right?”


    The expression on Avery’s face froze.


    “Alright! Don’t look at me like that… I know you don’t like him like that. I’ll talk to him…” Tammy said,


    then changed the subject and added, “Let’s go to a recital after this! There’s one at the Philharmonic


    Hall today!


    Avery suddenly received a text message from an unknown number, but its contents sounded oddly


    familiar.


    [The bodyguard will pick you up at 4 p.m.)


    The text was signed “Elliot Foster”.


    Did this unfamiliar phone number belong to Elliot?


    Why was the bodyguard picking her up?


    “Did you hear what I said, Avery? There’s a recital this afternoon…” Tammy said as she reached out to


    pinch Avery’s cheek.


    “What time is the recital?” Avery asked as she put her phone away.


    She suddenly felt hot and took a big gulp of water. “Four thirty,” Tammy answered. “It’s your favorite


    piano virtuoso, Ricardo!” Avery lifted her hand and massaged her aching temples, then said, “I really


    want to go! Really! But I have something to do at four!”


    “What is it? Can’t you just cancel or something?’


    “I can’t.” Tammy rolled her eyes, then said, “I get it! It’s your husband, isn’t it?”


    Avery covered her face with her hands. Her silence was a confirmation.


    “Why do you care so much about him anyway? Who is he? Is he more important than I am? Can’t you


    just ditch him ande to the recital with me?” Tammy huffed. “Of course, you’re more important, but


    I’m a little afraid of him.”


    “What’s there to be afraid of? Is he going to beat you up if you don’t follow his every whim?”


    Avery took another gulp of water.


    “You’re such a wimp! You won’t even tell me who he is. Serves you right, getting bullied by him!”


    Tammy felt bad for Avery’s situation, but she could not help but be furious at her cowardice.


    The bodyguard picked Avery up from campus at four in the afternoon.


    The car stopped at the car park of the Philharmonic Hall twenty minutester.


    Avery felt lightheaded as the bodyguard led her into the concert hall. “Elliot wants to take me to a


    recital?”