The lawyers were scrambling to pack up their briefcases, eager to escape the radioactive tension in the room. Augustus was slumped in his chair, staring at the polished wood grain, looking like a man who had just survived a plane crash only to realize he was stranded on a desert island.
Avery stopped at the door. She paused, her hand on the brass handle.
She turned back.
She walked slowly back toward Augustus. The clicking of her heels was the only sound in the room.
She reached into her purse and pulled out a small, black velvet box. The kind usually reserved for cufflinks or earrings.
She placed it gently on the table in front of him.
"A parting gift," she said softly.
Augustus looked up, suspicion clouding his eyes. He reached out and flipped the lid open.
Inside, resting on the plush velvet, was a single, silver sewing needle.
He frowned, confused. He looked up at her. "What is this? Some kind of voodoo threat?"
Avery leaned down. She brought her lips close to his ear, invading his space just as Brandon had done to her, but with cold, calculated precision.
"Check your nightstand drawer, Augustus," she whispered.
Augustus froze.
"The box of condoms," she continued, her voice a silken thread of malice. "I poked holes in every single one. With that needle."
Augustus's eyes widened. His pupils dilated in horror. The realization hit him like a physical blow.
"Gilda didn't trap you," Avery whispered. "I did."
She pulled back to look at his face. "I gave you exactly what you wanted. An heir. And in exchange, I got my freedom."
Augustus's face turned a violent shade of purple. The veins in his neck bulged. He let out a roar, a sound of pure, animalistic fury.
He lunged.
He grabbed Avery by the throat, his fingers digging into her windpipe.
"You bitch!" he screamed, shaking her. "You calculated bitch!"
The lawyers shouted, rushing forward to pull him off.
Avery didn't struggle. She didn't claw at his hands. She stared straight into his eyes, her expression calm, almost bored.
"Strike me," she choked out. "Do it. And I'll take the other fifty percent."
Augustus froze. His hand was shaking on her neck. He looked at the witnesses. He looked at her fearless eyes.
He realized, with a jolt of terror, that he was afraid of her.
He released her, shoving her backward. She stumbled but caught herself on the table.
Augustus backed away, breathing heavily. "Get out. Get out!"
Avery straightened her collar. She touched her neck, where red marks were already blooming. She didn't look in pain. She looked satisfied.
"Goodbye, Augustus."
She walked out of the room.
Behind her, she heard the sound of the velvet box being swept off the table, hitting the wall with a dull thud, followed by Augustus's scream of impotent rage.
