Chapter 5: The First Crack in His Heart

The next morning, Avery woke to the sound of footsteps outside her door.

When she opened it, Rosalie was standing there with a worried expression.

"Avery, are you awake?"

"Yes, Aunt Rosalie."

"Elliot has started rehabilitation today."

"The doctor says he must learn to walk again."

Avery nodded.

"That's good news."

"Would you come with me?"

Avery hesitated.

"Does he want me there?"

Rosalie gave her a knowing look.

"He won't admit it."

"But I think he'd benefit from seeing someone familiar."

Avery quietly agreed.

At the hospital's rehabilitation center, Elliot was already standing between two support bars.

His face was tense with concentration.

His legs trembled beneath him.

The physiotherapist watched carefully.

"Slowly, Mr. Foster."

"One step at a time."

Elliot took one step.

Then another.

His expression remained determined.

He hated feeling weak.

For six months, his body had been completely beyond his control.

Now every small movement reminded him of how much he had lost.

Avery stood quietly near the doorway.

Elliot noticed her.

His expression immediately hardened.

"Why are you here?"

"Your mother asked me to come."

"You don't have to watch this."

"I know."

"I'm staying anyway."

The physiotherapist smiled faintly.

"Let's continue."

Elliot took another step.

His knee suddenly gave way.

Avery instinctively rushed forward.

"Careful!"

She reached him just before he hit the floor.

For a second, Elliot leaned against her.

Her arms held him firmly.

He could smell the faint floral scent of her shampoo.

Something about the familiarity confused him.

Then Avery helped him straighten.

"Are you hurt?"

"No."

"Good."

She stepped back immediately.

Elliot stared at her.

"You reacted quickly."

"Anyone would've."

"Not everyone would."

Avery didn't answer.

The physiotherapist cleared his throat.

"Mr. Foster, let's try again."

Elliot nodded.

This time, he succeeded.

One step.

Two.

Three.

By the end of the session, he was exhausted.

Yet a quiet satisfaction filled his chest.

"You did well," Avery said.

Elliot looked at her.

"You sound surprised."

"I'm impressed."

A small smile appeared on her face.

It caught him completely off guard.

Avery hadn't smiled much around him.

He suddenly wanted to see that expression again.

He immediately pushed the thought away.

After the session, Avery handed him a bottle of water.

"Drink."

"You sound like the doctor."

"The doctor doesn't have to live with your stubbornness."

Elliot raised an eyebrow.

"You're getting comfortable."

"Maybe."

For the first time, their conversation didn't feel like an argument.

It felt almost normal.

Later that afternoon, Avery returned to the Foster estate.

She found several boxes waiting in the hallway.

"What's this?" she asked one of the servants.

"Mr. Foster had these delivered for you."

Avery opened the first box.

Inside were dozens of books.

The second contained high-quality knitting supplies.

The third held a new laptop and several business reference books.

Avery stared at everything in confusion.

"Who ordered these?"

"Mr. Foster."

"Why?"

The servant smiled.

"He said you looked bored."

Avery almost laughed.

"He noticed that?"

"Apparently."

That evening, Elliot returned home for the first time since waking.

The entire Foster household welcomed him.

Avery watched quietly from the side.

The servants looked relieved.

Rosalie hugged him for a long time.

Elliot tolerated the attention with unusual patience.

Later, Avery found him in the library.

He was sitting beside the window with a book open in front of him.

"Did you order those things for me?" she asked.

"Yes."

"Why?"

"Because you spend too much time alone."

"I was perfectly fine."

"You were."

"But now you're my wife."

Avery stared at him.

The words sounded unfamiliar coming from his mouth.

"You don't have to take responsibility for my happiness."

"I know."

"I wanted to."

Silence followed.

Avery quietly sat across from him.

"Thank you."

"You're welcome."

Elliot closed the book.

"Avery."

"Yes?"

"Why didn't you ever tell my mother you were unhappy with the marriage?"

"Because I agreed to it."

"And because I knew what your family expected from you."

"You could've demanded compensation."

"I didn't marry you for money."

He stared at her.

She really meant it.

For the first time since waking...

Elliot felt ashamed of how quickly he had judged her.

"I'm sorry," he said quietly.

Avery blinked.

"For what?"

"For assuming the worst about you."

"I woke up angry."

"I thought everyone had made decisions for me."

"But you weren't responsible for that."

Avery looked down at her hands.

"Thank you for saying that."

Elliot nodded.

"I'm still not ready to accept this marriage."

"I understand."

"But..."

He paused.

"I don't want you to leave yet."

Avery slowly looked up.

"Why?"

Elliot didn't have a good answer.

"Because I think we should get to know each other first."

Avery studied his face.

Then she smiled.

"Alright."

"We can start there."

Neither of them noticed Rosalie standing quietly outside the library.

She smiled to herself before walking away.

For months, Elliot had been surrounded by darkness.

Now, for the first time...

There was a little light in his home.

And that light had Avery's name.