Chapter 6: A Dangerous Secret

For the first time since Elliot woke up, the Foster mansion felt peaceful.

Avery had stopped packing.

Elliot had stopped asking when they would divorce.

Neither of them called the arrangement a real marriage yet.

But something between them had changed.

They were learning each other's habits.

Avery discovered that Elliot hated overly sweet food.

Elliot discovered that Avery read before bed every night.

Avery liked quiet mornings.

Elliot preferred working late into the night.

Their differences should have made living together difficult.

Instead, they somehow balanced each other.

One evening, Avery was walking through the study when she noticed Elliot's office door slightly open.

She wasn't trying to enter.

She was simply passing by.

Then she heard voices inside.

"The accident wasn't random," a man said.

Avery stopped walking.

She recognized Elliot's assistant, Marcus.

"We're certain?" Elliot asked.

"Yes, sir."

"The brake system was tampered with before the accident."

Avery's heartbeat quickened.

She remained hidden near the hallway.

"What did the investigation find?" Elliot asked.

"One of the mechanics disappeared after the crash."

"His family received a large payment shortly afterward."

"Do we know who paid them?"

There was a pause.

"Not yet."

Elliot's voice turned colder.

"Find out."

"I want every transaction traced."

"I don't care how long it takes."

Avery quietly stepped away before anyone noticed her.

Her mind was racing.

Someone had tried to kill Elliot.

And whoever did it was still free.

Later that night, Elliot found her sitting in the library.

"You're quiet."

"I'm thinking."

"About what?"

Avery hesitated.

"Your accident."

Elliot's expression changed immediately.

"You heard us."

"A little."

"I wasn't trying to listen."

"It's fine."

He sat across from her.

"There are questions about what happened that night."

"The police initially believed it was an accident."

"But the evidence suggests otherwise."

"Someone may have tampered with my car."

Avery frowned.

"Do you know who?"

"No."

"Then why keep investigating alone?"

"Because I don't trust many people."

"You trust Marcus?"

"More than most."

Avery thought for a moment.

"What about your family?"

Elliot became silent.

"Some members of my family could benefit from my absence."

Avery immediately understood.

"The Foster inheritance."

"Exactly."

"If you had died, who would inherit your position?"

"Several people would benefit."

"Including Cole?"

Elliot's eyes narrowed.

"Why are you asking about Cole?"

Avery almost regretted mentioning him.

"He was my boyfriend before the marriage."

"I haven't spoken to him since discovering his betrayal."

"He was in my sister's room when I caught them."

Elliot's expression turned cold.

"Your sister?"

"Yes."

"They were having an affair."

"I didn't know until that day."

"I see."

Elliot leaned back in his chair.

"Cole is my nephew."

"I know."

"Then you should be especially careful."

"Why?"

"Because he's more ambitious than he looks."

Avery studied him.

"Do you think he had something to do with your accident?"

"I don't know."

"But I'm going to find out."

The next morning, Avery received an unexpected phone call.

It was from her father's hospital.

"Miss Tate, your father's condition has changed."

Avery immediately stood.

"What happened?"

"His condition is improving."

"His blood pressure has stabilized, and he is responding to treatment."

Avery covered her mouth in relief.

"Thank God."

When Elliot saw her smiling, he immediately asked what happened.

"My father is getting better."

"That's good news."

"I want to visit him."

"Then I'll take you."

Avery looked surprised.

"You don't have to."

"I know."

"But I'm your husband."

"That's what husbands are supposed to do, isn't it?"

Avery smiled.

"I suppose so."

That afternoon, Elliot personally drove Avery to the hospital.

The visit went well.

Her father was still weak, but his eyes were clearer.

"Avery..." he whispered.

"Dad."

She held his hand tightly.

"I'm okay."

"Don't worry about me."

Her father looked toward Elliot.

For a moment, surprise filled his eyes.

"You're..."

"Elliot Foster," Elliot answered.

"Her husband."

Avery's father closed his eyes for a moment.

"Take care of my daughter."

Elliot's expression softened.

"I will."

After leaving the hospital, Avery looked relieved.

"Thank you for coming with me."

"You don't have to thank me for everything."

"I'm your husband."

She smiled softly.

"You're getting used to saying that."

"Maybe."

Neither noticed a black sedan parked across the street.

Inside the vehicle, a man watched them leave.

He immediately made a phone call.

"Elliot Foster is alive and investigating the accident."

"And he's with Avery Tate."

A cold voice answered from the other end.

"Then the plan has changed."

"What should we do?"

There was a brief silence.

"Keep watching them."

"Elliot must not discover the truth."

The call ended.

As the sedan disappeared into traffic...

Avery unknowingly stepped deeper into a secret that had almost killed her husband once.

And this time...

The danger was much closer than either of them realized.