Papers Literally 2 Once Avery agreed , the itinerary for a private jet to Frankland was promptly sent to her phone . The flight was set to depart in a month . Rowan's team also worked quickly to remove the flood of AI - generated images that had swarmed the internet . Still , Avery knew the scars left behind wouldn't vanish so easily . After taking a moment to steady herself , she stepped outside for a walk . A few passersby couldn't resist stealing glances and whispering behind her back . " Isn't that the woman from those leaked nudes online ? " " She's actually pretty hot . Why don't you go ask how much she charges for a night ? " " There's no way in hell I'm going anywhere near that chick . A slut like her probably wouldn't even ask for money . She'd practically pay you to sleep with her . " Avery's chest tightened . She lowered her head and quickened her pace . Before long , she reached the company building . Her plan was to take a short break and leave once night had fallen . Oddly enough , the whole office was deserted . The elevator took Avery straight to the CEO's office on the top floor . Before the doors even slid open , she could hear a commotion coming from outside . With a sharp bang , colorful confetti rained down from above . Elijah rolled a cake forward as the employees behind him brought in a variety of gifts . The entire top floor had been transformed into a castle straight out of a fairy tale . As soon as Avery appeared , the room fell silent . Elijah's expression darkened as he asked , " What are you doing here ? " Before Avery could respond , the elevator doors chimed open again . Lara stepped out , her eyes sparkling with excitement . " Wow ! Is all this for me ? " Elijah's stern face softened into a warm smile . " Yes . Happy birthday to this stunning and beloved lady we all admire ! " With smiles brightening their faces , those nearby stepped forward to offer their warmest wishes . Chapter 2 2/4 As Avery took in the joyful scene , memories of her first year of marriage came flooding back . Back then , Elijah was constantly tied up with work and seldom came home . Caring for him had always been her top priority . Every day , she brought him lunch and fruit at the office . She often stayed late , keeping him company long after everyone else had gone . Even on her own birthday , she put his needs before hers . One time , her friends had arranged for a cake to be delivered at midnight , but Elijah threw it away without a second glance . " This is a workplace , not your home . If you want to celebrate your birthday , do it somewhere else . " Suddenly , the room was swallowed by darkness . Amidst the chorus of " Happy Birthday " , Lara couldn't help but blush . She closed her eyes and made a wish . Standing beside her , Elijah lowered his gaze , his eyes filled with unspoken affection . It was a sharp departure from the cold , proud expression he usually wore around Avery . Without acknowledging anyone , Avery let out a bitter chuckle and slipped away quietly . She hailed a cab and made her way to the McPherson residence . The house was brightly lit , yet not a single light was meant for her . The lively chatter inside stopped the moment she opened the door . The room fell into a heavy silence , every gaze fixed on her . Walter cleared his throat , breaking the tension . " Ave , what are you doing here ? " Ignoring the probing stares , Avery replied , " You promised that once everything was over , you'd fulfill one of my conditions . Does that still stand ? " " Of course , " Walter replied , his brow furrowing . " But it can't be anything too extreme . " Avery could see what was on his mind . It was clear he was worried she might use this as a way to pressure him into marriage . She understood all too well how little she must matter in his eyes . " I want to transfer my registered address out of the McPherson residence and revert my name to Avery Quinn , " she said . Changing her last name was simple enough , but transferring her registered address could only be done by the head of the household . She had no choice but to ask Walter for help . Chapter 2 3/4 After a brief hesitation , he nodded . As Avery stepped out, whispers began to rise from the room behind her . " She just wants to leave our household so she can be with you legally . How can you go along with this ? " " She can do whatever she wants , " Walter replied . " I have no intention of marrying her , after all . " Avery forced a bitter smile . It didn't matter anymore ; she was no longer concerned . When she returned home , Elijah was stretched out on the black leather couch , one leg casually draped over the other . At the sound of the door opening , he lazily glanced up at her . " Where have you been at this hour ? " he asked . Knowing he didn't really care , Avery responded indifferently, " The McPherson residence . " Elijah narrowed his eyes but didn't push further . " Lara wants to take part in tomorrow's concert . " Avery was a gifted cellist , with her reputation growing ever since her university days . Tomorrow's concert would be both a parting performance and a meticulously prepared showcase . Afterward , she would start over , adopting a new name and identity . She decided to fill in as a temporary accompanist . After all , she was leaving soon and had no intention of getting caught up in more drama . With that in mind , she nodded . Elijah seemed momentarily surprised . He hadn't expected her to agree so easily . He couldn't shake the memory of his friend's words from that afternoon . " Mr. Tarver , I honestly envy you . " At home , you have a wife who's completely devoted to you , putting in the work without ever complaining . And out there , you still have your childhood sweetheart by your side . " In my opinion , you can cross Lara off your list . Women like her come and go , but Avery's devotion is one of a kind . " His friend's envy should have flattered Elijah , but hearing him talk about Avery like that stirred an inexplicable unease in his chest . As Elijah watched her prepare dinner without rest , he couldn't help but raise an eyebrow . If not for Lara being his lifesaver , he would've undoubtedly fallen for Avery . Chapter 2 4/4 But alas , life held no room for " what ifs " . Elijah lifted his gaze and handed Avery the gift he had originally meant for Lara . " This is for you . Don't make me look bad at tomorrow's concert . " Without another word , he stepped closer and fastened a necklace around her neck . The space between them seemed to hum with unspoken tension . Avery looked at him in surprise . Just as she parted her lips to speak , his phone rang loudly . " Eli , I've had a little too much to drink ... I really miss you . " The woman's voice on the other end was breathy and sweet , curling around him like a temptation . Elijah's throat tightened , and without a second thought , he turned and walked away . Soon , the door clicked shut . Without a flicker of emotion , Avery set the knife down . She walked into the study and started practicing for tomorrow's concert . In the study , her gaze was suddenly drawn to a confidential file tucked away on the bookshelf . Avery usually had no interest in anything that involved Elijah . But this time , a strange curiosity nudged her to open the file . What she found inside made her laugh out loud . It turned out Elijah's years of devotion to Lara were all based on a mistake . He had confused her for the person who had saved him . Meanwhile , the banner celebrating Avery for her act of bravery on that very same day remained neatly folded in a drawer . Avery's mood instantly lifted . She could hardly wait for the day Elijah finally learned the truth . With a smile , she retrieved the contract she had signed three years ago . She then placed it alongside the banner and sent them both to a storage facility . " Make sure Elijah receives these in one month , " she instructed . The terms of the contract were laid out explicitly . Avery had agreed to marry Elijah as a gesture of gratitude for Walter's kindness . The arrangement was to last exactly 1,000 days . Chapter 3