Chapter 3 The next evening , Avery arrived at the concert hall right on time . Lara's piano was set in the most prominent spot on the stage . Avery kept quiet , assuming Lara was just rehearsing . After all , it was her concert . There was no way Lara would try to upstage her . However , the piano stayed in place until the performance began . When Avery moved to confront Lara , someone locked her inside the makeup room . By the time she was finally released , the concert was nearly over . Without further delay , Avery signaled for her cello to be brought onstage . But the moment she stepped forward , the audience greeted her with jeers . " We want our money back ! " " Give us a refund ! " The crowd's jeers cut deep , each shout feeling like a blow to Avery's heart . Amid the noise , her eyes fell on the empty seat reserved for Elijah . The concert she had poured her heart and soul into was ruined in an instant . Avery's heart ached for her disappointed fans . Surrounded by her bodyguards , she made her way through the hostile crowd and finally reached the safety of her home . The moment she opened the door , darkness swallowed the room , and an icy chill filled the air . Elijah sat on the couch , his eyes dark and bottomless like an abyss . Anyone who knew him well could see the storm of fury within . The smart ones knew better than to get too close . " Did you go through my stuff ? " he asked , Avery didn't hesitate . She simply nodded , owning up to it . Elijah froze for a moment before letting out a bitter laugh . " Whatever . It's time you understood your place . You're nothing but a pawn in this marriage . You'll never hold a candle to Lara . " Avery met his gaze without a word . Elijah frowned , sensing something unusual . But before he could ask , the master bedroom door clicked open . Rubbing her eyes , Lara stepped out . She was dressed in Avery's pajamas . Chapter 3 Avery had long believed that growing up as an heir had made Elijah cold and unfeeling . Even when she was bedridden , he threw parties at home like it was business as usual . Back then , she had stumbled out in a daze , only to be met with his cold , dismissive remark . What does this have to do with me ? " But now , the entire house was silent , each person mindful not to wake Lara . Not even the lights were allowed to be turned on . Elijah waved his hand idly , deliberately egging Avery on . " Lara's staying for dinner tonight . Make sure it's ready . " But to his surprise , Avery didn't react with anger or embarrassment . Without a word , she rose and made her way to the kitchen . As he watched her retreating figure , Elijah rubbed his fingers unconsciously . That strange , familiar feeling was creeping back to him . Even though he had brought Lara home , Avery continued to cook without complaint or bitterness . The depth of her love was undeniable . Compared to her selflessness , Elijah's feelings for Lara barely held weight . In the kitchen , Avery moved confidently , washing and chopping ingredients like it was second nature . It was hard to imagine she had once been a sheltered young lady who never assisted around the house . " Let me help you , Avery , " Lara chimed in . Before Avery could react , the knife was ripped from her hand . Lara's smile lingered for a heartbeat . In a sudden motion , she brought the blade toward herself . Blood soon trickled from her fair arm . Out of nowhere , a sudden force sent the knife flying from Lara's hand . It grazed Avery's cheek before embedding itself in the wall . Her heart skipped a beat . Pain flared across her face , followed by the warm trickle of blood . When Elijah finally noticed her , a surge of guilt passed through his eyes . " I'm sorry , honey ... I didn't mean to , " But before Avery could say a word , Lara spoke . " Eli , I only wanted to help Avery cook , but she ... Lara didn't finish . Her uneasy expression said everything . The guilt in Elijah's eyes vanished instantly , replaced by a cold , menacing glare . " Did you do it " 1 Chapter 3 on purpose ? Did you try to hurt Lara ? " 3/3 Before Avery could answer , Elijah brought the knife out from behind him . His eyes narrowed , and his tongue pressed tightly against his back teeth . " All Lara did was perform a few pieces at your concert . How could you go so far as to injure her in revenge ? " Avery shook her head firmly . " It wasn't me . She's the one who hurt herself . " Elijah sneered . " Lara is a pianist , for crying out loud . She cherishes her hands above all else . How am I supposed to believe she'd harm herself ? " Avery lifted her chin defiantly , locking eyes with him . " It was her own doing , " she repeated . Taking a deep breath , she added , "I'm a cellist . If I told you I'd be willing to hurt my own hands , would you believe me ? " While Avery didn't care if Elijah misunderstood her , she would not allow herself to be falsely accused . Elijah froze , taken aback by her defiance . " You- " Before he could continue , Avery seized the knife and slashed her palm . Blood poured out immediately , spreading across the floor . A flicker of emotion crossed Elijah's eyes . Just as he reached out to stop her , Lara spoke . " Avery , why would you hurt yourself just to get back at me ? " The moment the words left her lips , Elijah's face hardened . The knife wavered in Avery's hand . She closed her eyes , despair washing over her . Her strength ebbed away under the pain , pulling her into the grip of unconsciousness . Elijah's cold , indifferent voice reached her just before the darkness closed in . " If you hadn't been imitating Lara so well , do you really think I would have even noticed you ? " Chapter 4 Chapter 4