Chapter 182: I Will Find You

Evan stumbles down the hallway, leaning heavily on the wall for support. He can hear Robert walking calmly behind him. "Find her," Evan rasps, "You have to find her for me!"

Robert clears his throat nervously, "Sir, the last ping on Mrs. Howel's GPS shows that she was in the Misty Forest. It's very difficult to navigate that area. Most navigational equipment goes haywire, and it's impossible to fly a helicopter to airlift her out. Also, if Mr. Clifford is keeping her at his mansion, we need to consider the possibility that he's placed traps and surveillance equipment to slow our progress."

Evan turns around and tries to level an icy glare at Robert. The effort makes him dizzy. 

"I'll get the search started," Robert says.

Evan stares down the hallway long after Robert disappears. He seems to see Avery standing in the dim light. Her body blurs and wavers, but she looks as proud as ever. He blinks and rubs his hands over his tired eyes, but memories of her still flashed through his mind.

He sees her standing on the dining room table and throwing dishes, arrogantly asking him if he's fallen in love with her after a one night stand. Then she's sitting on the couch and drawing a ring on his finger. She's kissing him in the bathroom stall at the lingerie store. She's making passionate love to him.

He hears her voice as if the recording is still playing. She's saying the baby is his. She's saying she loves him and wants him to love her. She's saying he has to find her if he believes her.

"Avery, I'll find you," Evan whispers to the air. "No matter where you are—at the ends of the Earth or on the other side of the sea—I will find you."

Avery thought she was taking a path through the forest back toward the stables, but she realizes she has no idea where she is. The trees have become even denser, and she can't see the lawn or the mansion in any direction. Even worse, the fog has started to roll in again, making everything ghostly and strange. She stops the horse in the middle of a crossroads and examines the dirt path. There are dusty hoof prints in every direction.

"Which way should we go?" Michelle asks nervously. "I don't know where we are."

"Get off," Avery says as she dismounts the horse and lands gracefully on the ground. She waits for Michelle to follow, then she releases the reins. She lets the horse lead the way and follows by his side.

Michelle follows, but she looks confused, "What are you doing?"

"Most animals know their way back home," Avery says, "If we let him lead the way, he might take us back to the stables."

"What if he's wrong?" Michelle asks. She's half jogging to keep up with the horse, and little puffs of dust rise beneath her feet.

"What choice do we have?" Avery says. "Neither of us recognizes the path, and we can't exactly sit around and wait for someone to find us."

They walked in silence for a while, and Avery caresses the horse's mane. Although she doesn't know much about horses, this one looks quite special. She hopes it knows what it's doing.

"It's an Arabian horse," Michelle says, unable to resist the urge to flaunt her knowledge. "It's known for elegance and delicacy. Of all breeds, it is one of the fastest and fiercest. You're lucky that nothing happened on the bumpy path."

Avery doesn't like Michelle's tone. The way Michelle talks about the bumpy ride makes her feel especially anxious—it almost sounds like a threat. She looks at Michelle and sees that the other woman seems deep in thought.

"So, is your pregnancy fake?" Michelle suddenly asks.

"What a load of crap," Avery snaps. "Look, I'm cold, and I'm sick of walking. Let's get back on. If we come to another crossroads, we can let the horse decide again."

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She swings her leg up and pulls herself into the saddle. She waits for Michelle to get on and then allows the horse to continue its journey. Avery keeps a tight grip on the reins and guides the horse at a slow, steady pace. Though the beast seems exhausted from its mad run, Avery doesn't want to risk jostling her stomach any more than she already has.

First, she hears the dull thud of hoofbeats, and then Andrew materializes out of the fog. A group of mounted bodyguards appears behind him. Andrew pulls his horse to a stop and gazes in surprise at Avery. Avery reins her horse in, and the beast seems grateful to stop.

"I don't understand, and you know how to ride?" Andrew asks. "Why did you claim you didn't?" Suddenly understanding dawns on his face, "Oh, you were trying to play matchmaker. But really, you think I like the maid?"

"What's wrong with the maid?" Avery asks. "It's all the same after you turn out the lights."

Behind Andrew, one of the guards is leading Avery's riderless white mare. She can't wait to get away from Michelle and onto her own horse. She swings her leg down, but Andrew spurs his horse forward and grabs her before she hits the ground. He pulled her onto his horse and wraps his arms around her. By the time she realizes what's happening, her back is pressing into his warm chest.

"It's a risk for pregnant women to ride," Andrew says, "When you're pregnant with mine, I won't let you ride."

"Pregnant with your child?" Avery says. "Did a horse kick you in the head?"

"Nothing is impossible," Andrew murmurs. "What if my heart wants you so bad, I can't help but make love to you. I'm sure it would be easy to get you pregnant with my children. I'd certainly love trying."

"Ha—that's one of the best jokes I've ever heard," Avery says. "You think I'd allow myself to carry your kid? I'd rather remove my womb."

Avery can feel the frantic beating of Andrew's heart against her back, but she can't tell if he's aroused or angry.

"Don't you and Miss Peters look close," Michelle says, trying to draw Andrew's attention away from Avery.

Andrew glances at Michelle, "Who are you?"

Andrew's tone reminds Avery of Evan. Their arrogance is weirdly similar sometimes, she thinks. Michelle blushes with deep embarrassment, seemingly unable to speak, and Avery remembers the deal they made in the woods. "This is Michelle Cindy," Avery says graciously. "I almost had an accident just now, but she saved me."

"Alright," Andrew says disinterestedly.

Avery frowns at his dismissive tone. She realizes she might come to regret her trick with Alice—it seems that Andrew has his guard up now. "It just so happens that we went to school together," Avery says. "I'm sure she could tell you a lot about the good old days."

"Really?" Andrew says, sounding curious. "Could she tell me about you?"

"She's quite interesting and easy to get along with," Avery says. She straightens in the saddle, pulling her back away from Andrew's chest. She doesn't want any part of his body touching hers.

Andrew's lips brush her ears, "She's not as interesting as you."

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