Chapter 24: Wicked

The meal quickly descends into an awkward silence, and they finish eating. Charles puts his fork down with regret. He wanted nothing more than to taste Avery's pasta, but Evan's jealousy got in the way. He feels sudden anxiety; Evan's newfound possessiveness is bad news for him. If Evan is interested in Avery, it'll be almost impossible for her to get him to let her go.

"Are you finished, Charles? Shall I call for dessert?" Mr. Howel asks.

"If it's okay with you, I'd like to take a look at you first."

Charles is about to lead him away for treatment, but Francis interrupts him. "Come to the living room and take a look at Avery first," he says, "I'd like you to use that traditional Chinese pulse-taking style you're so good at."

The pleasant odor of tea fills the living room. Avery sits on the luxurious jacquard couch and Charles kneels in front of her to take her pulse. It is as silent as a grave.

Avery's hand rests on a white napkin with her wrist facing upwards. The delicate blue veins stick out against her fair skin. Charles gently places his hand on her wrist and closes his eyes to listen carefully.

Everyone stares at them, scared to breathe too loudly. Mr. Howel squints and sips his tea. He has the utmost confidence in Charles: he knows that the young doctor can treat conditions that other doctors can't name and soothe symptoms that others can't recognize.

Mrs. Howel and Leonie watch with bated breath, hoping that Charles will proclaim Avery barren. They are delighted when Charles frowns.

Mr. Howel purses his lips upon seeing Charles' face, "What is it?"

"I don't think Mrs. Howel has the constitution for a pregnancy," Charles says.

"I hope you can prescribe a solution," Francis Howel says.

Evan strides across the room and grabs Avery's hands, pulling her behind him. He hates seeing this man touch her, even if it's just to take her pulse.

"She needs to take some supplements or else she won't be able to handle a pregnancy," Charles says to Francis.

"How long will it take for them to work?"

"At least three months. It could take up to six easily."

"Evan approaches Charles and grabs him by his collar, "Is she really medically unfit for pregnancy or do you oppose it personally?"

"I understand that you care for Mrs. Howel. But it's not up to me whether she gets pregnant or not," Charles says calmly.

Charles raises his hands to indicate that he doesn't want to get involved in a fight.

"Get off of him!" Mr. Howel slams his teacup onto the table, "What's wrong with you, Evan? Why are you so emotional? Charles is only giving an honest medical opinion. I want a word with you in the study."

Evan lets go of Charles but gives him a warning look. Reluctantly, he follows his grandfather into the study.

"I'll go get my husband's blood pressure drugs," Mrs. Howel announces, "This stress can't be good for him."

Mrs. Howel leaves to get the medicine and eavesdrop on her husband and grandson in the study. Leonie catches her meaning and hurries to stand up, "I'll get some water."

Avery and Charles are soon left in the living room alone with the servants.

"Am I putting you in a difficult position by showing up like this?" Charles asks.

Avery helps herself to a sliced apple and passes the serving fork to Charles.

"It's alright," she said lightly, "If you didn't come, I never would have this big show."

"It's a pity that I didn't get to eat the pasta you made, but thinking about next time gives me hope. "

"Pasta gives you hope?" she asks.

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"It's not pasta that gives me hope but y—"

Charles is interrupted by a loud crash. It sounds like China is being broken in the first-floor study. Avery whirls around upon hearing the noise. She knows that Mr. Howel is as grumpy in private as he is polite in public.

"It will be alright," she says, half to herself, "Most carnivores aren't wicked enough to destroy their own."

The sound of something breaking echoes from the study again. Inside, the study is strewn with broken ornaments and baubles.

Mr. Howel slaps his desk emphatically, "The Howel can't live without an heir. I hope you haven't forgotten our agreement—if she's not pregnant in the next six months, you have to divorce her."

"What if I don't?" Evan challenges.

"Oh?" Francis Howel laughs sharply, "Do you think you have a choice?"

"I'll live up to my promise after she gets pregnant," he adds, "Even if you don't like her, you have to make her bear your children. If she doesn't, then I'll have to pick another wife for you."

Evan grabs the phone—the last object left on the desk—and slams it to the ground, "I hope you mean what you say. You better follow through with your promise if I get her pregnant in the next six months."

He stalks out of the room and slams the door. Blind with rage, he bumps into Mrs. Howel who is hovering outside the door with medicine and water.

"Evan, why are you so upset?" she asks, "Please have some water to calm down."

Evan ignores her and walks toward the living room, leaving her to ponder what she's just overheard. It seems that Francis has promised Evan something important to persuade him to make a baby.

"Where did Avery and that guy go?" he asks a maid.

"Mrs. Howel and Dr. Meyer?"

Evan nods and the maid points at the door, "Dr. Meyer said he had an urgent call and Mrs. Howel went to see him off."

Avery and Charles walk through the garden, past the fountain, and to the gate. There are few people at the gate, and Avery finally has the privacy to properly talk to Charles.

"Charles, what you said earlier in the house about me being unfit for pregnancy, is that true?"

"No," Charles stops and looks at her, "It's a lie. But you really shouldn't consider pregnancy now. It would be too dangerous while there's still so much of the toxin in your system."

Avery shakes her head, "I don't want to consider it."

Relieved, Charles hands her a bottle of pills, "They're contraceptives."

Avery quickly pockets the bottle, "Pasta next time?"

"Sure," Charles smiles, "Go inside now. It's windy."

A chilly wind blows across the grounds. Charles wants to take off his coat and wrap it around her, but he can't do something so bold at Evan Howel's house. Instead, he has to bid her goodbye.

Avery feels a bit chilled so she nods and wishes Charles a good night. For a moment she watches him walk away, and then she turns and walks back to the house. As she walks, she passes an ornate fountain. The fountain features a ring of angel statues playing harps, and water trickles and splashes off of their wings. Lost in thought, Avery doesn't notice that the water splashes on her clothes.

She wonders if Evan and his grandfather are discussing pregnancy. She knows that Francis wants heirs, but it's unclear what Evan wants. All she knows is that she can't get pregnant no matter what. If Evan and his grandfather have an agreement, she just needs to make it another six months. Then she can finally get her divorce.

She's so lost in thought, she doesn't notice a dark figure coming to meet her. 

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