Shawn sat across from Avery in their living room, his hands clasped tightly together. He had been quiet since returning from his second meeting with his father, the weight of whatever he had learned casting a shadow over his usual calm demeanor.
“Shawn,” Avery said softly, breaking the silence. “What’s going on? Please talk to me.”
He let out a heavy sigh, his green eyes meeting hers with a mix of guilt and frustration. “I’ve been trying to figure out how to tell you, but there’s no easy way to say this.”
Avery’s heart quickened, but she reached out, placing a steadying hand on his. “Just tell me. Whatever it is, we’ll deal with it together.”
Shawn nodded, taking a deep breath. “My dad… he’s in serious debt. Gambling, bad investments—you name it. When he reached out to me, it wasn’t just about reconnecting. He was hoping to use my connection to you to get out of the mess he’s in.”
Avery’s stomach churned, but she kept her expression calm. “You mean… he wanted money?”
Shawn nodded, shame flickering across his face. “At first, yeah. He didn’t ask outright, but it was obvious. I told him that wasn’t going to happen. But, Avery, I’m sorry I didn’t tell you sooner. I didn’t want to drag you into this, and I didn’t want you to think I was keeping secrets.”
Avery took a deep breath, processing his words. She felt a wave of anger toward Shawn’s father but pushed it aside. Shawn had been honest, and that mattered more than anything.
“Thank you for telling me,” she said finally, her voice steady. “I wish he hadn’t put you in that position, but I’m proud of you for standing your ground.”
Shawn’s shoulders relaxed slightly, relief washing over him. “I promise, I’ll make sure he doesn’t cause any more trouble. I won’t let him ruin what we have.”
Over the following days, the weight of their respective lives began to take its toll. Avery juggled the demands of Kane Enterprises, the ongoing investigation into the sabotage, and the final details of their wedding. Shawn, meanwhile, wrestled with the emotional fallout of reconnecting with his father and the guilt of bringing that stress into their lives.
Their conversations grew shorter, their evenings quieter. Both were trying to shield each other from their worries, but the distance between them was palpable.
One evening, as Avery worked late on her laptop, Shawn sat beside her on the couch, scrolling through his phone. The silence between them felt heavier than usual.
“Do you think we’re doing too much?” Avery asked suddenly, her voice barely above a whisper.
Shawn looked up, startled by her question. “What do you mean?”
“I mean… the wedding, work, everything. It feels like we’re being pulled in a million directions, and I’m scared we’re losing sight of what matters.”
Shawn set his phone down, leaning closer to her. “What matters is us, Avery. The rest is noise. We’ll figure it out—together.”
Her gray eyes met his, and for the first time in days, she felt a flicker of calm.
The night before the rehearsal dinner, Shawn surprised Avery by suggesting they practice their vows. They sat together on the living room floor, surrounded by candles and the faint sound of jazz playing in the background.
“Alright,” Shawn said, pulling a piece of paper from his pocket. “I’ll go first.”
Avery smiled, leaning back against the couch as she listened.
Shawn cleared his throat, his voice steady but filled with emotion. “Avery, from the moment I met you, I knew you were someone extraordinary. You’re strong, brilliant, and fearless, and you inspire me every single day. I promise to stand by you through the highs and the lows, to be your partner in every sense of the word, and to love you unconditionally for the rest of my life.”
Avery’s chest tightened as she blinked back tears. “You’re really good at this,” she teased, her voice shaky with emotion.
“Your turn,” Shawn said, smiling softly.
Avery unfolded her own piece of paper, her hands trembling slightly. “Shawn, you’ve been my anchor in the chaos, my partner in every challenge, and my greatest source of joy. You see me for who I am, and you love me not despite my flaws but because of them. I promise to be your biggest supporter, your safe place, and your partner in every adventure we face.”
When she finished, Shawn reached for her hand, his grip firm and comforting. “We’ve got this,” he said quietly.
Avery nodded, her heart full despite the weight of everything around them.
The night before the wedding, Avery sat in her study, making a final check of her to-do list. Shawn entered the room, his phone pressed to his ear, his expression tense.
“I’ll be right back,” he said after ending the call, his tone clipped.
“Who was that?” Avery asked, her brows furrowing.
“Work thing,” Shawn said quickly, grabbing his keys. “Don’t wait up, okay? I’ll explain later.”
Before she could respond, he was out the door, leaving Avery staring after him, unease creeping into her chest.
Something didn’t feel right.