"I see you decided to stay," I mutter, eyeing Everest as he sits comfortably on my couch, watching TV and eating a bowl of cereal like he owns the place.

"Don't you have a home?" I ask, already knowing the answer.

He doesn't look away from the screen as he spoons another bite into his mouth. "I do. But I can't live in it without you."

A sigh escapes me as I sink down onto the couch beside him, feeling utterly drained. "Well, then I guess you're just gonna have to sell it."

That gets his attention. He turns off the TV, plunging the room into near darkness, and looks at me. "You don't mean that."

I exhale slowly. "Everest, it's your house. You built it. You can sell it. There is no us—and there probably never will be."

Before I can react, his hands grip my thighs, dragging me beneath him in one swift motion.

My breath catches. Shit. Thank God it's dark because I can feel my face burning.

"You said you loved me." His voice is low, searching.

I sniffle, my body going lax beneath him. "Of course, I loved you. You knew that. And...I still have love for you. But I'm not in love with you."

He holds my gaze for a long moment before leaning back, giving me space. He settles on the other side of the couch, no longer crowding me. "Yeah," is all he says.

I shrug and close my eyes, exhausted.

A beat passes before he speaks again, softer this time. "Avery, why won't you just tell me what happened in New York?"

I stiffen.

"I saw your scar," he continues. "I've seen how broken you've been since you came back."

I force my eyes open and sit up slightly, pressing the heels of my hands against my forehead. "I'm just so tired of crying, Everest. I'm over it. Why can't you just let it go?"

"Because, Avery." His voice hardens. "You're fucking mine. You've always been mine. And especially after last night, I deserve to know."

I laugh bitterly, shaking my head. "It has nothing to do with you, Sin. It's my past."

"Yeah, a past that clearly still haunts you." His eyes darken. "I can make it go away, Avery. Just tell me, and it's done."

My fingers tighten around the hem of my shirt. "You don't get it, Sin. You can't just erase everything. Even if you get rid of him, it won't change what happened."

He watches me, unmoving.

I stand, grabbing his empty bowl and heading toward the kitchen. "It doesn't matter anymore."

As I place the bowl in the sink, I feel him behind me. His body presses flush against mine, his hands settling on my hips, pulling me back against him. My grip tightens on the counter, my breath hitching.

"I can make everything disappear, sweetheart." His voice is a whisper against my ear. "You just have to tell me what needs to go away."

I lick my lips, turning in his hold, my hands slipping around his neck. "Make the scar go away, Everest."

"I'll take you to the tattoo shop tomorrow and ink over it myself."

"Make the memories go away."

"I'll fuck you senseless right now so the only thing in your head is me."

I pull him closer, my lips brushing against his ear as I whisper, "Make him go away."

His entire body tenses. "Give me a fucking name, and you'll never have to worry about him again."

I pull back, dropping my hands to my sides. "If you're talking about killing him, that would only make things worse."

His fingers tilt my chin up, forcing me to meet his gaze. "And why's that?"

I swallow hard, my throat tight. "Because, Sin... I—I'm married." The words taste like acid on my tongue. "Okay? I got married. He's my husband. And if you were to kill him or even try, I don't know what would happen. This isn't like here. It's the city. People don't just... disappear."

His lips twitch, but he doesn't speak. Instead, he steps away, pacing toward the living room.

Then, his voice cuts through the silence like a blade. "So, you fucked him?"

My blood runs cold. My fists clench at my sides. How the fuck could he ask me that?

"Get. Out." My voice is low, seething.

He turns, stalking toward me. "Did you file for divorce?"

"I said get the fuck out, Sin!" I shout, stepping backward until I hit the island.

"What's his name?"

"GET—" I don't get the chance to finish before his hand covers my mouth, his body caging mine against the counter.

"You're not leaving me again, Avery," he murmurs, his voice dangerously low. "You. Are. Mine."

Then, he does the one thing I've been both craving and dreading.

A long, uncontrollable moan escapes me as his fingers disappear beneath my panties, sending a shockwave of pleasure through me. My body goes weak, but before I can collapse, he removes his hand from my mouth, lifting me effortlessly onto the cold counter.

"Ahhh, Everest..." I moan, heat and desire clouding my mind.

His other hand slips beneath my shirt, cupping my breast as my fingers tangle in his hair, pulling hard enough to make him groan.

"Avery?"

My eyes snap open.

Panic slams into me, and I shove Everest off, scrambling to fix myself. My hands shake as I tug my shorts back on before forcing myself to walk calmly to the door.

I open it to find Sarah standing there.

I barely suppress my groan.

Everest steps up behind me, his presence looming, and Sarah's eyes widen as she takes him in. Then, to my absolute fucking horror, she gasps and practically purrs as she reaches out to touch his arm.

"What are you doing here?" she coos.

My hands ball into fists.

This bitch.

I slam the door shut behind her, making her jump. Everest looks at me with a smirk, but I ignore him.

"The real question is, what are you doing here, Sarah?" I cross my arms, irritation burning through me.

She just smiles. I swear I might lose it.

"Brooke told me you moved in, and I just had to see it. I mean, I've never even stepped foot in this house before." She eyes Everest again like she wants to taste him.

Everest places a hand on my shoulder, but I shrug him off, shooting him a look. "I think you should go."

He nods, presses a quick kiss to my forehead, and I sigh, still annoyed.

Sarah smirks. "You don't have to go, babe," she practically purrs, stepping closer.

But I block her, glaring. Everest just chuckles, giving her a sweet smile. "Maybe next time."

I slam the door in his face.

Frustrated, I flop onto the couch, staring at the black screen of the TV.

Sarah plops down across from me. "So, are you two, like, a thing? Because I'm friends with the girls at the club, and Bree claimed him, she's practically his ole lady."

I blink at her. "Sarah, what the fuck are you doing in my house?"

She pouts. "I told you—I wanted to see my favorite cousin."

I roll my eyes. "Yeah? Well, I don't like whores in my house."

Her gasp barely registers before my hair is yanked back, sending me crashing to the floor.

"What the fuck is wrong with you!?" I yell, looking up at her—pupils huge. Oh, hell no.

She starts laughing.

I don't hesitate. I grab her ankles, yanking her down. She hits the floor with a thud, and I pin her, holding her down until she stops struggling.

Leaning in, I whisper, "Come near me again, and I will end you."

She sobs, nodding frantically.

I let her go, grab a fistful of her hair, and drag her out, slamming the door behind her.

Then, finally, I head upstairs.

I think I've had enough stress for one day.

Affirmation

You are good enough

You are worthy

You are strong

You are beautiful

It's not your fault

Good things are coming

You are so important

You can't give up now

You just need to let him go

You have to stop beating yourself up

Forgive yourself for staying longer

Then you should have

You can't blame yourself

Yes, this is a sign

Yes, I'm talking to you.