Chapter 5 I Used To Own This

Averie dropped her laptop off at the closest repair shop to her apartment to get it fixed.

Then she dove into work, tirelessly earning money for her mother's medical bills that month.

Her talent in makeup was obvious to all, and she was responsible for creating various makeup looks in Nolan.

She completely forgot about her promise to go to a party with Brayden.

It wasn't until Brayden called her just two hours before the party that she remembered.

"Sorry, I'll make it in the evening," Averie apologized. She had agreed to pretend to be a couple with Brayden, and she couldn't break that promise now, especially considering the substantial amount of money involved.

"Get here now," Brayden urged on the phone.

"Why should I?"

Averie was puzzled. They were going to divorce soon, and she wanted to keep her distance from him.

"We'll go pick out formal clothes and jewelry together, and then head to the party," Brayden suggested, his voice tinged with a hint of defeat.

Averie was taken aback. He was sounding defeated? That was unexpected.

"No, there's no need for that. I have my own clothes," she declined.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, I'm sure." Averie really didn't want to be alone with him.

She had her own plans. She would make money, get a divorce, return to Haeidith, and bring her mother back.

These thoughts were clear in her mind, and she definitely didn't want any more surprises.

After ending the phone call, Averie began to fret about what formal dress and jewelry to wear.

Luckily, Nolan, who was also attending the charity event, helped her out by borrowing them for her.

"What's the deal? Your soon-to-be ex-husband wants you two to act like a couple, but he won't even pay for a couple of dresses?" Nolan questioned, handing her the borrowed dress.

It was obvious he didn't think much of Brayden.

"I just don't want to spend time with him," Averie explained.

"So, he disgusts you?" Nolan asked, looking at Averie. He then clapped his hands and grinned. "You're right! Just not vomiting in front of a guy like him is pretty respectful!"

"Stop talking like that," Averie said, trying to hold back a laugh, yet she remained courteous.

"Fine. I'm just spouting nonsense."

When they arrived at the venue, Nolan pulled up in front of the entrance and suggested, "You head in first. I'll find a spot for the car."

"Sure."

Averie stepped out of the car and caught sight of Brayden.

Their eyes met, and Brayden's expression revealed a hint of surprise.

Averie, in her elegant strapless dress and subtle makeup, highlighted her distinctive features beautifully.

She thought about walking away but then noticed the Briggs family close to Brayden.

Clearly, Corinna was eager to approach Brayden.

"Honey." As Averie spoke, Corinna's smile stiffened.

In the full view of the gathered crowd, Averie smoothly looped her arm through Brayden's.

She shot a sly, taunting smile to the side.

The shattered laptop was beyond repair.

Averie was no saint. If Corinna damaged her belongings, she'd make sure Corinna felt uneasy too.

Brayden seemed momentarily taken aback by Averie's familiar term, but quickly masked his emotions.

Arm in arm, they entered the banquet hall.

After mingling for a while, Averie spotted Nolan in the dining area and excused herself to join him.

"What took you so long to park?" Averie picked the cherry on top of a small cake and popped it into her mouth.

"I ran into someone I know and said hello," Nolan mentioned, shoving the remaining cake into his mouth.

"Alright."

"You're familiar with him too. He's Edwin Ellis."

Noticing Averie had another cherry from another small cake, Nolan had no choice but to finish the rest of the cake.

"I've heard... I've heard he might be getting engaged soon..." Nolan mumbled, his mouth stuffed with cake.

Nolan alone knew about Edwin's confession of love to Averie.

"How do you feel about him now..." Nolan's question was cut short by a towering figure that appeared before him.

"Who's this... Brayden..." As Nolan's irritation began to rise, he caught sight of Brayden and immediately quieted down.

"Who taught you?" Brayden's face turned stern.

Averie was puzzled by his question.

He glanced at the cherry Averie held, and then at the cream on Nolan's lips, and repeated, "Who taught you to eat like this?"

With the dining area almost empty, Averie didn't feel like pretending anymore. She turned to leave.

But Brayden swiftly caught her wrist, insisting on an answer.

Averie let out a soft sigh and said, "I've eaten this way since I was little..."

Before she could finish, Brayden's grip loosened in distraction, leaving Averie puzzled.

"That's impossible," Brayden whispered. "She's right next to me..."

Averie couldn't make out his words clearly, but chose not to ask further. Silently, she left the dining area.

Nolan, his eyes wide, quickly glanced at the two before hurrying after Averie.

"Something's off with Brayden's look," Nolan remarked. "Hasn't he always resented you for taking Corinna's spot and marrying him? What's going on... Could it be some leftover feelings?"

"Cut it out!" Averie responded with a kick.

As they talked and laughed, they accidentally ran into someone. Just as they were about to apologize, a familiar voice rang out.

"Averie, did you ruin my dress on purpose?" Corinna's usually composed demeanor cracked tonight.

She wasn't known for losing her cool or acting foolish, but Brayden's vague behavior toward Averie threw her off balance.

Holding a champagne glass, she now watched the drink spill and stain her dress.

"Hey, watch where you're going, will you? We're just standing here, and you bumped into us!" Nolan shot back.

He had never been fond of her.

To the outside world, Corinna seemed the nicest to Averie in the Briggs family, but he knew she was actually deceitful and two-faced.

Corinna instantly recognized Nolan as the Brooks family's youngest son, but she didn't bother to answer him. Instead, she continued to put the blame on Averie.

"Averie, are you really going to use your power to push me around?" Corinna asked, her voice laced with a veiled threat.

At that moment, some guests in the banquet hall began to take notice of their confrontation.

Averie thought about her mother.

She then let out a sigh, pulled out a handkerchief, and bent down to clean the edge of Corinna's dress.

Corinna, with a haughty step back, said nothing.

Nolan, losing his patience, said sharply, "Hey, don't get too arrogant. Without the Fowler Group, your Briggs family wouldn't even be here at this event..."

He was cut off mid-sentence by the sound of a necklace hitting the floor, drawing both his and Averie's attention.

Corinna's face showed a flicker of panic as she saw the necklace that had fallen from her.

Averie recognized the necklace at once. Brayden gave it to her in Haeidith.

She had misplaced it in the Briggs family residence not long after arriving in Nolens. How did it end up with Corinna now?

Averie moved to pick it up but Corinna shoved her away. Brayden was there to catch her, preventing her from crashing into a table corner.

Nevertheless, Averie kept her eyes fixed on the necklace.

"What's the matter?" Brayden asked, frowning.

Corinna had just picked up the necklace when Averie, pushing Brayden aside, tried to grab it.

"What's going on here?" Brayden stepped in her way, clearly annoyed.

"That's mine." Averie, not giving in, wriggled out of Brayden's grasp.

"Averie," he said, his voice tinged with anger. "It's your sister's."

Suddenly, Averie came back to her senses.

What was she thinking?

She always knew Brayden would look out for Corinna, yet here she was, competing over everything.

Whether it was big things like houses and jewelry or small stuff like clothes and food, if Brayden was around, she'd end up with Corinna's leftovers.

After all, the necklace was Brayden's to begin with. He could give it to whoever he liked.

But in a barely audible voice, she said, "I used to own this."

Looking at Brayden, she added, "But now, it's not worth holding on to."

She cast a sidelong glance at Corinna, who was delicately holding the necklace, and sneered, "Even if I had taken it, I would've thrown it away."

Looking at Brayden out of the corner of her eye, she remarked sarcastically, "Seems like you're the one who treasures junk now."