Averi's thoughts tangled into a chaotic mess. She couldn't even decide where to start, and as a result, her mind went blank.
How did Odin know?
No, did he really know everything?
If he did, why had he pretended not to know before?
……
Averi still appeared calm, but her breathing was slightly erratic.
Odin noticed it. He turned her by the shoulders to face him, his dark eyes—so much like hers—filled with nothing but focus.
He placed the anal plug aside, holding her hands and said, "I'm sorry, Averi, I didn't mean to go through your things. I accidentally saw them when I came to help you organize your stuff before."
Those words were half-true. He indeed had no intention of prying into her privacy; at the time, he only meant to help her put a short-sleeved T-shirt in the cabinet. Accidentally pulling the wrong drawer, he caught sight of a pile of lingerie.
He felt so flushed that sweat beaded on the tip of his nose, unable to look away.
Averi nodded.
Organizing things?
Wasn't that when she had just moved in?
He had known for four years?
Had he pretended for four years?
Her mind buzzed, turning into a chaotic mess.
She no longer wanted to waste energy explaining; at this point, she only wanted to know why Odin was exposing her now.
Averi looked at him silently, the warmth in her eyes completely gone, replaced only by cold vigilance.
Being looked at like that, Odin felt bitter, restraining the urge to hold her, and comforted her, "Averi, I've never done anything to harm you, have I?"
"If I wanted to threaten you, I could've just told Dad about Eli. There'd be no need to come to you and say all this."
"When I first came to the Forbes family, I couldn't sleep and went to knock on your door in the middle of the night. You let me in and slept with me. Later, you bought picture books and read them to me every night to help me fall asleep. And the fact that I'm allergic to shrimp — only you remember and remind the kitchen every time not to serve me shrimp." He suddenly changed the topic, reminiscing, "Averi, I remember all of this."
A moment of recollection calmed Averi's nerves slightly, even bringing a faint sense of guilt.
Everyone needs an emotional anchor, especially in their younger years. Eli was unruly, so she placed that affection onto Odin, finding a false sense of family in caring for him. And the reason she chose him was that he was the most alone, posing no threat.
Her motives were far from pure, yet he couldn't forget her.
Odin had always been on her side, often covering for her and playing along in their little act.
Odin understood her best, immediately sensing her thoughts: "Averi, the care you've given me has always been genuine, and that's enough."
Averi was momentarily bewildered; she didn't understand what Odin truly wanted to do.
He said, "Averi, Dallas can't stay by your side forever. No matter how reliable he seems now, it's because that's his job; his reliability is something you pay for. I'm not denying the possibility that he might be an upright person, but Averi, haven't we learned enough about how even the gentlest can turn vicious? You were the one who told me never to rely on anyone's kindness."
"He's an outsider." Odin's voice was deep and slow, "Letting an outsider know too much can be very dangerous."
Averi suddenly shivered, a chill running down her spine through her entire body.
Yes, she had said it herself.
When did she start taking it for granted that Dallas would never betray her?
Because of this certainty, she indulged, even indulged deeply.
She had leverage over Dallas, but she couldn't deceive herself: when she got close to him recently, did she really think about that video?
After such a long buildup, Odin took a deep breath and slowly revealed his ultimate intention, "Averi, we are family. I've been watching you all along, I know what you've sacrificed, and no one who hasn't experienced it can understand." He paused for a moment before continuing, "You don't have to suppress or pretend in front of me, because whatever happens, I will be with you. As long as you like it, I'll be there with you."
Averi was immersed in shock for about three or four seconds.
Soon, surprise turned into suspicion; she doubted if she was reading too much into it, perhaps Odin didn't mean it that way at all.
"Odin, you..." Averi lost her ability to speak, managing only a few words before trailing off.
The air was filled with a suffocating silence.
He looked at her with eyes that seemed beyond his years.
A shrill ring startled Averi, causing her to break out in a cold sweat.
First, her phone rang, then Odin's, just a dozen seconds apart.
Taking advantage of his distraction, Averi pulled back her hand and quickly left the cramped kitchen space, turning her back to Odin as she answered the call, "Hello."
The caller spoke rapidly, "Averi, it's bad news, the chairman just fell in his study, he's convulsing and unconscious. He's on his way to the hospital right now."
Averi was shocked, turning to look at Odin. Odin also looked at her, his expression equally serious.
Without time to ask more questions, she hurriedly said, "I'm on my way." The family had their own hospital; if anything happened to Christopher, he would certainly go there.
"Okay."
Hanging up, they exchanged a glance. Odin picked up her coat first, waiting by the door, holding it open for her.
Averi hesitated for a moment before finally moving closer.
They could sort things out later. There were more important matters to consider now.
As they walked, Averi asked, "Did you find out what happened?"
Odin looked at her with concern, furrowing his brows, "I asked a bit more, and the servant said Father fell while Eli was in the study."
Eli?
Her temples throbbed, and Averi's headache began.
