Dallas said, "I'll go to the inner room." With that, he walked back to the bedroom in large strides, not forgetting to take his shoes with him.
Watching his lonely figure, Averi felt guilty but could not stop him. The timing and location were wrong, and she knew her mother too well. If Teagan saw him, she would certainly frown and say, "We need to talk about family matters, please excuse us," which would make the situation even more awkward.
The bedroom door closed quietly, Averi pursed her lips and unlocked the door.
Teagan shot her a brief look. "Been at the door for ages?"
Averi replied, "I was in the bathroom just now."
Teagan wore a dark green silk dress; as she bent down to remove her shoes, the folds shimmered with a lake-like luster.
Teagan had always known about this place but came here for the first time today. Looking around, she spotted a photo of mother and daughter on a shelf, finally showing a hint of a smile. She stepped forward to pick up the frame and looked at it, "It feels like it was just yesterday. I remember that day, your heel got stuck in the lawn, and when you pulled it out, a clod of earth flew out and landed on my shoe, impossible to clean off."
Averi followed her, smiling without responding, knowing that Teagan had definitely not come to reconnect emotionally.
Sure enough, Teagan put down the frame, her warm gaze fading, replaced by a scrutinizing look, "Averi, what have you been up to lately? What's with all the messy stuff online?"
Averi laughed it off, "I didn't expect paparazzi to sneak photos of me. As for Mareli, I don't feel right getting involved with Dad's affairs."
Teagan sneered, "Averi, you're underestimating your mother by saying that."
... you, AveriTeagan settled herself comfortably on the sofa and said, "You've never made a mistake growing up, so how could you suddenly slip up this badly? The paparazzi who never dared to snap you before are now brave enough? Who gave them that confidence? It's you. First, you flitted around like a butterfly, letting your photos fly everywhere, giving them the audacity. And Mareli, I think you intentionally went easy on her.""
"Mom, I—"
"You really think I don't know what she's capable of?" Teagan waved his hand dismissively, refusing to hear her excuses. "With that brain of hers, outsmart you? She'd have better luck being born again."
Averi refused to relent, "Mom, that was all Dad's idea."
Teagan studied her face carefully, her wrinkle-free eyes calm yet imposing, like the depths of a bottomless sea. "So, you're saying you even factored your father into this? Showing off so boldly before was partly to give the paparazzi an opportunity and partly to make your father think you didn't care about him anymore."
"If Eli had done something this reckless, I'd believe it, but you, Averi, you wouldn't." Teagan chuckled softly, with a hint of mockery, though it was unclear who she was mocking.
Averi remained silent, and the air was thick with an indescribable tension and the faint smell of smoke.
Teagan smelled it too. She glanced toward the kitchen and asked, "Do you have a guest?" Her daughter certainly wouldn't be the one cooking.
"Hmm," Averi responded vaguely.
Teagan suddenly realized something, her flawless composure slipping just a little as she looked at Averi, her expression shifting from suspicion to disbelief. "Averi, all of this... is it to make the Hebert family cancel the engagement?"
Who could she possibly invite here and even have them cooking at home? Teagan, with her experience, understood right away.
Averi met Teagan's gaze, neither confirming nor denying.
Teagan was still in shock, unable to believe it for a long time. This was Averi, her most accomplished child; how could she be so blinded by love?
Teagan asked, "Who is it?"
Averi remained silent, and just when Teagan thought she wouldn't answer, she spoke, "Dallas."
"Who?" Teagan's mind raced through a flash of memories, but he couldn't pinpoint anyone like that.
"My former bodyguard."
Once she started speaking, Averi felt a sense of relief wash over her. She steadied her breath and said, "When my Laila caused the car accident, he was the one who saved me. And in Lyria, when the general's mansion was attacked, I was there. I was one vehicle away from a grenade. Later, the driver abandoned us and ran. Jordan and I were running around like headless chickens—Jordan had taken a bullet to her leg and couldn't move. He happened to be nearby, assisting the peacekeeping forces. He found us and brought us back to the camp."
Averi spoke with a calmness as if she were recounting someone else's story. "Mom, if it weren't for him, I wouldn't be sitting here now."
Teagan's lips parted, but no words came out. She hadn't known any of this; since Averi hadn't brought it up, she had simply let it slide. Now, as she thought about it, she felt the weight of her shortcomings as a mother.
After a long silence, Teagan finally sighed and said, "Averi, I understand your feelings. But have you considered this? It's his job. Even if it wasn't you, if it were any other girl, he'd still save them. What he did wasn't for you personally; it was his duty. You mentioned he was on a mission in Lyria, which means that as long as it was someone in need, he would have saved them."
For once, Teagan showed a rare, motherly tenderness, like any ordinary mom.
Averi looked at her and said, "Yes."
Teagan relaxed and started to smile. "You're a smart—"
"Mom, that's exactly why I love him."
The words left her mouth before she even realized it, and Averi was momentarily stunned. The words she couldn't say to Dallas came so easily in front of Teagan.
Seeing Teagan's surprise, Averi curved her lips in a smile that was impossible to read. "Mom, do you think I'd fall for someone who's cold to the world yet tender and devoted only to me?"
Teagan looked puzzled. Wasn't that what love was? Love is like drowning in a sea, but only reaching for one drop.
Averi said, "Anyone, driven by hormones, can temporarily become the perfect lover. That's just an act, or you could say it's the best version of a person. I'm not that romantic; rather than believing in someone's best, I'd rather trust their worst."
Teagan froze, feeling a chill breeze across the back of her head. After thirty years, she finally understood—hadn't Cristopher been putting on an act with her all along?
