Janetta's bedroom is on the second floor. She stops crying as soon as a maid gives her the news that she can wear a gown to the party, but her face is tear-streaked and swollen. Vanessa looks righteously angry on her sister's behalf. She opens Janetta's closet and selects a light yellow evening dress.

"I think that cow did it on purpose," Vanessa says, "She knew that Evan would fly into a rage. She should've told you before giving you the dress. She must have withheld information on purpose so Evan would get mad at you. I wouldn't trust her if I were you. Just because Evan has changed his mind doesn't mean she's not trying to make things worse."

"That bitch is deliberate," Janetta hisses, "Evan said I was beautiful one moment before, but then, I swear his look changed upon seeing the dress."

"Did he?" Vanessa asks, "You know a man only compliments a lady on her appearance for one reason."

"What's that?" Janetta asks.

"He wants something to happen between them."

Janetta's eyes seem to soften and shine. She shakes her head shyly.

"If he wanted something to happen, he wouldn't have hit me," she says sadly.

"Maybe he's upset that you wore something he designed without asking," Vanessa says, "Or maybe he didn't like that you reminded him of Avery by wearing her clothes. I'm sure that if it weren't for that, he'd have made fierce love to you already. After all, it's normal for men to have a wife at home and a mistress elsewhere. And Evan is such a wealthy man."

Janetta nods: Vanessa's analysis seems to have merit. She doesn't know that Vanessa is purposely trying to fuel her hatred of Avery. Janetta jumps to her feet in anger and clenches her hands into fists.

"I'm going to get that bitch!" she shouts.

Before she can move, a firm hand pushes her shoulder, forcing her to sit back down.

"Men don't like rough women," Vanessa cautions, "I know you're angry, but if you try to take your revenge on Avery in front of Evan, it probably won't end well for you."

Janetta feels as if her sister has just poured cold water on her rage. She crosses her legs and purses her lips in frustration.

"Vanessa, I can't let it go as nothing happened!" she protests.

"You have to," Katherine says as she enters the room, wearing a loose evening dress and a full face of makeup, "You already proved useless at seducing Evan. Besides, I've sent the photos to a reliable source; now all we have to do is sit back and wait. Be good and don't cause any troubles."

"Mom, what if Evan finds out that you leaked the photos?" Janetta asks.

"Rest assured, the plan is airtight," Katherine says, "No one will find out."

During their intense lovemaking, Avery loses the strength to stand. She clings to Evan's neck, forcing him to support her pleasure-weakened body. Suddenly, Avery pushes Evan as hard as she can to make him pull away, but he's too lost in the moment to notice.

"Stop," Avery shouts, "Not in me!"

"It's too late," Evan said with a smug smile, pulling away from her unwillingly.

Avery rushes to the bathroom in a panic. She regrets forgetting the contraceptive pills at the hotel, and wonders if washing herself can help prevent a possible pregnancy.

A strong hand shuts the door she's about to open. Evan lowers his head and begins to leave as many hickeys on Avery's neck as he can. She wonders if he's doing this as some sort of punishment or if he's simply being possessive.

"Don't shower!" he commands.

Avery feels the hickeys forming on her neck. She doesn't have to see her skin to imagine what it must look like.

"I'm sweaty and smelly," she complains, "Do you want me to go out like this?"

Her words seem to hit a nerve.

"What smell?" Evan asks, "Are you afraid Andrew might catch my smell on your body?"

"That's enough!" Avery snaps, stepping on his shoe, "Let go of me!"

She wishes she could flush him down the toilet. Evan releases her slowly and reluctantly. He doesn't want to force her, but he wants to take her again—her smell is intoxicating.

Avery pushes the bathroom door open and then closes it swiftly in case Evan changes his mind. She leans against the door and takes a long breath. Then she takes off her dress. The smell is not that noticeable, but it's still there. Avery takes another breath and smells blood. She frowns and steps into the shower. She turns the dial, but no water comes out. She tries again and then tries to turn on the overhead rain function. Not a single drop of water emerges.

"Evan Howel!" Avery screams.

She puts on a bathrobe and slams the door open. A cool, fresh breeze reaches her, but it does nothing to calm her fiery temper.

"Try dear husband next time," Evan suggests dryly.

Evan is sitting on the sofa with the smug look of someone who has just thoroughly enjoyed sex. He's holding a clear crystal glass and swirling a pale white wine.

"Did you do it?" Avery demands.

She knows Evan too well. The knowledge that Evan had the water turned off just to spite her makes her want to slap him across the face. Instead, she clutches the collar of her robe more tightly.

"Did I do what?" Evan asks.

He leans forward and puts the glass down.

"There's no water in the bathroom," Avery says.

"Ahh yes, the Peters' house is temporarily cut off," Evan says casually.

The casual tone angers and frightens Avery. She's sticky and can smell him on her skin. Dark hickeys blot her neck and body, deliberately placed by Evan.

"Are you out of your mind?" Avery asks, peaking at a wet tissue on the table.

Evan spots her gaze and throws the tissue away before Avery can even try to grab it.

"I'm losing my mind for you, can't you see?" Evan said.

He grabs her and holds her in his arms, burying his face in her neck.

"You have to get this close to smell me," he whispers thickly, "Do you want to let other men get this close?"

Avery can't hear everything he says, but his intensity makes her dizzy. She reminds herself that he just denied her the right to shower to force her to become pregnant and she slaps him soundly across the face. Evan tastes blood, but he licks his lips in a flirtatious way. He gently grabs Avery's jaw and gazes intently into her eyes.

"If you slap me one more time, it means you want to make love with me again," he says.

Avery slaps the hand on her chin.

"Twice means you're in for a hot night," he says with a chuckle, "We can start now or you can owe me later."

"Tell them to turn the water back again," Avery insists, trying to remove the hand that Evan has snakes around her waist.

"Do you want to know what three slaps mean?" Evan asks.

"No!" Avery hisses, "According to your perverted understanding, three slaps can only be worse."

His smell is driving her mad. She just wants to take a shower and get it off her body. She wants to hit him, but she doesn't want to play his stupid game. She squirms in his arms and glares up at him.

Evan stills her and stares into her eyes. His eyes are as deep as the sea as he looks at her, and she finds it impossible to look away. Suddenly his face changes and he smiles.

"If you slap me three times it means you love me."