He started trying to distract her into something else. And in no time he succeeded. She had fallen asleep with her arms wrapped around his neck. He spent another hour in the gallery and then came inside. Without breaking the hug, he lay on the bed on his back. His hand was still rubbing her back as before...

....

Avery opened her eyes. Alex was not by her side. She put her foot on the floor and went to the washroom. After finishing her morning routine, she came out of the washroom wearing a robe and went into the closet. She wore a light sky blue long top paired with white leggings. After doing her hair in front of the large mirror, she came out of the room and went downstairs. 

She reached the dining room and when she saw Max she halted her steps. She did not want to be embarrassed by Max's teasing again. She turned her heel and started walking back. But before she could put a step on stairs someone grabbed her wrist and pulled her towards the hard chest. She looked up when her body hit that hard chest. 

Her husband's blue eyes were staring at her sharply. She swallowed her saliva because of his sharp gaze. "Where are you going?" he asked narrowing his eyes. 

"I...wa..was.. back....t..to.. room.... "she shuttered her words. Because now, even though between the two of them had all the settle down, still she was afraid of his anger. Ever since she had married him, she had seen different forms of his anger. 

He only needed a sharp gaze to run a shiver down in her spine. And on another hand she had no idea when his anger would reach the seventh cloud, so she was a little uneasy around him.

He took her hand in his and interlocked their fingers. "Why is your hand cold and sweaty?"

" Because you are scaring me." She uttered without thinking. 

"What?" Frown formed on his forehead. 

"Nothing... Nothing...." and she tilted her head down. Seeing her like that. he signed and place his index finger under her chin. He turned her face upwards so he can saw every expression on her beautiful face. 

"Ave, I know I'm a short-tempered person. But please don't be so afraid of me. My heart aches whenever I see fear for me in your eyes." He put his hand on her cheek and began to rub her lower lip with his thumb.

"Ave, You are my wife. Only you have the all rights on me. I am doing everything just for you! Everything I have is yours! You don't need to ask for anything. In future, If I am angry with you, just beat me. I will love your beat." 

"But Alex, Whenever you are angry you never listen to me."

"I know and that's a fact I am trying to change."

"Really?" Her eyes sparked.

"Yes, My little wife. But you promise me that you will not hide anything from me. And you have to tell me before going anywhere. If I say no, you will not argue me."

"OK! I will." She nodded her head.

"Now let's go. All are waiting for you." He was about to take her but suddenly she put her hand on his chest and stopped him on spot. "I do not want to go." She started playing with the buttons of his shirt. 

"But why?"

"Brother will tease me. And I have to be embarrassed in front of everyone." Hearing her answer, Alex couldn't stop himself and started laughing. Seeing him laughing, she pouted. And cursed him.

And she pinched his neck. "Ahh... You little brat. You're becoming too naughty."

" I'm not. You are laughing at me so I just pinched you."

"Okay, Madam forgive this servant and come for breakfast now because Max will not annoy you."

"Well, you are insisting so much that's why I am coming." She rolled her eyes. 

Alex put one hand on her waist and led her to the dining room. 

"Good morning!" Avery greeted everyone after arriving in the dining room and sat down beside Alex's.

"Good morning!" Everyone greeted her back.

They all started having breakfast. When Avery looked at Noah and Emily, Noah was feeding Emily. Emily had a sweet smile on her lips and a look of satisfaction on the face. Seeing the love between the two of them, the tip of Avery's lips went up and a beautiful smile formed on her lips. 

"Do you want me to feed you?" Alex whispered in her ear and placed a fruit bowl in front of her. She shook her head and began to eat. 

Noah and Emily were normal just like yesterday but that was not same for Max and Raina. 

Raina's body was there but her soul was not there. Max was just staring at her. There was a concern for her in his eyes. Seeing her like that, it was clear to Avery that her friend didn't want to eat anything. 

She didn't stay and finally, she asked. "What happened Raina?"

"Nothing!" Raina answered her without looking at her.

Before Avery asked her anything again she got up from her chair. "I don't want to eat anything." And with that, she left. After she left, Max also got up from his seat and turned his heel to go after her. 

Alex asked him before he stepped out of the dining room. "Is she still upset?" 

"No." 

"Then Why is she behaving like this? Why isn't her mood good?"

"Because she had nightmares." With that, Max left. But that was enough answer for Alex. He understood the situation.

.....

Raina was standing in the garden outside the mansion. Both her hands were on her side. There were tears in her eyes. She was sobbing very hard. "Why I still can't forget that incident. Why can't I sleep peacefully at night without a pill? What would happen if Max found out about that? God, I can't even think about." She put both her hands on her face.