My wife Leave 25

Chapter 25 

Chapter 25 

AVERY’S POV: 

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As I rested my head on the couch, trying to settle into a comfortable position, my body begged for sleep. But my mind wouldn’t relent. My thoughts were like a swarm of bees, buzzing with unease. Why couldn’t I relax? This woman had been nothing but kind to me, yet the heaviness in my chest lingered. 

I sat upright, my heart thudding against my ribs. Where was she? And why did I feel so on edge? Maybe I was being irrational, letting my paranoia get the best of me. But the tattoo on my back gnawed at my thoughts. It had haunted me ever since I noticed it in the hospital. Could I check it here? 

I shook my head. “Calm down, Avery. Not everything is a conspiracy.” 

Still, I couldn’t ignore the tension crawling up my spine. Rising to my feet, I moved toward the door. My hand hesitated on the knob for a moment before ! cracked it open just enough to peek outside. 

There she was, standing on the porch, cigarette in hand. Smoke curled lazily around her as she stared into the distance, lost in thought. She didn’t notice me, her posture stiff but unthreatening. It didn’t seem like she was making a call, at least not anymore. 

I exhaled slowly, my grip on the door loosening. Gently, I closed it again, my heart settling just a bit. 

Back on the couch, I tried to let myself believe everything was fine. Maybe I was overthinking. This woman had no reason to harm me–she didn’t even know me. But that nagging voice in the back of my mind kept whispering that I couldn’t trust anyone. 

I grabbed the remote, deciding to distract myself. I hadn’t turned on a TV in what felt like a lifetime. I was so out of touch with the world that I didn’t even know what day it was. 

Flipping through channels, I landed on the news. A reporter was speaking, her voice crisp and emotionless, as images of bustling city streets and breaking headlines flashed across the screen. I leaned back slightly and continued watching. 

police continue their search for the fugitive Avery Blackwood, who escaped from a maximum–security hospital just two days ago. Mrs. Blackwood is believed to be armed and dangerous. Anyone with information on her whereabouts is urged to contact authorities immediately…” 

My body froze, the air catching in my lungs. 

The screen displayed my picture, the same one from my mugshot, complete with lifeless eyes and disheveled hair. They intentionally chose the worst picture of me and presented it in a deliberate attempt to portray me in the most unflattering light possible. 

A deep pit opened in my stomach. 

The news anchor continued, “Mrs. Blackwood, formerly the wife of Chase Grayson, is also wanted for questioning regarding an ongoing investigation…” 

I dropped the remote, my hands trembling. The woman outside hadn’t turned off the TV because she was being polite. She hadn’t wanted me to see this. 

I took the remote again and flipped to another channel, and this time, the ongoing news mocked me like a cruel joke waiting to break me, This time, I was faced with now addressed as Mrs. Astrid Grayson, the new CEO of Thorne Enterprises, flanked by Chase Grayson on one side and Lyra Russell–my mother on the other. They looked every bit the perfect, untouchable family. Chase had taken over the Grayson company, too, because of course he had. The man I once–loved now stood beside my sister. 

ま 

リミルミル 

Lyra’s smile was radiant, pride etched into every line of her face as she gazed at Astrid like she was the sun itself. My chest ached, a relentless pain that felt like betrayal all over again. They’d moved on without me, erasing me as if I’d never been part of their lives. 

The reporter turned to Lyra with a question. “What do you have to say about your daughter’s situation, Axel Russell whom I hear is now Mrs. Blackwood?” 

I leaned forward, my breath caught in my throat. What situation were they talking about? My life had been one disaster after another, so pinpointing which disaster they meant was like throwing a dart at a board. 

Lyra adjusted her designer sunglasses, hér 

gleaming with a frosty intensity. Her voice dropped to a glacial tone, as if she were discussing a convicted 

felon rather than her own flesh and blood – her daughter. 

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Chapter 25 

“Avery has been nothing but an embarrassment to this family. From committing crimes that nearly destroyed her husband to becoming a fugitive with a two–million–dollar bounty on her head. She’s wanted for killing two police officers and stealing ten million dollars from her husband, Axel Blackwood.” 

My heart stopped. The lies flowed so easily from her mouth that they sounded like the truth. 

Lyra wasn’t finished. “She’s a danger to anyone foolish enough to accept her. Look at Axel. Despite her record, he still fell for her, and now he’s paying the price. We’ve severed all ties with Avery, and we hope the authorities apprehend her soon and bring her to justice.” 

My body began to shake as I flipped the channel to another one. I already knew what this meant if my own family was in on it. 

Another news anchor appeared, this time flanked by a police officer. He held a press conference, his face grim. “Avery Blackwood is not only a thief and a murderer, but also mentally unstable due to excessive drug use. She is a threat to public safety, and anyone who sees her should report her immediately. A two–million–dollar bounty is available to anyone who provides information leading to her capture.” 

My mugshot flashed across the screen, plastered on every channel. I was a wildfire, a face to be hunted. My hands clenched into fists. They’d fabricated every lie to mask the truth. 

Why would anyone place that amount of money on my head? I wouldn’t even sell myself for that price. 

Panic surged through me as I shot to my feet. I had to leave–now. If I was on the news, then everyone, including the woman who’d saved me, 

was. 

knew who I 

I’d barely made it to the door when the door creaked, and I whipped my head toward it as the woman stepped back inside, her cigarette extinguished. Her smile kind but her eyes calculating. 

Every nerve in my body screamed at me to run, but my legs felt like lead. The walls of the small apartment suddenly felt too close, the air too thick. I’d been so desperate for refuge that I hadn’t considered what I was walking into. 

“Feeling better?” she asked, her voice casual, but there was a difference in her eyes, like she was measuring me, waiting for something. 

I nodded stiffly, forcing my hands to stay still. “Yes, much better. Thank you.” 

“Food’s on its way,” she said, her gray eyes twitching slightly. She smiled, but it didn’t reach her eyes. “You should rest a bit more until the meal arrives, sweetheart. You’ve been through a lot.” 

I swallowed hard, my mind racing. She had seen the news–she knew who I was. The question was, what would she do with that information? And more importantly, how quickly could I get out of here? 

I forced a smile, masking my panic. “Thank you, but I won’t be staying. I need to leave. You’ve been so kind, and I’ll never forget it.” I moved closer to the door, ready to bolt. 

Her body shifted, blocking the doorway. That kind smile remained, but there was something off about it now longer. It’s dangerous out there.” 

“You shouldn’t rush off, dear. Rest a little 

“I’ll manage,” I said firmly, reaching out to shove her aside. 

“What in the world!” I screamed hoarsely, rage and fear fighting for dominance. “Why would you do this?!” 

Before I could make contact, a cloud of fine white powder hit my face. I staggered back, blinded and choking. My vision blurred, and I fumbled, trying to grab something for balance. 

E 

ME 

= 

A 

Wp 

== 

Th 

Her voice was calm, almost apologetic. “I’m sorry, Inez. This was predestined, Axel is your destiny.” 

“What are you talking about?!” I demanded, but my words felt slurred, my body sluggish. 

Suddenly, the door burst open, slamming against the wall. My vision was still blurry, but through the haze, I saw him–Axel Blackwood. The devil in a suit. The man I’d been running from. 

Terror gripped me as I tried to bolt toward the other end of the room, but before I could take a single step, a sharp pain exploded in my scalp. My hair was 

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Chapter 25 

yanked, and I was twisted around to face him. 

“You’ve been a free bird far too long,” he hissed, his dark eyes burning with fury. “And look where it’s gotten you–causing me so much trouble. Now, you get the cage.” 

With a snap of his fingers, Ryan appeared, dragging in a human–sized cage made of thick, black metal bars. The cage was reinforced, its edges sharp and cold. 

Avel’s grip on my hair tightened as he dragged me toward the cage, ignoring my nails clawing at his hand. The pain was excruciating, but it didn’t slow him down. 

“Let go of me!” I screamed, my voice raw as I thrashed against him. 

But he didn’t stop. He flung open the cage door and shoved me inside, locking it with a heavy, resounding clang. 

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