Billionaire Defiant Wife

Chapter 84: Husband and Wife

Robert Tinder cautiously takes the divorce agreement. He's perplexed by the situation. For years he watched Avery pine after Evan, but now it seems that the tables have turned. Evan suffers terribly and Avery, oblivious or indifferent to the pain she causes, ignores and rejects him. Robert watches as Avery walks from the room and he sighs heavily.

"Why has Mrs. Howel changed so much in such a short period?" Robert wonders, "And what will Mr. Francis Howel do if he finds out?"

Avery exits the villa and sees a small jet waiting on the front lawn. The thorn flower on the fuselage makes it clear that the jet belongs to the Howels' fleet. With a casual glance, she looks back at the villa and sees the same thorn flower embedded in the wall. She frowns and wonders who kidnapped her. She was convinced it was Leonie, but now she's not so sure.

"Leonie wouldn't dare to take me to the Howel villa on her ownor would she?" Avery wonders, "Did she have help from Mrs. Florence Howel? Or is she just that bold? Whatever happened, I have to deal with Leonie for another six months. I need to be on my guard."

Avery walks fast. There are two rows of bodyguards standing under the plane. Avery climbs into the large cabin. It looks like the presidential suite of a first-class hotelluxurious but tasteful.

Evan Howel sits gracefully in a shell-shaped chair, reading the news on his iPad. He doesn't even look up as Avery enters the cabin. She sits in a chair across the aisle from him and fastens her seatbelt. She wants to take out her phone, but she recalls that she's unable to send messages to Charles. Right now, he's the only person she wants to talk to.

She glances across the aisle at Evan and sees that he's still looking at his iPad, but his eyes are unfocused. Robert appears at his elbow, carrying a tray.

"Mr. Howel, please take the vitamins," Robert says.

"Take it away," Evan growls.

"Doctor Walters says you need to take them," Robert says patiently, "He says you're at risk for pneumonia. Moreover, he wanted me to remind you that you have to be especially careful as arrhythmia runs in your family."

"Go away," Evan says.

Robert hesitates. He doesn't want to anger his boss, but he also knows he can't afford to risk his health.

"Mrs. Howel," Robert says, turning to Avery with a meaningful look.

He knows that Avery is gifted at persuading Evan to do things. Avery looks at him and takes the tray.

"Has Mr. Howel had breakfast yet?" she asks.

"No, he hasn't," Robert admits.

Robert tried to bring his boss a bowl of porridge, but Evan refused to touch it. Robert suspects that the divorce agreement has spoiled Evan's appetite.

"Well how can you expect him to take anything when he hasn't even had breakfast," Avery says, passing the tray back to Robert, "Is there anything to eat on this plane?"

A bodyguard checks the kitchen and reports that it's mostly desserts and wine. Avery sighs and walks to the kitchen. She asks Robert to order the pilot to avoid turbulence and keep the altitude even so she can safely cook.

She finds half a loaf of bread and puts two slices into the toaster. Then she finds a hot plate and a pan and begins to heat the oil so she can fry an egg. As she cooks, she wonders and worries about Charles and her nanny.

"Did Evan catch them? Are they okay?" she frets.

She looks at Evan sitting calmly in the shell chair. Once upon a time, he would have come up behind her, wrapped his arms around her waist, and nibbled her earlobe. Now, he sits quietly.

She knows him, and she knows that silence signifies anger. The longer he remains quiet, the angrier he is. She assumes he's angry about the divorce, and she hopes that the breakfast will console and comfort him. She hopes they can peacefully coexist for the next six months, but she knows it's unlikely he'll let go of his rage.

The breakfast sandwich is almost done so she heats some milk in a pot. She puts the plate and a cup on a tray and carries it to Evan. He stares at her coldly, as if warning her not to approach. Avery ignores the ice in his eyes and places the tray in front of him.

"You scorn me and then you comfort me?" he asks coldly, "Since we're divorcing, my health is no longer any of your business."

Avery wants to slap him, but she forces herself to remain calm. There's no use getting angry with him. She takes the mug and blows gently to cool the hot milk. The milk is as white as the clothes she wears, and she's pulled her long hair into a side ponytail. She looks enchanting as she blows gently on the milk. 

Evan suddenly grips his iPad more tightly. Then he reaches out his hand and knocks the sandwich to the floor.

"It's none of your business," he growls.

Avery glances at the sandwich.

"I should have known he'd be like this," she thinks, "He must blame me for ruining his chances with Diana. The next six months are going to be long and terrible."

Her eyes string from the heat of the steam. She gently extends her arm and offers him the mug.

"Drink it while it's still warm. When it cools it won't be good for your stomach," she says.

"It's none of your business," he says again.

"We were husband and wife, can you please find a way to control your anger?" Avery asks. 

She's still offering him the milk, but he refuses to take it.

"We were husband and wife," Evan says with emphasis.

He raises his hand and knocks the cup from her hand. The milk splashes a scarlet cashmere blanket.

"Technically, we're still husband and wife for the next six months," Avery says, "You said so yourself."

Evan grabs the medicine and gulps it down.

"You practically want me dead," Evan scowls, "Why are you feigning such concern for my health now? What game are you playing?"

She looks at Evan and he glares back at her. His eyes are fiery as if he wants to burn her to ash with his gaze.

"Are you unhappy about the divorce?" she asks quietly.

"Of course not," Evan scowls, "I'm happy with it."

Avery doesn't know how to respond. If she's honest with herself, she realizes that she's not happy. Evan smiles scornfully.

Suddenly the plane dives violently. Vases, cups, and magazines fall from the table and scatter across the ground. The glass and china shatter. Robert and some of the bodyguards have grabbed seatbacks and safety bars. Those without seatbelts or something to hold onto is thrown violently to the ground. Avery desperately reaches for the table, but she's thrown sideways against the wall.