"U…un…" Avery was stunned.
Was their marriage finally going to be official? She had been living with Don for more than a month now since her father released her to him, but they had yet to solemnize their union.
"Or... Aren't you willing to marry me?"
"Sure, I am," Avery quickly replied.
How could she not marry a man as loving and kind as Don, anyway? He was the kind of man many ladies in West Coast prayed to have for a husband.
Besides his good looks and loving attributes, he was rich. Just looking at him made her blush, and her heart beat faster.
Avery was glad that she'd be getting married to the man who had helped her regain her life!
As time went on, Avery became a popular face on TV stations and at VIP events in West Coast. She was now a member of the Belle Spirale Group, so she was the talk of the town as one of the most famous personalities in West Coast.
Many companies couldn't advertise their brand without using her pictures.
One cool afternoon, Avery was on her way from a show when she heard the buzzing sound of her phone.
"Hello, Miss Avery. Mr Torres requests to see you this weekend, as it's something very important. Please, make time to see him," a male voice was heard at the other end of the phone. It was a familiar voice, the voice of her father's assistant.
"Nonsense!" Avery hissed as she dropped the call. Who on earth would want to see a monster who posed as a father? Even if he was at the point of death, she wasn't interested in seeing him!
Later that evening, Avery informed Don about the call from her father's assistant and Don told her, "Avery, I want you to go and see him. Let's find out why he called for you. I promise to accompany you, so there's nothing to fear," Don told Avery.
That same weekend, Avery and Don finally arrived at the Torres executive mansion.
Mr Torres had called for Avery when he discovered how famous and influential she had now become in West Coast.
Despite Avery's absence for more than a month, none of the Torres family had shown interest in her or how she fared.
But now that she was not only well but had also become a popular figure in West Coast, her family members were eager to see her. She was welcomed into the Torres magnificent mansion like a queen!
"Here comes the celebrity of West Coast!" Mrs Torres announced as she rushed over to hug Avery, bewildered by her new ability to see and walk.
Avery was also surprised to see her mother hug and smile at her. This was the same woman who referred to her as a bastard. Her mother had not hugged or shown her any love and affection in five years!
"I'm so proud of you, Avery," Hillary's voice resounded from behind as he approached her.
"You're so pretty," he added while admiring Avery's beautiful legs. Avery frowned at her wicked father, wondering why he had demanded her presence. He wasn't even sick, so why did he call for her? However, she decided to be patient to see the reason behind all this drama!
No one bothered to ask how Avery could see and walk again. They were only excited about the person she had now become.
Moreover, neither Hillary nor Alice noticed Don standing behind Avery; instead, they were both captivated by Avery's new look.
"Good day, Mr and Mrs Torres," Don greeted.
Mr and Mrs Torres immediately shifted their gazes to look at Don.
"And who is this?" Alice frowned, while Hillary stared at him disdainfully.
"That's my husband, Edward Simon. Have you forgotten so soon?" Avery frowned in irritation.
With Avery's new persona, Mr and Mrs Torres had other plans in mind. They planned to marry Avery to a rich and famous young man instead of a poor and wretched individual like Don, who lacked even the slightest fame!
All that the Torres family thought of Don was that he was poor and miserable, and he sought to make a name for himself through their family wealth and influence!
"I've never acknowledged a low-life like him as my son-in-law, so how could you even call him your husband?" Hillary growled.
Avery furrowed her brows in anger at her father's provocative words.
"Edward and I would be getting married anytime soon. You chose him for me over a month ago... Have you forgotten so soon!" Avery yelled.
"Avery, are you so dumb to understand your father?! Can't you see that the man you claim to be soon married to, is nothing but trash! He's a useless low-life, and he can never be a part of this family! Alice snapped.
Almost immediately, Jones and Avina walked into the living room. They gaped in shock upon seeing Avery's new look. Having previously seen Avery on TV, they now could witness her real beauty in person.
"Wow! Avery you're such a beauty now."
"How were you able to achieve this?"
"This is awesome!" They muttered in disbelief.
"Now that you're like this, you and Matt Forte would make a good match. I see you getting married to him soon!" Jones said.
Matt Forte was the son of Cena Region's Premier.
The Torres family was nothing compared to the Forte family in wealth! The Forte family possessed everything from wealth to fame!
However, Devin Forte, Matt's father, never maintained a clean record as Cena Region's Premier.
With Avery's newfound ability to see and walk, she seemed like the perfect match for Matt Forte, who had an eye for beautiful ladies.
"Never! I'll do no such thing. Edward is my fiance," Avery clenched her fists in anger at her brother's statement.
"How could you even call a pathetic loser like this your fiance?" Jones sneered disdainfully.
"Never you call him a loser!" Avery glared at her brother. Then she shifted her gaze to Don. She couldn't stand him being taunted any longer, so she tried to apologize to him.
"I'm sorry, Edward."
Don shrugged. He didn't seem to be bothered by Avery's family's taunts. It was only a matter of time before he would put them where they truly belonged!
Every member of the Torres family was irritated by Avery's affection towards Don. All they were saying didn't seem to make any sense to her!
Hillary stood up from his seat with a scowl on his face.
"Avery, not in my lifetime would you get married to this bastard! There are many wealthy bachelors in Grand City who would like to marry you, and one of them is Matt Forte..."
"No! Never will I marry anyone else, except Edward. He made me what I am today. You all neglected me, but he took me up! How can I even call you my father?! You maltreated me! Made me blind and crippled, and pushed me out of this house like a piece of trash! And now you try to lord your will on me! That's a joke!"
"Don't be stupid!" Alice yelled, slapping Avery across her face. Avery's face was flushed red with anger. How could her wicked Mum slap her for telling the truth? Alice was just the same as her father, and Avery hated her with a passion!
"Mr and Mrs Torres, Avery already has a fiance, and that's me! We'll be getting married anytime soon," Don declared boldly.
"What rubbish?" Jones sneered. "You're nothing but a heap of dung... How can a useless jerk like yourself take care of a beauty like Avery? You're a nobody and you don't belong to her league!"
Hillary decided to make things more difficult for Don, believing that he would give up.
"Gold-digger! If you insist on getting married to Avery, then you must make sure that the Torres family company, Eastel Holdings, is allowed to collaborate with Exorus Empire for their upcoming CSR project happening in a few weeks!"
At Hillary's condition, Jones and Avina exchanged glances. To them, there was no way in the world Don would help their family's company gain collaboration with the famous and well-renowned Exorus Empire!
Exorus Empire, a subsidiary of the renowned global company, The Bullions, stood out as one of the most famous and profitable business enterprises in Grand City.
Exorus Empire was one of the champs in Grand City's business industry.
Although Grand City was known for its talents, Exorus Empire stood as a constant and honourable presence.
Since Hillary was no longer the Chairman of the Human Rights Advocacy Group in Cena Region, and he had been barred from participating in West Coast politics for five years, he was desperate to regain his prestige and dignity back by any means!
If the Torres family company were to collaborate with the renowned Exorus Empire and participate in their upcoming mega CSR project, Hillary believed that he could regain the honour and prestige he had lost among the people of Cena Region.
This, in turn, would enhance his fame. Through his connections, the five-year bar would be lifted, making him eligible to contest in a higher position, such as the Premier of Cena Region.
"Aside from you getting married to Avery, I promise you ten million dollars if you achieve this!" Hillary said.