Chapter 139
When His Eyes Opened
âAvery, Iâm going to get some groceries. Get some rest if youâre tired,â Laura said.
Avery opened up their suitcases and took out their belongings one by one.
âBe careful out there, Mom. Iâm not tired, so Iâll start unpacking our stuff.â
âOkay, Iâll head out now.â
Once Laura was gone, the house instantly fell into a calm silence.
Avery quickly finished unpacking, then got up and checked on the kids.
Layla was still fast asleep while Hayden lay next to her with his eyes shut.
When Avery left the room, she sighed as a hint of sadness washed over her face.
Hayden was a healthy child, but he was different from other kids.
He was a quiet boy that refused to speak to strangers.
He was already four years old, but he had never gone to school.
Avery had taken him for countless physical examinations.
Every single checkup came out normal, with the exception of his cerebral cortex being much more
developed than the average person.
Haydenâs problem was psychological.
However, even the psychiatrists they visited could not solve his issues.
It was a good thing that Layla was fine.
She might not enjoy talking to strangers, but she was at least capable of expression.
Averyâs phone suddenly began to ring.
She picked it up and answered the call.
âHave you found a place to stay, Avery?â
On the other side of the line was Professor Houghâs assistant, Wesley Brook.
âWe did. Hayden and Layla are asleep, and my momâs out getting groceries,â Avery replied.â When are
you coming back? We should meet up when you do.â .
âIâll come see you when I get back,â Wesley said, then his tone turned solemn as he continued, âThereâs
something I need to tell you. About five years ago, Elliot Foster commissioned the professor to do
something for him. It was a top secret matter that the professor didnât even reveal to me. About three
days ago, Elliot Foster started gathering information on Professor
Houghâs students.â
âWhat is he looking for?â Avery wondered.
âWhen the police were investigating Professor Houghâs death, they found a recording of his last phone
conversation with Elliot Foster. During that call, the professor told him that he would pass the case on to
a student of his, but he died before he could mention a name. Iâm guessing⦠Youâre the student that
Professor Hough was talking about.â
Avery was taken aback.
âThereâs no way Iâll be able to figure out something that the professor didnât manage to solve after five
years.â
âNo one else is more qualified than you are. Professor Hough told me once that your abilities have
already surpassed hisâ¦â Wesley paused briefly, then continued, âI know youâre trying to avoid Elliot
Foster, so I didnât include your name in the list of the professorâs students. I only gave him a list of
students who became doctors after they had graduated. Nobody knows that you stayed on at the
professorâs lab once you had graduated. Thereâs no way heâll be able to find out.â
âThank you, Wesley!â Avery said as she let out a sigh of relief. âDrinks are on me when you get back!â
Her children were her top priority.
For the sake of their safety, she did not want to have any contact with Elliot.
âDonât mention it. Youâre in the same city as him now, so you need to be extra cautious.â
At 9 p.m. that night, Hayden and Layla lay in bed in matching pajamas.
The warm glimmer of the lamp on their nightstand twinkled in their bright, wide eyes.
âDid you find out who our dad is, Hayden?â asked Layla.
Haydenâs face was stern as he answered, âCole Foster.â
âHuh? Is that his name?â Layla asked excitedly as she grabbed ahold of her brotherâs arm.â How did you
find out? What does he look like?â
Haydenâs brows furrowed, his cool expression was the spitting image of Elliot.
He got out of bed, and Layla followed right behind him.
Hayden opened up a photo on his laptop and showed it to Layla.
âThatâs Cole Foster. Thatâs our father.â
He had hacked into Avonsville Hospitalâs system that afternoon and found Averyâs medical records from
four years ago. Her maternal health file at the time stated that the father of the children was Cole Foster.