It wasn''t that Britney didn''t want to smile-she simply couldn''t.


    She had spent the entire day by the river, nning to end her life after midnight. She hadn''t expected Gavin to walk toward her.


    The Yates family was kind to her, weing her with genuine warmth.


    Britney forced a smile and raised her ss. "Merry Christmas!"


    After finishing one ss, she poured herself another and drained it, then immediately reached for >


    Jacqueline caught sight of this and quickly shot Gavin a meaningful look.


    Gavin understood and took the ss from her hands. "Don''t just drink. Eat something."


    Britney lowered her eyes and finally picked up her fork.


    1. d.


    After Christmas dinner, everyone went to the back garden to set off fireworks.


    Cameron and Amelia were both delighted.


    Jacqueline noticed Britney''sck of enthusiasm and called Gavin aside. "Gavin, why don''t you take Ms.


    Watson to rest? She looks exhausted."


    Gavin led Britney back to the guest room.


    Amelia and Cameron had plenty of clothes with tags still on them. Gavin had someone bring a set for Britney to use as pajamas. He carefully showed her where to find the toiletries.


    Britney watched him in silence.


    "Ms. Watson, get some rest. Merry Christmas," Gavin said.


    "Gavin!" He turned to leave, but Britney grabbed the corner of his shirt.


    Gavin looked down at her hand, clutching his shirt. "Ms. Watson, is there something else you need?"


    Britney looked up, meeting his questioning gaze. Her eyes were bloodshot as she stared at him with an intensity that made his skin crawl. There was something final in her expression, something that unsettled him.


    "Are you single?" Britney asked.


    Gavin paused, then nodded honestly. "Yes, I''m single. You-"


    Before he could finish, Britney suddenly stood on her toes, hooked her arms around his neck, and pressed her lips against his.


    Gavin''s eyes widened inplete shock. He stared at Britney''s face just inches from his own, watching a tear slide down her cheek. After a few seconds, he pushed Britney away.


    "Ms. Watson, what are you doing?" Gavin wiped his lips with the back of his hand. Britney grabbed his shirt, her eyes red and swollen. "Don''t reject me."


    Without waiting for an answer, she kissed him again.


    A month ago, her parents died in an ident. She became an orphan overnight.


    She nearly couldn''t handle it. The grief almost broke herpletely.


    Her boyfriend and best friend stayed by her side through everything. Slowly, she began to heal from the pain. But this morning, she walked in on her best friend and boyfriend together.


    The two people she trusted most in this world had both betrayed her.


    Her boyfriend said, "Britney, you''re so full of yourself. Saving yourself for our wedding night? What century are you living in? If you won''t sleep with me, plenty of other girls will."


    Her world copsed in that moment.


    That was his reason for betraying her. Three years together, and this was why he threw it all away.


    After three years together, he betrayed her over this one thing.


    Britney felt her world crumble. She walked to the river, ready to end everything. Nothing in this world mattered to her anymore.


    Then Gavin appeared, and a desperate idea struck her. What she had treasured


    so deeply wasn''t worthless after all. In her pain, she wanted to give herself to aplete stranger.


    She grabbed Gavin''s hand, her grip filled with resolve.


    Gavin didn''t expect her to kiss him again. He was a man. of course, he felt something. But he stayed in


    cor