Chapter 535 Two Paths, One Heart

Avery stood frozen on the training field, gripping his phone tightly. His thumb brushed again and again over the photo case–a picture of the five band members taken backstage at the Grammys last year. In it, Tessa was flashing a peace sign with a bright smile, while he stood beside her, grinning like a fool, his small fangs peeking out.

The words he’d said earlier–cutting ties–were like a thorn lodged in his throat. It stung just thinking about it. He knew he’d acted like a jerk. He only wanted to protect his brothers, but the words that came out had been like a blade, cutting deep.

Would Steven and the others really leave? Would Tessa think he’d lost his mind?

The phone screen dimmed, then lit up again. He opened Tessa’s contact, his finger hovering over the call button, unable to press it. He’d rehearsed his apology a hundred times in his head, but when it came to saying it out loud, all he had left was clumsy regret.

Just as he took a deep breath, ready to make the call, the screen lit up again–with an incoming call.

From Tessa.

Avery jolted, nearly dropping his phone.

He stared at it, making sure it wasn’t his imagination, then frantically swiped to answer, his voice tight. “Hello?”

“What were you doing? Took you long enough.” Tessa’s voice came through the speaker with a hint of a smile. “I just thought of a way for you to keep the corps and return to the band. Wanna hear it?”

rubbed at his

to be said out loud. She’d

is it?” Avery’s breath

really be a

didn’t waste time. She laid out the plan: support an

for a long time–so long she wondered if the signal had dropped. Finally, Avery’s voice came through, thick with

I can really go back to

Tessa teased.

need to double–check the records.” Avery’s voice turned serious. “There’s a guy named Scarface. Fought alongside my dad for ten years. He led the Crimson Valley mission -solid rep, commands respect. Bit blunt, though… I’ll

spoke in a steady stream, his excitement impossible

the two of them worked in perfect

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14:47 Man 14 JU

535 Two

himself in the training grounds and archives of the Coldfang Corps, combing through five years of Scarface’s mission reports. He casually chatted with over a dozen mercenaries who’d served und- him, and the picture became clear: not only had the veteran shown brilliant leadership in the outnumbered victory at Crimson Valley, but he’d also carned a quiet reputation among the ranks as

energy crystals–each with an 80% purity rating. More

plan was beginning to take shape, the day of Ysabel’s album launch

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