The Rebirth of My Dead Billionaire Wife

Chapter 240

Avery sat on the edge of Ryan’s couch, her arms crossed tightly over her chest. She watched as Ryan paced back and forth in front of her, his hand running repeatedly through his hair. The lighthearted joy they had shared earlier in the morning had long since disappeared, replaced by tension and frustration.

“I just don’t know how to deal with this, Ryan,” Avery said, her voice breaking slightly. “It’s so humiliating. People I know might see those pictures—your coworkers, my colleagues…”

Ryan stopped pacing and turned to face her, his hazel eyes filled with both guilt and determination. “I get it, Avery. I do. But freaking out isn’t going to solve anything.”

“Freaking out?” she repeated, standing up. “I’m not freaking out—I’m upset, and I have every right to be. Ji-Yeon had no business dragging me into her drama.”

“I’m upset too,” Ryan said, his tone rising slightly. “But sitting here and spiraling about what could happen isn’t helping. I told you—I know someone who can take the pictures down. I’ll handle it.”

Avery shook her head, exhaling sharply. “But what if it doesn’t stop here, Ryan? What if she leaks more? What if it gets worse?”

Ryan stepped closer, his voice softening. “Then we’ll deal with it together. I’m not going to let Ji-Yeon mess with us like this.”

Avery crossed her arms again, her frustration still simmering. “You make it sound so simple, but it’s not. I’ve worked hard to build my career and my reputation, and now I’m being dragged into something that has nothing to do with me.”

“I know,” Ryan said, his voice calm but firm. “And that’s why I’m doing everything I can to fix it. You don’t have to fight this battle alone, Avery.”

She looked at him, the sincerity in his expression starting to chip away at her anger. Slowly, she nodded, though her voice remained quiet. “Alright. But I need you to promise me this will stop. I can’t live with this kind of stress hanging over us.”

“I promise,” Ryan said, pulling her into his arms. “I’ll make sure this is taken care of. You don’t have to worry.”

Later that afternoon, Avery was curled up on her couch, trying to decompress. Her phone buzzed on the coffee table, and when she glanced at the screen, she saw Janice’s name flashing.

Avery hesitated before answering, knowing her best friend was likely calling to check in.

“Hey, Jan,” Avery said, her voice weary.

“Aves, what’s going on?” Janice asked, her tone concerned. “I just saw something online about Ryan and his ex. Are you okay?”

Avery sighed, running a hand through her hair. “It’s a mess, Jan. Ji-Yeon leaked old pictures of her and Ryan, and now it’s all over the internet. I don’t even know how to handle it.”

“That’s insane,” Janice said, her voice rising. “What kind of person does that? Are you sure you’re alright?”

“I don’t know,” Avery admitted. “It’s just… a lot. Ryan says he’s working on getting the pictures taken down, but I hate being dragged into this.”

“Of course you do,” Janice said firmly. “You didn’t sign up for this drama, and it’s not fair. Are you and Ryan okay?”

Avery hesitated, glancing toward the kitchen where Ryan was making coffee. “We had a bit of a fight earlier. I just—I’m overwhelmed, you know? And I don’t know if I’m handling it the right way.”

“You’re handling it fine,” Janice assured her. “This is a big deal, Aves. No one expects you to just brush it off.”

As Avery continued talking to Janice, Ryan walked back into the living room, his phone in hand. He was mid-conversation with someone else, his tone calm but authoritative.

“Yes, my girlfriend Avery is very upset,” Ryan said, his words cutting through the air. “I need this taken care of as soon as possible.”

Avery froze, her eyes widening as she processed what he had just said. On the other end of the line, Janice went silent for a moment before practically shouting into the phone.

“Wait, WHAT?!”

Avery winced, pulling the phone away from her ear slightly. “Janice…”

“Did he just call you his girlfriend?” Janice asked, her voice incredulous. “Avery, you’re his girlfriend? Since when? Why didn’t you tell me?”

Avery felt her cheeks flush as she glanced at Ryan, who was now staring at her with a bemused expression. She covered the phone with her hand. “You’re not helping,” she mouthed at him.

Ryan shrugged, a small smirk tugging at his lips.

“Janice,” Avery said, trying to compose herself. “It’s… new. I was going to tell you.”

“New?” Janice exclaimed. “How new? And why am I just now hearing about this?”

Avery sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. “Because everything’s been so hectic, and I didn’t know how to bring it up.”

“Well, I expect full details the next time I see you,” Janice said, her voice still high with surprise. “But for now, just know I’m here if you need me. And if Ji-Yeon tries anything else, I’ll personally hunt her down.”

Avery couldn’t help but laugh, some of the tension lifting. “Thanks, Jan. I’ll call you later, okay?”

“You better,” Janice said before hanging up.