Novels by Sally

“What are you—how are you here?” I ask with a firm voice. I get closer a little bit. But she ignores me and walks past me to my father and hands him the tray of what she is carrying. After that she stands next to him. “Dad, how do you know this woman?” I turn to my father with irritation and confusion.“Oh, she—” my father started talking but Clara cut him off. “We met at the corporate after party yesterday night. He seemed so nice. So, he invited me to come over for lunch the next day, which is today.” She smiles as she runs her eyes over me while tracing her fingers through her hair “you act nothing like your father. He's so gentle and nice, unlike—you” I suck in my breath as I think to myself. What exactly is the deal with this woman? Why is she bent on making me always feel like I'm no longer a part of where I used to belong? She knows nothing about me.My lips askew in a weird smile. “You are so—”“Come on, Lyn, don't talk to my guest like that” my father's voice interrupts me

But after much time and promising Leonard that I won't go back there again, he finally agreed to let me go. His stern voice still rings in my ears: “Decide what kind of business you want to run, Evelyn, that's if you are really interested.” It felt like a blow to the chest—his words, his tone, the lack of belief in me. But he’s right, isn’t he? My father has done nothing but drag me and my mother's legacy down. And yet, I can’t stop myself from trying to fix his mess, even when it costs me everything. When I arrive at the company, Marcus is already waiting in the conference room for me. His tense posture is evident through the glass walls that the reason I'm being summoned is not good, and the moment he sees me, he rises from his seat, offering a weak smile. “Welcome,” he says, extending a hand to me. I shake it briefly, my mind already racing around weary of what he has to say. “Where’s my father?” I ask as I walk in, glancing around the room. Marcus shifts uncomfortably. “H

Evelyn's POV But I ignore his words as I find my way to the bedroom. Once inside, I pace around the room in frustration. “What's this about?” Leonard’s voice cuts through as he walks inside the bedroom and shutting the door behind him. My plan is to ignore him but this is Leonard. He hates me ignoring him and I don't like him being upset because of me. So, instead I'll express myself the way I can. “Stop asking me that. I told you I don't feel well. I've lost my appetite?” I reply. He ignores my response. “Just cut that Eve, you never say no to home cooked meals” he snaps “You just embarrassed me in front of Clara and my mom. Why will you just walk out like that?” My mouth falls open, disbelief washing over me. “I embarrassed you? Leonard, do you hear yourself? Do you realize how humiliating it is to sit there while she—” “She what?” he cuts in, stepping closer. “Tell stories about our childhood? Evelyn, she wasn’t trying to offend you. She’s just being herself. Why can’t yo

Evelyn's POV I step out of the shower wrapped in my silk robe, my hair is damp as strands of it clings to my shoulders. The faint scent of lavender from my bath still lingers in the air, but it does little to calm the knot of tension in my chest. I hate the tension so badly. I grab a towel to pat my hair dry and step into the dressing room then I freeze when I see Leonard in the closet. Leonard stands by the wardrobe, his shirt halfway unbuttoned, his broad back to me as he scans his collection of shirts. I wonder if he's taking his time to pick out a shirt because of her. But I shake my head and I walk to where he's standing. I touch his shoulder making him slowly turn to look at me with a bit of surprise. “Hey…I thought it was just Mom and Clara” he says with a hint of surprise in his voice. “And you didn't bother looking for me or perhaps calling me?” I blink off the disappointment. “I—I was going to once I finished dinner” he replies. Wow. I didn't expect the respons

Evelyn's POV. Clara is standing at the center of my kitchen, humming a soft tune as she stirs something in a pot. Her blonde hair is pulled into a high ponytail. She's Wearing a casual purple jogger and a black tank top and she moves with this ease and familiarity that makes my stomach twist. Like she belongs here. Like she owns this space. I clear my throat. “What are you doing here? Why are you in here?” She doesn’t jump or act startled. Instead, she turns her head slowly, a small, almost triumphant smile curling her lips. “Oh, Evelyn. You’re home already. I didn't hear you come in. I was just making Leonard’s favorite soup for dinner. You know how much he loves it.” The way she grins and the casual way says his name, the intimate tone she uses—it grates against my nerves. So many things ran through my mind. Did she sleep here? Is he sleeping with her…? I take a deep breath, forcing myself to keep calm. “For dinner…I wasn’t aware that Leonard asked you to cook for him. Or tha

Evelyn's POV Clara walks elegantly towards us. She has a bright and wide smile on her face. She's wearing a yellow dress that holds her firm hips tightly. Her blonde hair glistens like polished gold as it blows about her. “Hey…” she first says to me with a wave when she gets to our table. She turns around to where Leonard is. She bends over and gives him a short hug. I'm quiet as I watch them. I watch as Leonard reciprocates her hug. His face brightens up. Better than it was when we got here. When they must have finished exchanging pleasantries, she turns back to me. “Evelyn... It's been a while. You look good” she says but I know she doesn't mean it. I nod my head and force out a smile. “Thank you. You too but I'm surprised to see you here. I didn't know you are back in town” I say. But my mood has dropped just now. I thought Leonard planned a dinner for the both of us, why then is Clara here? How does she even know that we are here? Is she spying on him? Or did he invite h