Simeon's POVThe moment I walked into the grand lobby, my eyes scanned the surroundings in search of Sheila. I didn’t expect the scene that greeted me. Just across the room, I spotted them: Sheila and Evelyn... together. How was this possible? What was Evelyn doing in this part of town? I stared at Evelyn, and saw how beautifully well she had recovered ever since I last saw her at the hospital. My heart seemed to have skipped a beat, watching her so full of life and vigor.Seeing her seated across from Sheila, looking at Sheila as if she was a piece of garbage, set off alarm bells in my head. I'd always known Evelyn to be sharp and outspoken....what was she saying to Sheila?I buried my emotions deep within my heart and walked closer, unnoticed for now, catching the tail end of Evelyn’s words, her tone dripping with disdain. “...what happens when Simeon gets tired of you, too? Who will you latch on to? Let me guess… their grandfather?” Sheila stood frozen, her face pale and sp
Sheila's POVAs I stepped out of the building with Simeon, I felt the cool breeze hit my skin. Simeon was quiet beside me, his expression unreadable as we walked to the car. I wasn’t sure what to say, so I stayed silent, giving him the space he seemed to need. When we got into the car, Simeon gripped the steering wheel, his knuckles white. He didn’t turn the ignition or say a word, just stared straight ahead. I could tell the confrontation with Evelyn had drained him. It wasn’t just about meeting her unexpectedly—it was about the love, betrayal, and unresolved feelings she represented. I didn’t blame him for being lost in thought. After what felt like an eternity, I glanced at him, hesitating before softly asking, “Are you alright?” He blinked, as if coming out of a trance, and managed a faint smile. “Yeah, I’m fine,” he replied, but I could hear the strain in his voice. Feeling a pang of guilt, I began to apologize. “I’m sorry, Simeon. I had no idea she was Mrs. Asher. I sh
Evelyn's POV I stood there, frozen, my hands clenched into fists as I watched Simeon leave with Sheila. My chest heaved with every breath, the anger bubbling inside me. My eyes burned with the rage coursing through me. How could he? How dare he? When I learned about Sheila, I felt this desperate need to meet her. I had to see for myself what made her so special—why she seemed to be at the center of everything. But every time I tried, something came up, and I was kept away. It felt like the universe was conspiring to keep us apart. Today, I’d had enough. I snuck out of the house, driving for hours, determined to meet this woman who had somehow managed to get involved with everything—or rather, everyone—that used to matter to me. What I didn’t expect was to run into Simeon. Seeing him after all this time—it should have felt like a reunion, a moment of happiness. Instead, his coldness pierced through me like a dagger. Why her? Why Sheila? A woman he barely knew compared to
Andrew’s POV I stood in the shadows, my arms crossed tightly over my chest, watching as Evelyn quietly slipped into the house. She moved carefully, shutting the door gently, as if trying not to wake anyone. The faint click echoed in the silence, and I waited, my patience thinning with every passing second. She didn’t see me. Her focus was on the stairs, her steps light but quick. It was clear she wanted to get to her room without encountering anyone. But she wouldn’t get that luxury tonight. “Where have you been, Evelyn?” My low, sharp voice immediately broke the stillness. She froze mid-step, clutching her bag tightly. A startled shriek escaped her lips as she turned abruptly, her wide eyes searching the shadows until they landed on me. “Andrew!” she exclaimed. “Why would you do that? You scared me!” I didn’t answer, didn’t move. I just stood there, letting the silence stretch between us. Her brows furrowed as she stepped down from the stairs she was about to climb,
Evelyn’s POVI bent down slowly, my fingers trembling as I picked up one of the pictures Andrew had thrown at me. My heart raced as the image in my hand sent a chill down my spine. It was a photo of me holding Simeon’s hand. How… how did Andrew get this? When I had sarcastically asked if he was stalking me earlier, I hadn’t expected him to actually do it. But here it was—evidence that he’d hired someone to follow me. I clenched the photo in my hand, my shock instantly turning into anger. Without thinking, I threw it back at him, and asked in a sharp voice,“What is this, Andrew? Am I a prisoner in your house now? A prisoner who can’t step outside without the warden’s permission?” Andrew remained unmoved, his expression cold and stern. “This isn’t about being a prisoner, Evelyn. What exactly were you doing with Simeon?” His question stung, not because I didn’t have an answer, but because of the sheer audacity of it. What did he think I was doing with Simeon? I took a deep bre
Andrew's POV Evelyn headed to her room before I could even mention Simeon's name, and slammed the door really hard, leaving no room for further confrontations.I stood motionless, my fists clenched at my sides. I couldn’t bring myself to call her back or say another word. Not after what she had revealed. She had heard me mutter Sheila’s name in my sleep.When did this happen? And why hadn’t Evelyn confronted me sooner? The thought gnawed at my mind, making me feel guilty.Was it something I had dreamt unconsciously, or was it the part of me I’d tried so desperately to suppress surfacing in the worst possible way?I turned and headed to the study. The air inside the room was stifling, but it matched the suffocating weight on my chest. I grabbed a bottle of whiskey from the shelf, poured myself a glass, and downed it in one go. The burn of the alcohol was sharp, but it did little to dull the chaos in my head.Opening the balcony door, I let the cool night air wash over me. I sank into
Sheila's POV The smell of something sweet wafted through the air, pulling me out of my room and straight toward the kitchen. I leaned against the doorway, arms crossed, and smiled. “Mom, are the cookies ready yet?” I asked, hoping she’d let me sneak a taste. She glanced over her shoulder, an apron tied snugly around her waist. “Almost,” she replied, her hands busy rolling out dough. I stepped closer and tied on an apron of my own. “Let me help then. You’re always saying teamwork makes the dream work.” She chuckled as I joined her at the counter, and we worked side by side, kneading and shaping the dough. Halfway through, while the scent of freshly baked cookies filled the air, Mom turned to me with a sly smile. “Should I make an extra batch?” she asked casually, but I could see her eyes glinting mischievously. “You know, since these are Simeon’s favorites.” I rolled my eyes playfully. “Mom, is Simeon a buffalo you’re p
Simeon's POVAs we packed up the food, I couldn't help but feel a sense of belonging that I hadn't experienced in years. My heart raced with excitement. A family picnic? I’d never had one in my life. The thought of spending an entire day with Sheila and her mom—laughing, eating, and simply being together—felt surreal. It was a feeling I didn’t want to let go of, and I’d decided to take things one step further. “All right, ladies,” I announced as I helped them into the car. “I’ve got the perfect place in mind for this picnic, a little getaway.” Sheila frowned, her brow furrowing as she buckled her seatbelt. “Getaway? Simeon, this is just supposed to be a picnic. What are you talking about?” Mia and I exchanged a knowing glance. This was the part where Sheila would start protesting, but we were already prepared. “It’s Saturday,” I said casually, pulling onto the road. “I figured we could make this a mini vacation—stay ove
Simeon's POVAs we packed up the food, I couldn't help but feel a sense of belonging that I hadn't experienced in years. My heart raced with excitement. A family picnic? I’d never had one in my life. The thought of spending an entire day with Sheila and her mom—laughing, eating, and simply being together—felt surreal. It was a feeling I didn’t want to let go of, and I’d decided to take things one step further. “All right, ladies,” I announced as I helped them into the car. “I’ve got the perfect place in mind for this picnic, a little getaway.” Sheila frowned, her brow furrowing as she buckled her seatbelt. “Getaway? Simeon, this is just supposed to be a picnic. What are you talking about?” Mia and I exchanged a knowing glance. This was the part where Sheila would start protesting, but we were already prepared. “It’s Saturday,” I said casually, pulling onto the road. “I figured we could make this a mini vacation—stay ove
Sheila's POV The smell of something sweet wafted through the air, pulling me out of my room and straight toward the kitchen. I leaned against the doorway, arms crossed, and smiled. “Mom, are the cookies ready yet?” I asked, hoping she’d let me sneak a taste. She glanced over her shoulder, an apron tied snugly around her waist. “Almost,” she replied, her hands busy rolling out dough. I stepped closer and tied on an apron of my own. “Let me help then. You’re always saying teamwork makes the dream work.” She chuckled as I joined her at the counter, and we worked side by side, kneading and shaping the dough. Halfway through, while the scent of freshly baked cookies filled the air, Mom turned to me with a sly smile. “Should I make an extra batch?” she asked casually, but I could see her eyes glinting mischievously. “You know, since these are Simeon’s favorites.” I rolled my eyes playfully. “Mom, is Simeon a buffalo you’re p
Andrew's POV Evelyn headed to her room before I could even mention Simeon's name, and slammed the door really hard, leaving no room for further confrontations.I stood motionless, my fists clenched at my sides. I couldn’t bring myself to call her back or say another word. Not after what she had revealed. She had heard me mutter Sheila’s name in my sleep.When did this happen? And why hadn’t Evelyn confronted me sooner? The thought gnawed at my mind, making me feel guilty.Was it something I had dreamt unconsciously, or was it the part of me I’d tried so desperately to suppress surfacing in the worst possible way?I turned and headed to the study. The air inside the room was stifling, but it matched the suffocating weight on my chest. I grabbed a bottle of whiskey from the shelf, poured myself a glass, and downed it in one go. The burn of the alcohol was sharp, but it did little to dull the chaos in my head.Opening the balcony door, I let the cool night air wash over me. I sank into
Evelyn’s POVI bent down slowly, my fingers trembling as I picked up one of the pictures Andrew had thrown at me. My heart raced as the image in my hand sent a chill down my spine. It was a photo of me holding Simeon’s hand. How… how did Andrew get this? When I had sarcastically asked if he was stalking me earlier, I hadn’t expected him to actually do it. But here it was—evidence that he’d hired someone to follow me. I clenched the photo in my hand, my shock instantly turning into anger. Without thinking, I threw it back at him, and asked in a sharp voice,“What is this, Andrew? Am I a prisoner in your house now? A prisoner who can’t step outside without the warden’s permission?” Andrew remained unmoved, his expression cold and stern. “This isn’t about being a prisoner, Evelyn. What exactly were you doing with Simeon?” His question stung, not because I didn’t have an answer, but because of the sheer audacity of it. What did he think I was doing with Simeon? I took a deep bre
Andrew’s POV I stood in the shadows, my arms crossed tightly over my chest, watching as Evelyn quietly slipped into the house. She moved carefully, shutting the door gently, as if trying not to wake anyone. The faint click echoed in the silence, and I waited, my patience thinning with every passing second. She didn’t see me. Her focus was on the stairs, her steps light but quick. It was clear she wanted to get to her room without encountering anyone. But she wouldn’t get that luxury tonight. “Where have you been, Evelyn?” My low, sharp voice immediately broke the stillness. She froze mid-step, clutching her bag tightly. A startled shriek escaped her lips as she turned abruptly, her wide eyes searching the shadows until they landed on me. “Andrew!” she exclaimed. “Why would you do that? You scared me!” I didn’t answer, didn’t move. I just stood there, letting the silence stretch between us. Her brows furrowed as she stepped down from the stairs she was about to climb,
Evelyn's POV I stood there, frozen, my hands clenched into fists as I watched Simeon leave with Sheila. My chest heaved with every breath, the anger bubbling inside me. My eyes burned with the rage coursing through me. How could he? How dare he? When I learned about Sheila, I felt this desperate need to meet her. I had to see for myself what made her so special—why she seemed to be at the center of everything. But every time I tried, something came up, and I was kept away. It felt like the universe was conspiring to keep us apart. Today, I’d had enough. I snuck out of the house, driving for hours, determined to meet this woman who had somehow managed to get involved with everything—or rather, everyone—that used to matter to me. What I didn’t expect was to run into Simeon. Seeing him after all this time—it should have felt like a reunion, a moment of happiness. Instead, his coldness pierced through me like a dagger. Why her? Why Sheila? A woman he barely knew compared to
Sheila's POVAs I stepped out of the building with Simeon, I felt the cool breeze hit my skin. Simeon was quiet beside me, his expression unreadable as we walked to the car. I wasn’t sure what to say, so I stayed silent, giving him the space he seemed to need. When we got into the car, Simeon gripped the steering wheel, his knuckles white. He didn’t turn the ignition or say a word, just stared straight ahead. I could tell the confrontation with Evelyn had drained him. It wasn’t just about meeting her unexpectedly—it was about the love, betrayal, and unresolved feelings she represented. I didn’t blame him for being lost in thought. After what felt like an eternity, I glanced at him, hesitating before softly asking, “Are you alright?” He blinked, as if coming out of a trance, and managed a faint smile. “Yeah, I’m fine,” he replied, but I could hear the strain in his voice. Feeling a pang of guilt, I began to apologize. “I’m sorry, Simeon. I had no idea she was Mrs. Asher. I sh
Simeon's POVThe moment I walked into the grand lobby, my eyes scanned the surroundings in search of Sheila. I didn’t expect the scene that greeted me. Just across the room, I spotted them: Sheila and Evelyn... together. How was this possible? What was Evelyn doing in this part of town? I stared at Evelyn, and saw how beautifully well she had recovered ever since I last saw her at the hospital. My heart seemed to have skipped a beat, watching her so full of life and vigor.Seeing her seated across from Sheila, looking at Sheila as if she was a piece of garbage, set off alarm bells in my head. I'd always known Evelyn to be sharp and outspoken....what was she saying to Sheila?I buried my emotions deep within my heart and walked closer, unnoticed for now, catching the tail end of Evelyn’s words, her tone dripping with disdain. “...what happens when Simeon gets tired of you, too? Who will you latch on to? Let me guess… their grandfather?” Sheila stood frozen, her face pale and sp
Sheila's POV As I walked into the grand lobby of the building, my heels clicking softly against the polished marble floor, I felt a wave of nervousness was through me.The air was cool, carrying the faint scent of fresh flowers and expensive perfume. Everything about this place screamed wealth and splendor.Clutching my bag tightly, I approached the reception desk. The woman seated behind it gave me a polite smile. “I’m here for a meeting with Mrs. Asher,” I said to the woman.She nodded and gestured toward the lounge area. “Welcome, Ma’am. You’ll find her at the table near the window.” “Oh, okay, thank you very much,” and made my way toward the spot she indicated. My eyes scanned the tables until they landed on a woman seated in the corner. She was quite hard to miss.She wore a long scarf tied elegantly around her neck, its silk edges catching the light. Her oversized black sunglasses concealed much of her face, but her posture and demeanor were undeniably poised. Something about