EvaFLASHBACK: FIVE DAYS AGO IN JULIENNE'S APARTMENT “May I speak with you? Inside?” I askedRelief filled me as she opened her door wider.….I stepped into her apartment in relative silence. Despite the grimy outside it seemed clean from the inside, incredibly cozy even. The area was small and the furniture was outdated and I spotted a crack in the wall, but it wasn't bad. Looking at the small space brought me back to a time years ago, on my own, working.I closed the door, following after her in awkward silence. The tension couldn't be ignored as she stood in place.I cleared my throat, “how have you been doing?”The acidic laugh she let out in return made me flinch.“What do you care? Do you feel sorry for ruining my life?” she spat out, bitterness evident in her voice “You and I both know that isn't true,” I said, tense at her aggressiveness. I let out a sigh to calm down before I continued “but I am sorry for what happened to you back then. For the humiliation you went through
Eva Present day It seemed in the end I wasn't really on my own. I had almost lost all hope. Who would have known that the night before with tears in my eyes and dried mascara on my face, she would call? In the middle of the night, cleaning my tears and cooling the stinks on my cheek, I received a call from an unknown number. As I answered mindlessly, I only heard her voice and two words. “I'm in.” What changed between then and that day, two days ago was a mystery to me. Perhaps she'd come to terms with what I'd said or maybe something else pushed her to that decision either way she was here now and I could feel her seething. Pure anger and hatred emanated from her as she stared forward, no doubt at Brienne herself. I didn't bother looking at Brienne's face to know how shocked she was. ‘Are you ready?’ I silently asked with my eyes, She took her place near the fixed micro I was using only moments ago and spoke.e “Some of you may remember me. I was one of Brienne's “ f
EvaI didn't bother looking at it this time. I already knew what was coming next. I had lived it and I expected her voice. Just in time it echoed through the hall.“You’re really stupid you know, just as naive as you were six years ago.”My eyes slipped shut at the sound of Brienne’s voice. The final evidence was the recording of the club bathroom. As the video played on, Her menacing words played out as it did in real life, three days ago. I easily recalled how she'd neared me, a menacing look in her eyes. I finally opened my eyes to look at the real her.Her face was pale, pure terror on her face. Any ounce of arrogance she had before was completely gone, replaced by true fear.An irony, considering our reversed roles.‘So much for being ‘naive’.’ I thought to myself, looking at her.I knew how little regard she had for me to her own detriment. In a way, she had caused her own downfall.I was telling the truth back then. I truly didn't have any recording devices with me, but it did
Eva"He was everything I wanted. All that money, that influence. id waited for him for so long and then you took him. You, a nobody."Another sob left me in the video. I was aware of the sting of alcohol in her breath when she'd neared me back then. Hearing her clearer now, there was no doubt in me that the alcohol had loosened her lips. Just in time, Brienne bursted into hysterical giggles, a sign of her addled state. “You can scream and cry and protest all you want, but now all people would think if you as is a lying cheating gold digger. History really does repeat itself doesn't it?” She spoke in-between laughter.After several minutes, the sounds lowered into silence, only the faint sound of my whimpers present until she spoke.“The first time was for you standing in the way of what I wanted. This is what you deserve for embarrassing me on my engagement party. You with your empty threats and holier than thou act. What can you do about it? Your boyfriend has left you and your rep
EvaRemoving the drive from the laptop, I made to leave only for a large frame to stop me. Surprise filled me as I looked up.“Jon?” I mouthed silently. I didn't even notice when he came up. I’d tried my best to avoid thinking or looking at his reaction in the beginning but as I kept on talking I'd lost track. I didn't know what to expect from his reaction. In hindsight, I should have expected this.Statue couldn't define how stony or hard his face looked. My heart sank. I'd promised to tell him everything and I did, albeit in public. He was already angry about them from the moment I revealed everything. Now that he knew… He made to pass me but I stopped him, tugging on his sleeve.“What are you doing?” I asked, alarmed. I didn't want him to cause a scene for my sake, not when his company was on the line.He turned to me, passing me a small mysterious smile.“Trust me,” he whispered in a voice too low I barely grasped it, speaking with his eyes. It made me gape, left bereft. He'd as
Eva“Well, this is a sight.” Julienne commented. Despite the snark in her tone, she looked lighter. Not the heavy laden person I saw in her apartment before.If it had been anybody else Jon's statement would have crumbled to the ground. Finding her in the empty space rather than some member of the press brought relief. The tension in my shoulders relaxed as I let out a breath. I felt warm skin brush across my arm, making me turn to the culprit. Jonathan looked towards her and back to me.“I'll be in the garage.” He whispered, before slipping away, leaving me alone with her.I remained still as she continued towards me. I hadn't even noticed when she'd slipped away from the podium, likely when I was at the last wrap of my speech. It didn't change the fact that I was thankful for her.“Thank you for everything.” I said when she was near enough. I let my genuineness show through my tone. She had helped me momentously.“It was justified on both our parts, and for all the other victims.” S
Good day or night wherever and whenever you read this. To everyone that made it this far I greatly thankful for your support and I hope that this book fulfilled or exceeded your expectations. I hope you enjoyed Eva's story and her exacting justice on Brienne, Geoffery and to some degree, Viktor himself. Although it seems like many things have been resolved, this is far from the end. Rather it is a new beginning with plenty more secrets, drama and complications to come. Our time with Viktor is far from over and the twins are sure to make things even more complicated As we have reached a milestone in this story, I will be taking a temporary hiatus soely for this story for the rest of this month in order to work on and expand my two previous novels. Feel free to check them out if you want to. If you have any questions about the coming Part 2, any comments on the characters, questions you wish to ask, or what you want to see or wish you had seen in this book, please feel free to share
Viktor Sharp ringing filled my ears amongst the uproar around me. Before I could hear them clearly, but now the noises felt like nothing amidst the rushing through me, dulling any other sods.A part of me could still predict what they were saying. I was still conscious enough to remember the last words said by Jonathan Salvador himself, declaring our partnership broken, the press’ uproar at the news that seemed like the final nail in our coffin, but at this moment I could care less.My gaze was focused on that empty spot where she'd stood, staring bravely at the crowd as she revealed everything I didn't know. Her last words rang in my mind.Eva. The woman I loathed. And for what?“This wasn't revenge,”“Now I can live in peace.”Her words echoed in my mind. The final look on her face aimed at me. In them I saw something akin to pity or apology. Something that felt like a final goodbye. Staring at her, in the face of everything, made my throat tighten. A sharp noise tore my attention
ONE MONTH LATEREva“When are you coming back?” I asked, rifling through clothes as frustration brewed up in me.“Soon.” Jon’s voice rang through terse and neutral. It made my brows furrow.“So, in a week? Cory and Anthea miss you.” I said, trying to ignore the coldness in his tone.“I…Eva I don’t know yet.” His words gave me whiplash, making me flinch.“Okay.” I said.Frustration brewed inside me but I kept silent.The moment the call ended I dropped the phone like a dead weight, clenching and unclenching my arms for control. What the hell? This wasn’t the first time, at least not within this month.After telling him of my decision to include Viktor and Grace into the children’s lives the day I'd made the decision, he was completely supportive. I still sensed displeasure, however no matter how much I tried to assure him, he said that it was fine. Although he was never present while Viktor and Grace were around, he still looked well.It happened so gradually. At first he wasn’t pr
EvaI was completely frozen under the scrutiny of my best friend’s stare as she flickered between us. Even if he wasn't touching me like before, his closeness was suspicious enough.For a moment everything was still…until the moment the twins slipped out beside her.“Mom!” they chorused and my gaze shifted to their innocent smiles. Without he's they rushed to greet me and I pushed my panic away, forcing a smile. “Hey, babies. Did you enjoy your time at Aunt Penelope?” I hugged them, ruffling their hair to make them giggle and nod in agreement. Looking back up to face Penelope felt sheepish. Her expression said plenty, a mix of disbelief and recognition. I could hear her unsaid words without thinking.I tried to pass a pleading one of my own to tell her that I'd explain after this. “Mom?” I tore my eyes away to meet Anthea’s stare but she wasn't looking at me but behind me, no doubt at Viktor.‘Oh,’ I quickly stood up, looking at him before turning back to the children.“You…you re
82EvaThe doorbell rang. I was ready, sucking in a breath before standing up.I tampered down any impulse to clean aside anything within the room more than necessary despite the urge to hide it away. He needed to see the reality of their natural environment.Passing by the strewn toys I left alone made me think back to Cory and Anthea.A swift call from them moved the sleepover Penelope spent with them to them staying with her for the entire day while I sorted things out. It was already evening and they were still with her. Considering it was evening she was no doubt also on her way to my home.She wasn't the one standing by the door at the moment however.I forced myself to relax before opening the door, his cerulean eyes meeting mine immediately.“Hi,” Viktor said.The air felt awkward yet I let him slip inside, murmuring a greeting before stepping back. He looked overwhelmed as he looked around and I couldn't blame him when I was the same way.If it wasn't for what happened earli
EvaI worked up to darkness and dim lighting engulfing me. My eyes felt heavy and my body ached but the smell of food woke me up further.It didn't take long for the past memories and pain to seep in. Swallowing hoarsely, I nearly broke down in tears again until“You're awake,”Jon's voice jolted me. I looked up to find him moving towards me, a plate in his hand along with the familiar aroma of pasta.Sitting up, I tried to smile when he reached. “Are you okay now?” He asked,“Yeah,” I nodded my voice hoarse from unuse.After crying for so long, I didn't know when I just…passed out. But looking around I was sure that a few hours had passed.I should have considered it a relief compared to holding it in, but looking at him only made more guilt swell into me.“I shouldn't have…I'm sorry for coming here unannounced.” I shifted uncomfortably. “It's okay.” Was all he said.“I'm sorry,” my voice cracked as I spoke. Even still I shouldn't have to use him as a crutch.“What happened? Or is
Viktor The drive back to the mansion was silent with the tension so thick yet non-existent at the same time. I spied glances at her on the passenger’s seat throughout and every time, she was simply looking at the window, looking deceitfully calm. It sent a different trill of fear through me, especially when I knew she was anything but. After Eve left, she hadn't said a word since. I comforted her the best I could, letting her sob in my arms. Moments after her tears were gone, she hadn't saud a word. I was the one to suggest that we left and she silently nodded following me. The sight of her reddish eyelids despite the calm facade gutted me. Id never seen my mother that angry, that sad. And this time, it wasn't focused on me. My grip on the steering wheel tightened. If the feeling from seeing my mother cry hurt, then the ache was twice as bad when I saw Eva crumble right in front of me. In the few times I'd seen her, Eva had never failed to show her strength, even months ago when
EvaMy heart raced as I reached the door leading into the cafe.My words the day before were like a fever dream. It wasn't until hours later when night had fallen that doubts and panic of what I'd done began creeping in.It was still the weekend and Penelope had snatched the children away to play for the day. Jon had left to the penthouse leaving me wearing down the floor of my room alone.‘I should have waited a little longer. I wasn't prepared yet. Why did I say that?’ doubts filled my thoughts. I’d made that declaration still high on the feeling of reciprocation, to equal his determination. It was cowardly yet I was second guessing everything. ‘Maybe he hadn't told her. Maybe he would postpone it.’ All the possibilities that he wouldn't take me on my word reared its head and for a moment I nearly deluded myself into thinking that it wouldn't happen. The text I'd gotten twenty minutes after rid those thoughts away. ‘‘We’re on our way to the cafe.’’ he said.The ticking time I
Eva“Is he going to still keep us waiting?”“Jon,” my voice came out harsher than I expected, but it was rightfully so. Jon looked trite immediately. He looked away and set his jaw, making me deflate instantly. Out of all the words I could use to describe Jonathan, insufferable wasn't on the list yet it seemed that way now more than ever. I couldn't blame him for how he's been reacting though.It was my fault for making the decision so abruptly, especially when I had so confidently told him that I wouldn't let Viktor into their lives. Despite his attempt to be supportive he hadn't expected me to go through with it, hence his reaction now It had taken a day to come to terms with my decision and another day to muster up the courage to tell Jon. It took a few days more for us to talk about it.He was far from happy once I told him my decision but he'd accepted it, or claimed to at least. Despite his veiled irritation and his attempt to pick on things, he was still here for me. For all
Viktor “Did something happen?” My mother asked, her worried tone filtering through the phone. I smiled even if she couldn't see it, trying to muster.“Nothing bad happened mom. It's just some extra documents to sort out in the office. I'll be coming home later than normal is all.” I said. It wasn't necessarily a lie, yet it still sent a sliver of guilt to me that I would miss dinner with her. I didn't want any setbacks on the relationship we were rebuilding.The anxiety eased as she sighed,“Okay…” my mother trailed off, “Don't forget to eat.”“I won't,” I quickly assured her, “I love you mom.”Despite time and efforts bringing us closer I was still half expecting her to hesitate and not day it at all. It made it all the more relieving when she chuckled.“Love you too.” she said and the call ended. Putting my phone down I turned to the empty street from my office window. Only a few hours ago, I was recieving what felt like the best and worst news of my life.A part of me still couldn
EvaI entered the cafe booked for this meeting. It was a new place, unfamiliar to me unlike my regular spot with Penelope’s Cafe or the growing familiarity of the Greenhouse cafe. It was exactly what I wanted for this occasion.I needed a neutral spot, free from any influence to meet him. This time, we were on equal grounds.“Good day, what's your order?” The unfamiliar waitress smiled at me. I ordered a random pastry and some water to pass the time. I wasn't planning on staying for long.The noises around helped keep me calm but I kept on questioning if this was the right thing to do.‘We’ll see,’ I told myself.The door opened and this time I looked up to meet a familiar face..he was right on time.Viktor entered the cafe, looking around. I silently nodded the moment he spotted me, waiting with bated breath.Less than a few days ago I'd finally solved the conflict brewing in my mind with a single call to the RCF office. They recognized me and amidst my issues, forwarded my call to h