Evelyn's pov ;I never imagined this would ever happen to me. Hunter and I have been together for three years, and not once did I doubt his love for me. But now, as I sat in the backseat of the car, I realised how wrong I was. "Where did Hunter say he was going?" I asked the driver, trying to sound casual.He hesitated before answering, "He said he was going to the old house, Madam Evelyn."My heart skipped a beat. The old family house? What business did he have there? A pit of dread grew in my stomach.My phone suddenly buzzed. I pulled it out to see several new messages from my sister. My hands shook as I opened them. Photos of Hunter and Sophia, my sister, kissing and hugging popped on my screen. Each picture felt like a stab to my heart."No…no, this can't be," I whispered, feeling tears well up in my eyes.My phone buzzed again. Another message from her. I opened it with trembling hands, afraid of what I would see. It was another photo of Hunter and Sophia, wrapped in each other
Evelyn’s pov ; I thought about all those times when we would fight. It was always me who gave in first, always me who sought to make peace. I was always so humble, so desperate to keep the peace, to make our relationship work. Maybe that was what gave him the power to cheat, to betray me so easily. I remembered how my father, on his deathbed, asked Hunter 's grandmother to take care of me and my sister when we were kids. Which was how she made Hunter marry me. At the time, maybe it seemed like a perfect solution to her. Hunter and I had known each other for years. We had grown up together, and I believed that with time, he would fall in love with me after marriage.But now, it all felt like a cruel joke. He had never treated me badly, but he had also never shown me the love I craved. I always told myself that love would come in time, and that he would eventually see me as more than just an obligation.I thought back to how close Hunter and Sophia had always been. They were insepara
Evelyn’s pov ; I thought about it for a moment. Have I made the right decision? Grandma was the only person who had ever shown me love in that house. Leaving her felt like abandoning the one person who truly cared about me. But as we pulled up to the restaurant, any uncertainty I had evaporated in an instant.As we stepped out of the car and approached the entrance, I saw Hunter and Sophia getting out of a car across the street. Sophia's hands were tightly clutched around Hunter 's arm, and he seemed perfectly okay with it. I felt like pulling my hair. How could he be so bold, parading his affair around for everyone to see? Does he think that because I had always been tolerant, I would just accept this too?"Are you okay?" Vinni asked me. Before I could answer, Sophia's voice rang out. "Evelyn, what a surprise to see you here!"Hunter 's face turned pale as he saw me. He sheepishly tried to yank his arm out of Sophia's grip, but it was too late. I laughed bitterly, the sound was h
Evelyn’s pov ; I waited. One day. Then two.Hunter didn’t reply. Not a word, not even a courtesy text.I kept telling myself he’d reach out. That I’d misread the silence, that he was just busy. But the excuses felt hollow, even to me. Why was he silent after cheating on me? Was he ignoring me on purpose? Or was he too busy enjoying the company of my backstabbing sister? I couldn’t take the suspense any longer.The thought of Sophia made my stomach twist. My own sister. My betrayer.I couldn’t take it anymore. Two days of silence was enough. I grabbed my coat and drove back to the house with Vinni’s car. It was technically still my house—or was it? That question haunted me as I pulled into the driveway.The house loomed in front of me, cold and unwelcoming. I hesitated for a moment before stepping out of the car. My palms were clammy, and my heartbeat was erratic. I couldn’t tell if it was anger or fear driving me forward. Maybe both.I rang the doorbell, expecting Hunter to answer,
THIRD POV ; Evelyn returned to Vinni's house, her face pale and her hands trembling. As soon as she stepped inside, she blurted out the news—Hunter was marrying Sophia. Vinni's expression shifted from shock to anger as she pulled Evelyn into a tight hug."Let him marry that snake," Vinni said, her voice laced with venom. "He doesn't deserve you, Evelyn. Never did."Evelyn nodded weakly, her eyes brimming with tears. They spent the evening strategizing, deciding to meet a lawyer the next day to discuss reclaiming their company from Hunter's grasp. But even with a plan in place, Evelyn couldn't sleep that night. She lay awake, staring at the ceiling, her mind a whirlwind of painful memories. Her ruined past and present seemed to merge into one unbearable reality. Her mother had always favored Sophia, showering her with affection while Evelyn stood in the shadows. Her father had been her only solace, the one person who genuinely cared for her. But even he had betrayed her in a way s
Evelyn pushed open the door to Vinni’s house, her steps heavy and her heart burdened with the weight of her grandfather’s revelations. She found Vinni lounging on the couch, scrolling through her phone, but the moment she saw Evelyn’s face, she sat up straight. “You look like you’ve been through a war,” Vinni said, concern lacing her voice. Evelyn dropped her bag on the floor and sat beside her. “I think I have.” “What happened?” Vinni asked, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder. Evelyn recounted everything—her unexpected meeting with her grandfather, the truth about her father’s downfall, the shocking revelation about Chase Walker, and the 50% shares of Starlink Company now in her name. Vinni listened intently, her brows furrowing deeper with each detail. When Evelyn finished, silence hung in the room for a moment before Vinni finally spoke. “That’s… a lot. No wonder you look like a ghost.” Evelyn nodded. “I feel like my entire life has been a lie. My father… he did
The Caldwell villa was unusually quiet, save for the sharp commands Sophia was barking at the servants. "Get rid of that rug," she snapped, pointing to the intricately woven piece in the corner of the living room. "Evelyn always loved sitting there with her books. And that vase—she picked it out. Toss it. Everything that reminds anyone of her goes. Do you understand?" The servants hesitated for a moment, exchanging nervous glances. Evelyn had been kind to them, always asking after their families and treating them like people rather than mere staff. But Sophia's sharp glare left no room for argument, and they reluctantly obeyed. Sophia watched with satisfaction as each item was hauled away, her lips curling into a slight smirk. This was her moment. Finally, Evelyn's presence would be erased from the house—and from Hunter's life. The sound of the front door opening made her pause. Hunter walked in, loosening his tie, his expression weary. But as his gaze swept the room, his tire
The morning sun streamed through the thin curtains of Evelyn's apartment. She sat curled up on the couch, staring blankly at her phone. Her mind was a storm of emotions—confusion, frustration, and an overwhelming sense of uncertainty. Vinni burst in without knocking, carrying two steaming cups of coffee. “You look like hell,” she announced bluntly, setting the cups on the table. Evelyn groaned. “Thanks for the uplifting observation.”“Don’t start,” Vinni shot back, sitting across from her. “We need to talk. I’ve been thinking about Hunter.”Evelyn stiffened at the mention of his name. “Don’t. I don’t want to deal with him anymore. Let’s just... let it go.”Vinni’s eyes narrowed. “Let it go? Are you serious, Evelyn? He messed up your life. You can’t just let him walk away like that.”“What do you want me to do, Vinni?” Evelyn snapped, exasperation creeping into her voice. “Follow him around and demand an apology? Or better yet, challenge him to a duel?”Vinni leaned forward, her expr
As they walked out of the building, Evelyn’s mind was already racing with plans. She had a role to play, and she wasn’t about to let Hunter Blackwood stand in her way. No matter what it took, she would protect StarLink—and herself—from his games.Evelyn and Vinni walked back to their apartment, the weight of the day’s events still heavy on Evelyn’s shoulders. As they approached the building, they were surprised to see Edwin standing outside, leaning casually against his car. He was dressed impeccably, as always, in a tailored suit that screamed sophistication. His presence was both a comfort and a complication, given the whirlwind of emotions Evelyn was already dealing with.“Edwin?” Evelyn said, her voice tinged with surprise. “What are you doing here?”Edwin straightened up, a warm smile spreading across his face as he approached them. “Evelyn, Vinni. I was in the area for an event and thought I’d stop by. It’s been a while since we caught up.”Vinni raised an eyebrow, her tone teas
Evelyn stood in Hunter’s office, her arms crossed and her expression a mix of frustration and disbelief. She had just finished explaining the changes she wanted to make to the proposal, and now Hunter was throwing a curveball at her. His condition was outrageous, and she couldn’t believe he had the audacity to even suggest it.“Let me get this straight,” Evelyn said, her voice sharp and incredulous. “Your condition for agreeing to the changes is that I have to visit your grandmother and pretend we’re still married? Are you serious?”Hunter leaned back in his chair, his expression calm but with a hint of smugness. “Dead serious. Grandma just got out of the hospital, and it’s because of you.”Evelyn’s eyes widened, her anger momentarily replaced by guilt. “What are you talking about? How is it because of me?”Hunter’s tone softened slightly, though his gaze remained steady. “When she found out about the divorce, she was devastated. She had a stroke, Evelyn. She’s been in and out of the
Evelyn forced a polite nod, her tone cool and professional, though her pulse quickened at the sound of his voice. “Hunter. Let’s get straight to the point, shall we? We’ve reviewed your proposal, and there are a few terms we’d like to discuss.”Hunter leaned back in his chair, his smirk widening as he studied her with an intensity that made her skin crawl. “Of course. But before we get into that, I have to say—I’m impressed. CEO of StarLink. You’ve come a long way since the last time we saw each other.”Evelyn’s jaw tightened, but she refused to rise to his bait. She could feel the weight of his gaze, the way his eyes lingered on her face, her clothes, her posture. It was as if he were trying to dissect her, to find the cracks in her armor. She wouldn’t give him the satisfaction.“Thank you,” she said, her voice steady despite the storm of emotions raging inside her. “Now, about the proposal—”Hunter cut her off, his tone casual but with an edge of challenge. “Why the rush, Evelyn? We
Evelyn and Vinni stepped into the sleek, modern lobby of Blackwood Enterprises, the towering glass building a stark reminder of Hunter’s wealth and influence. The sunlight streaming through the floor-to-ceiling windows reflected off the polished marble floors, casting a cold, sterile glow. Evelyn’s heels clicked sharply against the surface, each step echoing her growing unease. Vinni, walking beside her, adjusted the strap of her leather bag, her dark eyes scanning the room with a mix of curiosity and suspicion. The air was thick with the scent of expensive cologne and freshly brewed coffee, but it did little to ease the tension building in Evelyn’s chest.The receptionist, a polished young woman with a practiced smile, greeted them politely. Her perfectly manicured nails tapped lightly on the keyboard as she looked up, her expression as smooth and unreadable as the glass walls surrounding them.“Good morning. How may I assist you?” she asked, her tone professional but devoid of warmt
Evelyn sat in her office, the proposal from Blackwood Enterprises spread out on her desk. Vinni stood beside her, arms crossed, her sharp eyes scanning the document with a critical gaze. The two women had been poring over the details for hours, dissecting every clause and condition. While the investment offer was substantial, there were several terms that didn’t sit well with them—terms that felt overly controlling or invasive, as if Hunter were trying to insert himself into every aspect of StarLink’s operations.“This is ridiculous,” Vinni said, tapping a finger on one of the clauses. “He wants a seat on the board? And veto power over major decisions? Who does he think he is?”Evelyn sighed, leaning back in her chair. “He’s trying to assert control, Vinni. That’s what Hunter does. He doesn’t just invest—he takes over.”Vinni snorted, her tone dripping with sarcasm. “Yeah, because that worked out so well for him last time. Didn’t he learn his lesson after what happened with your fath
Sophia sat in her lavish house, surrounded by wedding magazines, fabric swatches, and a mountain of invitations. The wedding preparations were in full swing, and she was determined to make it the most extravagant event of the year. Hunter might not be the most affectionate fiancé, but he was wealthy, powerful, and exactly the kind of man she needed to secure her future. She had worked too hard to let anything—or anyone—ruin this for her.As she flipped through a catalog of designer gowns, her phone buzzed on the table. She glanced at the screen, her heart sinking as she saw the name: Jake. Her ex-boyfriend. The man she had tried so hard to leave behind. She hesitated for a moment before picking up the phone, her fingers trembling slightly as she opened the text."Sophia, we need to talk. Meet me at the old warehouse on 5th Street. Bring $50,000 in cash. If you don’t show up, I’ll pay a visit to your new rich boyfriend and tell him all about us. You don’t want that, do you?"Sophia’s s
After the tense encounter with Hunter, Evelyn returned to her office, her mind still reeling from the meeting. She sat down at her desk, her fingers tapping nervously on the polished surface as she tried to gather her thoughts. The weight of her new role as CEO was already heavy, and now, with Hunter’s sudden interest in StarLink, she felt even more overwhelmed. She needed someone she could trust by her side—someone who knew the ins and outs of the business world and could help her navigate the challenges ahead.Her eyes drifted to Vinni, who was sitting across from her, scrolling through her phone with a scowl on her face. Vinni had always been her rock, her confidante, and her fiercest supporter. She was sharp, resourceful, and had a knack for handling difficult situations with ease. If anyone could help Evelyn navigate the treacherous waters of corporate politics, it was Vinni.“Vinni,” Evelyn began, her voice hesitant but determined. “I need to ask you something.”Vinni looked up
The morning sun streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows of Evelyn’s office, casting a warm glow over the sleek, modern space. She sat at her desk, her fingers tapping nervously on the polished surface as she reviewed the latest financial reports. The numbers were grim, but she refused to let despair take hold. She had taken on the role of CEO to honor her father’s legacy, and she wasn’t about to let StarLink crumble under her watch.Just as she was about to dive deeper into the reports, her secretary, Lisa, knocked lightly on the door before stepping inside. “Ms. Carter, I have some news.”Evelyn looked up, her expression calm but curious. “What is it, Lisa?”Lisa hesitated for a moment, her tone cautious. “We’ve received word that a major investor is interested in partnering with StarLink. They’re prepared to make a significant investment to help stabilize the company.”Evelyn’s eyes widened, a flicker of hope igniting in her chest. “That’s incredible news! Who is it? Do we ha
Hunter sat in his office, the morning sunlight streaming through the floor-to-ceiling windows, casting a golden glow over the sleek, modern space. He leaned back in his leather chair, scrolling through his phone as he sipped his coffee. His eyes scanned the headlines absently until one caught his attention: "Daughter Takes Over Father’s Legacy: Evelyn Carter Named CEO of StarLink."His coffee cup froze halfway to his lips as he stared at the article. There, right below the headline, was a picture of Evelyn. She looked poised, confident, and radiant in a tailored suit, her hair swept back in a sleek updo. The caption beneath the photo read: Evelyn Carter, daughter of the late Robert Carter, steps into her father’s shoes as the new CEO of StarLink.Hunter’s jaw tightened as he read the article, his mind racing. Evelyn is the CEO of StarLink now? He couldn’t believe it. The Evelyn he knew—the one he had married and then divorced—had always been intelligent and driven, but he had never i