Hunter sat in his sleek, glass-walled office, the skyline of the city stretching out before him. The sound of his pen scratching against paper filled the room as he signed one document after another. His brow was furrowed, his focus razor-sharp—until his phone buzzed on the desk. He glanced at the screen and groaned. It was his best friend, Jake. “Great,” Hunter muttered, pinching the bridge of his nose before reluctantly answering. “What do you want?”Jake’s voice boomed on the other end, loud and unapologetic. “Well, well, if it isn’t the man of the hour! Mr. Divorced and Loving It! How’s it feel to be single again, buddy?”Hunter scowled, leaning back in his chair. “Jake, I’m busy. Do you ever stop talking nonsense?”“Busy? Come on, don’t tell me you’re already signing another prenup! Give it a week, at least,” Jake teased, laughing at his own joke. “Jake, I’m hanging up,” Hunter warned, his voice clipped. “Wait, wait! I’m just saying—think of the possibilities! No nagging, no
Evelyn rushed into the City Hall, her heels clicking against the polished floor as she adjusted her coat. She was running late—again. The late-night drinks with Vinni and Edwin had been worth it, though. For the first time in a long while, she had felt genuinely happy, and the hangover was a small price to pay. When she entered the room, Hunter was already there, sitting stiffly with a scowl on his face. He rose to his feet the moment he saw her, his annoyance evident. “You’re late,” he snapped, crossing his arms. “Do you have any idea how unprofessional this looks?” Evelyn sighed, brushing past him to take her seat. “It’s not like you’ve got a board meeting to attend here.” Her dismissive tone only fueled his anger. “You think this is a joke?” She didn’t bother looking at him, instead flipping through the documents in front of her. “No, I think you’re overreacting. Can we get this over with? You seem desperate to be rid of me.” Hunter’s jaw tightened as he leaned closer
Edwin pulled up outside a lively bar that was already buzzing with energy. The neon lights outside blinked in vibrant reds and blues, casting a playful glow on the street. Evelyn squinted at the sign, reading it aloud. “The Velvet Note? Seriously, Edwin? What is this place?” Edwin grinned as he hopped out of the car and jogged around to open her door. “A surprise. Trust me, you’ll love it. Now, come on.” As they stepped inside, Evelyn’s senses were overwhelmed by the pulse of upbeat music, the sound of laughter, and the smell of craft cocktails mingled with delicious bar food. Her gaze swept across the room and landed on a very familiar face waving wildly at her from a corner booth. “VINNI?!” Evelyn exclaimed, her mouth falling open. Vinni jumped up, rushing over and throwing her arms around Evelyn. “SURPRISE!” she squealed. “Welcome to your official Divorce Freedom Party!” Evelyn laughed, the joy bubbling up unexpectedly. “You two planned this?” “Of course we did!” Vinni
Evelyn’s mind reeled. Sophia had a boyfriend? An aggressive one at that? Which she's trying to dump to get Hunter. Does Hunter know? But that doesn't change the fact that he cheated on her. She shook her head in disbelief. Growing up, Evelyn had known Sophia was wild, always running after excitement and validation, but she had never imagined something like this. Sophia had a habit of jumping from one fling to the next, but that had always seemed like her personal choice. Evelyn had never judged her for it, even though she couldn’t relate. But this? This was something darker. Sophia’s scream echoed in her ears, and Evelyn clenched her fists, trying to push away the pang of guilt that clawed at her. She didn’t step in. She couldn’t.As she tried to steady herself, memories came flooding back, unbidden. Memories of their mother—Vivian—the woman Evelyn had always struggled to understand. Vivian had always favored Sophia, showering her with affection and attention while Evelyn was le
Inside the apartment, Evelyn exhaled heavily as the door clicked shut behind them. The tension from the confrontation outside still lingered in the air, thick and suffocating. She turned to Edwin, her expression calm but firm. “Thank you for stepping in, Edwin,” she said quietly, “but you don’t have to fight for me. Especially not with him.” Edwin frowned, crossing his arms. “Evelyn, I wasn’t about to just stand there and let him treat you like that. He had no right—” “I mean it, Edwin,” she interrupted, her voice sterner this time. “I can handle Hunter on my own.” He held her gaze for a long moment, his brow furrowing as though he was about to argue.Then, with a soft sigh, he looked away. “Fine. But don’t expect me to just stand by if he pulls something like that again.” Evelyn shook her head, her lips pressing into a thin line. “I’m serious, Edwin. I don’t want anyone else getting involved. This is my mess to deal with.” Before the tension could stretch any further, Vinn
Hunter stormed into his house, slamming the door behind him with a force that made the walls tremble. His tie felt suffocating, a noose around his neck, and with a sharp tug, he tore it off and threw it onto the desk. His chest heaved as he paced the room, his anger consuming him like a wildfire. 'How dare she?' The thought repeated in his mind, fueling his fury. Evelyn’s cold indifference, the smug smirk of that bastard Edwin, and her outright dismissal of him—it was all too much. Hunter ran a hand through his hair, tugging at the roots in frustration. 'She’s acting like I never meant anything to her,' he fumed. 'As if I was just a passing phase in her life, someone she could forget the moment she signed those damn divorce papers.' The image of her laughing with Edwin flashed in his mind, and his jaw clenched. 'And now she has a new lover?' His fists tightened, the veins on his arms bulging. He couldn’t stand the thought of her moving on so quickly, of her giving someone else t
Evelyn adjusted her blazer nervously as she stepped out of the car, her heart hammering in her chest. The sleek glass building of Starlink towered above her, its polished exterior gleaming in the morning sun. The sight of it brought a mix of emotions—anxiety, determination, and an overwhelming sense of responsibility. This wasn’t just any company; it was her father’s legacy. She inhaled deeply and pushed through the revolving doors. Inside, the lobby buzzed with activity—employees moving with purpose, phones ringing, the faint hum of conversation echoing off the marble walls. The receptionist, a young woman with a warm smile, greeted her. “Ms. Evelyn Carter, right? We already received a call from your grandfather,” the receptionist said, standing up immediately. “The board is expecting you. This way, please.” Evelyn nodded, her palms damp with sweat as she followed the receptionist to the elevator. 'Expecting me?' she thought. 'They barely know me. What exactly am I walking int
Evelyn stepped into her new office, her eyes widening slightly as she took in the modern, sleek space. The walls were painted a soft, calming gray, accented with large windows that let in streams of natural light, offering a stunning view of the city skyline. A polished wooden desk sat in the center, adorned with a sleek laptop, a notepad, and a small potted plant—a touch of greenery that added warmth to the room. A comfortable-looking ergonomic chair was tucked neatly behind the desk, and a bookshelf against the wall was already stocked with industry-related books and a few decorative items. The faint scent of fresh coffee lingered in the air, coming from a small coffee station in the corner.As she was taking it all in, a woman with a warm smile and a confident stride entered the room. She extended her hand, her voice friendly and welcoming. "You must be Evelyn. I’m Clara, your new manager. It’s so great to finally have you here!"Evelyn shook her hand, returning the smile. "Thank
Hunter’s grip on the steering wheel was like iron, his knuckles white against the black leather, as he pulled into his driveway. The moment he killed the engine, the low hum of the car fading into the evening’s quiet, his phone buzzed again, a sharp, insistent vibration against the console.Sophia. Again.He ignored the call, a flicker of irritation sparking in his chest, and stepped out of the car, slamming the door shut with more force than necessary. The evening air was cool, carrying the scent of damp earth and distant honeysuckle, but his blood was boiling, a hot, turbulent current beneath his skin.Evelyn and her stupid lover boy Edwin.The two names were on repeat in his head, a relentless, torturous mantra, feeding the jealousy that gnawed at his insides, a ravenous beast consuming his peace of mind.She was with him right now.Probably laughing. Probably smiling while looking into each other’s eyes.Had she already let him touch her the way she used to let him? The way she us
Hunter sat at the head of the long, sleek conference table, staring at the financial reports spread in front of him. The numbers blurred together, his grip tightening around the pen in his hand. The room was filled with the low hum of conversation, the occasional shuffle of papers, and the faint click of a keyboard. But Hunter wasn’t listening. He was supposed to be focused. This meeting was important—his company was finalizing a major acquisition, and every executive in the room was waiting for his decision. The deal was worth billions, and the stakes were high. But his mind was elsewhere. Evelyn. Edwin. The way she had looked at him last night, her eyes blazing with a mix of anger and defiance. Like she had moved on. Like she didn’t care anymore. The memory burned in his chest, a slow, smoldering fire that refused to be extinguished. A sharp voice cut through his thoughts. “Mr. Blackwood?” Hunter’s head snapped up. His CFO, Marcus Reed, was watching him expectant
Evelyn sat on her couch, staring at the untouched cup of tea in front of her. Edwin had been talking for the past ten minutes—about how toxic Hunter was, about how she needed to cut him off for good—but her mind was elsewhere. She could still hear the sound of Hunter’s car speeding away, could still picture the flicker of something dangerous in his eyes before he left. Jealousy. Possession. Something she shouldn’t have cared about. But did. “Evelyn?” She blinked, snapping back to the present. Edwin was watching her, concern etched across his face. “What?” He sighed. “Were you even listening?” Evelyn rubbed her temples. “I’m tired, Edwin. Can we not do this right now?” His jaw tightened. “Fine. But at least tell me you see it now. He hasn’t changed, Evelyn. He never will.” She swallowed. “It’s not that simple.” Edwin scoffed. “It is exactly that simple. He’s a selfish bastard who only cares about himself. You don’t owe him anything—not your time, not your pi
Breakfast was torture. Not because of Grandma Blackwood—she was as sweet and oblivious as ever—but because of Hunter. Evelyn could feel his eyes on her. Watching. Waiting. As if he expected her to slip, to react, to—what? Fall into his arms like a fool? Not happening. She focused on her food, answering Grandma’s questions with polite enthusiasm. Meanwhile, Hunter played the perfect, doting husband, chiming in at just the right moments. His hand occasionally brushed hers, his arm rested behind her chair—it was all for show, of course. But her body refused to believe that. By the time breakfast was over, Evelyn was exhausted. Hunter helped clear the dishes, chatting easily with Grandma as if nothing was amiss. Meanwhile, Evelyn sat frozen in her seat, replaying that moment at the table. The way he had looked at her. Like he meant it. Like they weren’t pretending. Her chest tightened. She needed air. --- Escape to the Garden Evelyn retreated to the backyard, ta
Evelyn lay stiffly on the couch, staring at the ceiling. The dim glow of the moon cast soft shadows across the room, but it did nothing to ease the restlessness buzzing under her skin. Her mind was a whirlwind of emotions—anger, frustration, and something else she couldn’t quite name. Something that made her chest ache and her throat tighten.She could still hear Hunter moving around in the bedroom, could picture him sprawled across the bed like he belonged there, like he owned the space—like he owned her. The thought made her jaw clench. *No. He doesn’t get to affect me anymore.* But that was a lie, wasn’t it? Because no matter how much she wanted to deny it, the past still lingered between them, thick and suffocating. It was in the way he looked at her, the way his voice carried that familiar teasing edge, the way his presence seemed to fill every room he entered. It was in the memories she couldn’t escape, no matter how hard she tried.She turned onto her side, pressing the pillow
Evelyn barely slept.Every time she drifted off, she’d wake to the weight of memories pressing down on her. The familiar scent of Hunter’s cologne mixed with the warm cedarwood of his skin made her chest feel tight.She hated that even now—after everything—his presence still had an effect on her.When the soft glow of dawn filtered through the lace curtains, Evelyn decided she had had enough. Carefully, she slipped out of bed, making sure not to disturb Hunter. He lay on his back, one arm flung across the pillow, his bare chest rising and falling steadily.For a moment, she just looked at him.It wasn’t fair. That he could sleep so soundly while she was drowning in emotions she didn’t want to feel.Shaking off the thought, she grabbed a robe and tiptoed out of the room.The kitchen was warm, filled with the scent of freshly brewed coffee and something sweet. Evelyn found Grandma Blackwood at the stove, humming softly as she flipped pancakes.“Good morning, sweetheart,” she said, smili
Chapter 28The sound of a car horn outside made Evelyn’s stomach clench. She took a deep breath, smoothing down the fabric of her dress before grabbing her purse. As she stepped outside, Hunter Blackwood leaned against the sleek black car, his expression unreadable beneath the glow of the streetlights. “Right on time,” he said, his voice laced with amusement. Evelyn rolled her eyes as she approached. “I didn’t want to give you the satisfaction of thinking I was dreading this.” Hunter smirked, opening the car door for her. “You wound me, darling. I was hoping you’d be at least a little excited.” “Let’s just get this over with,” she muttered, sliding into the passenger seat. As Hunter started driving, the tension between them filled the space. Evelyn kept her gaze fixed on the road ahead, ignoring the way he stole glances at her. “I can’t believe we’re doing this,” she finally muttered. “You’re the one who agreed,” Hunter shot back. “I agreed for your grandmother’s sake,
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