Eva sat in her office, playing a pen between her fingers as morning sunlight poured in through big windows, though all at once it seemed to choke her, while immaculate white walls and a desk perfectly aligned got on her nerves. Her mind was again set, wondering how Shawn had left that morning.He had been distant. There was no kiss on her cheek, no teasing remark, not even a casual farewell. She remembered stepping out of the shower, wrapping a towel around herself, and walking into the bedroom to find him already dressed, his tie half-done and his phone pressed to his ear.“I’ll be there in thirty minutes,” he had said into the phone, barely glancing in her direction."Leaving already?" she had asked, forcing a lightness into her voice."Busy day."And with that, he'd grabbed his briefcase and was out the door, leaving her standing there, a bead of water trailing down her temple.Eva let out a loud, quivering breath and shook her head. “He's busy, that's all,” Eva told herself for th
Eva jabbed the green button on her phone and raised it to her ear, an unhurried smile spreading across her lips, one that didn't quite make it to a curve."Hello," she said, professional and curt. She flickered a look between the two men sitting in the room; her father's eyes narrowed further while Uncle Daniel leaned a little forward, concern growing palpable. "Yes, this is Ava Wadsley. How can I assist you?"She caught the slight hesitation that came from the other end before Ryan's voice finally responded, "Uh, yeah. Good afternoon. I'm calling about the proposal for the upcoming project."Eva went straight, clutching the phone a little tighter. "Yes, the proposal. I see." She flung a courteous smile across to her father and uncle. "Excuse me, gentlemen, but this may take some time. I'll step out and finish this conversation elsewhere.”She whirled on her heel and strode out, not waiting for an answer. With every beat of her heart in the chest, the race was on as she felt the sear
“Shawn, you’re awfully quiet,” his mother’s voice broke through the silence as she set a plate of fresh cookies on the table.“I’m fine, Mom,” Shawn replied, forcing a small smile. He leaned back in the chair, trying to shake off the heaviness that had been clinging to him all morning.No, you're not." She sat opposite him, her keen eyes narrowing down as she scanned his face. "What's wrong? You look like you have not slept properly in days."Shawn sighed, rubbing his temple. "It is work, Mom. Deadlines and responsibilities, all that."His mother didn't believe a word of it. "Work? Or something else?”Before Shawn could say his mind, Henry went in and then looked at them. "What is going on here?”“Your son is sulking," his mother said, folding her arms. "And he won't tell me why."Shawn chuckled nervously, getting up to stretch. "It's nothing serious. Just having a bad week."Henry frowned, but in an instant his features changed and he looked elsewhere in thought. "Well, bad weeks hap
Shawn entered the kitchen, arrested by the scent of chicken and tomatoes hanging in the air. He leaned against the doorframe, watching Eva glide from stove to counter, lost in her world, softly humming, and her back turned to him."Smells good," he said. His voice was even heavy with the undertone.Eva startled slightly, turning to face him with a soft smile. “Hey. You’re home early. I’m making chicken parm tonight. Thought it might be nice to eat together. Since you mentioned that you were craving it.”Her smile, meant to be warm, felt hollow to him. Shawn nodded, stepping farther into the kitchen, his eyes never leaving her. “Thoughtful of you.”Eva faltered; the weight of his words sounded in her mind as she turned back to the stove, a little stiffer now. "How was work?""Work was fine," Shawn said, leaning against the counter, crossing his arms. "But you know, sometimes it's what happens outside of work that sticks with you the most."The words hung suspended in the air, a wafted
Shawn, listen to me," Ava hurriedly said, shaking, "You have to believe me. It wasn't me who went to Italy. It was Eva.”Shawn was rigid. He was clutching on to the back of a chair, furrows deeply scribed in his brow. "What are you trying to tell me, Ava? Are you seriously telling me this now?”"Yes!" exclaimed Ava as she stepped up to him. "True! Two years ago in Italy it was not I who met Norman. It was my twin sister, Eva! Was Eva out to impersonate me!"He had watched her as what she said finally seeped into his brain: "Your sister-your twin had impersonated you? For what?”Eva let out a shaking breath; her voice finally cracked in desperation. "It was last minute, and I was supposed to go off to some event in Italy for a client of mine, but then I fell sick. Eva offered to go in my place and represent me." She leaned into the counter, knuckles white. "I did not know a thing about her encounter with Norman until he confronted me! She never said anything to me.”Shawn firmed his j
Shawn booted the bedroom door shut with his foot, his arms clenching tighter around Eva as he carried her easily. A sly grin played on his lips, his dark eyes sparkling with silent promises."Shawn," Eva whispered, her breath catching as her back hit the cool wood of the door.“Hmm?" His voice was low teasing as he pinned her against the door, his hands sliding on her hips to steady her. "Something you want to say?""You're insatiable," she said, trying for exasperation and ending with amusement lining her tone.He leaned into her, his lips brushed at the shell of her ear. "Only where you're concerned."Ava's cheeks flamed hot, her hands going instinctively to his shoulders, to warn him, to tell him to put her down.And then his lips landed on hers, and with it, all protest fled from her mind.She kissed him back, matching the hunger as his hands began to massage her butt and he made way for the bed, placing her on it gently without breaking the kiss. He moved to her neck and sucked
The rest of the week was just work and quiet evenings at home, one into another. Eva found herself surprisingly eager for the family dinner; the opportunity would prove to herself as much as to Shawn that she fitted in with his world.********“Am I supposed to cool my heels here all night?" Shawn called from his perch at the bottom of the stairs, his pacing legs seeming to edge towards impatience."I'll be down in five minutes!" Eva yelled back from somewhere upstairs muffled, yet urgently.Shawn smiled while he quirked his wrist in time with his moves. "You said that fifteen minutes ago”"I mean it this time," she called back exasperated.Shawn shook his head, mumbling to himself. "Women and their obsession with fashionably being late." He ceased his pacing and leaned casually against the staircase railing, crossing his arms. "You know my dad is expecting us to be on time, and you know how he gets when we're late.""Shawn!" Eva's voice was louder now, playful annoyance laced in ever
The grand entrance of the Darlington mansion, beamed under the glow of the evening light, as a sight into which the Wadsleys were to arrive. Mr. and Mrs. Wadsley stepped from their car, crunching small under the gravel that was nearly imperceptible against the serenade of cicadas."This place is as magnificent as ever," Eleanor exclaimed, eyes roving over stately pillars and landscaped finery.“Darlington always did have a flair for the dramatic luxury," Richard groused ,no doubt reluctantly appreciative of his old friend.A butler opened the door for them, gesturing inside with a low bow. Mrs. Darlington was resplendent in her silk gown as she welcomed them into the foyer, soft smile spreading on her face."Eleanor! Richard! So good to see you both," and she moved to them to hug them both."Diane, you are looking fabulous," Mrs. Wadsley replied as they exchanged hugs. "And still smell great as always."Mr. Darlington appeared from the dining room, a glass of scotch clutched in his ha
The Wadsley’s mansion was filled with tension. Shawn entered the room, his piercing eyes surveying those already seated in front of him at the table in a row down the long mahogany. His father, Henry Darlington sat opposite Richard Wadsley, who presided at the head of the table, tapping fingers on the wood in a deliberate rhythm, face with an impassive mask, and Ryan Wadsley leaned back in his chair, arms folded, and nodded to greet shawn.“I'm sorry for keeping you all waiting.” he bowed before settling down and didn’t waste any seconds before speaking. "We don’t have much time." His voice cut through the stifling silence. "Uncle Victor and Norman have been one step ahead of us for so long. That ends now."Henry's expression was resolute. "We already know all their plans. With Edward's recording, we've got Victor's confession. But that will never be enough. We need more evidence to expose them publicly in front of your grandfather.”Richard's teeth were firmly gritted. "My name and
Darlington's mansion loomed over him as Shawn grasped the steering wheel with hands tightly clenched, his mind thinking a mile a minute per second. He never imagined that he would find himself here today, but with everything that had just transpired in seconds ago, he had more pressing things to attend to. All he had to do was learn.The instant he drove into the driveway, he cut off the motor and stepped out, teeth gritted in a granite smile. Air was nearly as cold as ice as he strode up to the front door.A servant flung the door wide open for him before he would have gotten there on his own two pounding feet. "Welcome home, Mr. Darlington." The maid greeted with a smile on her face.Shawn tried to greet back with a smile, but he wasn’t in the mood and he couldn’t fake it."Where's my father?" he asked immediately.Her expression changed at his cold demeanour. She could instantly tell that he was in a bad mood."Your father is in his study," She said.Shawn remained silent. He st
The ride home was silent as Ryan drove Ava home in her carAva's knuckles were whitening as her fist clenched on her laps. She could hear the sound of her heartbeat as she thought about what she was going to face when she got home.Ryan gripped tightly on the steering wheel, jaws clenched in a hard line. He was furious and seething, but beneath the anger was something else. He was supposed to be angry and yelling at her, but all he felt was pity for her.She could feel it also, she hated being treated like that- being vulnerable and pitied but that was the only thing she could hold on to now."Are you ready?" Ryan finally said, rolling up in front of the Wadsley house. The house loomed above, the lights flickered through the windows but not stopping the storm raging in Ava's brain.Her head was spinning, she let out in a soft tone "No." She shivered, her voice quivering. "But do I have a choice?”Ryan sighed and relaxed back into his seat. "You always have a choice in every decision,
There was heavy tension in the room, as Shawn's burning gaze was focused on Ava. His eyes sucked the air out of her lungs, and she stood stil with a wide eye, trembling in fear with her fist clenched on both sides."What the bloody hell are you doing here with Norman?" Shawn's tone sliced the air like a sharp blade.Ava flinched at his voice, and she stepped back, still trembling. "I—I can explain," she whispered.Shawn's face went cold. "You better have a good explanation for this."Ava's knees wobbled under her. She didn't know how much he heard or where to start her explanation from. "I didn't mean to do any of it, Shawn." she moved closer to him with tears in her eyes, hoping it would make him pity her. "I was used and manipulated by them. I swear– I would never betray you on purpose. Please believe me.”“Used and manipulated?" Shawn let out a bitter chuckle."That's your excuse?"Ava's heart crushed. He didn’t believe her. "I was scared! I was trapped and didn't know what to do.
Ava wiped her tears and shot a glare at samantha. “You knew about this too?”"Oh, come on, Ava," Samantha teased. "Don't be stupid now. We were business partners. I had no idea about your secret one night stand. I became partners with Norman after your father threatened to ruin my career, because he wanted to protect his beloved family reputation.”Ava went pale and her head spun. She thought samantha really cared about her when she advised her and helped her to get shawn back, but she had came to her with ulterior motives, and Norman was behind her all along. "You joined hands with Norman to hurt me. I've done nothing to deserve this from you, Sam.” She said with tears pouring down her eyes.Norman stepped closer, with a firm expression. “Don't play the victim here, Ava. You did everything you did for yourself. It was for your own selfish needs.”Ava wiped her tears and shot him a death glare "What are you saying?""Don't play dumb with us," Samantha cut in, "Yes, it was part of my
It was already dark when Ava stepped out of her car. The secluded building stood at the outskirts of the area and she had to walk there. Her grip tightened on the big bag she was holding as she got to the door. She took a deep breath and looked over her shoulder one more time before twisting the door handle. The creak of the open door pushed the bitter scent of scorched cement and motor oil back into her nostrils. Samatha leaned her shoulders against a pile of crates, crossed arms, pursed lips curled into a crazed smile as she saw her. Norman Darlington, however, was sitting in a comfortably broken-in leather armchair in the far corner, whiskey sloshing back and forth between his fingers. A whirlwind of excitement churned in his head as Ava walked toward him.She did not even bat an eyelid. She raised the bag she was holding and slammed it on the table in front of Norman. "There," she spat. "There's the money you both asked for. Now stop this madness before my dad's company goes ban
Henry Darlington was on his phone in his home office when he received a message from one of his clients, Edward Langstone. It was a voice message, and he wondered what was in it. He stopped what he was doing and played the message. There were murmurs of far-off voices, glass clinking, and soft music playing a party, then a familiar voice came in. "Richard Wadsley and Henry Darlington thought they were unstoppable and everyone else, or at least wished they were. They were just emotional fools. I sabotaged their business deal to ruin it in their faces, and they did not even know it was a sabotage. After all those years of friendship and partnership, it was so easy to break them apart. Without the support of each other, they are as good as weak, but my main target was Henry, I only wanted to remove Richard from the picture. “Wow, that's brilliant.” Another voice came in. “So how's the result going?” He chuckled. “Trust me, it's going great. Darlington Enterprises hanging by his fing
Ryan forced through the doors of Shawn's office without bothering to knock. His jaw was set in a line of urgency, his head a whirlwind of possibilities. The dim light inside the office cast shadows on Shawn's face, who sat behind his desk with his expression filled with controlled fury. The door slammed into the wall but shattered no portion of his stubborn fury. His fingers drummed slowly and deliberate over the fine polished wood. Ryan's pale blue eyes sparkled. "You said something about an emergency," he said, entering and closing the door. "What is it?” His voice was a little coarse and impatient Shawn exhaled, the weight of it coming down hard as it laid on his chest. He did not even look at Ryan, but instead allowed his eye to track the line of the desk in an attempt to put some sort of control on the anger in him. His tightened on the edge of the desk, and his knuckles whitened."Ava knows something.” Ryan's eyebrows sprang. "Knows something about what?"Shawn's head jerked
Ava shoved Shawn's brown front door wide open and took a deep breath, waiting there as the door creaked shut behind her. The day's activities hung heavy on her shoulders like a damp cape. And she couldn't wait to relax and have a good night's sleep. She walked in expecting to see Madam Tess all over the kitchen, but the house was quiet. It was at this time tonight that Madam Tess would be cleaning the kitchen and also preparing Shawn's study for his arrival from work. Her hand rested on the chill of the console table as she placed her handbag down. The reflex wasn't comforting. A cold, shivery scuttering feeling crawled down her spine as though someone was standing behind her, watching her.And she saw him.Shawn was at the bottom of the stairs, lit by the faint light of the hallway chandelier. One hand was in his sweatpants pocket, the other clumsily holding a tumbler of amber liquor. His eyes, which met hers, were dark and impenetrable.Ava's heart skipped a beat.She swallowed.