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
Shawn sat fidgeting his leg idly in the waiting room, staring down between his feet at the white tile floor. Antiseptic-sterilized air filled his nostrils, but he barely noticed. There were just so many nurses hustling to and fro down the corridors; several of them went toward Ava's room, every time one passed he started up hopeful they'd stop to update him on her status. But none of them did. He ran a hand through his hair, fists clenched. “Oh God, please, let her be okay," he muttered hoarsely to himself. The silence following it was deafening apart from the hum of machinery that whirred at a distance somewhere in the hospital.“What if it's worse than I think? What if…no, no, no, I just can't even think that.” Shawn shook his head, futilely chasing away dark thoughts crawling inside his skull as he leaned further ahead, placing elbows on knees and launching off another muttered prayer in utter desperation.Running footsteps made him turn toward the door as his parents burst in wit
"Please, Eva. Just this once. I need you to go." Ava leaned against the doorframe, eyes pleading she clasped her hands together. "It'll be easy, just like always.”Eva stared at her twin sister, her belly twisting. "I don't know, Ava," she muttered. "This... it's getting out of hand. He still doesn't know it's me, and every time I go, I feel like I'm lying to him.”Ava waved a hand dismissively. "You really are worrying too much. Shawn's practically into me already, there's no risk. Besides," she added, grinning, "you've been having fun, haven't you? Getting out of the house, meeting people, finally enjoying yourself a bit?"“It's not that simple," Eva said, refusing to look at her sister. Fun? Each date with Shawn had left her exhilarated, yet guilty, a feeling she could not tease apart. She knew she was enjoying his company far too much, more than she could admit to herself. But what was also more difficult was pretending to be Ava night after night. "What if he finds out?”"He won'
"You did what?" Ava's voice cut through the silent quiet of their bedroom. Wide-eyed with shock, her tone was ice-cold with anger. "Eva, I told you to go and keep him company-not accept his proposal!”Eva stumbled backward, her heart racing in her chest, as if she'd been punched. She did her utmost to steady her voice. "I-I didn't mean to, Ava! He just…he asked and I couldn't bring myself to hurt him like that."“Hurt him?" she exclaimed, throwing her arms up for emphasis. "You're telling me you couldn't say one word? No, Eva. That's all you had to say. Instead, you made him think that he was proposing to me, and now I have a fiance who I don't even care about?”"'I thought you cared,' Eva snapped back, her angry flush reaching to meet Ava's. “Or at least I thought you cared about keeping him around for business. Isn't that why you wanted me to keep going on these dates in the first place? To make sure he stayed close?"Ava curls her lips up in a sneering smile. "Fine, fine, Eva. Don'
Shawn sat fidgeting his leg idly in the waiting room, staring down between his feet at the white tile floor. Antiseptic-sterilized air filled his nostrils, but he barely noticed. There were just so many nurses hustling to and fro down the corridors; several of them went toward Ava's room, every time one passed he started up hopeful they'd stop to update him on her status. But none of them did. He ran a hand through his hair, fists clenched. “Oh God, please, let her be okay," he muttered hoarsely to himself. The silence following it was deafening apart from the hum of machinery that whirred at a distance somewhere in the hospital.“What if it's worse than I think? What if…no, no, no, I just can't even think that.” Shawn shook his head, futilely chasing away dark thoughts crawling inside his skull as he leaned further ahead, placing elbows on knees and launching off another muttered prayer in utter desperation.Running footsteps made him turn toward the door as his parents burst in wit
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 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
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
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 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, 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
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
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