Evelyn's POV
I made my way straight to the bar because it was the only place that could help blow away the cobwebs that were clogged in my heart at the moment. My thoughts were still very heavy with memories of my past life and the things I'd been through. Walking into the slightly warm space with ambient lighting, I went straight to grab an order and drink my sorrows away.
I still remembered all of it, every single moment of it, and the dim lights coupled with the hum of the quiet chatting around me seemed to amplify my loneliness. I needed a drink as soon as possible. Sitting at the bar, I gestured towards the bartender.
“Whiskey, please.” I requested, flashing a tight-lipped smile that didn't reach my eyes.
He disappeared behind the counter and soon popped out again before pouring me a copious amount. I nodded and began to sip on my drink. I thought about the choices I had made, the people I had hurt, and the life I had just left behind. It was all for the best, I wasn't going to let anyone treat me like that anymore.
My thoughts were snapped back to the moment when the whiskey careened its way down my throat with a burning sensation, but it was a good burn. It made me feel alive, it made the world look a bit more cheerful, even though I was at a stage that threatened to break me apart. It wasn't long before I downed the full shot and then deftly slid the glass towards the bartender for another shot. He nodded with a tight-lipped smile, as if mocking me, and poured me another reasonable amount.
One drink turned into two, then three, and soon I lost count. Before I knew it, I was drunk. I knew it, and I knew it was a bad idea, considering that I knew nobody around. Perhaps I would stagger my way back home, I thought, but I needed to be careful. Careful of freaks and creeps who would be lying around, waiting to launch their attack on a helpless prey. At that point, I was regretting drinking that much. I thought about what to do, but the best option was faking that I was fine and then getting into a taxi.
Thereafter, I quickly paid my bill and tried to stand, but the room spurned around me. I lost my footing instantly, feeling so weightless. But just as I was about to fall, a strong hand gripped my waist instantly. I tried to snap my head around, wondering if it was the Bartender, but I couldn't get a clear view. But all I discerned at that moment was a familiar, masculine cologne. Even though I had no idea who those strong hands belonged to, something intuitive told me, despite my messed-up state, that I was in safe hands.
I allowed whoever it was to help me stand. The first person I saw was the bartender behind the counter, then slowly I turned towards him. I was shocked when I saw Caleb's uncle again! The gratitude I was about to give out suddenly seemed to stick back in my throat.
“You again,” I slurred, blinking rapidly to help focus on the view ahead. There were many people, but they were swaying before my eyes at that moment. The nausea came immediately but quickly vanished, and then I looked up at him to see his dark brown eyes narrowing down at me.
He tilted his head to the side and kept looking at me with those narrowed eyes, and with an intensity that gave me the phantom feeling that I could feel the eyes on my skin. His brows furrowed, and he took my hands before helping me to the seat again. “You're a drunk mess.” He said, smiling before dragging a seat closer towards me.
“I should be going… home.” I slurred out again as the real effects of the whiskey began to kick in really fast. All I needed right now was a long night's peaceful sleep, which was just the perfect way to forget all your problems so you could face them the next day.
“You won't be able to go home like this.” He replied, getting closer towards me and taking my hand, as if to mark his territory.
I glanced behind us and saw a group of men staring in our direction. But once again, I attested to the drunkenness. His voice continued to drone.
“Do you want to talk about what happened back there? Because I believe you owe me an explanation for what you did.”
I shook my head, brushing my raven-black hair from my face and shaking my head slightly so that the dizziness wouldn't intensify. “I don't want to talk about it.”
“And you think drinking will help you. It's only going to make things worse, you know, right? And…"
I pushed out my hand in frustration as his voice got more and more annoying. “Fine, I'll talk.” I said, gripping his hand harder.
“So tell me, why would you call off the wedding if you have feelings for Caleb?”
“A-and who says I have feelings for that monster?” I countered, angry. “I’m not depressed because of the wedding cancellation. I don't think I fucked up. I did…..something for myself."
He raised an eyebrow. “What then are you doing here if you think you made the best decision for yourself?” He asked.
I nodded. “What about you? Why are you here?”
He shrugged, downing a shot before moving the glass to the bartender for a refill. The way his veiny hands moved the glass over was almost… sexy. I wondered how it would feel being wrapped around my boobs. I pushed off the thought, just before his voice broke the silence once more.
“I came to unwind. It's been a long day, actually.” His reply was so simple and somewhat caustic. It irritated me because he had no idea what I went through.
Nobody understood what it felt like until they probably went through the same rough patch, and nobody would understand because I doubted they ever would. I got up from my seat and staggered a few steps forward.
“I'm done here.” I slurred, stopping for a moment to steady myself, but it wasn't working.
“Hey!” His deep baritone called out just before his strong hands grabbed my arm. I turned around to see him come close up, holding both arms and looking down at me. “You're not going to make it back safely like this. Let me help you.” He said.
I shook my head. “Leave me alone! I'm fine.”
“You don't look fine. There's nothing about you that seems fine right now. And I care about your safety, so if you try to leave I'm calling the cops…"
I froze in my tracks when I heard that. Why did he have to be so difficult and cynical? Before I could speak, he interrupted. “It's not like I'm going to abduct you or anything. I'll take you to a hotel, and you'll spend the night there. You can leave tomorrow when you're feeling better.”
I didn't protest. I was too drunk to argue. Subsequently, he quickly paid and walked me out, holding my hand the whole time. Getting into the car almost immediately, we left for the hotel and arrived after a few minutes' drive. He gently walked me inside and guided me to a room where he set me on the bed.
“It's hot,” I mumbled, still feeling so groggy. He sighed and gently took off my jacket, but his hands brushed against my face, sending the sparks erupting. Even in my drunken state, I could feel it.
“You're so hot…" I whispered, chuckling before running a hand down his chest. He didn't say anything but stayed beside me instead. The look in his eyes was intense, and I couldn't resist. I leaned in and kissed him suddenly. Startling him and also myself, but I realized something, he was pulling back, and he stared at me with those intense eyes.
Even in my state I knew It was wrong, but if he'd let me do it, then he wanted it too. He interrupted me when he leaned in and kissed me back. I quickly wrapped my hands around his neck and frantically kissed him. He grabbed my waist and pinned me to the bed. His soft, firm lips moved against mine with a passion that I couldn't fathom.
I moaned against his lips when he nibbled on my bottom lip. He trailed kisses down my neck and his grip tightened around my waist. My head went blank as I got lost in the heat and pleasure. I had never felt this way before, not even with Caleb.
I wanted to believe that the alcohol was at play here, but the way he sucked on my skin was distracting. We continued to make out, but just as it had started, he stopped, holding me back while he groaned in frustration. Thereafter, he stood up and left like nothing ever happened.
I woke up the next day with a throbbing headache that had my head feeling like it was going to split in half. I was shocked and confused as I wondered what had happened last night.
I tried to remember it as I frantically grabbed my jacket to put it on. That was the moment someone knocked on the door. I stiffened, listening to know who it was. I opened the door to see a woman in work garb standing out there.
“Room service.” She announced, before flashing me a smile that seemed benign. “Good morning, miss, this is for your hangover. Mr. Leonard Henderson requested you take it,” she said with a smile.
That was Caleb's uncle! The moment she said his name was the moment the thoughts came rushing back. I remembered every single moment, the sparks of attraction that had me kissing him like my life depended on it, but I was unable to tell if we'd gone beyond that.
“Also, I'll be here to clean up your room in ten minutes. Is there anything you want me to bring along while coming?” She asked.
I shook my head while taking the tray, unsure. “N-no…”
She smiled at me again before leaving, while I wal
ked back into the room and sat on the bed, trying to piece together what happened.
Evelyn's POV“Evelyn, where have you been all these time? Have been trying your number, but I got no response from you. Do you know he was worried? I was also scared,” my father's voice resounded in the living room as he flared up? I was somehow expecting this reaction. He hated being lost or confused and after everything that happened yesterday at the engagement party, he must have felt exhausted while trying to answer the questions from the guests and worse, from Caleb's parents. “We have a lot to discuss, so sit down,” he gestured towards a couch without waiting for me to explain myself. I could tell that he was angry.“I'm sorry, dad, for not telling you about my plans or explaining why I had to cancel the engagement,” I started. “But the truth is, I don't think I want to get married to Caleb anymore,” I said and waited for him to respond.His brows creased into a hard knot as he stared at me speechlessly. He seemed confused again. “I don't understand. This is the same guy that
Evelyn's POVThe morning sunlight streamed through the large windows of my father's office, bathing the room in a warm glow. I sat across from him, feeling slightly tense as I watched him go over some company reports. His expression was unreadable, a combination of stern focus and fatherly concern. I couldn’t help but wonder if he truly believed I could handle all this responsibility.“You wanted to learn, Evelyn,” he said finally, setting the papers down and fixing his sharp eyes on me. “Running a company like this isn’t about making speeches and shaking hands. It’s about decisions, hard ones. Do you think you’re ready for that?”I nodded, though my heart pounded in my chest. “I know it’s a lot, Dad, but I’m ready to prove myself. I just need you to give me a chance.”He leaned back in his chair, studying me for what felt like an eternity. “Alright,” he said at last. “I’ll start by letting you sit in on today’s board meeting. Just observe. Listen carefully. If you still want to do th
Evelyn POV Dana’s message came out of the blue late in the evening. "Can we meet tomorrow? I’m worried about you."For a moment, I stared at the screen, wondering if I’d imagined it. Dana wasn’t the type to check in unless she had an ulterior motive. Still, curiosity tugged at me. What could she possibly want? Her concern felt as genuine as a plastic pearl, but I decided to play along.The next afternoon, I walked into the café, a quiet little spot tucked into the corner of the city. Dana had chosen the table by the window, naturally. She was already seated, her designer sunglasses perched on her head and a delicate teacup in her manicured hands.“Evelyn!” she said brightly, her smile wide enough to show all her teeth. “You look amazing.”“Thanks,” I replied coolly, pulling out the chair across from her. “You wanted to talk?”The waiter approached, and Dana ordered her usual tea with extra honey, explaining how she’d been “under the weather.” I asked for coffee, no frills. As the wai
Evelyn’s POVThe note burned in my pocket like a live coal. Every time I moved, I felt its weight, its sharp edges digging into my side as if to remind me it existed.I sat on the edge of my bed, staring at the crumpled piece of paper now spread on the nightstand. The bold black letters were stark and unforgiving.“You’re making a mistake. Stay in your place, or you’ll regret it.”I read the words over and over, searching for some hidden meaning, some clue that would point me toward its author. But nothing about it gave anything away. No signature, no smudges, nothing.A thousand questions swirled in my mind. Who had sent it? Dana seemed like the obvious suspect, but the directness of the note didn’t match her style. She preferred manipulation through subtlety, not outright threats. Caleb? Unlikely. He had too much pride to resort to anonymous notes.The more I thought about it, the less sense it made.The sound of a car pulling into the driveway snapped me out of my thoughts. I peere
Evelyn's POVI barely slept. The events of the previous night played on a loop in my mind, haunting me like a bad dream. Caleb's unwelcome advances, the sheer panic of breaking free, and most of all, the fact the note was missing. Every time I closed my eyes, I felt his grip on me, and it made my stomach churn.When morning came, I dragged myself out of bed, beating my chest that Caleb's actions won't paralyze me. I had bigger battles ahead, and dwelling on the horror wouldn't change what had happened. Besides, I needed to find out what Caleb intended to do with that note—if he had it at all.At the office, I focused on keeping my composure. My father had asked me to sit in on a few meetings to start learning the ropes, and I didn’t want to give him a reason to worry. The thought of Caleb being in the building made my skin crawl, but I steeled myself and kept my head high.I was halfway through my second meeting of the day when the fatigue started to creep in. My mind felt clouded, as
Evelyn's POVThe drive home was unusually quiet, with only the faint hum of the engine and the occasional honk breaking the silence. The city lights blurred past me as my mind wandered, replaying the day over and over again. Dana’s unexpected appearance at the café had left me uneasy. What were the odds she’d just “happen” to be there? She didn’t work nearby, and her explanation felt thin at best.I was in deep thoughts and hadn't realized how distracted I was until the sound of a sharp honk pulled me back to reality.It was too late. My car had slightly grazed another vehicle while I was trying to switch lanes. The crunch of metal made my stomach drop, though the damage seemed minor.I pulled over immediately, parking by the side of the road. The other driver, a middle-aged man in a crisp suit, stepped out of his car, visibly annoyed. His headlamp was cracked, and the tension on his face made it clear this was not how he’d planned to spend his evening.“You weren’t paying attention,
Evelyn's POVThe silence stretched longer than it should have. Leonard’s voice on the other end of the line had caught me completely off guard, leaving me momentarily speechless.“Evelyn? Are you still there?” His deep tone was calm but held a trace of concern.I finally found my voice. “Yes, yes, I’m here. Um, how are you, Leonard? How… how did you get my number?”He chuckled softly, the sound warm and unhurried. “Let’s just say it wasn’t difficult. You’re quite an important person now at the company. Your contact information isn’t exactly classified.”I let out a small laugh, though I felt a tinge of embarrassment. “Well, I suppose that’s fair. But still, this is unexpected.”“Unexpected, yes, but not unwelcome, I hope?”“No, not at all,” I said quickly, surprising even myself with the honesty in my tone.I had barely started to relax into the conversation when I heard the unmistakable rumble of my father’s car pulling into the driveway. I sat up, glancing at the clock. He was home
Evelyn POVThe morning of the trip started early, but despite my best efforts to stay ahead of time, I still felt rushed. I stood in front of my closet, second-guessing my choice of outfits. Dad’s voice boomed down the hallway.“Evelyn! How much longer? We’ll miss the flight at this rate!”I rolled my eyes. “I’m almost done, Dad!” I called back, frantically folding the last blouse into my suitcase.Moments later, he appeared at my bedroom door, dressed immaculately in his signature tailored suit. He leaned against the doorframe, his arms crossed, watching me with an amused expression.“Still packing? Women are always the same,” he teased.I threw him a playful glare. “Mom wasn’t like that.”He chuckled, a soft fondness entering his eyes. “Your mother was one of a kind. Efficient when she wanted to be, but she had her moments too.” His voice turned wistful, and I felt a pang of sadness.Snapping out of it, I zipped my suitcase and grabbed my handbag. "There, ready to go!"The housekeep
Happily Ever After“Yes, I do,” Evelyn said, tears streaming down her face as she stood beside the love of her life, Leonard. The sun set behind them, casting golden hues across the beach, where a small crowd of family and close friends clapped in celebration. Evelyn’s heart raced as the pastor, with a gentle grin, declared, “By the power vested in me by the state, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride now.”Leonard didn’t hesitate. He pulled Evelyn close, capturing her lips in a deep, passionate kiss. His mother playfully covered her face, peeking through her fingers, while the crowd cheered and laughed.“Grandma, I want to join Mummy and Daddy!” Ryan and River said in unison, their excitement contagious. Without waiting for permission, they ran to the couple, joining them on the floor. Evelyn and Leonard embraced the kids, laughing as they all danced together when the music began to play.Though the ceremony was intimate, the guests in attendance were people o
Evelyn's POVIt was Leonard, he was carrying the baby, the excitement in his face before I slept off had vanished. “ Babe, what's going on?” I asked.But he didn't say anything, his head was just bowed down slightly, as if finding answers from the baby.My mind started reeling with several thoughts, I knew he had gone to see my dad, did he not like the child?“ Say something.” I said desperately.“ I'm sorry Evelyn.” He said but then paused again, his lips shaking.The door of the room opened again, and the Caregiver walked in.She was also cold. I became confused.“ Was anything wrong with my baby? I asked myself.“ Babe you have to be strong, I'm sorry Mr Wyatt. He didn't complete his sentence when I realized what he was trying to say.My dad was dead, Mr Wyatt was dead. My life was over, literally what came to my mind.“ Noo, no, say something else.” I said, tears streaming down my face.It became difficult to breathe. I was choking on air. I wept bitterly on the bed, Leonard trie
EVELYN’S POV:It had been over two months since the failed surgery. My dad had been living on what felt like a miracle ever since. Each day with him was a gift, a fragile thread holding him here. Leonard, Mia, and the caregiver had been the pillars of support I leaned on during those challenging months.Ryan and River visited often, bringing small moments of joy, but today wasn’t about my dad or them. Today, it was my turn on the hospital bed. Inside the labor room, I lay ready—or as ready as anyone could be—to meet the life I had carried for nine months. The pain I felt was incomparable, beyond anything I’d ever imagined.I clung tightly to Leonard’s hand. He stood beside me, his calm voice trying to pierce through my haze of agony. “You’re doing so well, babe. Just a little more.”A doctor—or maybe a nurse or midwife—entered the room, her expression calm yet purposeful. I knew it was time. She held a syringe, walking briskly toward me.“Hello, madam. Just relax and stay calm. You ca
LEONARD’S POV:Then I turned my attention back to driving. Even though this was supposed to be exciting news on a normal day, we couldn't celebrate it."I'm hungry," Evelyn said. I gave her a questioning look.I turned the car onto another route as we started looking for a restaurant. We eventually found one and walked inside. The meal was nice, and I realized I was also hungry. After eating, we didn’t leave immediately; we stayed for a while to relax.Then a call came to my phone. I took it out and saw it was a new number. Surprisingly, I hesitated before answering, wondering who it could be.“Good day, sir,” a voice said on the other end.I tried to recognize the voice but couldn’t.“I’m from the press hub,” the voice continued.My interest piqued. “What’s the situation?” I asked urgently.“We have three offers right now,” he said.A wave of excitement washed over me for a moment.“Alright, I need their details immediately,” I said and hung up.I turned to speak to Evelyn, only to r
LEONARD’S POV:"It's the court hearing; it's tomorrow. It had just slipped my mind," I said to her, my words unorganized."I'm famished," she said, ignoring the information I had just shared, as if she hadn't asked in the first place."Here you go," I said, serving her meal."Smells so good," she said, sniffing the food while closing her eyes.We had a quick breakfast. Time flew by, and before I knew it, it was the next morning.When I woke up, Evelyn was sleeping peacefully beside me on the bed. The only unusual thing was her large baby bump, which I had grown used to."Good morning, baby," I whispered in her ear and kissed her before getting out of bed.I went to the kitchen and poured myself a glass of water. After finishing it, I started making coffee for us. I was almost done when a familiar voice interrupted me."Good morning," Evelyn said with a bright smile. Even though we were indoors, she shone like the sun.I moved toward her, kissed her cheek playfully, and then kissed her
LEONARD’S POV:Her checkups and scan didn’t take much time. The baby was fine and Evelyn was in perfect condition. Though the doctor recommended so much rest. Afterward, she requested to see the twins.“But they had left only yesterday!” I protested. The twins had become a big part of our lives, visiting from time to time. Even though they stayed at their grandparents’ house, their bond with Evelyn remained strong. They were so fond of her that they never wanted to leave whenever they came over. The feeling was mutual.“But I miss them,” she said, pouting her lips. “We won’t stay long; it’ll just be a brief visit.”“I know, but the doctor said you need rest. You should get some,” I tried to convince her. But Evelyn wasn’t one to give up easily.Eventually, she succeeded in convincing me instead. I called the kids' grandparents on our way to inform them of our visit. As soon as we arrived, the kids ran out to welcome us. I scooped both of them into my arms and lifted them high. Only t
LEONARD’S POV:I adjusted the car seat and pulled her toward me. She tried to pull away, but she couldn’t match my strength.“Leave me alone. I hate you,” she said, hitting me violently. But I kept my hold firm on her.After a moment of crying and consoling, she eventually calmed down.“Evelyn, I promise everything will be fine,” I said reassuringly.“No, nothing is fine. He’s getting worse every day,” she replied, her voice frail. She clung to me and sobbed gently. “I don’t want anything to happen to him.”“Of course not,” I answered.When she was calm enough, I started the car and we drove to the hospital.“How are you, Evelyn?” my mom asked as soon as we stepped inside the hospital room.The caregiver was sitting on a chair, while my mom sat beside Mr. Wyatt on his bed. He was awake now, though he looked so weak and pale. He wasn't the Mr Wyatt I knew months back anymore.We settled in and tried to cheer Mr. Wyatt up. We had a good time that evening. It was the first time I’d seen
LEONARD’S POV:“I miss you so much,” I said to her, placing a kiss on her cheek and then her forehead.“And you had to do this?” she said mockingly to me.“Of course, I’ll do it anytime,” I replied.She giggled and hugged me again.“Good afternoon, sir,” her secretary walked up to us and greeted me.I responded, and then we made preparations to leave. Evelyn and I stayed entwined with each other the entire time. We all boarded the jet and took off.Evelyn’s face shifted slightly, and before I could ask her what was wrong, she said, “How is my dad?”I kept quiet for a moment, thinking of how to respond. “He’s steady for now,” I lied. I couldn’t bring myself to tell her the truth—not yet.“I can’t wait to see him,” she said happily.“Sure, you’ll see him soon,” I replied, trying to sound confident.Even though she appeared happy, her face was still marked with dark circles, and I could see through her mask. She was deeply worried about her dad.“My mom is also at the hospital; she came
LEONARD’S POV:“I figured you haven’t had time to eat,” she said, noticing the amusement on my face.As I ate, we had a little conversation, and then she asked, “How do you intend to break the news to Evelyn?”I slightly choked on the food and let out a faint cough. I was frozen for a moment. It was still a question that lingered in my mind, unanswered.“I don't know. I’ve thought about it several times, but I can’t seem to find a good way to say it to her,” I explained.My mom placed her hand on my shoulder and said, “Just take it easy on yourself.”“Thank you, Mom,” I replied and continued eating my meal.Then my phone rang suddenly. I quickly picked it up without even checking the caller.“Good afternoon, sir,” the voice on the other end said respectfully.“The project has been approved. I just received an email—have you seen it yet?” he asked.I’d been so busy I hadn’t even thought about work. I had almost forgotten I was waiting for an approval.This was good news. It was a multi