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 waiter left, Dana leaned forward, resting her chin on her hand like we were old friends catching up.
“I’ve been so worried about you,” she began, her voice dripping with concern. “Ever since the party, you’ve been so... distant. I wanted to check in, see how you’re holding up.”
“I’m fine,” I said shortly, taking a sip of my coffee.
Dana’s expression softened, or at least she wanted it to appear that way. “I know how hard this must be for you. I mean, you and Caleb have always been so perfect together. I can’t imagine what you’re going through right now.”
Her words were like nails on a chalkboard, each one grating against my patience. “People grow apart. It happens.”
“But it doesn’t have to,” she countered quickly, her eyes wide with faux sincerity. “Caleb loves you, Evelyn. He’s been a wreck since the party. He can’t stop talking about how much he wants to make things right.”
I tilted my head, pretending to consider her words. “That’s nice to hear.”
Dana’s lips parted as if she wanted to press the issue, but she stopped herself, taking a sip of her tea instead. Then, as if struck by a sudden idea, she said, “You know, I think he’s just waiting for a sign from you. Maybe if you reached out, he’d feel less... I don’t know, hopeless?”
I raised an eyebrow. “Why don’t you tell him to reach out if he feels that way? He has my number.”
Dana laughed, a light, airy sound that felt rehearsed. “Oh, Evelyn, you know how stubborn Caleb can be. He probably thinks he’s giving you space, but really, he’s just miserable without you.”
I leaned back in my chair, folding my arms. “And you care about his misery because...?”
She blinked, caught off guard for a moment. Then, she recovered with a smile that didn’t reach her eyes. “Because I care about you both. You’ve been together so long; it feels like you’re part of my family too. Seeing you apart... it’s heartbreaking.”
“Heartbreaking,” I repeated, my tone flat. “That’s a strong word.”
Dana hesitated, her fingers toying with the edge of her teacup. “I know you think I’m meddling, but I just want to help. I don’t want either of you to regret losing something so special.”
I studied her carefully. Her voice was full of earnest emotion, but there was something off about it—too polished, too perfect. She was rehearsing this, and I didn’t believe a word of it.
“Let’s cut to the chase, Dana,” I said, my voice firmer now. “What do you really want?”
She looked taken aback, her eyes widening as though I’d accused her of something heinous. “I don’t understand—”
“Yes, you do,” I interrupted. “You didn’t drag me out here just to talk about Caleb’s feelings. What’s your angle?”
Her mouth opened and closed like a fish out of water. For a moment, I thought she might keep up the act, but then she sighed, lowering her gaze. “Fine,” she said softly. “I just wanted to appeal to you—to ask you to give Caleb another chance.”
I said nothing, letting her words hang in the air.
Dana pressed on, her voice trembling just enough to sound convincing. “He’s devastated, Evelyn. He doesn’t want to lose you. And honestly, I don’t think you want to lose him either. I mean, deep down, don’t you still love him?”
Her question hit a nerve, but I refused to show it. Instead, I shrugged, keeping my expression neutral. “I’ll think about it,” I said finally.
Her face lit up, and I could see the relief washing over her. “Thank you,” she said, reaching out to touch my hand briefly. “That’s all I wanted—to know that you’d at least consider it.”
The conversation drifted to lighter topics after that. Dana rambled about work, mutual acquaintances, and her plans for the upcoming weekend. I nodded and smiled in all the right places, but my mind was elsewhere.
By the time I left the café, I felt like I’d just walked out of a bad play. Dana thought she was pulling the strings, but I saw through her act. Whatever she and Caleb were planning, I wasn’t going to let them win.
When I got home, the first thing I noticed was the stillness. My father was out, and the house felt too quiet. I placed my bag on the kitchen counter and wandered into the living room, a strange sense of unease settling over me.
That’s when I saw it—a plain white envelope resting on the coffee table. My name was typed on the front in bold, black letters.
Frowning, I picked it up and tore it open. Inside was a single sheet of paper with a chilling message:
“You’re making a mistake. Stay in your place, or you’ll regret it.”
I stared at the words, my heart pounding in my chest. A thousand questions raced through my mind. Who had sent this? Dana? Caleb? Or someone else entirely?
The sound of a door creaking behind me made me whip around, my pulse spiking. But the hallway was empty.
Clutching the note, I took a deep breath and forced myself to calm down. Whoever sent this wanted me rattled, but I wouldn’t give them the satisfaction.
I folded the note and slid it into my pocket, my jaw tightening. If they thought this would scare me into submission, they were wrong. I wasn’t going to back down.
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
Evelyn's POV “What are you doing?” I demanded, my voice low.“Shh,” he said, leaning in. “This is just a friendly chat. Relax, Evelyn.”But there was nothing relaxing about the way my heart raced.The cramped restroom felt suffocating, the tension between Leonard and me making the air thicker than the confined space could allow. His hand lingered on mine as I attempted to free myself, my pulse betraying the calm demeanor I tried to maintain.“Leonard,” I began, keeping my voice low but firm, “why didn’t you tell me about this trip? It’s not like we haven’t talked this week.”He sighed, his face softening as if he’d prepared for this question. “It was impromptu, Evelyn. I only found out about it two days ago.”I raised a skeptical brow. “Two days? And you couldn’t find a single moment to mention it? A text, maybe? A casual, ‘Oh, by the way, I’m flying out too’? Nothing?”“I was going to—”“But you didn’t,” I cut him off, crossing my arms. “You always have an excuse, don’t you?”He rub
Evelyn's POV The constant drone of the plane’s engines was beginning to feel like a hammer against my skull. I rubbed my temples, trying to soothe the headache creeping in. The vibrations and hums, though muted, reverberated through the cabin, making it impossible to fully relax. With a sigh, I pulled out my headphones and scrolled through my playlist, settling on something soft and melodic to drown out the noise. As the music filled my ears, I closed my eyes and leaned back in my seat, allowing myself a moment of peace. Gradually, the ache began to subside, and I felt my body giving in to the fatigue. Sleep came in fragments at first, disrupted by the occasional turbulence. Each time, I shifted uncomfortably in my seat, trying to find a position that wouldn’t strain my neck.Noticing my struggle, Dad glanced over. “You okay, sweetheart?” I nodded weakly, trying not to sound as frustrated as I felt. “I just can’t get comfortable.” With a small chuckle, he patted his shoulder. “Come
Evelyn's POV The car pulled up in front of us, sleek and black, with tinted windows that gleamed under the dim airport lights. It wasn’t just any car—it was a limousine. My stomach churned. Of course, Leonard would choose the most extravagant option possible. Was he trying to impress my dad? Or worse, me? Either way, it wasn’t working. If it had been just me, I might have refused outright, but Dad was already walking toward the vehicle, his shoulders slumped in exhaustion. With no other choice, I followed him.Dad slid into the spacious backseat with a relieved sigh. I hesitated for a moment, then climbed in after him. Leonard was already seated, lounging comfortably in the seat opposite us, a faint smile playing on his lips. He looked like he belonged there, effortlessly confident, his suit pristine even after the long flight. I, on the other hand, felt out of place in my travel-worn clothes. Determined not to give him the satisfaction of seeing me squirm, I straightened my postur
EVELYN'S POV:Just when I thought I was finally catching a break from all the chaos, my heart pounded uncontrollably as I deciphered who had sent the message. I cursed under my breath in frustration. I hadn’t even finished dealing with Caleb and Dana, and now this? "Get ready for the battle you just began!" the text read.I stared at the screen in disbelief. Why was everything happening now? Hadn’t I already been through enough? Yet, as much as I wanted to break down, I knew I couldn’t afford to. Leonard had warned me before: staying strong was my only option. And I will abide by just that.Sliding my phone into my pocket, I headed to my room to gather my thoughts. I tried to act normal—at least on the surface—but my body betrayed me. My father noticed immediately that something was off when I got back. His concerned gaze lingered as I handed him the documents he had requested earlier.“Are you okay?” he asked, his voice tinged with hesitation.I nodded quickly. “Yeah, I’m fine.” I re
EVELYN'S POV:When I arrived at his place, he was sitting on the balcony, his shoulders slumped, staring out at the horizon. It wasn’t like him. I made my way inside and climbed the stairs, feeling a heaviness in the air. Something wasn’t right. And feared for the worst, but still couldn't say what could be wrong.“Hey, Dad,” I greeted as I stepped onto the balcony, forcing a smile. He turned to look at me, but his response was muted, his tone flat. My heart skipped a beat.As I walked closer, I noticed the small picture of my mom clutched in his hand. His eyes glistened with unshed tears, and it broke my heart to see him like this. “Hey, Dad,” I said softly, kneeling beside him. “I know you miss Mom. I miss her too, more than words can say. But you’ve got to take it easy on yourself. This—this won’t help you, Dad. You know Mom would want you to be happy. She’d want you to find joy, even in her absence. You still have me. Don’t you think I’m filling even a tiny bit of the space she le
EVELYN'S POV:Like the morning sun breaking through the horizon, his voice illuminated my day. He complimented me with a warmth that sent a blush creeping across my face. Though I tried to hide it, it was impossible. Leonard had a way of seeing right through me. “You look cute that way.” He said as he noticed the blush, and tucked me.I laughed as I reacted to it.“Sit,” I said, motioning toward the bed. I brought the breakfast tray up and placed it between us. We ate together, but the meal was brief; the clock reminded us both of the looming workday ahead.Once we finished, I gathered the dishes and headed to the kitchen. When I returned to the room, Leonard was already waiting for a bath. We stepped into the bathroom together, savoring a quiet, intimate moment before the rush of the day overtook us.Afterwards, we dressed and got ready to leave. My phone buzzed just as I reached for my bag. It was my secretary. She reminded me not to forget the files I had taken home to work on. “
EVELYN’S POV:He paused, his gaze piercing mine as though he was waiting for permission to speak. His intensity was palpable, but I said nothing. I just stood there, staring at him, my emotions swirling in a confusing storm of anger, hurt, and vulnerability.Suddenly, a wave of nausea hit me, and I barely made it to the bathroom in time before throwing up. My stomach churned violently, and tears streamed down my face as my body heaved. Leonard appeared moments later, crouching by my side. He helped me clean up without saying a word, his hands steady and comforting.“I’ll be fine,” I murmured, my voice hoarse. “Just… excuse me for a moment. I need to take a bath.”He nodded and left the bathroom, giving me the privacy I needed. The cold water from the shower was both soothing and shocking, washing away some of the emotional turmoil, if only temporarily. I took my time, letting the water cleanse me physically and emotionally.When I stepped out of the bathroom, wrapped in a towel, I not
EVELYN’S POV:My heart was racing as I scrolled through the images and the accompanying write-ups, each headline more shocking than the last. I leaned back in my chair, overwhelmed by a storm of emotions. Tears welled up in my eyes as I struggled to process everything. All I ever wanted was peace—peace I thought I had finally found with Leonard. But now, that fragile trust I was building had been shattered. How could he do this to me?I pushed myself up from the chair and trudged back to the bedroom, collapsing onto the bed. I lay there, trying to make sense of it all, but my mind had reached its limit. No clear thoughts emerged; only a chaotic swirl of hurt and frustration. I tried to sleep, hoping it would bring me some relief, but the turmoil inside me wouldn’t let me let sleep intervene.Frustrated, I got up and began pacing the room. My anger bubbled over, and I grabbed nearby items, smashing them against the walls. The destruction brought no solace, just more emptiness. Desperat
EVELYN’S POV:We walked out of the restaurant, the crowd still waiting outside. I tried to hide my tear-streaked face as we passed through them. When we reached the car, Leonard opened the door for me. I entered, and he followed. And he ordered the driver to move the car.The only sound in the car was the soft hum of the engine and my quiet sobs. How could I have known that Leonard was only taking me for a ride and would eventually break my heart? Caleb was right all along. I remembered his warning, how he’d told me to be careful. Even though we were not cool, I regretted not listening to him.Tears continued to flow as helplessness overwhelmed me."Evelyn, this isn’t what you think. Please let me explain," Leonard pleaded, his voice calm yet desperate.His words only fueled my anger. "Please, Leonard, take me home and spare me the lies. You never even asked me out officially! I only assumed things. How foolish could I have been?" I said, my voice trembling through my tears."Evelyn,
EVELYN'S POVI couldn't help but catch Leonard's glances every now and then. He could barely take his eyes off me, and I felt my cheeks warm with shyness as a blush crept over my face."Why are you staring like that?" I asked, still shy.Leonard looked at me with a deep sigh. "Right now, I feel like I'm getting a tan, 'cause girl, you're damn scorching.""Oh, right, but stop giving me those eyes," I chuckled at my last words. "I mean, you don't want to ruin my period do you?”"Wait, what eyes?" Leonard asked, leaning closer so I could see his eyes more clearly.I gasped. It felt like there was magic in his gaze. Leonard was a ten out of ten, and the more I looked at him, the more my heart fluttered. I was falling for him deeply. I looked away immediately, not wanting to be caught staring—or worse, drooling."I see. She gets a little shy," he teased, a smirk playing on his lips. "You can't really handle me, huh?"My whole face turned red, and I couldn’t meet his gaze anymore.He reache
EVELYN’S POV:The moment the door clicked shut behind him, I rushed upstairs, quietly tiptoeing as I neared Leonard’s room. I didn’t know why, but my curiosity burned—what was Leonard up to?As I approached, I caught snippets of his conversation through the slightly open door.“Listen, Mr. Watt,” Leonard’s voice was calm and firm, “by next week, everything will be sorted out. You’ll have your meeting with her. I promise you won’t regret this. Evelyn’s sharp, and you’ll gain so much from collaborating with the company. You just need to give us a bit more time. I know there’ve been delays, but trust me—right now, she’s not fit for an official meeting.”It hit me like a wave. Leonard had been managing my schedule, helping me when I couldn’t help myself. Mr. Watt should’ve been furious over these constant delays, but he wasn’t—because of Leonard. He’d been standing in the gap for me, silently ensuring things didn’t fall apart. But, I wondered if this was the reason behind Leonard's react
EVELYN’S POV:The sunlight cast a golden glow on my body through the curtains, entering directly into my eyes and forcing them open. I squinted against the brightness, disoriented. It was morning already, though the night had felt far too short.As usual, Leonard wasn’t in bed. I turned toward the door, half-expecting him to walk in with my morning coffee, as he often did. Ten minutes passed, and still, he didn’t show up.A wave of anger washed over me. Why would he just leave without letting me know? Tears stung at the corners of my eyes. I needed him around—his presence was my comfort. Had he left because I was on my period? The thought alone made me furious. If that was his reason, it was rude and lame. And I vowed to not speak to him again.But then I remembered how sweet he’d been the previous night. Could something have happened? My anger began to fade into worry, my mind swirling with a hundred possibilities.I snapped my fingers, trying to shake off the negative thoughts. “Wha