The moment Eva stepped out, blinding lights flashed in front of her eyes. Soon enough, Lucas stood directly behind her. And together, they were captured by the paparazzi for everyone to see. Very soon, the entire country would know that Evangeline Carter and Lucas Sander were on a date.Eva froze, it felt like roots grew from the ground, tying and keeping her in place. The lights flashed before her eyes, enough to cause her a seizure.She tried to compose herself but couldn't. Eva just opened and closed her mouth as the paparazzi took pictures one after the other, until her vision turned white.“Miss Carter, look this way!"“Miss Carter, are you and Lucas Sander official?!” "Where have you been all this while, Miss Carter after your failed wedding day?”"Is this a date?”Questions after the other were thrown at Eva. Eva trembled slightly, her breath caught up in her throat and her mind went blank. She couldn't think, much less blink or even react at the moment.Eva felt like she was
“Of course, of course, you'll be the only man my step daughter ever meets.” Laura responded in an assuring tone. “Although, you might have noticed how stubborn and prude she is, but I can assure you that she's not the kind of person to have many men around-” Laura was unable to complete her words when she was interrupted by Lucas."Then why is Damien Cross always seen with her?” Lucas snapped. Laura blinked for a couple of seconds. “I don't-" Lucas hung up the call, before Laura could respond." What the?!” Laura glared at the phone screen.Meanwhile in the car, Lucas let out a huge sigh and slammed his hand on the steering wheel. He scowled at the memories of Eva and Damien. He hated to admit it, but they both looked good together. There was a spark between those two and it was electrifying and the sight of them kept people on their toes. He gritted his teeth together and leaned back on his car seat. “Be patient." Lucas mumbled as he breathed out.Whether she liked it or not, afte
The next morning, Eva woke up after having one of the terrible nightmares about the past. She was quite surprised that she was having a nightmare because for the past few days she hadn't had one which made her believe that she was cured from her terrible dreams.However, she realized that she had hoped too soon because she would always be haunted by the past. Evangeline hoped and wiped the sweats that formed on her forehead and let out a sigh.“This will never end, will it?" She muttered softly to herself, before shoving the blanket off her legs and placed her foot down wearing the white slippers that were placed on the side of the bed. She rose up from the bed and headed straight to the bathroom to shower.After a few minutes, Eva walked out of the bathroom and made a way to the wardrobe and picked out a new set of clothes. It didn't take much time before she was fully dressed in navy blue shorts, a white button hub shirt and a long navy blue blazer jacket that was just a few inches
“Why did you bring me here?” Lucien asked as he glanced at Eva who had brought him towards a room door.“I have something to get from here, so I wanted you to come along before you cause any more trouble with your mother. It's too early for that." Eva replied.“But you've never let me once enter this place so why did you suddenly want me to enter this room along with you?” Lucien questioned. Eva had never once let Lucien enter the room because only she had the keys to the room and the things behind the door were precious to her.The room belong to Shenley when she was still alive, and after she died Eva had kept all of her mother's belongings in this room and only she had the access to the room, not even Matthew had the access to the room because Eva have made the room with a security code and only Eva knew the password."I know that and that is why I am bringing you here.” Eva muttered without looking at Lucien and entered the password to the room and opened the door.“Come in," Eva
“You are never going to come back here, are you?” Lucien suddenly asked, making Eva turn her head at him with a small gentle smile on her face. After a few minutes of just staring at him, she finally opened her mouth.“I'm not sure." She curtly responded while shaking her head.“I wouldn't come back if I were you, not after what happened?” Lucian coldly voices out. Eva giggled at his words. “I came here because of you and what happened was a given, because those two would have come up with another way to make all of this happen.” she replied. She knew for a fact that both Matthew and Laura would come up with another plan just to get her to go on another date with Lucas.“Then, if I'm the only one you came here to visit, don't. I would be the one to come and visit you whenever you wish to see me.” Lucien uttered and you looked away.Eva paused for a few moments taking her aback by surprise at what Lucian said. She hasn't heard him make an offer to visit her for once ever since she mov
Today was the last time she made up her mind to use public transport again.Earlier, she had taken Lucien's word to heart and also realized that she needed to put an end to her public transportation. After she watched Lucien enter his school, she made up her mind to branch out to a car shop and buy a car for herself which led her to be standing outside this car shop. This was her first time visiting this place, when she was still in the car with Lucien she had quickly browsed the internet for the most famous car shop in the country and this was one of the places that popped up on her screen after she pressed her question answer so she decided to go with this place first. That was the reason why she gave the taxi driver the address of this place.This place is one of the most popular car dealers that sells expensive and luxurious cars in the country and most wealthy and rich individuals normally visit this place to purchase cars. Eva finally made her way to the entrance of the buildi
“How much does the car cost?” Eva asked in a composed demeanor. She was sure that it was going to be expensive because of all its cool features but she didn't feel threatened about it anyway.“Well, this car is a whooping sum of fifteen million dollars." The saleslady revealed with an excited expression as she was glad that Eva wouldn't be stepping away from the vehicle but this was the moment of truth to know if her luck would shine at this moment.Eva went silent for a while, thinking about the decision she was going to make. At the same time her silence also made the atmosphere tense and the saleslady was sweating nervously. She was beginning to think that the price was too much for Eva and it was the reason why she was quiet. Even though Eva was dressed in expensive clothes which made her look like she was from a wealthy family, that doesn't mean she can afford to buy the car. After all, it's not all the rich individuals that can afford such an amount of car and this was the sore
Eva sighed, thankfully she hadn't placed that phone close to her ears. If not she was sure that she would have lost her ear due to Nathalia's loud voice. “Chill and calm down. I'm currently driving on the highway. And what news are you talking about?” Eva calmly replied feigning ignorance to what Nathalia was talking about. “Don't tell me to calm down. Why do you love to just shock this friend of yours like this? Besides, what do you mean you're driving?" Nathalia questioned, confused by what Eva meant that she was driving."Well, I bought a car, so I'm actually driving my car now.” Eva responded.“What?! When did you buy a car and didn't let me know." Nathalia pouted her face in anger.“I just did about fifteen minutes ago. Besides, why are you calling me?" Eva inquired.“About that…… we have to meet right now. I will send you the address right away." Nathalia replied.“Fine, I understand. I will meet you there in an hour." Eva said with a sigh. She knows that there is no way for h
She paused, her mind flashing back to the countless fights, the shattered dishes, the cold silences that followed her every rebellion. "But I didn’t let their expectations control me. I chose my path, even when it meant walking away from them entirely." Eva let out a sigh, her gaze still focused outside the window. " I really loved it when I refused them, even though it would earn me being slapped senselessly. I always find pleasure somehow and I took pride in becoming the perfect, graceful black sheep of that damned family.” Belle hung on every word, her eyes wide with admiration and curiosity."But," She continued. “I only did it when I was a grown adult, legal enough to make my own choices. My plan wasn't perfect nor did it work in pleasing my family, but then again, why should I continue to please them when they were never family to me in the first place?" Eva gently moved her gaze back to Belle, leaning forward, "However, as someone who has gone through all that, you should k
"So, Belle," Eva began, pulling a chair close to the bed and sitting down. "Why don’t you tell me a little about yourself? What brought you here to this hospital room?" Her eyes scanned the room, taking in the overflowing flowers and gifts surrounding the small child."I caught a fever a few days ago," Belle replied glumly, her voice quiet. Though it was just a fever, she’d been stuck in this hospital for a week. She felt fine now, but her parents insisted she remain."I'm all better now. Nothing hurts anymore. I just want to go home, but they won’t let me." Belle’s lips turned down in a bitter frown as she recalled how her parents refused her calls and ignored her requests to leave. Deep down, she knew they preferred her absence."Why not?" Eva asked softly, though she already sensed the answer."Because they hate me."Eva’s heart clenched at the words, so full of pain and resignation. She studied the young girl, who stared back with guarded eyes that looked far older than her years.
Once the door shut, the girl turned her head slightly. "You can come out now."Eva pushed the gifts aside and slid out from under the bed. She straightened up, her gaze meeting the child’s lifeless, cold eyes. They lacked the innocent sparkle of youth."Why were those men chasing you? Who are you?" the girl asked, studying Eva intently. Despite her disheveled hair and rumpled gown, there was no mistaking the elegant air that surrounded her.Eva smiled faintly, deciding to test the girl’s intuition when she noticed how she was studying her. ‘Let’s see if you're smart. "Who do you think I am?"The child’s eyes narrowed. "You’re not a simple patient.""Oh? What makes you say that?""This is the VVIP floor, accessible only with a private keycard. Your gown is made of high-quality cotton, reserved for VVIP patients.""Well, I could’ve stolen the keycard and clothes," Eva countered.The girl’s gaze didn’t waver. "Despite your messy appearance, you carry yourself with grace. Your posture, ev
Eva jumped in alarm, spinning around to find a young girl sitting on a hospital bed. The room was filled with vases of flowers, their cloying fragrance filling the air. The child, no older than fourteen or fifteen years old, looked at her with wide, innocent eyes, her long hair framing her delicate face.Eva blinked in surprise, her anger momentarily forgotten as she stared at the young child. Somehow she felt something about this girl resembling a boy she used to know. “Hello.”“What's your name, child?" She asked, just as the footsteps outside became louder.The girl smiled faintly. “You’re running from people.” she said nugging at the door.Eva's brows furrowed. “Yes, I am.”. “Quick! Look for her before Boss gets upstairs!”The sound of the bodyguards’ voices rang in the hallway, getting closer. Panic flooded Eva's chest. She scanned the room frantically, looking for a way out, but the space was small, and the windows were sealed shut.She turned back to the girl, her pulse racing
Eva who was moments away from hitting him with the IV pole again when his pitiful plea caught her attention. “You can tell your boss to rot in hell—” she started, but the man cut her off.“Please, Lady Boss!” he cried, desperation in his voice. “I have a wife, kids, and a family to feed—”Eva's brow twitched at his words. Of course, he definitely wouldn't be a monk like his boss, however, she had a feeling he was saying this to make her feel guilty. “And you have a dog too, I bet?” she quipped sarcastically.His eyes widened in shock. “Y-yes! Exactly! His name is Chase!”She grit her teeth in annoyance, snatching the phone from his shaking hands. “What do you want?” she demanded, her patience wearing thin. She could guess that he was trying to stall time until he got here but she wasn't planning to let him meet her here.The bodyguards flinched in fear. They truly applauded her for her boldness, but they also feared for the poor woman's head! It would really fly if she continued talk
Turning back to the bodyguards, she picked up the IV pole and tested its weight in her hands. It was lighter than she expected, perfect for swift strikes. She had a lot of experience fighting with wooden sticks in her days in the military.Her gaze landed back to the men, a dark scowl on her face.“I’m sure everyone of you all heard the conversation,” she said coolly, her voice steady. “If you value your limbs, step aside.”The men stood their ground, but the unease in their expressions was clear.When reinforcements arrived to block the entrance entirely, Eva's lips curled into a dark smile. They’ve made a mistake.Gripping the pole tightly, her eyes blazing with determination as she scanned the men creating a barrier at the entrance.“Fine, you've all made your choices. Let's see who’s leaving with bruises.”Eva's grip on the metal IV pole tightened as she positioned herself to strike. Her eyes locked on the bodyguards standing in her way, each one ready to brace for her next move
She sighed heavily, pinching the bridge of her nose in exasperation. If they were working for Damien, they wouldn’t stand insults against him. She smirked, deciding to bait them.“Fine. Is it your unbelievably stubborn, hideously jealous, and completely insufferable boss, Damien Cross?”One of the guards instinctively stiffened, muttering, “Our boss is not—” and immediately cut himself off, his face paling. He can't believe he just fell for that trick.“Aha!” Eva said triumphantly. “We have our catch. So it is Damien.”Smirking, she stalked back to her bed, grabbing her phone. She dialed Damien’s number, and unsurprisingly, he answered on the first ring.“Evs, you should be resting—”“Young man, tell your men to step aside,” she interrupted, her tone sharp.Damien frowned when he heard her. Asking him to order his men to step aside meant that she had gotten out of bed!His voice hardened. “What are you doing out of bed? Get back to bed right-”“You’re not the Boss of me. I’m not goi
**********The soft rustle of fabric accompanied the nurse as she finished adjusting Eva's bandages. Moments later, a team of doctors shuffled into the room, meticulously checking her vitals and updating her chart. Their scrutiny felt endless, but Eva's irritation wasn’t aimed at them—it was at the glaring absence of Gabriel.Upon inquiring, she discovered he’d been reassigned and replaced with another doctor, a woman.Her lips twisted in a knowing smile. Damien. Of course, it was him.She sighed at the thought. Gabriel was probably one the best doctors in his department at Solace Hospital. Replacing him with someone else, especially out of jealousy, was as unnecessary as it was predictable. Damien's overprotectiveness knew no bounds, even though her blind date with Gabriel had been a complete dead end.‘Typical overbearing Damien Cross.’After the doctors left, Eva found herself sinking into boredom. The day dragged on, and as the sun set, casting long shadows across the pristine roo
“Who is the person? Is it someone I know?" “No, you don't." Oliver's eyes narrowed. “You said the person is important? Like… a woman?”Damien was surprised by Oliver's question as he turned to look at the boy. She? It suddenly hit Damien at the moment that he probably still had some of Eva's floral feminine scent on him and Oliver's dog nose already smelled it.“It is a woman, right? Why is she at the hospital?” Oliver continues to question.Damien sighed. “Yes.”“Why was she hurt?” “Because she’s clumsy,” Damien replied, his patience wearing thin.Oliver's questions continued unabated until Damien zhot him a sharp glare. “Enough, Oliver. Go back inside. I have work and can't answer all your questions.”“But-" Oliver was about to protest but he couldn't anymore when Damien shot him another glare.“Alright, Big Boss...I'll stop asking questions…" There was no other expression on Oliver's face than the expression that made him look like a neglected child yearning for his mother's lov