Nathalia, who was just walking out of the bathroom dressed in a white bathrobe and a big towel in her hand that she was using to dry her wet hair, heard her phone buzzing on the bedside table. She walked over and picked up her phone and saw that it was text from Eva. “She is still worried about me in this situation." Nathalia muttered after reading Eva's message and typed a reply on her phone.[Nathy: it's nothing serious, you don't have to be worried.] Nathy sent her reply. She had already confirmed with Edwin when she saw Eva's first message and Edwin had assured her that he would be at the party. Although Nathalia was a little bit guilty for lying to her best friend, she had no choice. However, Nathalia wasn't aware of the changes in Eva's date to the party.A few moments later, her phone buzzed again with another notification message. [Eva: But I have a car. So why are you sending a car over to pick me up?] Nathalia paused, not knowing what to reply. She hadn't ordered any car t
“You mean the same Evangeline Carter? The vixen who was known as the Queen of the socialites?" One of the other women in the group asked in confirmation by addressing Eva by one of the nicknames she was given. “Who else if not her?" The first lady replied, her eyes sparkling with gossip.“I thought that venomous woman was dead or something?" A lady in the group suddenly chirped into the conversation, making the other women turn their heads to look at her with a surprised look on their faces. It was obvious that they were all taken aback by her words. “My gosh! Why did you make a remark like that?" One woman, who was quicker to regain her composure than the rest, couldn't help but question. Yes, they all have their dislikes towards Eva but saying something like that in the public was too much.“What? You can't blame me for thinking that way! That crazy bit*h has been absent or seen anywhere for the past nine months and there was no news about her. So I thought she might have committe
When the car in front of her Rolls Royce finally drove away, Eva knew that it was her turn to climb out of the car. She warily glanced at the red carpet before rolling her eyes. The minute her car drove to the start of the red carpet, the camera turned their attention and zoomed into the expensive car.Everyone was curious to see who would be the dazzling man or woman that would be stepping out of such a wealthy and expensive car. They held their breath in anticipation when the chauffeur stepped out of the car. Even the driver looked handsome and well-built! Then the person sitting in the car must have been someone extremely influential!The chauffeur used his built body to block the people's view and then opened the back seat door slightly. “Are you ready, Ma'am?" He asked, still using his body to block off the bright flashes from the camera. He had noticed the nervous look on Eva's face earlier, that was why he wanted to confirm if Eva was ready before he opened the door.“I'm ready
“That was a close call, Eva.’ Eva scolded herself in her head for nearly reverting back to her old habit. She was very aware of this fact more than anyone else that she needed to stay awake, sober and conscious in this very dangerous social gathering.Just when she was about to walk away from the addicting drinks and remain empty handed, the server boy spoke to her. “Ma'am, if you are trying to look for something soft to drink, then you can go over there.” The boy said, it was as if he knew what Eva meant when she dropped the alcohol on his tray. Besides, they have been given a order that everyone at the party should always have a drink in their hand because the Grason patriarch doesn't want rumors escalating after the party that there were some guests that weren't served before they left. That was the sole reason the server spoke to her. Eva turned to look at the server who was pointing to a table where different kinds of drinks were placed. However, she raised her brow because the
He knew that very soon, the people that couldn't hold back to bully Eva would start flocking around. They are only trying to give her a few minutes to mingle before they show their real colors. “I'd love to have this kind sir as my date but my date is on her way. Don't worry about me, I can handle myself just fine. Go back before your mother starts looking for you.” Eva replied with a chuckle. She wishes she could pat Lucien on the head but he had his hair styled neatly and it would be bad if she ruined it.“I'm no longer a child. She doesn't have to look for me. Besides, she doesn't even have an idea that I'm longer by her side because she's already engrossed in the crappy discussion with the other women. I'd rather stay glued beside you rather than having to listen to their annoying conversation. “ Lucien's expression turned solemn, annoyance and disgust written all over his face. Eva couldn't help but giggled at his words. She would love to have him by her side but she didn't wan
Eva turned around when she heard the voice which was familiar to her and to no surprise, it was her former friend. She nearly burst into a fit of laughter when she saw the sight in front her.Lydia stood before her like a dignified woman with her arm crossed in front of her chest. She was surrounded by a group of beautiful women that were low and middle ranked socialites. Eva's eyes carefully trailed over the confident and supercilious women beside Lydia. She bit the bottom of her lips in order to hold back the chuckle that threatened to escape from her lips. Majority of the women before her were the women she had bad mouthed, insulted and made their life miserable back when she was still her old self. And they were all glaring at her with pure distaste, disgust and anger written all over their faces.‘Karma is really a bitch! What a battalion that had assembly before me.’ Eva thought in her mind. It was obvious that these groups of women were here to insult and ridicule as payback f
Eva's question took all the ladies by surprise when they heard her. They could all tell that she really didn't know who Jennie was because she looked extremely clueless. However, their cause of shock was the fact that after what she did to Jennie she couldn't remember her, it made the rest of the women wonder if Eva even remembered them and what she did to them.Were they really wasting their time on someone who doesn't even remember them and the things she did to them?Jennie on the other hand gritted her teeth and clenched her hand into a fist. How could Eva forget about her after what she did?“You seriously don't know who Jennie is?" Lydia asked Eva with a bewilderment, however, a sigh escaped her mouth when she saw the clueless look on Eva's face again. She knew better than anyone else that Eva's expression was genuine even though she hated to admit it but she believes that Eva didn't know Jennie. “How can you say that you don't remember me after you ruined my engagement party a
“You're one to talk. Acting all righteous when you've already fallen would definitely be the end for you. At least, I have people besides me. What about you? You've been standing here all alone by yourself and without a date. To actually think that you and Lucas Sander had something going on together like the rumors said but it turns out to be a lie.” Lydia retorted back, while crossing her arms in front of her chest. Eva didn't say anything and gently placed the glass of juice again down on the table before taking a single step closer to Lydia. “What does my relationship have to do with you? Don't tell me that you are jealous of me again?" Eva asked with a grin on her face.“W-what?! What is there to be jealous of when the rumors about you and Lucas Sander dating are false. Besides, I don't know what Lucas Sander sees in you to waste his time going on a date with someone like you.” Lydia stuttered while replying to Eva. It was obvious that she was jealous of the fact that Eva got to
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