Chapter 5

EVELYN

“Evelyn, you truly are something,” the senator’s wife said, taking my hand with an approving smile. “Your work with the foundation has changed so many lives. You should consider joining politics.”

I let out a soft chuckle, shaking my head. “Thank you, but I’d rather keep making an impact from the background. Politics isn’t for me.”

She smiled warmly. “A wise decision. But if you ever change your mind, the country could use someone like you.”

The party continued, but I could still feel Damian’s eyes on me, burning holes into my skin from across the room. Every move I made, every smile I gave—it was all fuel to the fire inside him.

Alexander, unaware of the silent war raging around us, finally announced, “It’s getting late. We should head home.”

Home.

I almost laughed.

Home was now the same mansion Damian, Isabella, and Victoria lived in.

This was just the beginning.

——

At the Mansion

The moment we stepped inside, the tension thickened like a storm about to break. The grand chandeliers cast an eerie glow over the living room, illuminating the cold stares waiting for us.

Damian stood by the staircase, arms crossed, his jaw tight. Isabella was beside him, her lips curled in distaste. And Victoria… she sat gracefully on the couch, a glass of wine in her hand, pretending to be unaffected.

Alexander loosened his tie, sighing. “We’ll talk tomorrow, Damian. It’s been a long night and I know you are tired right now, whatever you have to say, let it wait till tomorrow.”

Damian didn’t move. “No dad, we talk now.”

Alexander barely glanced at him. “Not tonight.” He placed his hand on my back. “Come, Evelyn.”

He gestured for me, Victoria suddenly stood.

“I will be right there honey, you go first.” I said with a wide smile.

“Evelyn,” she called, her voice deceptively calm. “You should leave before I tell Alexander the truth about you.”

I stopped, my lips twitching in amusement. Slowly, I turned to face her. “What truth? That I used to be engaged to his son?” I tilted my head. “Oh no, I plan on telling him myself. Tomorrow. And I can’t wait to see all your faces if he still chooses me and who knows you might be the one getting kicked out tomorrow, brace yourself for you don’t know what’s coming next, you killed me once and you won’t get to do it again.”

Victoria’s fingers clenched around her wine glass. Isabella let out a harsh scoff. And Damian—he just stared, his expression unreadable, but I could see it. The fury. The disbelief. The battle waging in his mind.

I held his gaze for a moment longer before turning away.

“Goodnight,” I said smoothly, walking toward the bedroom Alexander and I shared.

The door clicked shut behind me.

But I knew.

This night wasn’t over, I couldn’t sleep so I walked towards the balcony where the air was so refreshing.

I didn’t bother changing into anything, I stood on the balcony glaring at the street lights and how beautiful the mansion was but I can’t afford to be reckless.

The sound of the door opening behind me didn’t surprise me.

I smirked.

I didn’t need to turn around to know who it was.

The air shifted. The room grew heavier.

“Evelyn.”

Damian.

I turned slowly, meeting his eyes. He was leaning against the door, hands in his pockets, his entire body tense.

“What do you want, Damian?” I asked, voice smooth, unfazed.

He exhaled sharply, shaking his head. “Are you serious right now? You married my father. My father, Evelyn.”

“And?” I arched a brow, stepping closer. “You’re acting like you didn’t move on first. Like you didn’t replace me.”

His jaw clenched. “I never replaced you.”

I laughed. A bitter, mocking sound. “You proposed to another woman.”

“You left me,” he shot back, voice low, rough. “You disappeared. You think I was supposed to wait forever?”

I stepped even closer, our breaths mingling. “You want to know the truth?” I whispered.

His eyes darkened. “Tell me.”

“I didn’t leave you,” I said, voice dropping. “Your mother got rid of me or did he not tell you? She killed me Damian but I survived.”

Silence.

The words hung between us, heavier than anything else.

Damian’s entire body went still.

I saw the way his mind raced, piecing things together.

His breathing became uneven.

“My mother?” he repeated, voice laced with disbelief.

I nodded slowly, watching the storm rise behind his eyes. “Ask her.” I smirked. “Ask Isabella, ask her what she did to me, and she will tell you everything unless she wants to lie.”

Damian took a sharp breath, his fingers twitching at his sides. He was angry—no, beyond angry. This was betrayal sinking into his bones, cold and suffocating.

“Evelyn—”

I placed a finger against his lips, cutting him off. “Shh,” I murmured. “You’ll find out everything soon enough, I don’t plan on coming to take just revenge on your mother,I am here to stay, I am sorry to say this I actually find peace in your father's solace and I am dying here, I am not too small of a woman to be your step mom am I?” 

His eyes burned into mine, filled with so many unspoken words.

The tension was suffocating.

A hand slid around my waist.

Not Damian’s.

Alexander.

I hadn’t even heard him enter.

He stood behind me, his presence warm, steady. Possessive. His grip on my waist tightened slightly as he stared at his son.

“Damian,” Alexander said, his voice calm yet firm. “Go to bed. It’s late.”

Damian’s gaze flickered between us.

Something in his eyes shifted.

Something dark.

Something dangerous.

His lips parted slightly, like he wanted to say something.

But he didn’t.

Instead, he turned, walking out of the room, slamming the door behind him.

The air was still heavy.

Alexander pressed a kiss against my neck. “Come to bed, love.”

I smiled.

“Did you hear everything we said?” I asked my voice barely above a whisper.

“It doesn't matter.” He said, his voice deep and husky. 

And then I smiled.