Hola beautiful readers 𤊠I got mixed feelings from this chapter. Evelyn is in her trial moments and this is overwhelming 𤧠but there's light đĄ How did this chapter make you feel? Sad for what Evelyn is passing through? Or happy because a way has presented itself đ?
Chapter 59 Third-person POVThe car ride to the hospital was quite tense. Cecily was buckled in the back, fast asleep after an emotional afternoon. Evelynâs fingers gripped the steering wheel, her mind racing with everything Bennett had said on the phone. Claire had collapsed. Blood pressure, he guessed.The hospital corridors felt colder than usual as Evelyn made her way to the room where Claire was being monitored. Bennett stood just outside, his arms folded, his eyes weary but calm. As soon as he saw Evelyn, his shoulders dropped in relief.âSheâs okay,â he said. âThey ran a few tests, and itâs just what I thought. Her blood pressure has been unstable for a while. She didnât say anything.âEvelyn exhaled a breath she hadnât realized she was holding. âAnd now?ââThe doctor said she can go home today. Theyâve given her something to stabilize it. Prescribed a few meds. She just needs rest.âInside, Claire sat upright on the hospital bed, sipping from a paper cup. Her cheeks were pale
Chapter 58Third-person POVThe morning sunlight streamed through the sheer curtains, casting golden rays across the living room where Evelyn sat with her laptop open, halfway through a video call with Mr. Harrington and Carlos.âWe should be done here in about two or three days,â Mr. Harrington said, his voice steady but tired. âOnce we wrap up this presentation in Geneva, weâll be on the next flight back.âEvelyn nodded, her hand gently stroking Cecilyâs curls as the little girl sat beside her, leaning toward the screen. âWe miss you already,â Evelyn said, her eyes soft with warmth.Carlos grinned from his corner of the video. âDonât let her eat too many marshmallows, okay?âCecily giggled. âI only had five yesterday!âEvelyn and Mr. Harrington exchanged knowing glances. After a few more minutes of catching up, the call ended, and just like that, the morning routine resumed. Cecily ran off to get her backpack while Evelyn checked in with Claire and Bennett.Claire and Bennett were t
Chapter 57: The Drive HomeThe mall lights faded in the rearview mirror as Carlos steered them onto the main road, the car humming gently beneath them. The city was quieter now, painted in shades of amber and navy. Evelyn leaned back into her seat, her body relaxed but her mind unusually quiet.Carlos broke the silence with a low chuckle.âNow that⌠that was a scene to behold.âEvelyn turned to him with a teasing brow. âWhat do you mean?âCarlos smirked. âOh, donât play dumb with me.ââIâm not playing dumb.â She folded her arms. âWhat are you even talking about?âCarlos scoffed, shifting gears as they took a curve. âGirl. Come on. The way Zenda was looking at you all evening? That man is head over heels.âEvelyn let out a laugh, tinged with disbelief. âCarlos, stop it. Donât start assuming things.ââIâm not assuming anything. Iâm stating facts.â He glanced at her. âHe wasnât just being nice, Evie. That man was practically breathing in sync with you. Watching your every move. If youâre
Chapter 56: Games and Glancesthird person povThe mall glowed with early evening light, its ceiling lit with warm yellow bulbs and glass panels that reflected the bustle below. After browsing through rows of shoes, handbags, and a few chic dresses that Evelyn didnât need but enjoyed admiring, Carlos suggested they check out the gaming area.âCome on, Doc. Youâve had a long week. Time to unwind a little,â he grinned, nudging her toward the escalator.Evelyn chuckled. âYouâre just trying to make me lose at arcade racing so you can brag all the way home.ââMe?â Carlos raised his eyebrows. âIâm offended you think Iâm that competitive.ââCarlos. Last week, you argued with Dad over chess for three days.ââOkay, mildly competitive,â he said, leading her to the glowing neon lights of the mallâs gaming floor.The area was bursting with sound bumping music, kids laughing, machines flashing. The scents of popcorn and cotton candy clung to the air. Evelynâs eyes widened in amusement.âOh wow. Th
Chapter 55:Sunshine in Small Momentsthird person povCecily was already awake before anyone else in the house. With her curly brown hair bouncing wildly behind her, she dashed into the hallway like a spark of joy, calling for everyone to get ready.âToday is park day!â she sang, jumping onto Mr. Harringtonâs bed with a toothy grin. âUp, Grandpa! Up!âMr. Harrington chuckled from beneath the covers, pulling the child into a warm embrace. âYouâve been up since sunrise, havenât you?âCecily nodded proudly. âMommy promised. Today is our big day.âAnd she made sure no one forgot. She dragged Bennett out of bed, tugged on Claireâs robe, and even knocked on Carlosâ door with a wide grin. By the time Evelyn was out of the shower, the house was already alive with laughter and the faint smell of cinnamon pancakes wafting from the kitchen.By midmorning, everyone was dressed and packed snacks, drinks, Cecilyâs tiny soccer ball, a picnic blanket, and her favorite bubble wand.They arrived at the
Chapter 54: The Cracking Empirethird person povThe sleek Manhattan penthouse, perched above the chaos of the city, looked exactly like Jade Hollandâs life used to be flawless, polished, and expensive. But just like the woman pacing barefoot across its marble floor, that perfection was crumbling fast.Jade stood near the floor-to-ceiling window, her silk robe loose around her frame, a glass of untouched wine in hand. Her eyes werenât on the skyline. They were on her reflection.âYouâre quiet,â Charlie muttered, voice gruff as he walked in from the guest bedroom, pulling a shirt over his head. He tossed his phone on the couch with a grunt. âWhatâs that supposed to mean? You havenât said a word since I walked in.âJade exhaled. âBecause Iâm tired, Charlie.âHe laughed dryly. âTired? Or broke?âShe turned sharply. âExcuse me?ââYou heard me. Landonâs not sending money like he used to, is he? Guess the cash cow finally stopped mooing.ââDonât be ridiculous,â Jade snapped, setting the win