Chapter - [ 2 ]

[ Evangeline ]

The venue of the charity gala is one of the five star hotel, the centre of public's eye. When we stepped out of the car, a swarm of media surrounded us. 

Flashes of cameras and a swarm of reporters rounded the car as soon as it stopped at the entrance, the valets and Dominic's bodyguards rushed to protect us from their shitty questions.

I immediately clinged to Dominic's side as soon as they angled the camera in my direction. I know what would be their possible questions.

"Ignore them." He whispered in my ear and our bodyguards escorted us inside the banquet hall.

The lavish decorations in golden and red screamed of the wealth that Ricardo family spent to organize this charity event. I tried my best to stay hidden behind Dominic as I spotted many familiar faces in the party. Luckily, they don't acknowledge my presence yet.

"Let's meet the host first." He tucked my hand and dragged us to where the old Mr. Giovanni Ricardo and his wife was talking to a group of guests. Adrenaline rushed through my blood. I just prayed they won't recognize me.

"Mr. Richardo," Dominic called out his name to gain his attention and the others also turned to us. I want to be invisible.

"Dominic, ragazzo. How are you and who is this beautiful lady?" The old man smiled broadly at us and his question about me, made me a little relaxed.

"I am fine, Mr. Ricardo and this is the acting head of financial department of my company, Miss Evangeline Parker.  Dominic introduced me.

His wrinkled eyes travelled in my direction so of the others. They surely recognize me as I could read their questioning gaze on me.

"Oh! It's nice to hear that a woman in a very young age is handling such a crucial department. It determines the success or fall of a company." He said with admiration and his compliment brought a smile on my lips. Receiving a word of admiration from a business tycoon like him is a huge thing.

Soon they involed in their business talks and I found myself listening to them and trying to avoid the constant stare of Mrs.  Ricardo on me.

"How are you, Evangeline?" Mrs. Ricardo spoke after some time. It was enough only for me to hear.

The hair on my body stood on it's end.

Shit! She recognized me.

"Dominic, if you don't mind, can I take your employee for a minute, of course to meet the other ladies of the family." Mrs. Ricardo said sweetly to Dominic.

'No, Dominic, please say no to her.' I prayed in my heart. She would definitely fire questions on me regarding my marriage with Colton.

It's not like she's a rude woman. In fact, she used to behave nicely with me on the few occasions I met her and it scared me even more. I didn't talk about my marriage to anyone in all these years but it seemed I wouldn't escape tonight.

I should had denied Dominic's request to come here.

I chose this path and now there's no going back. I have to face the consequences. 

She took me to a corner where no one could hear our conversation and before I could think further, her old hands wrapped me in a warm hug.

"It's been a really long time since I last saw you, Evangeline. Life is so cruel sometimes. I didn't expect Colton to choose your cunning sister over a gem like you but some people never sees the goodness, it's his bad luck." She sighs shaking her head.

"Mrs. Ricardo, please let's not talk about my past with Mr. Black. We have moved forward a long time ago and I am content in my present life. In fact, the divorce did good to me." I response to her with confidence. 

"Yes, you're right. I feel proud of your achievements. I and the other ladies talk about you a lot. Do you want to meet them?" She asked me with hope in her wrinkled eyes.

"Mrs. Ricardo...I..don't..kno-"I try to form a suitable excuse when a tap on my shoulder made me flinch.

"Evanca Parker?" Mrs. Ricardo mentioned the name of the last person I wanted to meet in my mortal life and it sucked the life out of me. 

"Evanca Black. Can't you see this big diamond on my finger, Mrs. Ricardo?" She replied with the same haughty tone that I used to hear all my life. A shiver run down my spine upon hearing her voice after five years.

"Pardon me, young lady. I never attended Colton's wedding with another woman." The old woman mocked her and it hit the right spot; Evanca's ego.

"Evangeline, is this really you?" This time the question was directed on me and it left me with no other option than to face my elder sister.

I turned around only to meet with those striking brown eyes and sharp facial features which wore a vicious smile like always. She hasn't changed much even at the age of thirty but her long golden hairs are shoulder length now.

"How are you, little sister?" She asked me in the sweetest tone but I know the truth behind it.

"I am good, Evanca. How is your life as Mrs. Black. I can see that you're enjoying the privilege of being Mrs. Black." I scanned her from top to bottom. 

"Well, you're right here, Eve. Colton leaves no chance to pamper me and his daughter. We are his world. He can't leave us for a second, specially our daughter, Mia." She smirked as her response faltered my confidence. 

"Good to hear it." I forced a smile and turned to Mrs. Ricardo who had worn a bored look."Mrs. Ricardo, you were about to introduce me to your club friends. Shall we go to meet them?" 

"Oh yes, let's go, dear." She said with urgency as Evanca's presence was also bothering her. 

"Wait, Mrs. Ricardo!" Evanca said out aloud for us to halt in our track.

My heart started to pound crazily. 

"Yes, Mrs. Black?" She arched her brows at my sister.

"I want to have a word with my sister in private. Please excuse us for a moment." She said in a sugar coated tone again, the feral look on her face was enough to bell the warning alarm in my brain. 

My sister was always hostile towards me but she never showed this side in front of others, which is why our parents thought it was my jealousy against my own sister that I used to complain about her bullying. After a time, I stopped protesting as they'd never going to trust me above their favorite daughter. 

Mrs. Ricardo looked at me to confirm whether she could leave me under her presence. I blinked my eyes in assurance. 

"I'll see you later." She patted my back and left us alone. Eerie silence sprawled between us.

"So, how is your life as a an ordinary whore of Dominic Rodriguez, little sister?" Her thorny remark came but it didn't hurt like before.

"Same as yours being the wedded whore of my ex-husband." I retorted with a sly smirk and felt satisfied as her smile vanished and replaced by anger.

"Mind your tongue, Evangeline. " She pointed her forefinger at me, her thin lips trembling in fury.

"Same applies on you, Evanca. It was you who started it, I just returned what I received. Now, may I leave? I have more important people to meet than wasting my time on a trophy wife whose husband I guess is busy cracking future deals in some corner of this hall." I threw another sharp remark on her to make her remember all those insults she used to decorate on me. 

"Evangeline!" She gritted her teeth and whispered yelled," Last time I spared your life because my husband pitied you but you won't be lucky this time." She tried her old formula to threaten me but I was way past that timid girl.

"Excuse me." I ignored her and tried to walk past her but she grabbed my forearm and dug her sharp nails on my soft bare skin.

"You're not excused yet, Evangeline because I am not done with you yet." She whispered only for me to hear,"Tell me where is your bastard? Did you keep him? Is he alive because I don't want your dirty blood to challenge my child's inheritance. I know woman like you are capable of many things." 

The mention of my son was enough to push my confidence back and the fear of my child being in any kind of danger, filled my heart. Evanca's obsession for Colton is unpredictable. She poisoned her first husband and trapped his secretary in his murder just to reconcile with Colton as they used to date during their college time. 

"Cat caught your tongue, huh?" She smirked, she sensed my discomfort over the mention of my son," Don't worry I won't hurt your little bastard if you stay out of my way and better you leave this place before Colton sees you. Mark my words, Evangeline. You and your son would never live at peace if you ever try to come near my family. Colton is mine and he's only the father of my child." She shoved me with one final warning. I stumbled but caught hold of my balance before I could kiss the floor.

She gave me one last glare and swayed away after revoking the same fear inside me which I felt when Colton asked me to abort our baby. 

Sweat formed on my body even the cool temperature of the hall couldn't ease my panic state. I turned on my heels and rushed towards the open garden to catch some air and leave for house. I decided on texting Dominic for making an unannounced exit but he would understand. 

Yes, I'll leave this place before Colton sees me.

I ran into the backside of the hotel where only the hotel staff could be seen. A perfect place to let out my bottled up emotions. I fell down on the grass and burst into crying. Evanca reopened my wounds tonight. She made me remember how vicious she can be if it comes to protect her interests. Since, she's legal wife of Colton, she wouldn't let it go easily. Her insecurity has no bounds. No one other than me knows it's depth when it comes to her favorite possession.

I cried in the solitude of night until I hear footsteps and a very familiar scent hits my senses.

The hairs on my body stood and a wave of nostalgia and fear ran down my spine. 

"What are you doing here alone, Miss?" 

Shit! It's really him. 

in your life? " I vent out my frustration on him.

"Don't you dare call my daughter bastard, Evangeline or the consequences won't be good." He warned me with those piercing eyes digging holes in me. It sent a tremor in my heart but I couldn't fall weak. 

"It hurt, right? You did the same by calling my unborn child with different names but anyways, I am happy in my current life and yes," I jabbed my forefinger on his chest," Dominic is thousand times better than you. He leaves no chance to keep me happy." I hit the last nail by mentioning his step-brother and turned to leave but I found another nightmare of my life aka my sister standing right behind me with crossed hands.

"We're not done with you, Evangeline. You can't walk away after insulting my husband and calling our child with names." She said while walking towards me.

I had nowhere to run as two predators are standing at both sides ready to eat me alive. 

"You have to answer a few questions before we let you go, Evangeline." Colton said in a deep Alpha like voice

God please save me!