The next morning, Alexander reached Mr. Strasbourg’s house on time. His son, Adam Strasbourg, welcomed him and offered him coffee as they waited for Mr. Fitzgerald. Alexander had met him two years ago when he had come down from Frankfurt where he lived. “I know you’re the prime suspect in this case and you shouldn’t be visiting here, but I wanted to see you, Alexander. My mind is very disturbed. Dad was so attached to you, and it’s ironic that you had to be accused of murdering him.”“I’m sorry that I couldn’t save him, Adam. After stepping down from Rotterdams, I was quite busy.”“I understand. For the last two years, we have been pleading with dad to come over to Frankfurt and live with us but he didn’t even consider it an option. He received a strange thrill from involving himself with Rotterdams. He seemed obsessed with saving the empire, which belonged to a deceased friend.”“Yes, he was too attached to Rotterdams.” “What was the outcome of his dedication? He lost his life! Thi
“Granny, grandpa, you have to shift to New York this time. Enough of staying here all by yourselves. Why don’t you sell off the hobby center?” coaxed Alyssa after seeing the way her grandpa was still struggling with his day-to-day activities at eighty-nine.“Yes, Alyssa is right, dad. Please come along with us. You can play with Eleanor or Axel in a few days instead of living here all by yourselves,” said Alexander’s mom. “Who are Eleanor and Axel?” asked a clueless granny. “Alexander and Eva’s baby, mom!” said Jodie Van Every, beaming with excitement. She loved the names the moment she heard them and had been planning a nursery for the baby ever since Grandpa gave his wife an excited look, as if contemplating the suggestion. “Who will buy the hobby center? I can sell everything here and move to New York with you but after Alexander’s baby is born,” said grandpa. “Done. We’ll stay back here and help you sell everything off,” said Daniel Van Every. It was therefore decided that his
Thank you for selecting my story. This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, and incidents are either the products of my imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental. Copyright © Rituparna Darolia. All rights reserved. No part of this novel may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the author. This is the fourth book of the Temptation Series. All the books under this series can be read as standalone books. This series deals with a series of passionate love stories of the Donnelly brothers with spin-offs, all having captivating plotlines to keep you interested till the end. Story Summary Eva Ann Rayner has always loved her best friend’s brother, Alexander who is six years older than her. Soon she realizes the g
Eighteen-year-old Eva Ann Rayner rushed out of the school gates, laughing at her best friend Alyssa Van Every’s crude jokes. However, as bad luck never left her side, she collided with a hard torso while Alyssa gasped with shock at seeing her older brother in front of them.Eva froze, seeing who she collided with! The sinfully gorgeous Alexander Van Every who featured in her dream every night for the last five years. She didn’t just crush on him; she was deeply in love with him. Only he never acknowledged her presence! Eva sprang apart, goosebumps erupting on her skin at the contact with his hot body. She couldn’t help it. He had that effect on her! “Umm, I’m s-sorry!” she stammered, her heart racing like lightning, not having expected him here. His gaze burned right through her skin, although he didn’t utter a single word of acknowledgment. Eva was used to it, though. “Alex, why are you here? Shouldn’t you be at your University?” asked a frustrated Alyssa. It was the last day of sc
Eva’s eyes widened, and she sprang from the sofa, but before she could reach the door, Alexander stormed into the tiny apartment. Wearing a pair of figure-hugging faded jeans, a gray tee-shirt, and a black leather jacket, he looked rugged and drool-worthy, like a model straight out of a fashion magazine. “Hey, wait! You may be hot but you can’t just march in,” protested Georgia while Eva stood frozen with her jaws dropped to the floor. Did Georgia really say that to her crush?“And you are?” he flashed Georgia an impish grin, much to Eva’s annoyance. His smiles were for other girls, while she only faced his fury. A tinge of jealousy filled her heart, and she glared at him all the more. “She’s my roommate,” she clarified, but Alexander looked around with interest as if searching for someone. “Where’s George?” he asked impatiently, not seeing the guy around. “I’m George. Actually, my name’s Georgia,” said Georgia, with a goofy smile on her face. A look of surprise flashed in Alexan
Eva chose a short crepe ivory sheath dress with beaded spaghetti straps and a small side slit at the edge. Alyssa chose a light blue A-line dress with a boat neck, pairing it with black designer heels. “Are you planning to wear those flip-flops with this?” laughed Alyssa when the door clicked open and Alexander entered the apartment. Eva’s heart raced with apprehension, wondering if Alexander would like her look. Alyssa went outside her room while Eva stayed hidden under the pretext of choosing a pair of shoes. “Aren’t you ready yet? Where’s Eva?” she could hear Alexander growl in the living room. Wearing a pair of white pumps, she went out, her heartbeats thumping faster than ever before. “I’m here,” she replied. Alexander looked at her, his eyes sweeping over the entire length of her. His jaws clenched with fury and he glared at her, disapproving of her looks. “What the f*ck are you wearing? Is that a dress? Change into something decent right now,” he growled, while Alyssa’s mou
Alyssa grinned at Eva as she emerged from the washroom, having heard the interaction between her best friend and her brother. “Why didn’t you ask him about the letter?” she giggled excitedly. Eva blushed at the roots of her hair and shook her head. “It was a foolish idea and I shouldn’t have listened to you and Skylar.” “Shouldn’t you be thanking us instead? It’s because of us you could confess your feelings. I know you, Eva. You would rather die of heartbreak than admit to your true feelings,” said Alyssa and Eva smiled at her friend. No one knew her better than Alyssa did. “It’s better I hadn’t confessed. He doesn’t love me the way I do.” “He does. Why don’t you win him over? Show him how much you care,” urged her friend. Eva sighed and smiled, not promising anything. Her nature was totally opposite to that of her friend’s. She couldn’t express her feelings well, having always bottled them up. While they all had someone or the other to open up to, she had no one apart from
Alexander twisted and turned on his bed, not getting a wink of sleep. He hadn’t expected Eva to grow up so fast into such an irresistible beauty! At eighteen, she was smoking hot, her honey-hued eyes inviting him to drown in her sweetness. Alexander had to try hard to control his urges around her. It was something he had never expected to happen. Being sinfully attracted to his little sister’s best friend should not happen at all! Yet he was helpless and visited her apartment twice already, took her out to dinner even, all in a matter of a day! How pathetic could he get? He closed his eyes, thinking of the torture he would have to go through the next day at home. Why did his parents have to throw a gala party on the occasion of his homecoming? He didn’t have any problems with parties, but it was the guest list he dreaded meeting, especially Beatrix. It would have been so much better if only his and Alyssa’s friends were invited, but that would never happen. They would never invite
“Granny, grandpa, you have to shift to New York this time. Enough of staying here all by yourselves. Why don’t you sell off the hobby center?” coaxed Alyssa after seeing the way her grandpa was still struggling with his day-to-day activities at eighty-nine.“Yes, Alyssa is right, dad. Please come along with us. You can play with Eleanor or Axel in a few days instead of living here all by yourselves,” said Alexander’s mom. “Who are Eleanor and Axel?” asked a clueless granny. “Alexander and Eva’s baby, mom!” said Jodie Van Every, beaming with excitement. She loved the names the moment she heard them and had been planning a nursery for the baby ever since Grandpa gave his wife an excited look, as if contemplating the suggestion. “Who will buy the hobby center? I can sell everything here and move to New York with you but after Alexander’s baby is born,” said grandpa. “Done. We’ll stay back here and help you sell everything off,” said Daniel Van Every. It was therefore decided that his
The next morning, Alexander reached Mr. Strasbourg’s house on time. His son, Adam Strasbourg, welcomed him and offered him coffee as they waited for Mr. Fitzgerald. Alexander had met him two years ago when he had come down from Frankfurt where he lived. “I know you’re the prime suspect in this case and you shouldn’t be visiting here, but I wanted to see you, Alexander. My mind is very disturbed. Dad was so attached to you, and it’s ironic that you had to be accused of murdering him.”“I’m sorry that I couldn’t save him, Adam. After stepping down from Rotterdams, I was quite busy.”“I understand. For the last two years, we have been pleading with dad to come over to Frankfurt and live with us but he didn’t even consider it an option. He received a strange thrill from involving himself with Rotterdams. He seemed obsessed with saving the empire, which belonged to a deceased friend.”“Yes, he was too attached to Rotterdams.” “What was the outcome of his dedication? He lost his life! Thi
The next day, Alexander shifted to his penthouse when Eva was at the hospital. His mom came over with her housekeeper to get the penthouse cleaned up and arrange their belongings. Alexander felt relieved to be home at last, to where he belonged. “Everything is arranged now. I’ll leave, Alex. We’ll see you later after you settle down,” said his mom. After his mom left, Alexander received a call from Ashton.“Bro, I wouldn’t be able to return soon. There’s an emergency here that will take some time to wrap up. I’ve got a big promotion here at the hotel and I can’t overlook my responsibilities here. Why don’t you start without me?” Alexander noted his disinterest in starting a business under the circumstances. “Oh, that’s fine. Dad has released my funds and I can invest freely. Don’t worry, if you want you can join me anytime.” “Thanks, bro. I will.” After he disconnected the call, Alexander called his lawyer, Thomas Goldstein, and informed him about the latest update. “I want to co
“I’m sorry about that, Beatrix. Eva isn’t keeping well because of her pregnancy and I couldn’t take your call,” apologized Alexander, feeling guilty for ignoring her plea for help. “I understand, Alexander. I know how much I’ve tormented you with my stubbornness and I’m sorry for everything I did,” said Beatrix and this time she genuinely looked ashamed of herself. “So am I. Everything happened for a reason. We weren’t meant for one another.” “Yes and I’ve learned my lesson the hard way,” said Beatrix with a sigh. “It’s better to move on now. Have a good life with Fairfield. I’ll contact Mr. Fitzgerald and start hunting for the evidence Mr. Strasbourg had hidden somewhere,” said Alexander, but Beatrix stopped him. “Wait! I have a request, Alexander.” “Tell me!” Alexander knew what she would ask of him, but he wasn’t ready to go into that again. “Please come back to Rotterdams, Alexander. The company needs you. Right now, Mr. McCabe is the current CEO, but I want you to look aft
Eva gaped at her husband, too shocked to react. After Daniel Van Every’s last call, she hardly expected him to accept her. So did she unnecessarily overreact last night? “Oh, are you sure? How did they suddenly change their mind about me?” She wondered if Alexander fought with them for her. “Alyssa made them see sense. Mom and dad apologized for everything that happened. They want to be a part of our lives, to play with our baby,” said Alexander while Eva sat with her mouth hanging open. Did they soften because of her pregnancy? A smile brightened up her face, and she resumed eating, letting the good news seep into her system. “I’m glad that they’ve accepted us, Alexander. I was tired of living alone with no family to call my own. At Maxwell’s house, his family cared for me so much, I craved one of my own. I wished your family would accept me like they did. Maybe God has granted my prayers.” Alexander smiled at her, feeling satisfied that finally another wish of hers had been fulfil
Eva’s head swooned under the effect of a panic attack, and she gasped for breath. Before she could reach the washroom door, her feet buckled, and she felt dizzy. Alexander rushed to catch her just in time to arrest her fall. Alyssa too rushed in followed by the others, too shocked by everything to react. Alexander’s parents gaped at the scene before them, finally realizing how deeply their behavior had affected the poor girl.“Eva, no one can separate us, baby! Please take a deep breath and calm down,” cried Alexander, but she lost her senses in his arms. Alexander carried her limp body to the bed. “I’ll get some water,” said Alyssa, rushing to the washroom. “Eva wake up. I’m right here with you. You’ve been brave for so long. You can’t fall sick now,” said Alexander, patting her cheeks. Alyssa rushed in with the water and sprinkled it over her face. It worked, and she slowly opened her eyes to look at Alexander with wide eyes. “Take deep breaths, baby. I don’t want to admit you
“Lucas called to say that Mr. Fitzgerald is busy tonight. He wouldn’t be coming in for a discussion,” said Alexander, hovering around in the kitchen while Eva made dinner. The doorbell rang and Eva looked at him worriedly. “I thought Mr. Fitzgerald isn't coming in tonight.” Alexander shrugged and went forward to check out who had arrived at their doorstep at such an odd hour. Few people knew that he was released today and was still staying here in Bronx. Maybe it was Alyssa and Nicholas! “Should be Lisa and Nicholas.” He opened the door and rolled his eyes at seeing how right he was. “Knew it!” he said, opening the door wider for Alyssa and Nicholas to come in. “At last I’m allowed entry into the place. I thought I would always be a stalker waiting outside!” said Nicholas and Alyssa punched his arm. “Did you really stalk me? You creep?” asked Alyssa in disbelief. Eva emerged from the kitchen and giggled at the ongoing topic. “Yes, so? Alexander knows about it. He caught me so m
“Eva’s been at my house with Sienna and Alyssa since last night. Don’t worry, we didn’t allow her to return to her apartment. They ensured she didn’t skip her meals, and she was perfectly fine. In fact, we’re all heading there right now,” said Lucas, and Alexander smiled with relief. “I know why you asked. Maybe it’s got something to do with Alyssa. She can answer your question better, bro,” whispered Nicholas. Alexander smiled, amazed at how Nicholas could see through him. “What are we waiting for, man? Let’s go?” urged Alexander, unable to wait any longer. All the formalities were over at the court and they had no reason to wait. “You need to collect your belongings from the precinct, Mr. Van Every,” said the officer, and Alexander nodded. “I’ll see you later, son. Here are the keys to the penthouse. I’m sorry for everything that happened,” said his dad, handing him the keys and walking away, leaving him stunned. What the hell just happened? Did his dad apologize for his beha
“Bro, this isn’t even half the bail amount. Why did you lie to Eva? She’d be so upset when she comes to know,” said a worried Nicholas as they headed to the court for the initial bail hearing before the Magistrate judge. He looked at the cheque that Sienna had issued against the jewelry that Eva handed to her. It was the exact amount Lucas had specified to Eva. “I didn’t want to overburden her with a loan. Don’t tell her anything. I’ll have a word with Alexander later when he is released. Right now, I’m paying the rest of the amount. It’s the same with Chris’s payment. He didn’t quote it all to Alyssa. I’ll pay the rest when the case is over.” They met Chris and discussed the case outside the court while waiting for the proceedings to start. “So, what’s the update on the case? Did you find any leads? Will they approve of Alexander’s bail request?” asked Lucas in a low whisper. “Yes. I’m hundred percent sure, given Alexander’s respectable past record. I’ve roped in a few noteworthy