Charles had said, "Let's go to the hospital," and for a moment, I froze. The hesitation was instant, sharp.
Why would I go see my father? The man who had barely acknowledged me as his daughter? The man who had always put Diane first, while I was left as an afterthought? It didn't make sense, and yet…he was my father. No matter what he had done, no matter how much he had hurt me, that bond was undeniable. "Fine," I muttered finally, though the word felt heavy on my tongue. Charles waited patiently, but I wasn't about to leave looking like this. "Give me a minute," I said before heading to my tiny, cluttered room. Quickly, I changed into something less embarrassing. My reflection in the cracked mirror looked…decent enough. By the time I made it downstairs, Charles was waiting by his brand-new Mercedes, looking every bit the golden child. Without a word, I slipped into the passenger seat, and we drove off. As we pulled into the hospital parking lot less than thirty minutes later, the air grew heavier around me. Entering the lobby, I was hit by the sterile scent of disinfectant, making the situation feel all the more real. The nurses recognized Charles immediately. Their smiles widened, their attention fixated on him like moths to a flame. "Mr. Charles Morgan, right?" one of them said, her voice almost sugary. "Your father is in Room 308. You can go in, but…" She turned to me, her tone noticeably colder. "You might have to wait here. Are you his assistant? Or maybe his manager?" I stared at her, stunned by the audacity. "Excuse me?" Before I could say more, Charles stepped in, his tone calm but firm. "No, she's my sister." Her eyes widened, darting between us as if she couldn't believe it. "Sister?" she echoed. Charles didn't bother responding, simply tugging my arm and leading me toward the hallway. His grip was gentle, but I could feel the tension in it. When we reached Room 308, I hesitated for a split second before stepping inside. Dad lay on the bed, looking more fragile than I had ever seen him. The powerful man I remembered was gone, replaced by someone weak, pale, and clinging to life. Stepmom sat beside him, dabbing at her eyes with a tissue. Whether those tears were genuine or just for show, I couldn't tell—and frankly, I didn't care. Dad's face changed the moment he saw me. His eyes lit up, something I hadn't seen in years. Was that…relief? Love? "Am I dreaming?" he rasped, his voice barely above a whisper. Charles broke the silence. "Father, how are you feeling?" For someone who rarely strung together more than two words, it was a surprisingly full sentence. Dad turned to him, his expression shifting to one of frustration. "Charles, find your sister. Where could she be? What will the world think of us if she's not found? Why would she do this now—of all times?" His voice cracked under the weight of his anger. Stepmom interjected, her voice sharp. "I told you not to let Diane marry him. I warned you this would happen." Dad's gaze darkened. "Do you understand what this means?" he shot back. "If Diane isn't found, the wedding will be canceled. Do you realize what that will cost us? Mr. Volkov doesn't forget. He doesn't forgive. Not only will the company crumble, but he'll come after us. He might be a cripple, but he has the power to destroy lives." I stood silently, my heart twisting at the sheer desperation in his words. Stepmom glanced at me briefly, her lips curling into a subtle, satisfied smirk. "Let him come after us," I muttered under my breath. "It's not like I'm part of the family anyway." Dad's gaze softened as he turned to me, his hand trembling as he extended it. "Evelyn," he whispered, "please, come closer." I hesitated before stepping forward. His frail fingers wrapped around mine, and for a moment, I saw something I hadn't seen in years—vulnerability. "I'm sorry," he said, his voice breaking. "I'm sorry for everything I've put you through. For not giving you the life you deserved. For not being the father you needed. Please…can you forgive me?" The words hit me like a tidal wave. Forgive him? Now, of all times? After everything? My mind raced, trying to make sense of the sudden apology. And then it clicked. He wanted me to take Diane's place. I pulled my hand back, stepping away. "I forgive you," I said coldly. "But I'm not doing this." His face fell, but I pressed on. "You gave Diane everything. You gave her the life she wanted, and she still ran away. You gave me nothing, and now you expect me to clean up this mess? To marry a man I've never met—for you?" My voice rose, my anger spilling over. "No. Never." "Evelyn, please," he pleaded, his voice cracking. "I'm not asking you to marry him. Just stall for time. Pretend to be Diane. Say you're unwell, or convince them to delay the wedding. That's all I ask." I laughed bitterly. "Pretend to be Diane? Are you serious? For years, you ignored me, never even calling me your own daughter. And now you think a few kind words will make me bend to your will?" His desperation deepened, but I turned on my heel to leave. Charles grabbed my arm, but my glare made him let go. I was almost out the door when Dad's voice stopped me cold. "Don't you want to know where your mother is?" The words shattered me, breaking through every wall i had built. Stepmom's voice finally cut through the suffocating silence. "What? A deal? What are you talking about? You don't expect Evelyn to replace Diane. You can't just pick any girl to replace her. Diane Morgan is irreplaceable!" Dad's voice boomed, interrupting her tirade. "Enough!" He shoved her aside, his face a mask of desperation. "This is not up for debate." I stood frozen, the chaos swirling around me as if I weren't there. Their words blended into a blur, but fragments lodged in my mind. "Evelyn is not Diane," Stepmom spat, her voice sharp with disdain. "I know she isn't Diane," Dad snapped, his voice cracking under the weight of his words. "But she's all we have." Then he turned to me, his eyes dark and unwavering. "Don't you want to know where your mother is, Evelyn?" Those words hit me like a tidal wave. My mother. My real mother. Memories of sleepless nights flooded my mind, nights spent crying over the stories I had heard about her suffering. A woman trapped in this family's web, a woman who had endured hell. I had spent years imagining her face, her voice, her touch. "Yes, I want to know," I whispered, my voice trembling. "Then do this for me," Dad said, his tone softening, but the manipulation was clear. "Marry Mr Volkov, and I promise you, I'll find her. After the wedding, I'll start searching. Within a year, you'll have your mother." My heart ached at his words, but my mind screamed at the unfairness of it all. "So you know where my mother is, and you've kept it from me all these years? You didn't even try to reunite us?" Dad's expression didn't falter. "I know you're smart enough to understand, Evelyn. Just do this one thing for me, and I'll give you the reunion you've always dreamed of." Stepmom's face twisted with fury, but she remained silent. Charles, my quiet stepbrother, stood on the sidelines, observing the spectacle with a furrowed brow. "Dad, I don't think she can do this," he finally said. "Let's call off the wedding." But Dad shook his head. "No. My company, my life, my everything is on the line. This wedding must happen. Either Diane or Evelyn must marry him. And since Diane isn't an option, it has to be Evelyn." The room spun as his words sank in. I felt like a pawn in a cruel game of chess, being moved to save his empire. I stormed out of the room, my anger bubbling over. The house that had once been my prison felt even smaller now. As I walked through the halls, a nurse approached me. "What's wrong, ma'am?" I glared at her, my dead stare silencing whatever concern she might have had. Without a word, I left the house and called my taxi driver, the one person who always arrived when I needed him. Within ten minutes, he was there. But instead of escaping to Stella's house like I had planned, I found myself back at the Maldon mansion. My anger and frustration had led me back to the very place I wanted to leave behind. The maids glanced at me, their faces filled with curiosity, but I ignored them and ran to my room. Once inside, I collapsed onto the floor, the weight of my emotions finally breaking through. I reached under my bed and pulled out a cardboard box filled with letters and scribbled notes from my childhood. Each one was a cry for help, a plea for a mother's love, a father's kindness. The pain of my childhood hit me like a wave, and tears streamed down my face. I clutched a letter to my chest, my resolve crumbling. I wanted to see my mother, to feel her arms around me, to hear her call me her daughter. The little girl in me, the one who had spent years yearning for love, couldn't let this opportunity slip away. But the price was too high. Marrying Mr Volkov, a man I didn't know, a man who was crippled, felt like a death sentence. But if I refused, Dad would make my life even more miserable. His company would collapse, and he would blame me for it. I picked up my phone and dialed his number. He answered immediately, as if he had been waiting. "Evelyn, I know this is hard for you, but think about the bright side. I've already signed the contract. Just sign it, and I'll find your mother. I promise." His voice was calm, persuasive, and I hated how it made me waver. A knock on the door interrupted my thoughts. One of the maids handed me a stack of papers, her face emotionless. "Make it quick," she said before leaving. I stared at the contract, my hands shaking. Every word was a chain, binding me to a future I didn't want. But the thought of my mother kept pulling me back. Tears blurred my vision as I grabbed a pen and signed the papers, each stroke of the pen feeling like a betrayal to myself. When it was done, I sat back, my chest heaving with sobs.After I signed the contract, my head was still boiling, wondering if I had just made the best decision of my life or the worst. I knew it had to be one of the two, and I could only hope it was the positive one.A knock came on my door. When I opened it, it was the same maid who had delivered the stack of files to me earlier. She said she'd been sent to collect the file and check if I'd signed it. I nodded and handed it over to her. She hesitated, studying me for a moment."Are you okay? Are you good, Evelyn?" she asked, her voice soft with concern.I forced a smile. "Yes, I'm good. No problem.""Why are you signing this? Is there something wrong?" she pressed.I placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder and gave it a light rub. "I'm fine, I promise. It's just… something."She seemed to understand more than I was willing to admit because, without another word, she pulled me into a hug. "It's all going to be fine," she said quietly.That was what I needed. I had no idea how much I needed
The night before the wedding, sleep was nothing but a dream itself. My mind was a tangled mess of thoughts and memories, churning endlessly. Something about the wedding gnawed at me, but I couldn't put my finger on it. By the time I finally gave up on finding rest, it was 6 a.m., and my father walked into my room for the first time ever.The moment he stepped inside, his face twisted in a mix of disgust and disbelief. His gaze roamed over the tiny, dilapidated space I had called home for years. For the briefest second, there was a flicker of something—regret, maybe?—but it was gone as quickly as it appeared.Behind him entered an entourage of bridal stylists, makeup artists, and hairdressers, their tools in hand. They wasted no time, bustling around me like I was their latest project. My long, tangled blonde hair was brushed and styled until it cascaded down my back in soft waves. Makeup was applied meticulously, hiding every imperfection and bringing a glow to my pale face.By the ti
I stood at the altar, staring blankly ahead. My thoughts swirled like a carousel, repeating the same question: Did I just get married, or did I simply sign a piece of paper? Everything felt surreal, almost laughable in a cruel way.Then my father approached, his expression unreadable. "Get ready," he said firmly. "You'll be leaving with his people in the next ten minutes. Go grab anything you need or say your goodbyes."Goodbyes? The word echoed in my mind. Who would I even say goodbye to? Aside from the maids who had been my only solace growing up, there wasn't a soul in this house I would miss. My belongings? Just old rags and memories I'd rather leave behind.Still, in my heavy wedding gown, I made my way to my room with Eleanor and a few other maids helping me up the stairs. Their presence was comforting, like a tether to the world I was about to leave behind. Once inside, Eleanor lingered by the door, her eyes brimming with unshed tears."I can't believe you're leaving, Evelyn,"
The clap of his hands echoed sharply, snapping me out of my thoughts. Without a word, Artemis—the girl with the fiery red hair from earlier—entered. Her presence was just as commanding as before, and she didn't waste time waiting for pleasantries."Take her to her room," he said simply, his tone cold, clipped.Artemis nodded once, motioning for me to follow. Her pace was brisk, her footsteps echoing in the long hallways. The silence between us was deafening, and I couldn't help but notice how perfectly she moved, as if she had been trained to command every step she took.We passed through what felt like an endless maze of corridors. The first hallway was dimly lit, with walls lined with ancient paintings that seemed to watch us as we walked. The second was brighter, its windows offering glimpses of the night sky and a vast, moonlit garden below. By the time we reached the third floor, the air felt colder, heavier.When Artemis finally stopped in front of a massive door, she didn't say
I stood frozen, my feet rooted to the cold floor, as the man before me emanated a raw and untamed energy that made the air feel heavy. His presence was overwhelming—broad shoulders that seemed to carry the weight of worlds, a jawline sharp enough to cut glass, and eyes like two shards of ice, piercing straight through my soul. He was handsome in a way that felt dangerous, almost unearthly, and his every move radiated control.His hand came down hard on the rock-strewn table, the sound sharp and unyielding. "Where is Diane?" he demanded, his voice as cold and cutting as a winter storm.I opened my mouth, but no words came. Fear clawed at my throat, making it impossible to speak. His patience snapped, and his gaze darkened with fury."Will you talk?" he thundered, leaning closer. The intensity in his eyes was suffocating."I—I don't know," I stammered, the words tumbling out incoherently. "She...she ran away."He straightened, his expression hardening. "Diane ran away? Is that the best
The moment their lips collided, the world around them blurred into nothingness. Evelyn's resolve crumbled as Michael's commanding presence overwhelmed her. His hands, strong and sure, cupped her face, deepening the kiss. The tension between them was electric, a volatile mix of anger, desire, and something unspoken. Evelyn clung to him, her fingers fisting in his shirt as if afraid to let go.Michael broke the kiss, his breath hot against her flushed skin. "You don't know what you're asking for," he murmured, his voice a dangerous mix of warning and promise. But Evelyn, trembling yet resolute, met his gaze."Then show me," she whispered, her words trembling but unwavering.A growl rumbled from deep in his chest. In one fluid motion, he lifted her and pressed her against the cold wall, the contrast sending a shiver down her spine. His hands roamed over her body, skimming her curves with a deliberateness that made her gasp."Tell me to stop," Michael said, his voice rough almost like a p
The room was still, save for the sound of Evelyn's soft, steady breathing. Michael leaned against the edge of the bed, his chest heaving as he stared at her. Her hair was a tangled mess against the pillow, her lips slightly parted as she slept. The marks he had left on her neck and shoulders were a stark contrast against her pale skin. She looked peaceful now, almost angelic, but the weight of what had just transpired pressed heavily on his chest.He ran a hand through his hair, cursing under his breath. Sweet. That word barely scratched the surface of how Evelyn had felt in his arms. Her touch had been hesitant at first, but her body had responded to him in a way that ignited something primal within him. She was intoxicating, utterly consuming. Better than anyone he had ever been with—and better than he deserved.But the truth was bitter. Evelyn hadn't done this out of love or desire. She had done it for her mother, to fulfill some unspoken obligation to the twisted arrangement Micha
Evelyn stirred, her body aching in unfamiliar ways. As consciousness returned, the events of the previous night replayed vividly in her mind. The soft sheets against her skin reminded her of how Michael's hands had roamed her body, his lips igniting sensations she had never thought possible. But the soreness wasn't just physical—it lingered in her thoughts, clawing at her confidence. This wasn't her first time. Evelyn swallowed hard, memories of Liam surfacing like an unwanted ghost. Her ex-boyfriend, her college love, had been her first. But it hadn't been like this. That night had been a blur of alcohol and betrayal. Liam had taken advantage of her drunken state, ignoring her protests, and afterward, she had convinced herself it had been her fault for drinking too much. She had given her body willingly, but the way he had used her left a bitter scar she couldn't erase. She pushed the thought aside, staring up at the ceiling, her mind clouded with new fears. What if Michael hadn't
"You can't remove that yet! Not unless your doctor says it’s okay to do so." Michael’s voice was firm as he stood beside Evelyn, watching her with a gaze that allowed no room for argument.Before she could reply, the door swung open, and a woman in a white coat stepped in. Her sharp eyes landed on them, catching the tail end of Michael’s words."Actually… it’s perfectly fine for her to remove it," the doctor interjected with a calm smile. "Sir."Evelyn lifted a brow, shooting Michael a knowing look. Her eyes practically shouted, See?Michael let out a slow, heavy sigh, rubbing the bridge of his nose as if fighting an unseen battle. "Fine," he muttered. "But let the doctor do it." His voice was still firm, but he stepped back, allowing the doctor to proceed before he turned and exited the room.By the time everything was settled and Evelyn was ready to leave, she saw Michael speaking with the doctor, his tone low and controlled. When she shifted to stand on her own, he was there in an
Michael couldn’t relax. Even after Lorna had given her diagnosis, even after the room had settled into silence, his body remained taut with tension.His reaction earlier had been… unexpected. Shocking, even. He hadn’t anticipated it—not the panic, not the overwhelming force of emotion that had slammed into him the moment he saw her tears. Evelyn had done it again. She had shattered whatever semblance of control he thought he had over himself.It was infuriating.To think that just seeing her cry could shake him so deeply… that just the touch of her cold skin had sent something dangerously close to fear spiraling through him. Fuck. He was in too deep. This woman had thoroughly and utterly ruined him.Now, he didn’t know what to do.Didn’t know what to say.He could only hold her. Could only pull her into his arms, press her close, and hope that his warmth seeped into her body. Because anything else—any words, any action—felt like it would only make things worse.He didn’t want to see h
The moment Evelyn turned her back to him and walked away, the dam that had been holding strong all this time finally crumbled. Her tears, long restrained, gushed forth like a deluge of rain.It had been so long since she had allowed herself to cry outside the suffocating confines of her darkened room. She had trained herself to never shed tears in the presence of others. Crying made her feel exposed, fragile—something she had fought against for years. Especially in front of her father and Brandon Haze, she had refused to break. No matter how deep their words had cut, no matter how much pain they had inflicted upon her, she had never given them the satisfaction of seeing her crumble. Silence had always been her weapon, a shield stronger than any steel. And she had wielded it perfectly.But with Michael… everything was different.She did not understand why, but around him, it was unbearably difficult to hold back. She had thought she could at least hold in her emotions until she reached
Evelyn fell silent. The lump in her throat tightened when he mentioned a condition. Her anger toward him hadn’t vanished—she had simply forced herself to swallow it down. But now, hearing that he was about to set another rule, another ridiculous demand, had her emotions surging once more.However, what Michael said next rendered her mute.Snow White?She hadn’t expected him to bring up the wolf, let alone sound so sour about it. Why did he seem irritated now? Hadn’t he helped her save the poor creature? So why was he suddenly acting like he despised Snow White?A quiet hesitation lingered in the air. But eventually, she nodded.If this was all he wanted, then fine. It wasn’t like he was asking for much—not letting Snow White sleep in their bed? That wasn’t so bad. It still meant she could cuddle the wolf anywhere else. Perhaps Michael just had an issue with wolf fur in his sheets.“Fine… I’ll keep him off the bed,” she relented, her voice clipped. “Now, talk. Explain.”She didn’t want
Micheal just stared at her in silence. The words she had spoken moments ago seemed to echo in the air between them, heavier than before. Evelyn had dropped her gaze, almost as if afraid to meet his eyes again, and now leaned her forehead against the wolf curled in her arms. It was as though she were trying to shield herself, wrapping around the creature like he was her only anchor.The sight of it made something dark and unfamiliar stir within him.Her small shoulders trembled faintly, her fiery hair spilling over the wolf’s thick white fur. The contrast was striking—like blood on snow, something pure being swallowed by something far too heavy, too painful. And yet, she clung to the animal with a quiet desperation, as if letting go would mean losing the only thing grounding her in this moment.Micheal pulled back slightly, his movements slow and measured. He didn’t want to startle her. Not when she already looked so fragile. Not when he could sense something in her that felt too close
Michael stood frozen at the threshold of the dimly lit bedroom, his tall frame casting a long shadow across the floor. His grey eyes, sharp as a blade’s edge, landed on the scene before him, and something inside him coiled tight—dangerously tight.Evelyn lay curled on the massive bed, her body wrapped around something—or rather, someone.Snow White.The large white wolf, with his thick fur and unsettlingly intelligent eyes, lay beside her, his breathing slow and steady. But Michael barely spared the animal more than a glance. His focus was on her. On the way her delicate fingers were buried in the wolf’s thick fur. On the way her body pressed so trustingly, so intimately, against the creature’s warmth. And worst of all, the way her face—so serene, so utterly content—was nestled against its back.Michael’s expression did not change at first. He was too stunned to react.Seconds passed. Then, his lips pressed into a thin, bloodless line.His jaw ticked once. Then twice.A slow, simmerin
As soon as Evelyn pulled open the cage door, she stepped back, her fingers gripping the doorknob tightly. Just in case Snow White decided to lunge at her, she wanted to be ready—ready to dart out and call for Rion and Raven to help put the wolf back inside its cage.Her heart pounded, echoing in her ears like a war drum. Snow White remained inside the cage, his pale eyes watching her with an unreadable expression. He wasn’t moving, wasn’t baring his fangs, wasn’t doing anything she had feared he might do.Evelyn swallowed, uncertainty gripping her. Had she made a mistake?Then, slowly, the wolf tilted his head. The movement was so small yet so deliberate that it almost seemed… questioning.Somehow, that made Evelyn feel guilty.She let out a soft breath and, instead of standing there frozen, crouched near the open door. She extended her hand, palm facing up, voice gentle as she coaxed him. “Come here, baby…”For a moment, the air hung still between them.Then, to her shock, Snow White
The wolf stilled at her touch.Evelyn had hesitated before finally gathering the courage to extend her hand and brush her fingers against its snowy white tail. The soft texture surprised her—it was thicker and woolier than she had expected, a mix of coarse and silky strands that seemed to shimmer under the dim lighting.Holding her breath, she waited for a reaction. She thought the wolf would jerk away, snarl, or even bare its teeth at her for daring to touch it. But none of that happened. It remained completely still, unbothered. Almost… indifferent.Cautiously, she stroked its fur again, this time moving her fingers in a slow, gentle rhythm. Still, there was no response.Her tense shoulders finally eased a little. If the wolf had been aggressive or hostile, it would have made that clear by now, wouldn’t it? Or was it just too exhausted to react? Was it still in pain from its injuries?“Hey… Snow White, baby?” Evelyn murmured, softening her voice, instinctively trying to comfort the
A distant howl broke through the silence of the night.Evelyn paused, her fingers tightening around the blanket draped over her lap. The sound echoed through the castle walls, low and mournful, stirring something deep inside her.Wolves.It shouldn’t have been surprising. The Reigns estate sat atop a forested hill, surrounded by sprawling wilderness. The occasional howl wasn’t uncommon. And yet… this was the first time she had truly heard one since she arrived.Her mind immediately flashed back to the snow-white wolf they had rescued.She had forgotten about it completely in the whirlwind of everything that had happened. The secrets. The lies. Michael locking her away like a prisoner. But now, hearing that call in the night, she couldn’t help but wonder.Where was the wolf now?It must still be healing, right?Michael had assigned a medical team to tend to it—an elite one, no doubt. They would have done their job well. The wolf had to be getting better by now. Right?A sudden urge gri