Chapter 2

Evangeline held her gaze before breaking into a sly smile. Her eyes sparkled mischievously as she sauntered toward Walter, heels clicking on the floor.

She pulled out a disinfectant wipe and, with a show of casual authority, began to clean the spot on his silk shirt that Julia had touched.

"You think I want to be in this dump? I'm only here because Grandpa and Mom wouldn't stop nagging."

She tossed the wipe away and straightened his collar with feigned nonchalance. "Are you done playing around? Ready to go home?"

"Go home for what? To play house and make babies?" Walter's dark eyes shimmered with a mysterious allure as he towered over her. "Do you really think you're fit to bear my children?"

A laugh escaped Evangeline, a mix of disbelief and pain. Her heart ached like never before.

She had, once upon a time, truly wanted to be a mother.

Cole was getting on in years, and late-stage lung cancer was a clear sign his days were numbered. His dying wish was to see her and Walter have a baby.

Little did anyone know, she had been harboring a secret crush on him for years.

As she recalled his past indifference and the dazzling fireworks he had launched for Julia just that New Year's Eve, a faint smile played on Evangeline's lips.

"If you're so against the idea of being with me, you could just handle things yourself and donate the outcome for in vitro fertilization. Your grandfather is on my back about this, and if you can't get me pregnant in three months, you might kiss your future as the Gordon family heir goodbye!

"Having a kid benefits us both, I swear. Once it's done, you're free to live it up. I won't ask questions..."

At last, Walter snapped. He firmly grabbed her chin and shoved her onto the billiard table.

His jaw was as sharp as a blade, his gaze deep enough to send shivers down her spine.

He smirked icily. "What's this? Am I just your baby-making machine to lock down your status? Evangeline, have you no decency left?"

Decency?

She had thrown that out the window long ago, had she not? Ever since she had blackmailed him into marriage with an old engagement promise, decency was off the table.

Biting back the pain, her challenge was unmistakable. "So, will you or won't you? This is your last chance to answer."

Walter's gaze was intense, his eyes a storm of unspoken feelings. He was not one to be intimidated or threatened.

Each word was deliberate, his lips a straight line that struck a chord in her heart. "Forget about having my child, Evangeline. It's not happening."

"Alright, then! That's settled," she said, her laugh tinged with defiance.

She swept her eyes leisurely over the crowd, a picture of ease and contentment.

Evangeline reached into her pearl-studded clutch and pulled out a document she had been hiding for far too long.

"Seeing as you can't give me a child, what's the point in keeping you around? And with all your pals here, it's as good a time as any for a divorce, Walter. Once I'm free, I can find someone else to start a family with!

"Here's the divorce papers I drew up. Give them a once-over, and if they're all good, just sign on the dotted line. We'll sort out the rest with the County Clerk's Office after the holiday break."

With that, she tossed the papers onto the pool table, where they landed with a slap that echoed through the stunned silence.

The papers had been burning a hole in her purse for ages, but she never found the guts to pull them out until then.

She was done holding back. She would not let Walter shame her in front of Julia or anyone else ever again.

The room went silent as her words hung in the air. Everyone was shocked, the tension so thick that they could choke on it.

Walter looked like he had been slapped with ice, his face a mask of fury. He looked like he might just tear Evangeline apart right there.

No one would have guessed that Walter, the man who was always on a pedestal, could be publicly dumped.

Julia, barely able to keep her excitement in check, watched Walter, waiting for his reaction. He had to say yes, right?

However, Walter was not pleased. He let out a detached, hollow laugh that did not reach his eyes. She had never seen him look at anyone the way he looked at Evangeline then, his gaze dark and fathomless.

Julia, ever the instigator, piped up, "Evangeline, let's talk this out. You finally married Walt, and you want a divorce just like that? If you're upset because he was teaching me pool, I'll stop. Or better yet, you teach me!

"Don't let me be the reason your marriage falls apart. I'd never forgive myself!" she said, offering the pool cue to Evangeline with feigned kindness.

Evangeline did not take the bait. Instead, she gave Julia a once-over, her sneer cutting through the air. "Don't kid yourself."

Did Julia actually want to learn to play? No, she just figured Evangeline, the country girl, would not know how and wanted to watch her make a fool of herself in front of everyone.

"A man who can't even have kids, and you're treating him like he's some kind of prize," she scoffed.

"Walt is not like that!" Julia snapped, unable to hold back.

Walter was the one she could not stop thinking about. He was astounding. The mere thought of him sent her into a daydream.

Evangeline's gaze was piercing as she taunted, "So, have you tested his capability yourself?"

Julia's fists tightened, her cheeks burning. "I..."

However, before Julia could fully respond, Evangeline crossed her arms and laughed icily. "Don't think for a second you've got a shot with him just because we're through. Even if I don't want to be Mrs. Walter Gordon anymore, you'll never be welcome in the Gordon family."

That hit a nerve. Julia nearly lost it.

Right then, nobody could see the look in Walter's eyes, but there was an unmistakable chill in the air.

Walter let out a mocking laugh. "All these accusations, just to get a divorce?"

He lounged on the plush leather sofa, the restless sea churning behind him.

His fingers, pale as the moon, flipped through the divorce papers Evangeline had so carefully prepared.

After a moment, he looked up, a sly smile playing on his lips. He was like a cornered animal, ready to strike, as he fixed his gaze on Evangeline.

"Julia, hand her the club. Let's see her play a round. If she can beat me, I'll sign off on this today."

Evangeline remained silent. She hesitated before reaching for the pool cue.

Walter eyed her with a challenge in his gaze. "Weren't you the one bragging about your killer pool game? What's the matter, scared now? Or is this whole divorce talk just your way of playing hard to get?"

Evangeline cracked a frosty smile. She remained silent, the crystal chandelier casting a glow on her stunning features.

She looked down and slowly unbuttoned her wine-red cashmere coat, sliding it off her shoulders and tossing it onto the couch.

The coat hit the sofa, and the men around were left speechless.

Beneath her coat was a sultry black lace nightgown, the soft silk hugging her smooth, porcelain skin, highlighting curves that captivated and teased the onlookers' senses.

Who would have guessed that Walter's neglected wife was such a knockout? Had not people said the Rearden family was too backwoods to be seen in public, a sight that would turn their stomachs?

Evangeline could outshine anyone in the whole city!

What was Walter Gordon thinking?

Evangeline, however, seemed blissfully unaware of the spell she cast.

She picked up the cue stick, her eyes steady on Walter. "You were the one who said it. I win a game, and we're done. Whoever backs out is a total loser."

Before Walter's face could turn a shade of envy, she leaned over the pool table and broke with authority.