Just like that, the pieces of the puzzle clicked into place.Out of the four people there, only Roslyn did not know about the tight-knit connection between Celina and Julia. Walter and Evangeline, on the other hand, knew the score all too well.The nasty drug that cost Evangeline her baby was Celina's own creation, which pretty much confirmed that Julia was the one pulling the strings behind the curtain.Walter, all cozy and lovey-dovey with Julia, could not wash his hands of that mess either."Evie, I'm so, so sorry. I had no clue things would go down like this..."Celina's eyes were a pool of regret, but Evangeline was not having any of it.Sorry was just a word, and no amount of regret over that cursed glass of milk could bring her baby back. What was the point in holding onto that pain and letting it eat her up inside?Evangeline met Celina's gaze, her eyes steady, and gave a slight shake of her head. "Celina, you can't pin this on yourself."You did your part in cooking up
If Walter decided to 'repay' her for the favor, using it as an excuse to stick around, Evangeline would be out of options. So, she went all in on the denial.Besides, Walter had been out cold when she saved him, catching only a glimpse of a shadowy figure. He could not tell who was who, or he would not have been fooled by Julia for so long."I see..." Walter's eyes lost their sparkle as he walked out of the hospital, his spirit deflated.…Walter in his usual booth at Kronovia Royale Pub, watching the stage where singers belted out tunes with fiery passion.The music was so loud, Walter felt like his soul was lifting right out of his body.Yeah, he had always been kind of adrift. He could not even remember how he had ended up at the bar on that night.Caden rushed over after getting Walter's call. He was hesitant at first, but one look at Walter's pale face and all he felt was worry."Walter, what's got you down?"Walter's face was a rough map of stubble, his eyes dull and emp
Given Walter's family background, it was more likely he would grow up spoiled and pampered.However, Walter, with all his dough, never strutted around with that typical rich-kid swagger."What are you even saying?" Walter dismissed him with a wave of his hand. "I'm asking for your honest opinion, not for flattery! And from what angle are you judging? As my employee?"No way, man. You have to judge me as a dude, give it to me straight!"The word 'dude' coming from Walter had Caden smelling drama.From what he knew, when a guy started doubting his manhood, it usually meant his pride had taken a serious hit."Uh... you're not feeling your best?"Caden gave Walter the once-over. Walter was in his prime and always kept in shape. Something did not add up.As Caden tried to figure it out, Walter shot him a death glare that screamed he had had enough of Caden's guesses."Caden, do you even hear yourself?"Walter Gordon, the pride of the Gordon family, was in the prime of his life—top
"Caden, about Evangeline's baby... it's gone," said Walter.They had not gone through with the divorce mainly because Evangeline did not want to stress out Cole.However, Cole was gone, and the miscarriage of the baby that had been keeping them together meant that he and Evangeline were really about to go their separate ways."What?" Caden nearly choked on his wine. "When did this happen? How come I'm the last to know?"Walter shot him a look that could freeze fire. "You think you'd be in the loop on something the Fosters wanted to keep hush-hush? Yeah, the baby's gone."Walter was heartbroken, not just over Evangeline's icy, distant look, but even more for the child he would never get to meet…"Come on, Walter, let's just drink." Caden's hand, with its sharply defined knuckles, lifted a tall wine glass and clinked it against another. He tipped his head back and emptied it in one swift motion."Alright, if it's a drinking challenge you want, you've got it!"Caden was all in—but
Walter was so livid that he balled his hands into fists as he spoke.Caden caught the gesture and felt a twinge of sympathy for Julia.He had met her a few times. She was all frail and fussy, with a voice that could grate on his nerves. Honestly, he was not her biggest fan.Standing next to Evangeline? There was no contest.He just could not wrap his head around it. Why would Walter pass up Evangeline, a gem of a wife, smart and stunning, for someone like her?Caden was itching to ask for more details, but one look at Walter's stormy expression and he knew better than to pry. Instead, he smoothly steered the conversation away from the gloom."Let's drop the doom and gloom, okay? So, what's your plan? Just going to let things be with Evangeline?"Knowing Evangeline, she would probably be hitting Walter up for a divorce any day then.Evangeline had been wanting to leave Walter for ages, but for some reason, they were still hitched."I'm not getting a divorce."Walter's eyes bla
"Caden, you've had quite a bit to drink too. Why not crash here tonight and head back tomorrow?"Caden and Walter had been inseparable since childhood, often having sleepovers at each other's places. However, as they grew up, those days became rare.Caden massaged his temples, weighing the odds of a peaceful night's stay…Skipping one night at home would not be a big deal, would it?With that thought, Caden cautiously asked Aria, "I can't remember the last time I crashed here. Mind if I stay over?"Aria chuckled. "Stay if you want to. It's not like it's your first time."She waved over a servant. "Show Mr. Scott to the guest room."After saying goodbye to Caden, Aria headed to Walter's room.The wedding dress photo on the wall caught her eye, and then her gaze fell on her son, who had lost so much weight he was barely recognizable. Her heart ached for him.Evangeline had returned the bracelet to the Gordon family, signaling the end of her engagement with Walter. They were boun
Walter's throat tightened, and he could only muster a weak attempt at comfort. "Hey, what about Caden? He's the one who dropped me off last night, right?"Aria thought back to the servant's update."He was going to crash here and leave in the morning, but some urgent family thing came up, and he had to bolt in the middle of the night."Walter scrunched his brow, puzzled by Caden's sudden departure.After all, Caden was loaded. His family was not exactly waiting on him hand and foot. Plus, his aunt and uncle were the picture of health; they did not need him to run the family business. What was so urgent that he had to dash off?However, with Caden gone, it was actually a relief."Well, if that's the case, I should head out too."Walter started to rise, but Aria held him back. "Walter, it's been ages since you visited your grandpa. You're here now, so maybe... go see him?"Trey was getting on in years, always sitting by himself in the yard, staring into space. That solitude—it ma
"Walter is here? Take a seat." Trey glanced up from his busy work and nodded toward the chair across from him.Walter sat down, steeling himself for the storm of anger he was sure would come from Trey.To his surprise, Trey just fiddled with the ring on his finger and kept on making coffee.It was not until he poured the third batch into a cup and set it in front of Walter that he finally said, "Walter, give the coffee a try. I've been working on his brewing skills. Notice any improvement?"'Grandpa had called him over with such urgency just to... taste coffee?'With Trey looking on expectantly, Walter picked up the cup with a puzzled look and took a cautious sip.He was not exactly a coffee connoisseur. He ate merely to fuel his body, to keep up with the demanding pace of work at Gordon Group.The coffee swirled on his tongue, but Walter, being no expert, could not pick up any hint of sweetness or a pleasant aftertaste, just a strong bitterness that made him instinctively frown