Evangeline was left fuming, punching the pillow in frustration. "Great timing, as always. It's like fate loves to throw us together at the worst times."The next morning, Evangeline was up with the dawn, helping Alice whip up a pumpkin pie for Trey. He was not feeling great, but he managed to eat quite a bit, cheered by Evangeline's kindness, and seemed a little brighter for it.Afterward, Evangeline wheeled him out for a stroll in the garden.The last whispers of winter had finally retreated, and the morning sun wrapped the world in a cozy warmth. Tulips danced in the garden's gentle breeze, their colors a vivid tapestry. Evangeline and Trey were lost in easy conversation, their laughter mingling with the cheerful chatter of their video with Trey. It was one of those perfect, tranquil moments.However, tranquility shattered as they rounded the garden's rocky outcrop. There, a few faces soured Evangeline's mood in an instant.Walter and Julia sat in the gazebo, deep in discussion.
Evangeline was at a loss as she watched the unfolding drama.Has Walter lost his mind? He should be backing up his mother, his future mother-in-law, and his girlfriend, not defending her from his mother's wrath."Walter, what are you doing? I need to put her in her place! She's been spewing lies online, and now she's here, parading around like she owns the place. If we don't put her in her place, she'll think she can walk all over the Gordon family!" chastised Aria."Mom, Evangeline and I aren't divorced. So technically, she kind of does have a stake in the Gordon family," Walter retorted.As Walter watched, he began to see the struggles Evangeline had faced in the first three years of their marriage and started to grasp why she had turned out the way she had.A wave of regret washed over him.If he had been too late in the past, his chance to make amends had finally come."Walter, has she cast some kind of spell on you? She's been outright rude to your family, hurling insults a
Walter had just wrapped up some work when Caden called him to 'hang out'. Walter had been feeling on edge lately, so he agreed to meet at the swanky Golden Grand Hotel.Caden was buzzing in their get-together, while Walter looked like he could use a week's sleep."You're looking pretty chipper. Hit the jackpot recently?" Walter asked, noticing Caden's gusto, a far cry from his usual nitpicking self. Back in the day, Caden would make the chef check the temperature of his egg custard, not too hot, not too cold."Man, I joined this college student-run amateur racing team. It's like a scene straight out of a movie, all these gorgeous gals around. Makes me feel like I'm back in the college groove, all pumped up," said Caden with a grin."Come on, you know that's risky business. Your folks would flip if they knew," said Walter, trying to talk some sense into him."Hey, keep it on the down-low, will you? You're the only one in the loop. I'm planning to ride this wave a little longer." Ca
Ms. Foster's captivating gaze narrowed at Walter's words, her tone icy. "Who did you think I was?"He had burst in with erratic steps and an urgent voice, a far cry from his usual poise.Ms. Foster felt a flutter of curiosity, waiting in silence for his reply.Walter, finally composed, eyed the woman before him with suspicion. Finding no giveaway, he answered with a chill, "It's nothing, just a case of mistaken identity..."Her hand clenched beneath the table.A case of mistaken identity?Fine, just fine!She had expected nothing less than disdain from that man.Ms. Foster's anger rose, but her smile was alluring. Her eyes, however, betrayed a deep chill.She gave him a frosty look. "Next time, Mr. Walter Gordon, make sure you take a good look before you bother someone. It's quite rude, don't you think?"Walter was momentarily lost for words, caught off-guard by her rebuke."You know who I am?" he asked, a crease forming between his brows, picking up on the inconsistency.M
Walter was fuming when suddenly, he got a text from the villa's butler.[Madam's back.]That brief message made him scowl. What was she up to all the time?He fired up the car, and it zoomed off like a shot, his every move seething with anger.When Walter got back to the villa, the butler said Evangeline had retired to her room. He did not hesitate and bolted up to the second-floor bedroom."Evangeline, get out here!"Evangeline was calmly organizing her desk. She paused when she heard the commotion, but she then resumed her task, blatantly ignoring Walter.Walter burst through the bedroom door, his sharp eyes zeroing in on Evangeline.That same white dress, that familiar silhouette.The way that woman had smiled and frowned in the private room earlier that day was flashing before Walter's eyes, and he could not help but compare her to Evangeline.Evangeline shot him a look. "What's your problem? If it's nothing, leave. I need to shower!"Walter's lips tightened, and he took
Back when Evangeline had devoted her heart to him, Walter had not cared much. However, seeing her dismiss him so casually, he felt an unexpected urge to win her over.Walter settled himself on a couch, deciding not to leave just yet.The bathroom door was steamed up, yet through the haze, the outline of a woman's alluring figure was still visible.Walter felt an unexpected tightness in his throat, and his gaze grew shadowed.He could not deny it; that woman had caught his attention more times than he cared to admit.Restless heat surged within him, and he grabbed a glass of water from nearby, taking a gulp to quell the rising irritation.Evangeline emerged from her bath shortly after, draped in a robe, dabbing at her wet hair. She paused when she saw Walter, still seated like a statue, and her brows knit together in a frown. "Why are you still here?"The man who had once bolted at the slightest hint of her flirtations was shamelessly lingering.Ignoring him, she sat down and st
Evangeline had not guessed Walter was only pretending to sleep. A wave of embarrassment washed over her. She had been about to cover him with a blanket, and he had not been asleep at all!Her well-intended action then felt like a cruel joke.Evangeline snapped, "I was just looking at an animal."Walter narrowed his eyes, taken aback by the woman's biting wit as soon as she opened her mouth. He clicked his tongue and pulled Evangeline close.He was curious to taste her defiant spirit.Their lips met in a deep, unexpected kiss.Surprisingly, her kiss was sweet, a stark contrast to her sharp words.The thought lingered in Walter's mind, compelling him to kiss her more intensely.Evangeline had not seen it coming. Walter's lips had swiftly moved from hers to her neck, leaving a trail of fervent kisses that sent a wave of tension through the air.She snapped back to reality.Why should she let him have his way?She had wanted a child, and he had flatly refused, leaving her humili
Evangeline winced as Aria's piercing voice echoed in her ears, prompting her to reflexively rub them.There were times Evangeline seriously considered getting Aria some throat lozenges to save her voice and her sanity. How did Aria manage to yell like that day in and day out?Evangeline nonchalantly replied, "Sorry to burst your bubble, but that's your son's handiwork. He can be a bit rough, but I can't say I mind it..."Evangeline watched Aria's face twist with fury, her nose nearly bending out of shape.Evangeline had figured it out. Aria just could not stand the thought of her son being affectionate with her."No way! You must've slipped him something, you temptress!" Aria glared at Evangeline as if trying to bore holes into her with her eyes.Deep down, Aria was making plans. She could not let Walter and Evangeline carry on like that. Evangeline was too cunning. If she ever got her way, it would be a disaster!With those thoughts, Aria discreetly pressed the service bell. A