chapter 3

The vacation was two days away.For the first time in months, the mansion was quiet.Evelyn came downstairs wearing a simple cream dress, expecting breakfast.

Instead, she found Damian's entire family sitting around the dining table. Waiting.

His mother looked up with a smile that didn't reach her eyes. "There she is."

His sister pushed a stack of glossy brochures across the table. "Since you're taking my brother to Europe, we made a little list."

Evelyn frowned."A list?"

Jason grinned."Things we want."

She picked up the papers.A Rolex.Three Hermès bags.A diamond necklace.Limited-edition sneakers. Luxury watches. Designer coats.

The total was well over three hundred thousand dollars. Evelyn looked up slowly."You can't be serious."

Jason leaned back in his chair."You're rich."

His sister shrugged."It's not like you'll miss the money."

His mother clicked her tongue."We've told everyone our son is taking us to Europe next year. Imagine how embarrassing it'll be if we don't have anything nice."

Evelyn placed the papers back on the table."I'm not buying these."

His mother's smile disappeared."What did you say?"

"I said no."

Jason laughed."I knew she'd start acting like this."

His sister folded her arms."I told you marrying rich people always comes with conditions."

Evelyn stared at her in disbelief."Conditions? I've paid your tuition for four years. I bought your car. I paid off Jason's gambling debts."

Jason's jaw clenched.

"I renovated this house."

His mother slammed her teacup onto the table."And you've reminded us every chance you get!"

Evelyn blinked."I've never—"

"Enough!"Everyone turned.Damian had just walked in.His tie hung loosely around his neck as if he'd rushed home from work.He looked from his family to Evelyn."What happened?"

His mother stood immediately."Ask your wife."

Damian looked at Evelyn."Ev?"

She swallowed."They asked me to spend over three hundred thousand dollars on gifts."

"And?"

She stared at him."And... I said no."

He was quiet for a moment."You could've handled it better."

The words landed like a slap.Evelyn searched his face.Surely he didn't mean—

"They're excited," Damian continued. "They're my family."

"So am I."

"You know that's not what I meant."

"No, Damian." Her voice trembled. "I don't know what you mean anymore."

Without another word, she turned and walked upstairs.She didn't stop until she reached their bedroom.She locked the door.Only then did she let herself cry. When had she become the outsider in her own marriage?A soft knock came at the door.

"Ev?"

She wiped her tears."What?"

"It's me."

She opened the door.Damian stepped inside carrying a small velvet box."I'm sorry."

She looked at him without speaking."I shouldn't have taken sides."

He opened the box.Inside was a delicate diamond bracelet."I saw it yesterday and thought of you."

Her breath caught , It was beautiful."You didn't have to..."

"I wanted to." He gently fastened it around her wrist."It'll match your dress in Paris."

The first stop on their vacation.

He smiled at her with the same smile that had made her fall in love years ago "I miss us."

Evelyn's eyes filled with tears."So do I."

He wrapped his arms around her hollding her tightly.As if he were afraid of losing her. She hugged him back.

******

Three days later

Evelyn had barely finished packing when the doorbell rang.She wasn't expecting anyone. One of the maids hurried to answer it before returning a moment later.

"Ma'am... there's a young lady here asking for Mr. Damian."

Evelyn looked up."For Damian?"

"She says it's urgent."

Before Evelyn could respond, the woman walked in. She couldn't have been older than twenty-five. Beautiful , elegant and confident.

The woman's eyes landed on Evelyn first. "You must be Mrs. Sinclair."

Evelyn smiled politely. "Yes , and you are?"

The woman didn't answer. Instead, she reached into her handbag and placed a thick brown envelope on the coffee table."I think you deserve to know the truth."

Damian walked into the living room at that exact moment.The color drained from his face. "What are you doing here?"