Chapter 6: Flickering Doubts

Eve paced the master bedroom, the thick carpet swallowing her footsteps. The storm had finally blown past, but it left behind a heavy, unnatural silence pressing in on the windows. Alex left her with a kiss on the forehead and a promise—he’d take care of Marcus. Whatever that meant. She could still hear him downstairs, voice low and sharp on the phone. Probably calling lawyers. Or security. Or something worse.

She dropped onto the edge of the bed and rubbed her temples. Marcus’s words wouldn’t leave her alone: Your secret’s safe. For now. The birthmark. Of all things, a tiny detail KJ had skipped. Sophia had one. Eve didn’t. One look at her naked, and Alex might notice—if he hadn’t already. But last night, with all that heat and grief flying between them, he hadn’t said a word. Maybe he was too blinded by pain. Or maybe he just wanted to believe.

Her phone buzzed under the pillow—KJ again.

Status? Progress on the payout?

She hesitated, then typed back: Working on it. Complications.

His answer came fast: Handle them. Or I will.

She deleted the thread, her heart thumping. KJ was supposed to be the smart one, the guy with all the answers. Now he just felt like another shackle.

The door opened. Alex walked in, looking stormy, but his face softened when he saw her.

“It’s handled,” he said, closing the distance between them in a few quick strides.

“What did you do?”

“Nothing permanent.” He sat next to her and pulled her in close. “Extra security. Restraining order’s coming. Marcus won't bother you again.”

She leaned into him, breathing in that familiar scent—clean, sharp, a whiff of scotch lingering. “Thank you.”

His hand traced slow circles on her back. “I’d burn the world for you, Sophia.”

The name hit her like a slap. It always did.

She kissed him, just to drown it out, and he kissed her back hard, hungry. His hands slid under her shirt and she lost herself in the feel of him, the heat, the need to forget.

“Alex,” she whispered.

He pulled back, searching her face. “What is it?”

“Nothing. Just… make me forget.”

That was all he needed. Clothes hit the floor. He lifted her onto the bed, covered her body with his, his mouth trailing fire down her skin. She arched into him, fingers tangled in his hair. For a while, the lies faded. Nothing mattered except this—the ache, the rush, the way he trembled under her touch.

When he entered her, slow and sure, she gasped. Their rhythm grew wild and urgent. He whispered her sister’s name like a prayer, but Eve shoved that away, focusing on him, the truth in his eyes, the small, vulnerable tremble in his hands.

After, they lay tangled up in each other, sheets twisted, breaths slowly syncing up. Alex draped his arm over her waist, solid and warm.

“I love you,” he murmured into the darkness.

Her chest squeezed tight. “I love you too.”

Somehow, it sounded true. God help her.

Morning brought the usual routine, but new cracks showed through. At breakfast, Lila sat down and slid a newspaper across the table.

“Front page,” she said, sipping her coffee. “Detective Reyes is stirring things up. Voss fire case—says there are ‘new leads.’”

Alex stopped, fork halfway to his mouth. “What leads?”

“Doesn’t say. But they’re talking to old staff.”

Eve’s appetite vanished. She forced down some orange juice, hoping it looked casual. “Maybe it’s nothing.”

Lila shot her a look. “Or maybe it’s something. You okay? You look pale.”

“Just tired,” Eve lied, not meeting her eyes.

Alex squeezed her hand under the table. “We’ll handle it. Together.”

When Alex left for the office, Lila lingered. “Walk with me?”

They wandered the garden paths. The air was crisp, heavy with the scent of wet earth. Lila linked arms with her—friendly, but definitely fishing for something.

“You seem... different since you got back,” Lila said, finally.

Eve tensed. “Amnesia changes people.”

“Guess so. But Sophia was always so... polished. You’re raw. Real.” Lila smiled. “I like it. Alex does too. He’s alive again.”

Guilt twisted in Eve’s gut. “I’m trying,” she managed.

Lila stopped and faced her. “If you ever need to talk—about anything—I’m here. No judgment.”

Eve searched her face, trying to decide: friend or trap? “Thanks. But I’m fine.”

Lila nodded, but there was doubt in her eyes.

Inside, Eve made a beeline for the library. She needed to fill in the gaps. She rummaged through drawers until her fingers landed on a locked box. Curiosity won. One hairpin and a few seconds later, it popped open.

Inside—letters, old photos, and a velvet pouch.

She went for the pouch first. A gold locket tumbled into her palm. Heart-shaped, engraved: Forever, A & S.

Her breath caught. Inside, a tiny photo—Alex and Sophia on their wedding day, all smiles.

She flipped it over—there was a date. Not their anniversary. Something else.

A sound in the hallway. She shoved everything back into the box, heart pounding.

Too late. Alex stood in the doorway, briefcase forgotten in his hand.

“What are you doing?” His voice was calm. Way too calm.

“I… was looking for a book.” Weak.

His eyes flicked to the box. “That’s private.”

"I'm sorry. I didn’t mean—"

He swept across the room and took the locket from her hand. "You gave this to me. Our first anniversary. Remember?"

Eve swallowed. "Sort of."

He flipped it open, showing her the photo inside. "I was never happier than that day."

She nodded, forcing a smile, but he wasn’t fooled. His eyes narrowed. "What about the engraving? On the back. What does it say?"

A jolt of panic shot through her. She hadn’t checked. 

"I... can’t remember."

Alex’s face turned hard. "It’s the day we met. You wanted it that way. Said that day was when your life really started."

Her mouth went dry. She’d slipped—badly.

He slipped the locket into his pocket. His face gave away nothing. "Get some rest. You look exhausted."

And then he was gone.

Eve dropped into a chair, shaking. He knew. Or he was close.

Her phone buzzed—Marcus.

Miss me? Let’s talk. Tonight. Or Alex hears everything.

She deleted the message, but the threat wouldn’t leave her alone.

Dark crept in. Detective Reyes called, asking to meet tomorrow. Said he wanted to "jog memories" in the east wing.

Eve agreed, dread curling inside her.

That night, Alex kept his distance. He worked late. Only slipped into bed when she’d already squeezed her eyes shut, pretending to sleep.

But in the dark, his hand found hers. He gave it a gentle squeeze.

"I’m not letting you go," he whispered.

Eve’s tears soaked the pillow. The lies wouldn’t let go either.