CHAPTER FIVE

‎SIX HOURS LATER

‎At New York City airport, Evelyn took off her glass, folded it and tucked it into her bag.

‎She looked around, and a small smile played at the corner of her lips.

‎She couldn't believe she was now back in her city— after four long years of leaving without looking back.

‎Evelyn could feel the familiar scent and sound of the city— it was just like yesterday.

‎She took in a deep breath, inhaling the fresh air.

‎In her mind— she couldn't wait to see her family.

‎"Hey, shrimp!"

‎Evelyn's eyebrows furrowed as she heard the annoying yet loving voice she had longed to hear.

‎Shrimp had been the name her older brother had called her since they were little.

‎She used to be scared of it, and ever since then, he had been teasing her with the name.

‎She turned around, her eyes scanned through the crowd before landing on her older brother, Ethan.

‎Ethan had been sent by their father to pick Evelyn from the airport.

‎A wide grin spread across her face as she approached him.

‎His back was leaning comfortably against the wall, with one leg relaxed against it and his arms folded across his chest.

‎Evelyn's face wore a look of disbelief as she asked, "Ethan? What are you doing here?"

‎"Dad was afraid you would miss your way back home, so he asked me to come pick you up."

‎Ethan already heard about what happened with Chris, and badly wanted to deal with him.

‎His jaw clenched as he recalled their father's words— Don't do anything, Ethan. Allow me to handle this.

‎Despite Evelyn hadn't said a word to them about what had happened, Aaron had already gotten all the information he needed from his source.

‎Ethan sighed and hugged his sister, warmly.

‎"I heard about what that bastard had done to you. Are you okay?"

‎Evelyn smiled softly, and nodded. "I'm fine."

‎She wouldn't be surprised that they already knew about what had happened. After all, they're the Martins.

‎Just like the Blackwood family, her family was also capable of getting any information they set their minds on.

‎She knew the moment she had called her Dad on phone to let him know about her return to New York City, Aaron would use his capability to find out exactly what was going on.

‎"Good." He nodded slightly, and broke the hug. "Let's forget about that bastard and celebrate your return. Mom and Dad are already waiting for you at home."

‎"Well, I missed them too. And I can't wait to see them."

‎As they both entered Ethan's car, he took her straight back home.

‎•

‎At the Martins family's estate, they arrived twenty minutes after they had left the airport.

‎Evelyn's parents were overjoyed to see their daughter return after four years of being apart.

‎She was greeted by a row of smiling maids and guards as soon as she stepped out of the car.

‎They all lined up in a straight line to welcome her home.

‎Clara's excited voice echoed through the air. "EVELYN!"

‎As Evelyn's gaze landed on her parents, a wide grin spread across her face and she quickened her pace towards them.

‎She walked closer to them and Clara engulfed her daughter in a tight, warm hug.

‎"Welcome home, sweetie." Her Mom said, caressing her back lovingly. "We all missed you."

‎"I missed you guys too." She replied, letting go of her mother.

‎"Dad..."

‎Evelyn left her Mom's side and went to her Dad, embracing him in a hug too.

‎They all headed inside afterwards, and the moment Evelyn stepped in, the familiar scent of the house filled her nostrils.

‎She had almost forgotten what the house looked like.

‎Though, nothing has changed.

‎Everything was the same as she had left them.

‎For years, Evelyn had spent her time grooming Chris into becoming someone who would be able to stand before her Dad.

‎For his sake, she'd turned her back on her family and her roots.

‎But now, she's finally back home— to where she rightfully belong.

‎At the living room, it was filled with laughters and interesting conversations, everyone catching up with Evelyn for the years they weren't together.

‎•

‎Later that night, Evelyn and her Dad were seated in his study room, having a private conversation.

‎"Are you okay?" He asked, his tone laced with concern.

‎Evelyn chuckled and nodded lightly. "I'm fine, Dad. Trust me, he's not worth it."

‎She had just finished explaining all that had happened with Chris to him. Though, she already knew he's aware of everything.

‎Aaron leaned against his chair, his eyes flashing with anger.

‎"I will take care of him," he announced, his voice firm. "No one dares to do this with my daughter and get away with it."

‎Evelyn knows what her father is capable of.

‎She knew if she allowed him, Chris might not wake up to see the following day.

‎Not that she cared about him, or pity him, but she wants to be the one to teach him a lesson— a lesson he would never forget in his entire existence of living.

‎Evelyn shook her head, a small smile playing at the corner of her lips. "No, Dad. Please, let me handle this myself."

‎Aaron's eyebrows furrowed in suspicion. "Why? You're not planning on forgiving that boy, are you?"

‎Evelyn's eyes widened in disbelief. "What?" She chuckled. "Of course, not, Dad. I-I just want you to trust me Dad, I can handle this myself."

‎"Are you sure?"

‎Evelyn nodded, her determination clear and evident. "Yes, I'm sure Dad. I need to do this my way."

‎Aaron studied his daughter for a moment before nodding. "Alright, princess. But if you need my help, you come to me, okay?"

‎Evelyn smiled happily.

‎It's been years she last heard her father called her princess. He has been calling her that ever since she was little.

‎"I will, Dad."

‎They also talked about the engagement preparation, which would begin in a few days time.

‎Later, when Evelyn went back to her room, Ethan was already waiting for her.

‎As she twisted the doorknob and pushed the door open, her gaze landed on her brother, sitting on her bed with a champagne bottle in his hand.

‎He raised it in a toast, and then patted the empty space beside him, inviting her to join him.

‎Ethan poured her a drink in a glass cup, and they clinked glasses together in a silent toast.

‎"Have you returned for good?" He asked, swirling the glass cup between his fingers.

‎Evelyn hummed, nodding her head. "I have."

‎For four years, Evelyn had spent her time becoming someone she wasn't— just for Chris's sake.

‎Someone who isn't even qualified to marry her.

‎If it weren't for the affection she had for him in the past.

‎But now that the truth was glaring right in front of her, she would face it head on and reclaim her identity back.

‎She would make Chris pay for all he's done to her and realize how important she was in his life.

‎Ethan nodded, and muttered softly, "Good."

‎"let's forget about the bastard. Tonight, let's drink to celebrate your return— the beginning of a new chapter."

‎They clinked glasses again and both downed their drinks in one shot.

‎Meanwhile, at Chris's mansion, he returned home past ten in the night.

‎Mrs. Jordan, the housekeeper, saw him walk in and approached him.

‎"Mr. Santiago, you're back."

‎Chris nodded curtly, his eyes scanning the room as if searching for something.

‎As if Mrs. Jordan already knew what was on his mind, she said, "Ms. Evelyn is in her room resting. I just got back a few minutes ago and hurriedly prepared her this chamomile tea.

‎Chris took a brief glance at the cup in her hand, and then back at her face. "And what's that?"

‎Mrs. Jordan smiled slightly, and then said, "Oh, this is chamomile tea. I usually brew her a soothing cup each night before going to bed."

‎"Is that so?"

‎"Yes. She hadn't had it for a week now because of my leave. I was just about to take it to her before you walked in. Why don't you take it to her instead?"

‎Chris didn't say anything, he simply took the cup from her and headed upstairs to the bedroom.

‎He pushed the door open, walked inside but found the room empty.

‎Evelyn was nowhere in sight.

‎He wondered if she was in the bathroom.

‎After waiting for a while and didn't hear any sound from the bathroom, he sauntered towards the door and pushed it open.

‎Only to find it empty.

‎His eyebrows furrowed confusedly.

‎Where could she be?— he thought.

‎He dropped the cup on the nightstand, and walked towards the closet. He opened it and find the whole closet empty also.

‎He rummaged through the whole room, searching for every item he knew belonged to her but couldn't find anything.

‎That was when it dawned on him.

‎She had left to visit her family, as she had told him last night.

‎But, did she have to pack all her stuffs?— he thought.

‎He hadn't even realized he was getting angry.

‎Rather, he clenched his fist tightly and anger began to surge within him.

‎He was upset Evelyn didn't say a word to him before leaving.

‎He had thought the gift she bought earlier was truly meant for him.

‎

‎He had planned to coax her, so she would stop suspecting his relationship with Andrea.

‎But, after seeing how Evelyn had left the house without saying a word to him, it made him even more angrier that he decided to teach her a lesson she would never forget when she returned back from her visit.

‎In his mind— he will make sure she regret going against him.

‎He will definitely put her in her place when she returns— he thought, and angrily punched the wall

‎•

‎Back at the Martin's estate, Evelyn woke up the next morning very late. It was as if she had missed her bed so much that she didn't want to get out of it.

‎After taking her bath, she changed into something simple— as she had decided she wouldn't be stepping out of the house today.

‎She headed downstairs to find something to eat as she's already famished.

‎Just then, she heard the doorbell ring.

‎One of the maids approached the door to open it, but Evelyn stopped her, raising her left hand.

‎"Don't worry, I will handle it."

‎The maid bowed and walked away.

‎As Evelyn opened the door, her eyes widened.

‎And she froze.

‎