Three months earlier.....
(Evelyn pov) I couldn’t stop smiling. Humming gently, I placed the new bouquet of roses in the crystal vase, fine-tuning each stem to reach perfection. The fragrant scent of lilies and roses permeated the air, mixing with the cozy scent of vanilla candles dancing on the dining table. Everything needed to be perfect, just as our love. In two nights, Sebastian and I will be celebrating our anniversary. Our fifth year of celebration. Five years filled with love, joy, and common aspirations. I ran my fingers along the exquisite silverware, imagining how his eyes would sparkle when he walked in, how his lips would turn into that unique, sincere smile, the one he saved just for me. But that wasn’t all. This anniversary was going to be even more special. I softly placed my hand on my abdomen, a warmth radiating within me. Sebastian was about to become a father. The mere idea flooded me with warmth, blending feelings of excitement and anxious anticipation in my chest. I bit my lip, unable to suppress the grin pulling at the edges of my lips. I discovered it a week ago, but I wanted to wait for the right moment to inform him. And what could be more ideal than our anniversary? A day already filled with love, memories, and promise, it seemed perfect. I had dedicated the last few days to organizing every detail, hoping the unveiling would be as meaningful as the announcement itself. The present had been arranged, a stylish, engraved watch, thoughtfully selected to complement his taste. However, it was the note on the reverse that conveyed the true significance: Best Husband and soon to be Dad. I imagined that moment countless times in my mind. The manner in which his eyebrows would crease subtly while he examined the inscription, then rise in understanding. The manner in which his eyes would deepen in color with feeling, perhaps even shimmer. He would look at me, really look at me, and in that moment, I understood I would witness it all: the affection, the happiness, the astonishment. And then, just like I imagined each time, his hands would gently hold my face, his lips meeting mine in a kiss so profound, so powerful, that I’d dissolve completely into him. A laugh slipped from my mouth as I grabbed my phone, calling the one person who always knew how to make surprises even better Vanessa. My cousin and best friend. The person I trusted more than anyone. The call barely rang before her voice chirped through the line. “Eve! To what do I owe this honor?” I laughed. “Hey, Nessa. What are you up to?” “Oh, you know. Just dealing with life’s chaos. What about you?” “I need your help with something special.” Her interest piqued. “Special? Do tell.” I took a deep breath, my excitement bubbling over. “Sebastian and I have our anniversary in two nights, and I want to plan the most perfect evening ever. A private dinner, candlelight, soft music, all his favorite dishes. And…” I hesitated for dramatic effect. “And?” she prompted. “I’m pregnant.” A loud squeak erupted from the phone, causing me to chuckle. “Are you for real?” Oh my goodness, Eve! This is incredible! "Has Sebastian found out yet?" “No,” I said, grinning. “I want to tell him that night. I got him a watch with the message engraved on it.” "That’s really cute!" He will be extremely happy. I exhaled softly, already envisioning his response. "I wish for that." "Are you joking?" Of course, he will be! Alright, we have to organize this properly. Where would you like to have dinner? "Home or a fancy restaurant?" I chewed on my lip, debating. “I thought about a restaurant, but then I figured something more intimate would be better. Just us, in our home, where we started everything. No distractions, no outside noise, just me and him.” Vanessa let out a delighted squeal. “That’s actually perfect! You can control everything, the setting, the food, the lighting. Plus, it’ll be cozy. He’ll love it.” Relief washed over me, easing the tiny knots of doubt I hadn’t even realized were forming. “I was hoping you’d say that. I need help setting things up. Will you come over the night before?” “Of course, babe. We’ll make it a night to remember. I’ll even bring wine, and we can celebrate early! Maybe do a little practice run, taste-test some of the food, go over the playlist, make sure everything’s just right.” I laughed, warmth blooming in my chest. “That sounds perfect. I don’t know what I’d do without you.” “Lucky for you, you’ll never have to find out,” she teased. “Now, tell me, what’s on the menu? We need something delicious but also a little sexy.” "You’re amazing, Nessa." She chuckled. “I’m aware.” However, I genuinely feel pleased for you, Eve. "You merit every bit of joy that exists." She laughed. “I know. But, seriously, I’m happy for you, Eve. You deserve all the happiness in the world.” Her words filled my heart with joy. “Thanks, love. I just hope I can reach Sebastian soon to confirm his schedule.” I glanced at the clock. He should be finishing work about now. I dialed his number, but it rang endlessly before his secretary picked up. “Good evening, Mrs. Rodgers.” “Hi, Lily. Is Sebastian free?” There was a brief silence, and I could hear the soft tapping of a keyboard. “I apologize, but Mr. Rodgers is currently in a significant meeting.” He asked not to be interrupted. I frowned, disappointment creeping in. “Oh… okay. Do you know when he’ll be free?” “I’m uncertain, ma’am, but I can pass along a message for him.” I forced a smile. “That would be great. Simply let him know I called.” Just as I was ready to conclude the call, a sudden ping resonated in the air. Vanessa’s phone. I heard her shuffle, then a soft inhale. A pause. A hesitation. “Nessa?” I asked, tilting my head. “Everything okay?” “Yeah.” A little too fast. “Just a message from work.” However, there was something in her tone that caused my stomach to churn. It was faint, perhaps a small pause, a bit too much strain to appear relaxed, but I knew her too well to miss it. A moment later, she chuckled softly, the noise light and rehearsed. "Regardless, try not to worry excessively about Sebastian." You’re aware of how he acts when he’s occupied. Simply concentrate on the surprise. “It will be perfect, Eve.” I paused, gripping my phone more tightly with my fingers. The discomfort remained, a slight murmur in my thoughts, yet I managed to smile. Perhaps I was overanalyzing the situation. “You’re correct,” I replied, breathing out gently. "It will be perfect."(Evelyn pov) I ended up the call with Vanessa, but something about her tone lingered in my mind, an implicit reluctance, a forced lightness. Had I imagined it? I dismissed the discomfort and reminded myself that this evening wasn’t focused on Vanessa. It was about us, Sebastian and I. Our anniversary was nearing, and despite my husband being distant recently, I was set on reminding him of what we shared. I inhaled deeply, pushing aside the rising uncertainty, and headed downstairs to see how the maids were doing. The home was already immaculate, the atmosphere fragrant with fresh roses from the arrangement I had set in the foyer earlier. The team had performed excellently, as usual. In the kitchen, Maria, our head maid, was putting away the last of the dishes. She turned when she saw me. “Ma’am, do you need anything?” I smiled, even if it felt constricted. "You all can retire for the evening." "I'll handle dinner." Maria took a moment to think. “Are you sure, ma'a
“ Evelyn?” Sebastian called my name once more. The sound sent shivers through me, and I gripped the doorframe tighter while struggling to breathe. I needed to behave normally. He had no way of knowing that I had been standing there, eavesdropping. Stepping forward as if I had just arrived, I angled my head, pretending to be puzzled. "Yes?" I heard you called my name. Did you fall? “Are you in need of anything?” His expression remained unreadable, but a flicker appeared in his eyes, caution? Guilt? It disappeared just as quickly, replaced by a practiced calmness. “No, I’m fine. I just needed something from you.” His eyes scanned the room before settling back on me. “Where are the maids?” “I sent them off,” I answered calmly, my heart pounding. His brows furrowed slightly. “Why is that?” I paused for just a moment . "Nothing," I replied, but the subtle shake in my voice gave me away. He examined me with his piercing eyes, as if stripping away my layers, attempting to u
“Vanessa?” Her name escaped my mouth, but it felt strange, acrid, like very poisonous. The woman in front of me wasn’t just my best friend. No, she was more than that. She was my sister. Not by blood, but by everything that mattered. Vanessa and I were raised together in our grandfather’s home, united by a childhood rich in whispered secrets, collective dreams, and an inseparable connection. From the moment we learned to walk, we were always together, chasing fireflies on warm nights, building forts with old blankets, and sneaking into the kitchen for midnight snacks. We laughed until our stomachs hurt, wept in each other's embrace during life's hardships, and stood strongly together, shielding each other from the world's harshest blows. She was more than simply my cousin; she was like a sister in every significant aspect, the one person l I relied on to consistently back me up. When everything in the world felt against me, Vanessa was my safe haven, the only person I
(Evelyn pov) The divorce paper shook in my hands, the ink blurring as my vision swam. My chest constricted, and my breathing came in brief, agonizing breaths. The atmosphere in the room was stifling, weighing on me like an invisible pressure, yet I would not allow them to witness me break down Not here. Not in front of them. Sebastian stood across from me, his expression unreadable, making it seem as if this moment, the end of everything we created, was nothing more than a minor inconvenience. Vanessa, on the other hand, crossed her arms, her gaze sharp and expectant, like she was waiting for me to surrender, to sign without a fight. But, I would not. Not without answers. I swallowed hard, forcing the tremor out of my voice. "How long?" Sebastian’s eyebrow knitted together slightly, but he didn’t ask for clarification. He knew exactly what I meant. Vanessa released a dramatic sigh, shifting her weight from one foot to the other. "Eve, does it actually make any differ
(Evelyn pov) A sharp, rhythmic beep pulled me from the abyss. Cold. The room was cold, yet my body burned from the inside out. My eyelids felt like lead, my limbs heavy, weighted down by an unseen force. The sterile scent of antiseptic clung to the air, sharp and suffocating. A harsh glare pressed against my closed eyes, forcing me to acknowledge the blinding reality waiting for me. Where…? A groan slipped past my dry lips as I shifted slightly, only for a dull, aching pain to radiate through my skull. It was nothing compared to the hollow emptiness clawing at my chest. Then it all came crashing back. Sebastian’s cold voice. Vanessa’s triumphant smirk. The divorce papers. The suffocating pain. I tried sitting up, but a firm hand pressed against my shoulder. "Take it easy," a soft voice murmured. "You're in the hospital." I blinked, my vision swimming until it settled on a nurse adjusting an IV drip next to me. "The hospital?" My voice rasped, throat raw.
(Evelyn pov) The knock on my hospital door was sharp. Cold. Like him. I didn’t say come in. Didn’t acknowledge it at all. But the door opened anyway. Sebastian entered, his tall stature filling the area, projecting elongated shadows in the softly lit room. The atmosphere changed, growing denser, bearing down on me with a nearly choking heaviness. He remained silent. Did not go past the entrance. He just stood there, observing me. His facial expression was inscrutable, a flawless facade of apathy, but I observed the nuances he couldn't entirely conceal. The rigidity in his shoulders, the manner in which his jaw tightened just a bit. And his hands, fingers curling by his sides, as if preparing for collision. Like he expected me to explode. Like he knew he deserved it. He was uncomfortable. Good. I avoided looking at him directly, keeping my eyes fixed on my lap, where my hands were held so tightly that my nails almost broke through my skin. The quiet lingered between us, end
Evelyn’s POV "Peter." I smiled softly as I turned toward him. His presence felt like a warm blanket after being left out in the cold for so long. Peter was Sebastian’s cousin, but over the years, he had become something of a quiet confidant. He never liked how Sebastian treated me, and he hadn’t been shy about saying it either. Now, seeing him here, my heart clenched with mixed emotions—relief, comfort, and a bittersweet ache I couldn’t quite name. Peter’s eyes softened when he saw me, concern etched into his handsome features. He held a brown paper bag in one hand and a bouquet of white lilies in the other. "I came as soon as I heard." He walked in, placing the flowers on the small table beside my hospital bed. "I brought your favorite—chicken soup from that little café you love." The simple gesture tugged at something deep inside me. No one had done something so thoughtful in a long time. "You didn’t have to—" I started, but he cut me off with a warm smile. "I wanted to. You
(Sebastian’s POV) The city lights blurred into long, glowing streaks as I sped down the highway, the tires humming against the asphalt in a relentless rhythm. My hands clenched the steering wheel so tightly that my knuckles turned bone white, the leather groaning beneath my grip. The hum of the engine filled the suffocating silence, but inside my head, it was louder, chaotic, stormy, an unforgiving whirlwind of thoughts that refused to quiet. Evelyn and Peter. The image was seared into my mind, like a cruel photograph on repeat. Evelyn’s soft smile was gentle, almost radiant as she sat beside him. Her laughter, light and unburdened, echoed in my ears. I hadn’t heard that sound in weeks, maybe longer. Not from her. Not when she was with me. And Peter’s gaze? It lingered on her, steady and... protective. His eyes followed her like she was something fragile, something worth safeguarding. That look gnawed at me, scraping against my already frayed nerves like sandpaper on raw skin. Doe
Sabatine’s POV.I woke up in a hospital bed, the sterile scent of disinfectant clinging to the air like an unwelcome guest. It stung my nose, sharp and unfamiliar. My eyelids felt like sandpaper, heavy and sluggish as I tried to lift them. A dull ache pulsed at the back of my skull, and my entire body felt foreign, like I’d borrowed someone else’s skin for the day.Where was I?More importantly, why was I here?My thoughts were muddy, like trying to read words through fogged glass. No clear memories came to mind, only fragments. A car. Screeching tires. A sharp jolt. Darkness.Before I could grasp anything solid, the door creaked open.A nurse entered, her scrubs a pale blue blur as she approached my bedside. “Hi, Mr. Sabatine, can you hear me?” Her voice was calm but cautious, as if afraid I might shatter if she spoke too loudly.I tried to respond, but even blinking felt like a monumental task. My eyes fluttered weakly, barely managing to focus on her.Then I felt it. Something insi
– Sabatine’s POVIt’s been two days since I returned from Chicago.Two long, strangely fulfilling days.For the first time since Evelyn walked out of my life, the fog that clouded my mind was beginning to lift, because finally, I had something. A thread. A trail. Concrete updates about her whereabouts.Every morning, like clockwork, my phone buzzed with details, what she did, where she went, who she spoke to. I knew the streets she walked on. The café she now preferred. Even the time she took her children to school.Her children.I couldn’t stop myself from reading those updates over and over, imprinting them into my brain. It was ridiculous, maybe even borderline obsessive, but I wanted more. I craved it. If I could plant surveillance cameras around her entire neighborhood without getting arrested, I probably would have done it already.Because just the thought of catching a glimpse of her, watching her move through her day, brushing her daughter’s hair or holding her son’s hand, it
Evelyn povThe moment my eyes caught that silhouette across the children’s section, broad shoulders cloaked in a navy coat, a sharp, lean frame, head tilted slightly as though reading a label, something inside me stopped.A violent stutter pulsed through my chest.My breath hitched.My heart thrashed once, then again, wild and disoriented, like it didn’t know which direction Not now.I crouched low in an instant, pretending to fix Amnestatia’s shoelace. My fingers fumbled against the laces, useless, trembling. I wasn’t even sure I touched them correctly, but I needed the cover. I needed to hide my face, even if only for seconds.“Baby,” I whispered, my voice shaky and rushed, “let’s get going. Where’s Roland?”As if summoned by his name, Roland’s voice rang out from behind a display of plush dinosaurs. “Mom, I want to pee!”He darted off before I could stop him.My head snapped up, instinctively, searching, trackingAnd then I saw him.Sebastian.The air thickened. My ears roared.He
(Sabatine’s POV)Chicago.The city pulsed with energy, cars honking, people moving in fast, purposeful strides, sirens crying in the distance, but inside me, there was nothing but hollow quiet.I had flown in earlier that morning, eyes bleary and body running on nerves and too much coffee. This trip wasn’t a choice, it was survival. My company was flailing, bleeding at the seams, and this meeting… it might be my last shot at saving it.Everything rode on one man. Stanley Woods.He was a giant in the business world, with a reputation built on fear, brilliance, and ruthless precision. If I could win him over, secure even a fraction of his influence, I might just pull us back from the edge.My assistant had set it all up, weeks of back and forth, confirmations, reminders. I’d rehearsed my pitch until I could deliver it in my sleep. I’d revised the slides, tweaked the figures, and polished the projections. Every word, every visual, tailored to him.And now, I was here. Standing in the sle
(Evelyn's POV)The sky stretched above us in a soft, pale hue, like a sheet of watercolored silk draped over the world. The car moved steadily, gliding past familiar clusters of trees and unfamiliar streets that blurred into the edges of memory. I sat quietly in the back seat, hands clasped loosely in my lap, a hush of anticipation fluttering between my ribs and echoing with every slow beat of my heart. It wasn’t dread. Not entirely. It was something deeper, restless and uncertain.Liam drove, his hands steady on the wheel, his eyes flickering to the rearview mirror every few minutes. Watchful, like always. He didn’t say much, but his presence filled the space, protective, grounding. He’d offered to drive without needing to ask why. He just knew.We were headed to Chicago. Not for a vacation or a business trip. This was for Mia, her remembrance, her absence wrapped in ceremony and silence.It didn’t feel real.Even after all this time, it still felt like a chapter I had read too man
(Vanessa’s POV)I stood at the edge of the rooftop garden, the breeze tugging softly at my hair as I held the phone to my ear. Below, the city hummed with life, cars weaving through streets, voices rising from open windows, but I barely noticed. The sun was beginning its descent, spilling golden light across the skyline like molten glass. Everything shimmered with beauty, but none of it reached me."Yes… thank you for sticking to the deal," I said, my voice calm and even. "They’ll be released this evening. You kept your end of the bargain, and so will I."A brief silence lingered on the other end, heavy and deliberate, before the line clicked off. Just like that.I lowered my hand, slipped the phone into my coat pocket, and stood still, letting the quiet wash over me. My gaze remained fixed on the horizon, but I wasn’t seeing any of it. The release wasn’t an act of mercy. It wasn’t forgiveness. It was simply the end of a transaction. Closure, not compassion. I didn’t need leverage ove
( Sebastian POV)On my way home, I found myself turning off the main road without thinking. One moment, I was driving past familiar buildings, replaying the conversation I'd just had in my head, and the next, my car had slipped into a small parking lot beside a bright, cheery-looking store with cartoon stickers on the glass windows.A kids’ store.I sat behind the wheel for a moment, staring at the entrance. I hadn’t planned this. I wasn’t even sure what made me turn. But something had pulled me here, quiet and insistent. Maybe it was the memory of her laugh. Or maybe it was the way she clung to me earlier, so easily, like I was already someone she trusted.Before I could second-guess myself, I stepped out of the car.The bell over the door jingled as I walked in, and suddenly I was surrounded, shelves of pastel onesies, racks of tiny jeans and frilly dresses, little shoes lined up like toys. The air smelled faintly like baby powder and plastic, and the colors, so many of them, felt l
( Sebastian pov)Evening couldn’t come fast enough.Time stretched itself thin, like taffy pulled too far and refusing to snap. Every tick of the clock echoed louder than it should have. Each passing hour dragged like an anchor tied to my thoughts, weighing me down as the day inched forward.Meetings came and went, their content dissolving into static. Faces blurred. Voices became background noise, like the hum of a refrigerator you only notice when everything else goes silent. I nodded when required, offered clipped responses when prompted, but my presence was a ghost, my body in one place, my mind elsewhere entirely.Back to the result.I’d told Dr. Jude I would come pick it up myself. I don’t know why I insisted. Maybe it was a need for control, some desperate attempt to own the truth before it owned me. Or maybe I believed that seeing the paper, holding it in my hands, would somehow make it more bearable. Less real. Less final.By the time I stepped out of the office, the sun had
(Evelyn pov)The scent of freshly brewed coffee wrapped around me like a soft hug, drifting through the air and mingling with the faint citrus notes of the cleaning spray from earlier. The warm mug sat snug between my palms as I stirred a generous spoonful of honey into the rich liquid, watching the golden stream swirl and melt away. A quiet sigh escaped my lips as I leaned against the edge of the table in my office, letting the gentle warmth seep into my hands, hoping it would somehow reach my chest too.Mornings like this used to mean something, a sliver of stillness before the storm of the day. Peaceful. Predictable. But lately, they only served as fleeting distractions, temporary veils draped over the chaos I refused to name. I stared at the cup a second longer before taking a small sip, letting the sweetness linger on my tongue.Then, I heard the door click open behind me. Not hurried. Not hesitant. Just familiar. Too familiar.“You’re late,” I said, not bothering to turn around