Evelyn stood in Hunterโs office, her arms crossed and her expression a mix of frustration and disbelief. She had just finished explaining the changes she wanted to make to the proposal, and now Hunter was throwing a curveball at her. His condition was outrageous, and she couldnโt believe he had the audacity to even suggest it.โLet me get this straight,โ Evelyn said, her voice sharp and incredulous. โYour condition for agreeing to the changes is that I have to visit your grandmother and pretend weโre still married? Are you serious?โHunter leaned back in his chair, his expression calm but with a hint of smugness. โDead serious. Grandma just got out of the hospital, and itโs because of you.โEvelynโs eyes widened, her anger momentarily replaced by guilt. โWhat are you talking about? How is it because of me?โHunterโs tone softened slightly, though his gaze remained steady. โWhen she found out about the divorce, she was devastated. She had a stroke, Evelyn. Sheโs been in and out of the
As they walked out of the building, Evelynโs mind was already racing with plans. She had a role to play, and she wasnโt about to let Hunter Blackwood stand in her way. No matter what it took, she would protect StarLinkโand herselfโfrom his games.Evelyn and Vinni walked back to their apartment, the weight of the dayโs events still heavy on Evelynโs shoulders. As they approached the building, they were surprised to see Edwin standing outside, leaning casually against his car. He was dressed impeccably, as always, in a tailored suit that screamed sophistication. His presence was both a comfort and a complication, given the whirlwind of emotions Evelyn was already dealing with.โEdwin?โ Evelyn said, her voice tinged with surprise. โWhat are you doing here?โEdwin straightened up, a warm smile spreading across his face as he approached them. โEvelyn, Vinni. I was in the area for an event and thought Iโd stop by. Itโs been a while since we caught up.โVinni raised an eyebrow, her tone teas
Chapter 28The sound of a car horn outside made Evelynโs stomach clench. She took a deep breath, smoothing down the fabric of her dress before grabbing her purse. As she stepped outside, Hunter Blackwood leaned against the sleek black car, his expression unreadable beneath the glow of the streetlights. โRight on time,โ he said, his voice laced with amusement. Evelyn rolled her eyes as she approached. โI didnโt want to give you the satisfaction of thinking I was dreading this.โ Hunter smirked, opening the car door for her. โYou wound me, darling. I was hoping youโd be at least a little excited.โ โLetโs just get this over with,โ she muttered, sliding into the passenger seat. As Hunter started driving, the tension between them filled the space. Evelyn kept her gaze fixed on the road ahead, ignoring the way he stole glances at her. โI canโt believe weโre doing this,โ she finally muttered. โYouโre the one who agreed,โ Hunter shot back. โI agreed for your grandmotherโs sake,
Evelyn barely slept.Every time she drifted off, sheโd wake to the weight of memories pressing down on her. The familiar scent of Hunterโs cologne mixed with the warm cedarwood of his skin made her chest feel tight.She hated that even nowโafter everythingโhis presence still had an effect on her.When the soft glow of dawn filtered through the lace curtains, Evelyn decided she had had enough. Carefully, she slipped out of bed, making sure not to disturb Hunter. He lay on his back, one arm flung across the pillow, his bare chest rising and falling steadily.For a moment, she just looked at him.It wasnโt fair. That he could sleep so soundly while she was drowning in emotions she didnโt want to feel.Shaking off the thought, she grabbed a robe and tiptoed out of the room.The kitchen was warm, filled with the scent of freshly brewed coffee and something sweet. Evelyn found Grandma Blackwood at the stove, humming softly as she flipped pancakes.โGood morning, sweetheart,โ she said, smili
Evelyn lay stiffly on the couch, staring at the ceiling. The dim glow of the moon cast soft shadows across the room, but it did nothing to ease the restlessness buzzing under her skin. Her mind was a whirlwind of emotionsโanger, frustration, and something else she couldnโt quite name. Something that made her chest ache and her throat tighten.She could still hear Hunter moving around in the bedroom, could picture him sprawled across the bed like he belonged there, like he owned the spaceโlike he owned her. The thought made her jaw clench. *No. He doesnโt get to affect me anymore.* But that was a lie, wasnโt it? Because no matter how much she wanted to deny it, the past still lingered between them, thick and suffocating. It was in the way he looked at her, the way his voice carried that familiar teasing edge, the way his presence seemed to fill every room he entered. It was in the memories she couldnโt escape, no matter how hard she tried.She turned onto her side, pressing the pillow
Breakfast was torture. Not because of Grandma Blackwoodโshe was as sweet and oblivious as everโbut because of Hunter. Evelyn could feel his eyes on her. Watching. Waiting. As if he expected her to slip, to react, toโwhat? Fall into his arms like a fool? Not happening. She focused on her food, answering Grandmaโs questions with polite enthusiasm. Meanwhile, Hunter played the perfect, doting husband, chiming in at just the right moments. His hand occasionally brushed hers, his arm rested behind her chairโit was all for show, of course. But her body refused to believe that. By the time breakfast was over, Evelyn was exhausted. Hunter helped clear the dishes, chatting easily with Grandma as if nothing was amiss. Meanwhile, Evelyn sat frozen in her seat, replaying that moment at the table. The way he had looked at her. Like he meant it. Like they werenโt pretending. Her chest tightened. She needed air. --- Escape to the Garden Evelyn retreated to the backyard, ta
Evelyn sat on her couch, staring at the untouched cup of tea in front of her. Edwin had been talking for the past ten minutesโabout how toxic Hunter was, about how she needed to cut him off for goodโbut her mind was elsewhere. She could still hear the sound of Hunterโs car speeding away, could still picture the flicker of something dangerous in his eyes before he left. Jealousy. Possession. Something she shouldnโt have cared about. But did. โEvelyn?โ She blinked, snapping back to the present. Edwin was watching her, concern etched across his face. โWhat?โ He sighed. โWere you even listening?โ Evelyn rubbed her temples. โIโm tired, Edwin. Can we not do this right now?โ His jaw tightened. โFine. But at least tell me you see it now. He hasnโt changed, Evelyn. He never will.โ She swallowed. โItโs not that simple.โ Edwin scoffed. โIt is exactly that simple. Heโs a selfish bastard who only cares about himself. You donโt owe him anythingโnot your time, not your pi
Hunter sat at the head of the long, sleek conference table, staring at the financial reports spread in front of him. The numbers blurred together, his grip tightening around the pen in his hand. The room was filled with the low hum of conversation, the occasional shuffle of papers, and the faint click of a keyboard. But Hunter wasnโt listening. He was supposed to be focused. This meeting was importantโhis company was finalizing a major acquisition, and every executive in the room was waiting for his decision. The deal was worth billions, and the stakes were high. But his mind was elsewhere. Evelyn. Edwin. The way she had looked at him last night, her eyes blazing with a mix of anger and defiance. Like she had moved on. Like she didnโt care anymore. The memory burned in his chest, a slow, smoldering fire that refused to be extinguished. A sharp voice cut through his thoughts. โMr. Blackwood?โ Hunterโs head snapped up. His CFO, Marcus Reed, was watching him expectant
The grand ballroom of the cityโs most prestigious hotel pulsed with a vibrant energy, a symphony of clinking champagne flutes, hushed conversations punctuated by bursts of elegant laughter, and the smooth melodies of a live jazz band. Crystal chandeliers cast a warm, shimmering glow across the impeccably dressed guests, a glittering tableau of the cityโs elite gathered for the annual charity gala.Evelyn moved through the throng with an effortless grace, a radiant figure who seemed to exist on a different plane of existence than the mere mortals surrounding her. The strapless emerald gown, a masterpiece of understated design, clung to her curves like liquid moonlight, accentuating her every movement. Her dark hair, a cascade of soft, luxurious waves, framed a face of exquisite beauty, her makeup a subtle enhancement that suggested she was the most captivating presence in the room without any conscious effort. Every gaze seemed magnetically drawn to her, a silent acknowledgment of her
Her eyes were glacial, icy pools reflecting none of the warmth they had once held for him, a stark contrast to the fiery passion that had once burned so brightly between them.โYou really need to stop doing this, Hunter,โ she said sharply, her voice clipped and devoid of any emotion.โDoing what, Evelyn?โ His gaze searched hers, a desperate plea for understanding in his eyes.โInvading my personal space, walking into my life whenever you please, disrupting my workday, acting as if you still have the right to ask for things from me,โ she said, her voice rising slightly with each word, the carefully suppressed anger threatening to erupt.Hunterโs jaw tensed, the muscles along his temples flexing. โI didnโt come here to start another fight, Evelyn. I came to apologize. Again.โโAnd Iโve already told you, repeatedly, that I donโt want your hollow apologies,โ she snapped, taking a step closer, her eyes blazing with a contained fury. โYou donโt get to treat me like garbage for years, believ
Evelyn stood at the head of the expansive, polished oak conference table, her presence a quiet storm of authority. Sunlight streamed through the panoramic windows, illuminating the digital screen behind her, which displayed a complex tapestry of projected growth charts and meticulously planned timelines.Across the table sat her five most crucial clients โ impeccably dressed, their expressions serious and focused, their time a valuable commodity they were not inclined to squander.โโฆTherefore, if we implement this multi-platform digital strategy proactively, before the close of Q3, youโre realistically looking at a minimum twelve percent increase in measurable brand visibility within that single quarter,โ Evelyn stated, her tone smooth, confident, and underpinned by the unwavering conviction of data-driven certainty. โAnd that projection, I assure you, is being deliberately conservative.โMr. Henderson, the lead client, a man whose skepticism was as legendary as his companyโs success,
The next morning, a fragile semblance of routine settled over Vinniโs apartment, but the air remained thick with unspoken emotions. Evelyn sat at the familiar dining table, the chipped ceramic mug warm in her hands, the rich aroma of freshly brewed coffee doing little to dispel the lingering shadows beneath her eyes. Her composure was a carefully constructed edifice โ the sharp lines of her tailored pants, the pristine simplicity of her white silk blouse, the severe elegance of her sleek bun โ a visual declaration of control. Yet, beneath the polished surface, a profound weariness lingered, a dull ache that no amount of caffeine could alleviate.Vinni, ever attuned to the subtle shifts in Evelynโs demeanor, watched her friend with a quiet concern, her own breakfast croissant momentarily forgotten. โYou were up most of the night again, werenโt you, Ev?โ she asked gently, her voice a soft murmur in the quiet morning.Evelyn offered a dismissive shrug, her gaze fixed on the swirling p
Her fingers hovered over the screen, frozen mid-motion, a strange paralysis gripping her. A simple, unassuming text message illuminated the dark screen:"Good night, Evelyn. Sleep well."Her heart twisted painfully, a sharp, unexpected pang of something she couldnโt quite name โ a flicker of longing, perhaps, or maybe just a visceral reaction to the unexpected intimacy of his message.Why was he doing this? The silent question echoed in the quiet room. Why now, after everything he had put her through? Did he genuinely believe that a few softly spoken words, delivered via text message in the dead of night, could somehow erase the years of loneliness she had endured during their marriage, the profound betrayal that had shattered her trust, the agonizing sting of his indifference?She pressed her lips into a hard, thin line, a resolute act of self-preservation. She didnโt reply. She couldnโt find the words, the emotional energy completely depleted. Instead, with a deliberate movement, sh
Evelyn pushed open the door to Vinniโs apartment with a sigh that seemed to carry the weight of the dayโs strained interactions, the subtle click of her heels against the worn wooden floors a familiar punctuation mark to her weary arrival. The comforting blend of Vinniโs signature vanilla and soft lavender scent usually offered a small measure of solace, a gentle hug after a long day, but tonight, even that familiar aroma couldnโt penetrate the heavy weight pressing against her chest, a dull ache that mirrored the hollowness within.She still hadnโt taken the plunge, hadnโt severed the last tangible tie to her old life by finding her own place. Part of her knew she should. Financially, she was more than capable now, StarLinkโs recent surge of cautious optimism offering a fragile sense of stability. But the prospect of returning to an empty apartment, the suffocating silence of living alone with only her thoughts for company, felt unbearable. Here, amidst Vinniโs cheerful chaos, the
The lingering ghost of Evelynโs perfume, a delicate whisper of lavender and something uniquely her own, still clung to the air around the vacated lunch table.Hunter, however, was no longer present, the imposing figure who commanded boardrooms and bent industries to his will now absent, leaving behind only the faint indentation on the plush velvet seating. He had watched her departure, a study in elegant defiance โ head held high, her stride sharp and purposeful, each click of her heels against the polished floor a decisive punctuation mark on their severed connection. It was as if the years they had shared, the intricate tapestry of their intertwined lives, had been relegated to the realm of a forgotten nightmare, one from which she had finally awakened and was determined to erase from her memory entirely.A dull ache, a physical manifestation of the emotional turmoil churning within him, constricted Hunterโs chest.For once, Hunter Blackwood, the man renowned for his glacial compos
Few days later - The sterile finality of the signed contracts hung in the air, a tangible representation of Evelynโs pragmatic decision to intertwine StarLinkโs fate with that of her ex-husbandโs formidable empire. The alliance, born of necessity and a sliver of grudging respect for Hunterโs business acumen, felt like a precarious truce, a delicate balance teetering on the precipice of their volatile shared history. The memory of his raw possessiveness in the hotel hallway, the unsettling glint of protectiveness in his eyes amidst the violent outburst, lingered in Evelynโs thoughts, a confusing undercurrent beneath the carefully constructed surface of their professional interactions.It was with a sense of inevitability, a weary resignation mixed with a sliver of reluctant curiosity, that Evelyn received Hunterโs subsequent message. It arrived mid-morning, a curt digital summons that vibrated her phone with the familiar, unapologetic tone that had always characterized his communicat
Three days of her meticulously constructing a narrative of indifference, a fragile wall against the unwelcome pang of hurt and the surprising sting of jealousy that still dared to surface. She had almost begun to believe her own carefully crafted facade, clinging to the hope that his abrupt departure from her office would translate into a prolonged absence.That fragile hope shattered that afternoon with the arrival of a terse, demanding message on her private, unlisted number โ the one only a handful of people, including Hunter, possessed.Hunter: Dinner. Hotel LaVelle. 8 PM. Donโt be late.Evelyn scoffed, her fingers tightening around her phone, her eyes blazing with a mixture of indignation and a reluctant flicker of intrigue. No polite preamble. No inquiry about her availability. Just a blunt command, thinly veiled as an invitation, delivered with the casual arrogance she had come to both despise and, inexplicably, expect. Her initial instinct was a resounding refusal. She had no