Evelyn’s mind reeled. Sophia had a boyfriend? An aggressive one at that? Which she's trying to dump to get Hunter. Does Hunter know? But that doesn't change the fact that he cheated on her. She shook her head in disbelief. Growing up, Evelyn had known Sophia was wild, always running after excitement and validation, but she had never imagined something like this. Sophia had a habit of jumping from one fling to the next, but that had always seemed like her personal choice. Evelyn had never judged her for it, even though she couldn’t relate. But this? This was something darker. Sophia’s scream echoed in her ears, and Evelyn clenched her fists, trying to push away the pang of guilt that clawed at her. She didn’t step in. She couldn’t.As she tried to steady herself, memories came flooding back, unbidden. Memories of their mother—Vivian—the woman Evelyn had always struggled to understand. Vivian had always favored Sophia, showering her with affection and attention while Evelyn was le
Inside the apartment, Evelyn exhaled heavily as the door clicked shut behind them. The tension from the confrontation outside still lingered in the air, thick and suffocating. She turned to Edwin, her expression calm but firm. “Thank you for stepping in, Edwin,” she said quietly, “but you don’t have to fight for me. Especially not with him.” Edwin frowned, crossing his arms. “Evelyn, I wasn’t about to just stand there and let him treat you like that. He had no right—” “I mean it, Edwin,” she interrupted, her voice sterner this time. “I can handle Hunter on my own.” He held her gaze for a long moment, his brow furrowing as though he was about to argue.Then, with a soft sigh, he looked away. “Fine. But don’t expect me to just stand by if he pulls something like that again.” Evelyn shook her head, her lips pressing into a thin line. “I’m serious, Edwin. I don’t want anyone else getting involved. This is my mess to deal with.” Before the tension could stretch any further, Vinn
Hunter stormed into his house, slamming the door behind him with a force that made the walls tremble. His tie felt suffocating, a noose around his neck, and with a sharp tug, he tore it off and threw it onto the desk. His chest heaved as he paced the room, his anger consuming him like a wildfire. 'How dare she?' The thought repeated in his mind, fueling his fury. Evelyn’s cold indifference, the smug smirk of that bastard Edwin, and her outright dismissal of him—it was all too much. Hunter ran a hand through his hair, tugging at the roots in frustration. 'She’s acting like I never meant anything to her,' he fumed. 'As if I was just a passing phase in her life, someone she could forget the moment she signed those damn divorce papers.' The image of her laughing with Edwin flashed in his mind, and his jaw clenched. 'And now she has a new lover?' His fists tightened, the veins on his arms bulging. He couldn’t stand the thought of her moving on so quickly, of her giving someone else t
Evelyn adjusted her blazer nervously as she stepped out of the car, her heart hammering in her chest. The sleek glass building of Starlink towered above her, its polished exterior gleaming in the morning sun. The sight of it brought a mix of emotions—anxiety, determination, and an overwhelming sense of responsibility. This wasn’t just any company; it was her father’s legacy. She inhaled deeply and pushed through the revolving doors. Inside, the lobby buzzed with activity—employees moving with purpose, phones ringing, the faint hum of conversation echoing off the marble walls. The receptionist, a young woman with a warm smile, greeted her. “Ms. Evelyn Carter, right? We already received a call from your grandfather,” the receptionist said, standing up immediately. “The board is expecting you. This way, please.” Evelyn nodded, her palms damp with sweat as she followed the receptionist to the elevator. 'Expecting me?' she thought. 'They barely know me. What exactly am I walking int
Evelyn stepped into her new office, her eyes widening slightly as she took in the modern, sleek space. The walls were painted a soft, calming gray, accented with large windows that let in streams of natural light, offering a stunning view of the city skyline. A polished wooden desk sat in the center, adorned with a sleek laptop, a notepad, and a small potted plant—a touch of greenery that added warmth to the room. A comfortable-looking ergonomic chair was tucked neatly behind the desk, and a bookshelf against the wall was already stocked with industry-related books and a few decorative items. The faint scent of fresh coffee lingered in the air, coming from a small coffee station in the corner.As she was taking it all in, a woman with a warm smile and a confident stride entered the room. She extended her hand, her voice friendly and welcoming. "You must be Evelyn. I’m Clara, your new manager. It’s so great to finally have you here!"Evelyn shook her hand, returning the smile. "Thank
Hunter slammed his office door shut, the sound echoing through the hallway. His employees exchanged uneasy glances, quickly returning to their work as his heavy footsteps approached. He stormed into the open workspace, his voice sharp and cutting. "Where’s the report I asked for this morning?" he barked at a young intern who was nervously shuffling papers. "Did I hire you to sit around and look busy, or to actually get work done?"The intern stammered, "I-I’m almost done, sir. I just need—""Almost done isn’t good enough," Hunter snapped, cutting him off. "I don’t pay you for almost. Get it on my desk in the next 10 minutes, or don’t bother coming back tomorrow."The intern nodded frantically, his face pale, as Hunter turned on his heel and marched back to his office. The tension in the room was palpable, and no one dared to speak until his door closed behind him.Back in his office, Hunter slumped into his chair, running a hand through his hair in frustration. How dare Evelyn ignore
Hunter returned to his house late in the evening, his tie loosened and his expression weary. The weight of the day’s work hung heavily on his shoulders, and all he wanted was a quiet evening to unwind. But as he stepped into the living room, he was met with the sight of Sophia sprawled on the couch, surrounded by shopping bags and dresses laid out like trophies.“Hunter!” Sophia exclaimed, her voice dripping with excitement as she jumped up to greet him. “You’re finally home! Look at all the dresses I bought today. I wanted your opinion on which one I should wear to the gala next week.”Hunter barely glanced at the dresses, his disinterest evident as he walked past her toward the kitchen. “I’m sure whatever you choose will be fine, Sophia. You don’t need my input.”Sophia’s smile faltered, but she quickly recovered, following him with one of the dresses in hand. “But Hunter, this is important. I want to look perfect for you. Don’t you care?”Hunter poured himself a glass of water, his
Hunter sat in his office, the morning sunlight streaming through the floor-to-ceiling windows, casting a golden glow over the sleek, modern space. He leaned back in his leather chair, scrolling through his phone as he sipped his coffee. His eyes scanned the headlines absently until one caught his attention: "Daughter Takes Over Father’s Legacy: Evelyn Carter Named CEO of StarLink."His coffee cup froze halfway to his lips as he stared at the article. There, right below the headline, was a picture of Evelyn. She looked poised, confident, and radiant in a tailored suit, her hair swept back in a sleek updo. The caption beneath the photo read: Evelyn Carter, daughter of the late Robert Carter, steps into her father’s shoes as the new CEO of StarLink.Hunter’s jaw tightened as he read the article, his mind racing. Evelyn is the CEO of StarLink now? He couldn’t believe it. The Evelyn he knew—the one he had married and then divorced—had always been intelligent and driven, but he had never i
The grand ballroom of the city’s 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 city’s 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.“You really need to stop doing this, Hunter,” she said sharply, her voice clipped and devoid of any emotion.“Doing what, Evelyn?” His gaze searched hers, a desperate plea for understanding in his eyes.“Invading 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,” she said, her voice rising slightly with each word, the carefully suppressed anger threatening to erupt.Hunter’s jaw tensed, the muscles along his temples flexing. “I didn’t come here to start another fight, Evelyn. I came to apologize. Again.”“And I’ve already told you, repeatedly, that I don’t want your hollow apologies,” she snapped, taking a step closer, her eyes blazing with a contained fury. “You don’t 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 – impeccably dressed, their expressions serious and focused, their time a valuable commodity they were not inclined to squander.“…Therefore, if we implement this multi-platform digital strategy proactively, before the close of Q3, you’re realistically looking at a minimum twelve percent increase in measurable brand visibility within that single quarter,” Evelyn stated, her tone smooth, confident, and underpinned by the unwavering conviction of data-driven certainty. “And that projection, I assure you, is being deliberately conservative.”Mr. Henderson, the lead client, a man whose skepticism was as legendary as his company’s success,
The next morning, a fragile semblance of routine settled over Vinni’s 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 – the sharp lines of her tailored pants, the pristine simplicity of her white silk blouse, the severe elegance of her sleek bun – 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 Evelyn’s demeanor, watched her friend with a quiet concern, her own breakfast croissant momentarily forgotten. “You were up most of the night again, weren’t you, Ev?” 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 couldn’t quite name – 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 didn’t reply. She couldn’t find the words, the emotional energy completely depleted. Instead, with a deliberate movement, sh
Evelyn pushed open the door to Vinni’s apartment with a sigh that seemed to carry the weight of the day’s 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 Vinni’s 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 couldn’t penetrate the heavy weight pressing against her chest, a dull ache that mirrored the hollowness within.She still hadn’t taken the plunge, hadn’t 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, StarLink’s 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 Vinni’s cheerful chaos, the
The lingering ghost of Evelyn’s 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 – 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 Hunter’s 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 Evelyn’s pragmatic decision to intertwine StarLink’s fate with that of her ex-husband’s formidable empire. The alliance, born of necessity and a sliver of grudging respect for Hunter’s 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 Evelyn’s 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 Hunter’s 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 – the one only a handful of people, including Hunter, possessed.Hunter: Dinner. Hotel LaVelle. 8 PM. Don’t 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