The silence in the wisteria room was thick and suffocating, punctuated only by Evelyn’s ragged breathing and the soft, insistent drip of her tears onto the laptop keys. The weight of Sophia’s betrayal, coupled with the crushing realization of her own misguided anger, pressed down on her. Hunter’s quiet declaration—"I never did. Not once. I could never cheat. Not on you. Not on us"—echoed in the air, a devastating truth that brought no immediate comfort, only a fresh wave of agony. With trembling hands, Evelyn reached out and, with a swift, decisive movement, slammed the laptop shut. The sharp click resonated in the quiet room, a final, emphatic punctuation mark to the horrifying revelation. She pushed the laptop away, as if its presence burned her, then she turned away from Hunter, walking a few shaky steps towards the large window that overlooked the moonlit gardens. Her back was to him, her shoulders hunched, her hands clasped tightly together. Hunter remained rooted to the spot,
The grand estate was cloaked in the deep, velvet silence of late night. Hours had passed since Hunter had received the irrefutable proof from his lawyer, the digital files a damning testament to Sophia’s malice. He’d spent the time pacing, the weight of the truth heavy in his hands, contemplating the best way to present it to Evelyn. He wanted to be patient. But the urgency to clear his name, to alleviate Evelyn’s torment, was a burning ache in his chest. He couldn't wait until morning. The thought of Evelyn spending one more night believing the lies, suffering under the weight of a betrayal that wasn't real, was unbearable. He moved silently through the hushed corridors, the soft carpet muffling his footsteps, until he stood before the heavy wooden door of the wisteria room. His heart hammered a frantic rhythm against his ribs, a mixture of trepidation and desperate hope. He raised his hand and knocked softly, just twice, a hesitant, almost imperceptible sound in the stillness. A
The quiet rhythm of the estate continued, punctuated by the soft sounds of daily life, yet for Evelyn, the underlying current of Hunter’s presence was a constant, unsettling hum. She’d wake each morning, a faint dread coiling in her stomach, knowing what she would find. And each morning, he was there. She stepped out of the wisteria room, the gentle morning light spilling into the hallway, and there he was – slumped in the same antique chair, a thick blanket pulled up to his chin, his head lolled to one side. He looked utterly exhausted, faint shadows etched beneath his eyes, his hair a rumpled mess. The sight, a stark testament to his stubborn vigilance, ignited a complex cocktail of emotions within her: annoyance, a flicker of guilt, and, despite herself, a grudging, almost imperceptible warmth. He stirred, a soft groan escaping him, and slowly, his eyes fluttered open. They focused on her, and a tired, genuine smile, disarmingly soft, touched his lips. "Morning, Evie," he murmure
The days at his grandmother’s estate settled into a quiet, almost domestic rhythm, a stark contrast to the chaotic storm that had brought Evelyn there. Hunter maintained his silent vigil, a constant, unobtrusive presence in her periphery. He didn't hover, didn't demand attention, didn't even try to engage her in conversation unless absolutely necessary. His care was a quiet, steady current, flowing beneath the surface of her resistance. Each morning, before the sun had fully climbed above the ancient trees, Hunter would bring a tray of freshly brewed herbal tea and a light breakfast to the small table outside the wisteria room. He’d tap softly, just once, and then retreat, giving her space. He knew her routine, the faint rustle of silk sheets, the soft pad of her bare feet on the polished floor. Sometimes, she would open the door just enough to slide the tray inside, her face a blank mask. Other times, she would leave it for a few minutes, a silent acknowledgment that she knew he was
The soft glow of the table lamp cast a warm, inviting light across Evelyn’s face as she finished her dinner in the grand dining room. The hearty meal, prepared with such care by Hunter’s grandmother, had brought a gentle flush to her cheeks, and the easy conversation with the older woman had softened the rigid lines of her guarded expression. Hunter watched her from across the table, a quiet sense of contentment settling in his chest. Seeing her eat, seeing that fleeting smile, it was a balm to his soul. Later, as the evening began to wind down and his grandmother retired for the night, the house settled into a hushed tranquility. Hunter knew this was his moment, a delicate line he had to walk with extreme caution. He found Evelyn lingering in the spacious drawing-room, gazing out at the moonlit gardens, a pensive look on her face. He approached slowly, his steps soft on the thick Persian rug. "Evelyn," he began, his voice a low, hesitant murmur, almost shy, a stark contrast to his
The air within the grand estate was already a balm, a stark contrast to the sterile chill of the hospital. Hunter had brought Evelyn here just yesterday, a move he'd painstakingly orchestrated for her safety, a quiet battle he'd fought and, surprisingly, won with Vinni's grudging assistance. The scent of polished wood and fresh flowers filled the air, a comforting embrace after days steeped in antiseptic. Today, an added layer of warmth settled over the house. Hunter knew the precise moment his grandmother's car swept up the long, winding driveway, even before the discreet chime of the entrance gate announced her arrival. A nervous excitement fluttered in his chest, an unfamiliar sensation. He hadn't seen his grandmother in months, and while he cherished their bond, today his anticipation was laced with a different kind of anxiety: how would Evelyn react to her? More importantly, how would his discerning grandmother react to Evelyn's still-visible injuries? He met his grandmother at