(Cal’s POV)“Daddy! Daddy!”I could hear Diana’s voice calling me excitedly. She was nowhere near the driveway, not even in the garden. She must be in the foyer, near the staircase, sitting on the first step like she usually does when waiting for me.Sighing, I unfastened the seatbelt and waited for a few seconds, but her voice faded. What could it be that excited my daughter that much?After that argument with Bob, I no longer feel like working today. When I checked my schedule, the only meeting left was with Millicent, so I told her we would discuss her concerns over dinner later tonight.The ding sound from my smartphone caught my attention. My eyes flickered on its screen, and I saw my schedule for tomorrow had been updated. I scoffed, taking my phone but not looking at the message, and got out of the car. Eve said she was under the weather, yet she bothered to do her job.I hated to admit it, but the world seemed to revolve slowly without Eve in the office.My forehead creased wh
(Eve’s POV)I shut my eyes tightly for a moment, hoping to shake off the grogginess of just waking up. Then I saw the time.8: 45 a.m.My heart pounded as if palpitating, and I blinked many times, reaching for my phone to check the time.“Shit!”Seeing Callahan’s name on my phone screen woke me up completely. Sitting up in bed, I furrowed my eyebrows, my mind racing with questions about what he might want. Perhaps he had some clarifications about the schedule I sent him, or maybe something urgent needed my attention.Or maybe… he mistakenly pressed my number.“You’re the least of my concerns,” I murmured and sighed. With my limited time, my goal was set to make my family whole again, and I would start with Ben.Ben was my perfect candidate. Not that I loved him, but he was my only hope to reunite with my twins. Jessy seemed to like and trust him, and Rosie seemed to depend on her twin sister these days.I swiped my screen, pressing Callahan’s number to send him a message. I paused, co
(Eve’s POV)My eyes narrowed, and I smiled sadly as I tried to utter a joke. “The pin to his hidden account in Switzerland?”“Huh? What?” Ben’s eyebrows furrowed as he processed the words.I chuckled, shaking my head. “It’s a joke, Ben. Relax, okay?” I would have been glad if it was true, but my late husband left me with nothing but debts and five children.Ben laughed briefly, the color to his face returning. “Until now, I have still been thinking of Marcus. He was like a brother to me, and I felt I failed him for not being there.”That made me pause, even though I wanted to assure him it was okay. It would not hurt me much if my joke were real, or at least he had thought of me before passing away. Yet Marcus’ last word was not about his love for his children or me, but his best friend’s name.“It’s because you dreamt of him,” I muttered, wanting to tell him that even in death, Marcus was unfair, never showing up in my dreams to at least comfort me.“I hoped it wasn’t a bad sign,” he
(Eve's POV) ‘I want to reset my life. Please, can somebody push that button?’ I groaned, wincing at the bright light when my expected guest turned on the switch. I immediately pulled the old, worn-out blanket and covered my face. “Reset? Where’s the button, Eve Bennet, and I will.” Bethany sneered, grasping the edge of the blanket and tugging it towards her. Bethany Bennett, my chirpy and goddess-looking best friend, beamed like the sun in her flouncy, off-shoulder yellow floral dress, contrasting my black pair of silk sleepwear, and like my blanket, it was old but comfortable. I grumbled, clutching the sheet and pulling it back to my chest as if it were the last thing that tied my sanity to me. I must have said my wish aloud when she entered the main bedroom. “Why are you still in bed?” Her eyes grew wider as she crossed her arms over her chest. I bet the sun wasn’t up yet because the bright light would usually spill through the window and cast a warm glow over everything. The
(Eve's POV)“Are you sure this is the address?” Bethany gawked at the mansion. She wasn’t blinking, so I doubted if she was breathing.It was old and… gothic, reminding me of all the scary movies my family watched together. My breathing and the beating of my heart were on pause as I slowly glanced at my children. Like me, their eyes fixed on where we would live temporarily, their mouths open, and I bet their heart pounding faster as we got closer to the place.Bethany slowed down the car, stopping at the gate.Isabella screamed when the tall, beautifully decorated metal gate creaked, automatically opening for us. I opened the window, hoping to find the sensor, but I gasped when the cold wind kissed my skin. Goosebumps broke out over my skin.“Brrr…” I shivered, clearing my throat as I pressed the button to close the car window. I couldn’t find the sensor if this old place had one, or maybe it was hidden from the neglected sprawling vines around the area. “Shh!” Jessy hushed her, unfa
(Eve's POV)“3601? 3611? 3610? Damn card key! Why don’t you have numbers in you?” I groaned, balancing the two drinks on a small tray I held as I exited the elevator.I bit my bottom lip and looked at the left hallway, hoping it would help me remember what Bethany instructed. It was supposed to be the easiest task, but after Rosie’s call, I got distracted, and the only thing I remembered was bringing the wine to Bob Barclay. This was a test, so I knew I shouldn’t make a mistake. My job was at stake as Bob was as perfectionist as the CEO of Secret Temptation.“Turn left…” My eyes narrowed as I looked at the long hallway. I shook my head. “No, it must be right.”I drew in a long breath and made my way to the nearby coffee table, regretting that I didn’t jot down the room number. I gently rested the small tray on the polished surface of the table and picked up the elegant wine glasses, holding them firmly. I had no intention of making the two glasses into many pieces in case I accidental
(Eve’s POV)I crawled onto the bed, facing the full-length mirror that stood against the wall. A sense of shock washed over me when I saw my reflection. I was dressed in my old pair of black pajamas, which I was sure I wore yesterday night. There was no evidence of my messy mascara, but my hair was a complete mess, with a few strands sticking out in every direction. I blinked in dazed confusion, slowly turning my head on the table calendar on the side table.Was it a dream? I swallowed hard, convincing myself that what happened yesterday must be real. My core still tingled, reacting at the memory of Callahan’s massive manhood inside me. I could still taste and feel his touch and kisses.I closed my eyes and groaned. Either I was lonely or broken.“Is everything okay?” Bethany looked at me anxiously and shook her head. “Wrong question. Are you okay? You look sick,” she said, pressing her palm on my forehead. “You’re -”“Okay,” I muttered, easing back. “I’m fine, Bethany,” I assured her
(Eve’s POV) “Why are we leaving, Mommy? Why can’t we live here anymore?” Isabella asked, blinking her round eyes at me. I swallowed hard, not because of the overwhelming emotions I had in leaving this place but because, in my mind, we already left. If this were a phenomenon of an illusion of a memory that could have happened before, then I would say this was the weirdest déjà vu ever. “Because it’s not -” “It’s not ours anymore, baby,” I immediately cut Jessy. “Get inside so your sisters can sit as well,” I said, kissing her forehead. Jessy gave me a skeptical look but pursed her lips. I knew she had a lot of things to say, but she only lifted a brow, crossed her arms over her chest, and leaned on the car, watching me secure Isabella’s seatbelt. When I was done, she cursed under her breath, rolled her eyes to show her annoyance, and followed her little sister inside the car. Bethany rested her arm on my shoulders, forcing a smile as she leaned her head on mine. “Eve, tell me wh