CHAPTER NINETEEN

EVA'S POV

Rachel’s sudden arrival felt like a slap I never saw coming.

On one hand, I somewhat expected it and on the other hand, I was extremely surprised and I had no idea how to react to her arrival.

She floated into the hotel lobby like she owned the entire building bright smile, perfect hair, voice loud enough for everyone to know she had arrived for her fiancé.

Her arms instantly wrapped around Clark’s neck, pulling him close, and before he could even breathe, she kissed his cheek loudly.

“Missed you, baby.”

My stomach twisted.

Rachel was my sister and if there was anyone who knew her better than her herself, it was me and so I knew almost immediately that she didn't come here just because she missed her fiance...she came here to prove a point.

Clark’s face didn’t match the enthusiasm.

He gave a small, stiff smile.

“Rachel… you didn’t tell me you were coming.”

“Oh please,” she giggled, latching onto his arm.

“It was a surprise…Aren’t you happy to see your fiancée?”

He didn’t answer.

Instead, his eyes flicked to mine…fast, sharp, searching.

"Babe, why does your face look so sour?? i asked you a question and you just ignored me" Rachel said as she pouted.

"What question, sorry??"

"Aren't you happy to see me??"

"Oh yes I am baby..i am just shocked because I remember you told me you didn't want to come on this trip."

"I just couldn't bear the thought of being far away from you for too long baby... that's why I decided to surprise you." Rachel said as she kissed Clark repeatedly on his lips.

I could tell Clark wasn't enjoying any but if whatever was happening because he had such a soured look on his face that I wondered how Rachel couldn't see it.

I looked away as we went back to the meeting room.

The meeting was supposed to be calm and professional.

It wasn’t.

Rachel held Clark’s arm the entire walk into the conference hall.

She didn’t sit on her chair…she sat on his lap for a few seconds while adjusting her skirt, laughing like she belonged there.

“Oops! Sorry, babe, I forgot my seat was over there,” she said, sliding into the chair beside him but keeping her hand on his thigh like it was glued there.

I almost choked on my own breath.

Even Clark paused, slightly shifting as if her hand was uncomfortable, but Rachel acted like she didn’t see it.

During the presentation, she leaned toward him repeatedly.

Fixing his tie...Adjusting his collar....Whispering things into his ear and smiling like she was marking territory.

The entire room noticed.

And Clark noticed that I noticed.

His jaw tightened every time Rachel touched him.

His voice kept changing…steady when talking to others, strained when Rachel leaned too close.

At one point, as he spoke, his eyes flicked to me again… and held.

For a beat too long.

My heart betrayed me with how fast it beat.

Rachel saw it.

Her smile disappeared.

Her eyes narrowed, sharp and territorial.

She leaned in and kissed Clark’s cheek again…slow and lingering..right while he was explaining a major strategy point to the investors.

He froze mid-sentence.

Completely froze.

The room went silent.

He cleared his throat sharply and continued, eyes darting to me like he needed reassurance that I saw he hadn’t encouraged her.

And I hated that I did.

I tried to sneak away.

I needed air.

I needed space.

I needed..something.

But Rachel intercepted me.

“Eva!” she called, linking her arm with mine.

I stiffened.

Clark watched from across the room.

Rachel smiled sweetly.

“So… how is my fiancé behaving? Hope he’s professional and not giving you too much stress.”

She emphasized my fiancé like she wanted it to slice through my skin.

I forced a smile. “He’s been great to work with.”

“Hm....”

Her eyes scanned me.

Probably Judging and calculating.

Then she leaned in casually.

“You’re pretty, Eva....Pretty girls get wrong ideas sometimes...Just want to make sure you know your place.”

I stopped walking.

I stared at her.

She didn’t blink.

Before I could respond, Clark appeared behind us.

“Rachel.... Enough.”

His voice was low. Controlled. Dangerous.

Rachel turned dramatically.

“Enough of what? I was just talking to your sister in law.”

“I said enough.” His jaw clenched.

“Eva, go ahead…I’ll meet you inside.”

That subtle protectiveness…

That tone…

Rachel heard it too.

Her smile cracked.

Rachel somehow made the rest of the day unbearable.

Public affection every second.

Clinging to Clark like he would disappear if she blinked.

Touching him even when he subtly pulled away.

And the worst part?

Every time she did, Clark’s eyes found me.

Like my reaction mattered more than her touch.

By the end of the day, I was exhausted…emotionally, mentally, everything.

I escaped to my hotel room, closed the door, and pressed my forehead against it.

I shouldn’t care.

I shouldn’t feel anything.

None of this concerns me.

He is not mine.

He belongs to someone else. To her.

And yet…

A soft knock hit my door.

I froze.

Another knock.

I opened the door slowly

And Clark stood there.

His tie loosened, hair slightly messy from stress, eyes dark and unreadable.

“Clark?” my voice whispered.

He stepped closer, lowering his voice as though the hallway itself could betray him.

“Eva…”

His throat bobbed.

“I don’t want to be with Rachel right now.”

My breath caught.

He looked straight into my soul.

“I want to be with you.”