Chapter Six: No New Beginning

Eve’s pov

“As you all know I once had a daughter, Mia. Losing her was hell for me, it left a hole I never thought could be filled. Then, years later, I met this incredible young woman — kind hearted, sharp as a wipe, and fighting her own battles with so much grace mustered up in her.” He turned and sent me a small smile before continuing with his speech. 

“You didn’t replace Mia. No one could ever, but…” He paused for a while. He was having a rush of emotions. I could see him trying to hold it back. 

“But somehow you stepped in — gently, patiently, and filled a space I didn’t even know was still open. You let me be a father again. A proud one at that.” A sob escaped him.

Arthur may look tough on the outside but he is the sweetest person I have ever met. He gave me a new life and he is the reason I am standing here today with all I have attached to my name. 

“I’m so sorry, I’m stealing the moment again.” He chuckled and the crowd had a quiet laugh.

“To the bride and groom!.” He raised his glass. 

His every word opened up emotions in me I thought I buried a long time ago. For the first time, I more than appreciate him for being my father and not just my life saver or changer. 

He must not have been able to spend time with his daughter as much as he wanted, but he sure does treat me as his. 

The corner of my eyes well in tears, I cheers to his toast but that happiness was immediately taken away from me with Logan’s next statement 

“Poor man, he doesn't even know his daughter is a murder.” He whispered enough for me to hear. 

My eyes widened in horror. How can he say that here in front of all these people, what if someone hears. 

“Relax your nerves, it's too early for me to expose you. I will only be making things easy for you that way.” His lips lifted for a smirk. 

“Don’t you dare..” I wasn’t able to complete my sentence before we had several people walk up to us to congratulate us. 

Fighting with him might not be a good idea but I am not one to bend down to threats. I always had a sharp tongue and that is how I have been able to survive most for my life. But in this case I think I should control what I say and how I say it. 

Logan lost his brother due to that incident and he is the grieving one, but I also lost my life— The majority of my teenage years. So threatening me with something my father did is not his best move but he obviously doesn’t care. He doesn’t have anything to lose, but I do. 

“Congratulations Eve.” I turned to the side when I heard a familiar voice — It was my best friend or should I say my sister from another mother. Stacy. 

“Come here.” I pulled her in for a hug. We stayed that way for a while before letting go of each other. 

“You look so stunning,  I almost didn't recognize you.” She grinned from ear to ear. 

“Thank you Stacy, you look amazing.” I couldn’t hold back myself and a sob escaped me. I missed her so much. 

Stacy has been my friend for as long as I can remember. She is my backbone. 

Years back when I was alone and struggling to pay my bills she would sometimes cover up for me no matter how much I refused, and she also helped me secure a part time job I was able to survive on. She may not have been in the same league as me, but she never treated me differently. 

As much as she was against my marriage to Brian she showed up for me as my only family present there and yet again she is  here for me again. I could never repay her; she's my guardian angel. 

“Hey now..  don’t ruin your makeup bride.” She teased me and I let out a gentle smile.. 

“Come on, meet Logan.” I turned to introduce Logan to Stacy. 

Stacy is one sensitive person. She could pick out the littlest fishy thing. Not introducing her might make her suspect something was going on between Logan and I,  because according to what I told her over the phone a few weeks back,  I finally found my missing ribs. Now she believes I am in love and would be in a healthy marriage this time around.

Well.., she didn’t think wrong but her idea of being in a perfect marriage was far from me. 

I also thought I finally found my person but it turns out I might be in bed with the devil himself. 

When I first met Logan at dinner, he radiant power and an aura I couldn't lay my fingers on, but I knew for sure that he was better than the four or five guys I had to go on dates with at my father’s request. 

He is everything I want in a man. But my happiness with him seems to be short-lived. Who would think he would suddenly turn into a monster to me because of something that happened years back and some fake news from my ex husband would get to him too easily. 

I won’t blame him for hating me about his late brother but thinking so low of me because of Brian makes my heart burn and my stomach turn. 

“Logan met my friend Stacy.” I forced a smile. I told him about her once in a conversation. 

“It’s nice to finally meet you Mr Logan Maxwell and congratulations on your wedding.” Stacy stretched her hand for a handshake with Logan. At first he hesitated to take it, but he eventually did. 

“Thank you.”

His eyes were empty most of the time but for some reason I saw a glimpse of amusement in his eyes. He was up to something in his head. 

“Mrs Stacy, why don’t you tell me a little about your friendship with my wife here?” His question wasn't supposed to sound creepy, but it did. He just wanted to get under my skin; since all he calls me now is — two faced. 

“I would love to Mr Logan, but I have to be somewhere soon. Stacy said, looking at her wrist for the time. I wasn’t aware she would leave so soon. I hate how it made me feel relieved. 

“Stacy..”  I called her to attention. 

“Are you leaving?” The disappointment in my voice was evident. 

I mean, I haven’t seen her for years. 

“Yes Eve, I am going to catch up with you some other time. She kissed me on my cheeks and bowed her head to Logan before taking her leave. 

Normally I wouldn’t have let her go so easily but, she seemed to be in a hurry and even if she couldn’t stay for long, her short stay means a lot to me. 

I looked over the crowd's head as she walked away when I saw a familiar face. 

“Is that..?”