LOGINEVELINEThe evening shadows were stretching long across the floorboards of the small apartment when the front door clicked open. True to his quiet, bi-daily routine, Lucian let himself in using the spare key they had agreed upon, moving through the hallway with silence.Eveline didn't hear him approach. She was sitting hunched over the small dining table, staring blankly at her laptop screen with a look of such profound, quiet misery that Lucian’s internal alarm bells went off instantly.He stepped quietly behind her chair, resting his large, warm hands on the backrest. He didn't hover invasively, but his amber eyes scanned her face, tracking the slumped curve of her shoulders and the deep creases on her forehead.“You’re worrying,” Lucian said, over her shoulders. “What’s wrong?”Eveline jumped in her skin as she quickly minimized the email browser tab on her screen. She forced a stiff, unconvincing smile, shaking her head. “Nothing. Just normal bookstore inventory stuff. I can sort
EVELINEThe morning rush at Henderson’s Books & Brew had finally started to wind down, leaving a quiet, comfortable lull across the cozy bookstore. Behind the polished wood counter, Eveline wiped down the espresso steam wand with a damp cloth, her mind miles away.She was replaying the constant comfort of Lucian’s recent visits, trying to find a balance between her fiercely independent nature and the quiet reality of his protective presence. She hadn't checked her email all morning, wanting to focus entirely on her shift.With a soft sigh, she reached beneath the counter to slide her laptop forward. She popped open the lid, typed her password, waiting for it to respond. A notification pinged on the screen, stating she had 5 unopened mails. She clicked open the official email. Her heart hammered wildly against her ribs as she read the lines once, then twice, making sure her eyes weren't playing tricks on her.It was an official response from the metropolitan teaching hospital… They w
DAMON.The walk from the grand iron gates of the upper-district estate to the paved driveways had always been a symbol of status, but today, it felt like a slow march of humiliation and pain. Damon walked the distance on foot, not in his usual sleek Sedan.He hadn't come back out of remorse. He had come back because reality had finally set in: freezing his accounts had crippled him. He convinced himself, with a desperate flick of his ego, that perhaps his father’s initial fury had cooled. After weeks of silent treatment, surely the old man’s heart would have softened toward his only son. Surely a family patriarch wouldn't let his own blood rot in the lower gutters over a broken engagement.He passed the security checkpoint but he wasn't accorded the usual respect.These fools, Damon said to himself. I will deal with them soon.The mahogany doors of his father's private study were cracked open. Damon pushed them wider and stepped inside.His father looked up from the leather desk, his
DAMONDamon walked into the usual meeting spot, pulled the collar of his damp leather jacket tight against his neck, standing in the shadows, waiting for the only person in the city who hated Eveline as much as he did Lucian Reed.A sleek, dark sedan pulled quietly to the curb at the mouth of the alley, its headlights clicking off instantly. The passenger door opened, and Maeve Cross stepped out.She was impeccably dressed in a tailored wool coat, her blonde hair pinned back in its usual pristine twist. The moment she locked eyes with Damon in the dim light, her face twisted in anger.“You are late, Damon,” Maeve hissed, marching right up to him and crossing her arms tightly over her chest. “I have been waiting in the car for a while now." “Traffic on the bridge from the lower district was hectic," Damon snapped back his jaw as he shoved his hands into his pockets. “What the hell did you call me out here for? My father has cut off my funds, my accounts are frozen, and I’m one step a
EVELINELucian carefully scooped Eveline up into his arms, carrying her out of the cramped bathroom and laying her down softly on her bed propped up against several pillows.He sat on the edge of the mattress, pouring a glass of water and holding it to her lips.“Drink slowly,” Lucian instructed, his tone softer now that the panic had subsided.Eveline took a small sip, avoiding his eyes as a flush of embarrassment hit her cheeks.For a moment, the only sound was the steady hum of the refrigerator in the kitchen and the soft rise and fall of Eveline’s breathing. She took a deep breath, still feeling a bit washed out, but the intense wave of nausea had faded out.Lucian remained seated, his large frame relaxed, watching her with a quiet, attentive gaze.Eveline cleared her throat, breaking the silence. “Thank you, Lucian. For... coming over so fast. And for not making a big deal out of it.”Lucian offered a soft, wry smile, shaking his head slightly. “You’re welcome, Eveline. Though it
EVELINE.The transition into their new reality was bumpy, marked by an ongoing tug-of-war between Eveline’s fierce independence and Lucian’s stubborn persistence.By Tuesday morning, the subtle footprint of Lucian’s presence was already woven into the small apartment. Eveline stepped into the kitchen in her oversized cotton sleep shirt just after six, and when she flicked on the light, she found a brown paper package neatly resting on the counter next to the kettle. Inside were fresh organic berries, a carton of iron-rich greens, and a small sealed bottle of prenatal vitamins accompanied by a note in Lucian's handwriting: Take these with breakfast. I will check in tonight.Eveline stared at the note, a mix of irritation and warmth fluttering in her chest. She wanted to prove she could handle everything on her own, but she couldn't deny the steady relief that washed over her. He was keeping his word, providing care without controlling her and she was gratefulBy mid-afternoon, however,







