005

~Evelyn

The plush terrycloth towel barely offered any real warmth against the chill settling deep in my bones.

My skin was still flushed red, wet and sensitive from the hour long shower where I had let the hot water drown out the sound of my sobs.

A soft, hesitant knock echoed against the heavy wooden door of the guest suite.

"Come in," I rasped out, my voice thick and scratched raw from crying.

The door swung open silently, and Marcus stepped into the soft lighting of the room.

At 6'5", his towering, broad shouldered frame filled the entryway, impeccably put together even in the late hours.

His stormy grey eyes, streaked with that piercing silver light, swept over me with a look of intense, quiet reverence that made my breath hitch.

In his hands, he carried a stack of fresh, folded clothes.

"Dinner is served downstairs whenever you're ready, Evelyn," he said, his deep baritone dropping into a tone so smooth, so impossibly gentle it felt like a physical touch. "I had my housekeeper bring up a few things in your size. Please... let me know if there is anything else you need. Anything at all."

He stepped forward, setting the soft fabric neatly on the edge of the bed before turning his dark gaze back to me.

Hot tears stung the corners of my eyes all over again, blurring my vision.

My boss is my savior. The legendary, feared CEO of St. Claire Global... and my father-in-law.

Julian had spent two years making me feel like a repulsive, oversized burden, hiding me away in the dark and treating me like trash.

Yet here was his father, a man who held the corporate world in the palm of his hand looking at my plush, curved, heavy body covered in nothing but a towel as if I were something precious. Something divine.

"Thank you, Mr. Montgomery," I whispered, my voice breaking as a single tear escaped and tracked down my cheek. "You... you really don't have to do all this for me."

His jaw tightened, a dark, dangerous flicker of possessiveness crossing his features before softening into pure warmth. He took one step closer, his towering presence surrounding me like a shield.

"I do, Evelyn," he murmured firmly, reaching out with a long, warm finger to gently catch the tear before it could fall. "You deserve to be taken care of. Now put these on, and let's go eat.”

I smiled, my cheeks burning as I tried to make subtle gestures toward the towel wrapped tightly around me.

He didn’t seem to get the hint, or maybe he was just playing dumb until he tilted his head, a faint smirk tugging at his lips.

“Are you trying to tell me something, Evelyn?” he asked, his deep voice carrying a playful rumble.

I gave a soft chuckle, looking down at myself before glancing back up. “I need to actually put the clothes on, Mr. Montgomery.”

He paused, then let out a rich laugh and lightly tapped his forehead with his knuckles.

“Forgive me,” he murmured, his stormy grey eyes darkening with raw admiration. “Your goddess like body just completely knocked my mind out of orbit.”

A deep, heated blush rushed from my neck all the way up to my ears. I stood there, utterly speechless, as he offered one last lingering look before finally turning and stepping out, closing the door behind him.

Once the latch clicked shut, I let out a long breath and looked down at my reflection in the full length mirror.

For two agonizing years, Julian had carved away at my self esteem, making me feel large, unwanted, and hidden away like a disgraceful secret.

But standing here, catching the faint flush on my skin and the softness of my plush curves in the warm light, something inside me shifted.

I’m not what Julian said I am, I thought, my chest rising with a sudden, quiet strength.

I am better. I am beautiful. I am cherished.

I turned to the bed and picked up the clothes Marcus had brought.

Among the folded garments was a silk nightgown in a rich, deep jewel tone. Slipping it on, the luxurious fabric draped over my broad hips and full chest like it had been tailored specifically for me.

It hugged every curve without hiding a single thing.

Barefoot, I made my way downstairs.

Marcus was already seated at the head of the massive dining table, waiting patiently. Even at home at dinner, he was still wearing his crisp button down shirt and tailored trousers, his silver streaked dark hair impeccably styled.

“Do you ever actually take your suit off?” I asked, a gentle smile breaking across my face as I approached the table.

He chuckled, the sound deep and resonant, leaning back in his chair. “Whenever I’m about to sleep... maybe.”

He pulled out a chair for me, and I sat down, the mouthwatering aroma of the food filling the air.

I took a bite of the dish in front of me, and my eyes widened in instant delight. The flavor was incredible, perfectly seasoned, rich, and cooked to absolute perfection.

“Who cooked this?” I asked, looking up at him in genuine awe. “Whoever made this is a culinary genius.”

“I did,” Marcus replied simply, taking a sip of his wine.

I grinned, shaking my head. “No way.”

“You women always make it seem like men shouldn't be good cooks,” he said with a dry, amused smile, his grey eyes twinkling with warmth.

A sudden, unwanted memory flashed through my mind.

I remembered the early days with Julian, back when he used to try cooking for me.

He was terrible in the kitchen, he made a lot of burns, underseasoned dishes, absolute chaos, but back then, I was so deeply in love that I would happily eat whatever rubbish he put in front of me with a glowing smile on my face.

Looking across the table at Marcus now, a man who held an empire in his hands yet took the time to personally prepare an exquisite meal for me, the stark contrast made my heart ache, but for the first time in years, it ached with hope rather than pain.

He paused, his fork resting against the side of his plate as his stormy grey eyes locked onto mine. "What happened, Evelyn? What made you cry like that?"

I swallowed hard, the taste of the incredible meal suddenly mixing with the lingering bitterness of betrayal.

"I caught my husband cheating on me," I murmured, staring down at my hands. "In our bed. With my best friend…."

The air in the room shifted instantly. The warm, inviting atmosphere hardened into a dense, chilling silence.

Marcus didn't raise his voice, but the sudden clench of his jaw and the terrifying flare in his eyes made my breath catch.

"Do you want revenge?" he asked, his voice dropping an octave, smooth and deadly as velvet. "Because I can ruin them both before sunrise."

I looked up, meeting his intense gaze, and slowly shook my head.

"Not really," I said softly, feeling a newfound clarity settle over me. "I don't want to spend my life chasing payback. The best revenge is to work on myself... to build my career, love my body, and become the best version of myself without him."

A slow, profoundly soft smile broke across Marcus's sculpted features, replacing the cold fury.

"I can help you with that," he said smoothly.

I blinked, my heart thumping against my ribs.

Looking at this powerful, commanding billionaire sitting across from me, a man who owed me nothing, yet had swept me out of the gutter without hesitation, I couldn't suppress the question any longer.

"Why are you being so nice to me, Mr. Montgomery?" I asked, my voice barely a whisper. "You don't even know me that well. Why do all this for an employee?"

For the first time since I'd known him, the iron willed titan hesitated. Marcus stuttered slightly, his jaw working as if he were trying to rein in a confession that was fighting its way out of his chest.

He leaned across the table, his silver streaked dark hair catching the light.

"Because the first time I saw you, Evelyn," he confessed, his baritone dropping into a low, husky growl that sent shivers straight down my spine, "you became everything I was looking for.”