Chapter 19 – The Woman Chosen for Him

May felt it before she saw it.

The shift in the room.

The sudden pause in conversation.

The way heads subtly turned.

She stood at the glass-walled conference room of Stone Holdings, dressed in a tailored ivory suit that spoke elegance without effort. Calm. Composed. Untouchable.

Then the doors opened.

And she walked in.

Tall. Willowy. Dressed in black silk like it was sewn onto her skin. Her heels echoed softly—confident, deliberate. The kind of woman who knew exactly where she belonged and expected the world to agree.

Damien stiffened beside May.

May noticed.

Of course she did.

“Everyone,” the chairman announced, clearing his throat, “this is Evelyn Royce. She’ll be joining us as a strategic consultant.”

Evelyn smiled—slow, assured.

Her gaze landed on Damien first.

Lingering.

Possessive.

Then—finally—on May.

Sharp. Curious. Measuring.

“So this is her,” Evelyn said smoothly, not bothering to lower her voice. “The woman everyone’s talking about.”

The room went quiet.

Damien turned. “Watch your tone.”

Evelyn smiled wider. “Relax, Damien. I meant it as a compliment.”

She stepped closer to May, extending a manicured hand. “Evelyn.”

May looked at the hand for half a second—then took it.

Her grip was firm.

Unyielding.

“May,” she replied calmly. “Welcome.”

Evelyn’s smile twitched.

Interesting.

“I’ve heard you’re… impressive,” Evelyn said lightly. “Daxton speaks highly of you.”

May held her gaze. “Does he?”

“Oh yes,” Evelyn replied. “Though admiration and suitability aren’t always the same thing.”

Damien’s voice dropped. “Enough.”

Evelyn turned to him, unbothered. “You always were protective.”

Were.

The word lingered.

May withdrew her hand slowly.

“Shall we begin the meeting?” she said, voice even. “Or did you come for theatrics?”

A few executives shifted uncomfortably.

Evelyn laughed softly. “I like her.”

May didn’t return the sentiment.

By the time the meeting ended, May had already pieced it together.

Evelyn Royce wasn’t just a consultant.

She was chosen.

Handpicked.

Groomed.

A woman from the right family, the right circles, the right pedigree.

Daxton’s answer to her existence.

In the elevator, Damien exhaled sharply. “She’s my grandfather’s idea of a solution.”

May folded her arms. “She’s not the problem.”

Damien looked at her.

“The problem,” May continued, “is that he thinks you can be redirected.”

Damien’s jaw tightened. “I won’t let him.”

May met his gaze steadily. “He doesn’t need your permission to try.”

Across the city, Evelyn sat in Daxton’s private study, legs crossed elegantly.

“She’s stronger than you described,” Evelyn said. “Not desperate. Not insecure.”

Daxton’s cane tapped once. “That’s why she’s dangerous.”

Evelyn smiled faintly. “And that’s why you called me.”

“You understand the rules of our world,” Daxton said. “You know how to dismantle influence without appearing cruel.”

Evelyn’s eyes gleamed. “Do you want her removed… or broken?”

Daxton paused.

“Neither,” he said finally. “I want her to choose to leave.”

Evelyn chuckled. “That’s always the cleanest victory.”

That evening, at home, Aria barely stopped talking.

“Mum! Aiden said his nanny lets him stay up late and that daddy has a really big house and—oh! And Aiden said daddy smells like coffee and—”

May froze.

“What did you say?” she asked gently.

Aria blinked. “That daddy smells like coffee.”

The room tilted—just slightly.

Aiden sat quietly on the rug, pushing toy cars together.

May watched him.

The way he frowned when concentrating.

The exact tilt of his head.

Her heart skipped—not with certainty, but with something far more dangerous.

Recognition.

Damien entered then, loosening his tie. “What’s wrong?”

May looked at him.

At Aiden.

At the space between past and present.

“I think,” she said slowly, “your grandfather isn’t the only one afraid of the truth.”

Damien’s chest tightened. “May—”

She raised a hand. “Not now.”

Her voice was steady, but her mind was racing.

Blood didn’t lie.

And it was starting to whisper.

Elsewhere, Sophia sat across from David in a quiet café near the hospital.

“You didn’t have to walk me home,” she said.

“I wanted to,” David replied simply.

Silence settled—not awkward. Comfortable.

“Your family won’t like me,” Sophia said suddenly.

David smiled faintly. “They won’t like that you don’t care.”

She studied him. “And you?”

“I find it refreshing.”

Something warm stirred.

Something dangerous.

Fate, again, took notes.

Back at the Stone estate, Evelyn stood at the window, phone to her ear.

“Yes,” she said softly. “I’ve met her.”

A pause.

“She’s not easy.”

Another pause—then a smile.

“But neither am I.”

She ended the call and looked out at the city lights.

“May Austin,” she murmured. “Let’s see how long you last.”