My Husband Has Other Plans

Evelyn's POV

“Is there something you know about those places that you haven't told me?”

I tightened my grip on the phone. Adrian had asked a reasonable question, but the truth would only make him question my sanity.

“You showed me Ridgeway's drainage drawings,” I reminded him. “When you mentioned the sealed door at Northline, I wondered whether the underground structures might be connected.”

“They're some distance apart. I was surprised you thought there might be a connection.”

“I've been studying flood maps and evacuation routes. Maybe I'm seeing problems where there aren't any.”

Adrian was quiet for a moment. I could hear traffic behind him.

“I'm sorry, Evelyn. I shouldn't have made you feel like you were being questioned.”

I had already been preparing to defend myself. When he apologized instead, I didn't know what to say. Owen could turn an argument around until I was the one begging him to stop being angry.

“It's all right,” I said. “Are you still at Northline?”

“I'm heading home. Daniel's ambulance was diverted, and there's nothing more I can do here tonight.”

“Then drive carefully.”

“I will. And Evelyn? Don't let my question stop you from calling me.”

Despite everything troubling me, I smiled. “Goodnight, Adrian.”

“Goodnight.”

The following morning, Owen was gone when I came downstairs. He'd left his coffee cup in the sink and a message asking whether I'd reconsidered funding Westhaven.

I deleted the message without replying.

During my break at work, I called the Ridgeway auction manager. My attorney had confirmed that the recorded drainage easement required further review. It didn't establish that Helix Meridian owned the depot, but I needed to understand the access rights before bidding.

“The seller isn't extending the deadline, Mrs. Carter,” the manager warned.

“I understand. I've arranged another inspection.”

“Then I suggest you complete it as soon as possible.”

I returned to my desk, where my supervisor was waiting with a dispatch report.

“Greyhaven General needs additional cooling units. Their emergency department is overcrowded, and the scheduled delivery has fallen through.”

I spent the next hour arranging an approved replacement carrier. Once the shipment was moving, my supervisor asked me to visit the hospital and confirm that its receiving team could accept the equipment.

At the emergency entrance, I found a young woman wearing a volunteer badge speaking urgently into her phone.

“I understand the ambulance has been diverted, but these patients have been waiting for hours. What am I supposed to tell them?”

She ended the call and rubbed her forehead.

“Is there a problem?” I asked.

She looked at my municipal identification. “I'm Nina Park, a volunteer emergency dispatcher. Three patients need transport, and their arranged vehicle hasn't arrived.”

“Are they cleared for non-emergency transport?”

“Yes. The hospital has approved the transfers, but I can't find an available vehicle.”

I contacted the municipal transport coordinator, who gave us the number of an approved provider with a vehicle nearby. Nina called immediately.

When the provider confirmed the arrangement, her shoulders relaxed.

“Thank goodness. I've been calling people all afternoon.”

“It's getting difficult to move anything around the city,” I said.

“You should've seen this place yesterday. We had patients waiting outside because there weren't enough seats.”

Through the open doors, I watched a nurse help an elderly man into a wheelchair. Another patient sat against the wall, pressing a damp towel to his neck.

I remembered hospitals in my previous life, when the generators failed a, nd people died waiting for treatment. My stomach tightened.

“Are you okay?” Nina asked.

I forced myself to look away. “Yes. It's just been a long day.”

“Tell me about it.” She gave me a tired smile. “Thank you for helping.”

We exchanged numbers in case she needed to contact the municipal office about another transport problem. I explained that any assistance would still have to follow the approved process.

By the time I returned to work, the cooling units had arrived.

Shortly before closing, the independent inspector confirmed our Ridgeway appointment for the following afternoon. Adrian had agreed to attend and explain the structural damage he'd identified during our first visit.

I sent him a message.

The inspection is confirmed for tomorrow. Thank you for making time.

His reply came almost immediately.

I'll be there. Have you eaten lunch?

I glanced at the half-eaten sandwich beside my keyboard.

Does half a sandwich count?

Only if you finish the other half.

I laughed and picked it up.

It had been a long time since someone noticed whether I'd eaten without wanting something from me.

When I arrived home, Owen was sitting at the dining table with his laptop open.

“Why are you meeting Adrian Vale again?” he demanded.

I stopped beside the chair. “We're inspecting Ridgeway tomorrow. He's attending with an independent inspector.”

“You barely know him, yet you've arranged another meeting without telling me?”

“The appointment is on our shared calendar, Owen. That's how you found out.”

He shut the laptop.

“You won't give me money for Westhaven, but you have plenty of time for this man.”

“Adrian is helping me assess a property. He isn't asking me to fund his business.”

Owen's face tightened. “So now you're comparing me to him?”

I thought of Clara standing in my dressing gown, holding the spare key Owen had given her. He'd expected me to accept her presence in our home, yet he was furious because another man had agreed to inspect a warehouse.

“I'm not the one who brought another person into our marriage,” I said.

He stared at me. “You're still going on about Clara?”

“I'm talking about your double standards.”

“Clara has been a good friend to both of us.”

“She was my friend, Owen. And you know exactly why things have changed.”

He pushed back his chair and stood.

“Cancel tomorrow's inspection.”

“No.”

“I'm your husband, Evelyn. You don't get to shut me out of decisions like this.”

I set my bag down, trying to keep my hands steady. I'd spent years making myself smaller whenever he raised his voice. Even now, part of me wanted to apologize just to end the argument.

But I remembered the settlement gate, his hand pushing me toward the men who had come to collect me, and Clara standing beside him.

I wasn't going to surrender another chance at survival to keep him happy.

“I'm paying for the inspection,” I said. “And I'm not cancelling it.”

Owen watched me for a moment. Then he picked up his phone, looking almost satisfied.

“You don't have to worry about Ridgeway anymore,” Owen said. “I told the auction manager you're not authorized to bid on property without your husband's permission.”