The Heart of Stone

Eva's POV

“I thought Eva had more prettier dresses than this.” Melinda says as she rolls a forkful of pasta into her mouth.

Here we go again. I try not to roll my eyes.

“She was too excited about the engagement and seeing Tony that she doesn't care about what she puts on.” Mum says in my defense, giving me a glare that says I will regret embarrassing her.

“Mum, leave her.” Tony chuckles. “She looks beautiful to me anyway.”

Then, I would have melted. Now, the words make my stomach turn.

I glance at Eve and see her staring at Tony. He gives her a wink when he thinks I'm not watching.

My stomach threatens to let go of the sparse meal I've eaten. I slip my hands under the table, clenching my dress hard. I swallow, reminding myself not to give in to my emotions.

I have a plan. And I need to be cold and logical to achieve my goals.

Catch Tony and Eve having an affair.

Blackmail Tony till he has nothing left in his account. He wouldn't want his father to know of his affair and would think he would gain the money back when he inherits his father's company.

Make him call off the engagement and then let his brother get everything he is meant to have.

“You are not eating.” Melinda notes.

Mum chuckles. “I guess happiness made her lose her appetite. Don't you know how long she has wanted Tony?”

Oh! Just stop already, mum.

I stand up, too tired to bother with being polite. “I need a moment, please.”

“Tony, walk with your fiancee.”

I wave in dismissal and shake my head. “Don't bother. Enjoy your meal. I will be back soon.”

I step out, walking to the back of the house and hoping I meet him. Lucky me. I do.

His head is bent over a book and snaps up when he hears me approaching. He closes the book in a hurry but not fast enough for me not to have seen the title.

How to Take Over an Empire.

I smile, loving that my work is already cut out for me.

“Hey!” I call out.

He ignores me.

If only he knows I'm not going to give up. I didn't come back to earth to brace nightmares and get turned off by an intentional mute man.

I sit by his side.

He finally looks at me. “You should leave.”

“Why?” I arch my eyebrow. “I'm only sitting.”

“This is my space.”

“That book says otherwise. You want the whole mansion and company.”

His eyes fill with fear. “Don't say anything to my step-mother.”

I make a zipping motion on my mouth. “Your secret is safe with me.”

His eyes narrow with suspicion instead of relaxing as I thought they would. “Why are you helping me?”

“Why can't I?”

“You are my brother's fiancee.”

“And you are?”

“His brother.” He says, looking away.

“Your name?”

“Of no use to you.”

“I will be the judge of that.”

“You don't want to be seen with me.” He smiles.

“Or what? Your step-mother will call off my engagement to her son?”

I wish she would.

He glances at me. “That doesn't bother you?” He peers at me studiously. “You are nothing compared to what I've heard of you.”

I will need a century to fix my reputation.

“What did you hear about me?”

He shrugs. “Nothing for you to worry about.”

That makes me super worried.

“I’m Eva.” I smile at him.

He nods. “I know.”

I scoff. “This is the part where you tell me your name.”

He smiles and shakes his head. His smile disarms me that I have to blink to remind myself to focus. He is nothing but another Troy and I don't need my heart in this journey. I remind myself.

“You don't give up, do you?”

“I don't.”

“I guess you don't. Anyone who can get a man after wanting him for years doesn't.” He mutters.

The words weren't meant for my ears but I heard. They hurt but I pretend not to hear.

“Evan.” He finally sighs.

My lips burst into a sudden smile. “You are messing with me, right?”

He fixes me a stare that sets my heart thumping hard. “Do you want me to?”