Evadne was almost hoarse from screaming, but she continued just to release the pain in her chest. She was hurt inside and out, as if her sanity was on the verge of breaking. Almost to the point where she contemplated ending Orion and Evadne in her thoughts.“You’re such an idiot, Orion. You’re shameless! Why did you do this to me?!!!” Evadne’s knees were almost giving in, but she remained standing, screaming. “What you did to me, Orion, is unforgivable. I thought... I thought your feelings for me were genuine? But why did you deceive me?! Huh?! Why?” She weakened her voice, eventually collapsing on the grass. There, she cried even louder.The memories of catching her husband in the act with another woman in their own bedroom were like a dagger repeatedly stabbing her heart. A memory where she generously let the woman stay in their home.Now, she found herself in The High Line, overlooking a beautiful view from New York. But that breathtaking view was not why she went there.She ended
Evadne’s emotions were welling up again, tears threatening to spill.“Y-you,” she couldn’t help but blurt out as she eyed the man thoughtfully. “W-what are you doing here?”“This is my favorite camping spot, especially when I’m in Manhattan. I was surprised to see you here too. I even thought you were someone else until I caught your attention. When you turned around, that’s when I recognized you.” He sighed.“Did you hear what I said?” she asked, tears welling up again.Nodding, he lowered his face and quickly caught the tears falling from her eyes with a tissue. It was embarrassing to have someone witness her misery. She bit her lower lip.“It’s okay, Miss Coffee Shop Owner. I don’t mind. You better eat first. It’s late.”“My stomach can only handle water,” she said, allowing the tears to flow freely down her cheeks. The tissue in her hand was already damp.Evadne, there’s nothing you can do if that man saw you like this. The important thing is, you’re not close, and he doesn’t know
“Is there no more beer?” Evadne asked Gavin, extending one hand towards him.Gavin lowered Evadne’s hand. “No more. You finished it all.”“What about me? You also drink,” Evadne said, rubbing her forehead. The six cans of beer she had earlier seemed to be taking effect. He only had ten beers with him when he thought of going there to camp.Who would have thought he would fine a woman in a place where he often set up his tent to escape the noise and chaos of the city?Not many people go there, and usually, he doesn’t encounter anyone. Unlike now. There was someone there whom he never thought he would see.He didn’t plan to go home that night to Buffalo in New York, where his penthouse was located. So, he proceeded to set up his tent earlier while a woman was screaming and crying. Crying her heart out. He didn’t want to interfere, so he let her be. It seemed like she didn’t notice him anyway.He had just finished setting up his tent a while ago, and the woman was still not done venting
Evadne’s eyes fluttered open, awakening to a blurry world. Her consciousness abruptly returned, and the sun had yet to fully burst into the sky. However, there was enough light from outside for Evadne to see her surroundings.She was slightly puzzled by what her eyes beheld. She found herself inside a tent.A tent?!She quickly scanned her surroundings until her gaze settled on what was behind her.Her eyes widened when she saw a man there. Especially when she took a closer look at the man.“What—”Gradually, the events from yesterday replayed in Evadne’s memory. She spent the day in The High Line, Manhattan. She even had a few beers. And... and...Her lips parted as the memories of what transpired between her and the man last night flooded back. Evidence of their intimacy lingered under the blanket during those moments.“Evadne! What have you done?!” she screamed in her mind.Before the man woke up, Evadne carefully got up, located her scattered clothes, and meticulously dressed her
Evadne was gazing out the window of her rented apartment again. Memories flooded back to her when she had to give up her life in their mansion and settle for a small apartment, just enough for someone living solo like her. Now, here she was again. It wasn’t the mansion she had to give up, if it wasn’t not the cold relationship with her husband, Orion.Instead of opting for a condo unit, she searched for an apartment to move into. She had spent days accumulating various belongings, all funded by the credit card under her husband Orion Ashford’s name.In the over seven months they had been married, she had never used that card even once. Until now. She was certain he would be surprised by the number of items she bought with his credit card, nearing its limit.In a way, she wanted to retaliate by extravagantly spending his money.He was the one who told her to use it whenever she needed to. Despite having substantial savings, she never touched a penny of it.Being alone felt strange.She
The entire company of Orion Ashford was in chaos that morning. It was announced that day that his father, James Ashford, who served as the president and CEO of Ashford Empire New York branch, had something important to announce.Orion’s father, James Ashford, had returned from Seoul, South Korea, adding an air of anticipation to the atmosphere. Orion himself was surprised by the sudden call from his father, that he was coming back to the country.Almost everyone was already inside the spacious boardroom, but the meeting had not yet started. James Ashford, an older man with grayish hair, arrived, and even Orion bowed his head in respect upon his father’s arrival.“Aren’t we starting yet?” Orion couldn’t help but ask his neighboring board director.“We’re still waiting.”“For whom?”The person beside Orion shrugged. “I don’t know either.” His gaze followed the opening door of the boardroom. “Looks like they’re the ones we’re waiting for.”Orion turned his gaze toward the door where two
Gavin attended the party, a personal invitation from Mr. James Ashford. The event served as the formal announcement of Mr. Ashford’s resignation as the president and CEO of the ASHFORD Empire, with Gavin set to take over as the new CEO.Even before the party started, Orion Lee was already accompanied by a glass of alcohol. Gavin intentionally chose to sit next to him.“You’re Mr. Ashford’s son, right?” he asked.Orion nodded. “Supposed to be his successor. But little did I know that my father had other plans,” he added, shaking his head.“Why didn’t he pass it on to you then?”“My father had many conditions. If it all leads to this, wasting my time on that woman was pointless,” he said with a sigh.That woman? Was he referring to Evadne?Gavin pursed his lips. If Orion dismisses her that easily, so be it. He never cared for her.“I heard you’re married,” he mentioned casually.Orion shook his head, tightly gripping his wine glass. “Did my father tell you? Well, not anymore.”And you’r
Because Evadne was once again alone in life, she decided to expand her business. She planned to open another branch of her coffee shop. She was just contemplating on the ideal location for it.She couldn’t rely on the sole branch of her coffee shop forever. Even if it’s not too big and just the right size, slightly smaller than the main branch.Evadne rubbed her temples. She felt dizzy again, even though she had eaten breakfast. She also went to bed early last night.From sitting on the sofa in her small living room, she moved to her kitchen and drank some water.When her cell phone, placed in the living room, rang, she hurriedly went there to answer the call.Her college friend, Galilena was calling. “You called?”“Evadne, it’s been a while. I wanted to invite you,” Galilena said on the other end.“Where?”“Party,” she replied shortly. “Isaac is throwing a party on Saturday night. I’ll text you the address. Come, okay? Don’t be absent.”Evadne hesitated. Will she go? She’s sure Orion