Chapter 7

Evelyn's POV:

I finally went home with a stack of enrolment documents in my arms, feeling as conflicted as ever.

As soon as I stepped foot into the house, the maids crowded around me at once. They looked shocked and very pleasantly surprised that I was back. Some of them even nearly cried.

"Mrs. Wolffang, you're finally back! The house has been a mess ever since you left. Mr. Wolffang has been in a terrible temper and felt dissatisfied with everything we did. He's already shouted at us many times since…"

I cocked my eyebrow as I listened to the maids' grievances. So, the house had been in a mess since I left?

"He should get used to it," I said in a low, nonchalant voice. "Soon, he's going to have to get used to me not being in his life anymore."

I comforted the maids for a while before walking in. It was dark in the house, as none of the lights were turned on. The only source of light was the moonlight faintly shining through the windows onto the ground.

Callum was seated on the couch, alone, the glow from the moonlight illuminating his prominent facial features. His eyes were cold and sharp as he looked at me piercingly.

"Where have you been these days?" he asked in a low, displeased voice.

I didn't answer him right away. I just put my bag on the table while taking my coat off. Then, I said, "I've been reading up on some medical articles."

Callum frowned. "Medical articles? Why the sudden interest?"

It wasn't a sudden interest. I had been a top-performing student who was slated to attend medical school had I not agreed to do Kiera the favor to repay her generosity.

Had it not been for him, I would have already been an accomplished and well-respected wolf doctor by now.

However, I chose not to tell Callum about it. I just poured myself a glass of water as I answered nonchalantly, "There's nothing wrong with reading up on medical articles. I could perhaps even save my own life in emergency situations. Don't you agree?"

When he heard this, Callum massaged his temples and said, "Evelyn, I didn't abandon you on purpose the last time. It's just that Iris has a weak body and cannot afford to get hurt in the slightest bit. She'd cry her eyes out if she got so much as a scratch on her skin, what more if it was from a silver arrow.

"I grew up with her and got used to taking care of her. That's why I brought her to the hospital first."

I had been the one who got stabbed by a dozen silver arrows, but yet, he made it sound as if Iris was the one more seriously wounded instead.

Seeing that I didn't say anything in return, Callum continued, "You didn't object to it initially, so why did you suddenly run away from home? Iris' house has been fully renovated now, so she's already moved out. Don't kick up a fuss over things like this anymore."

Callum's tone toward the end sounded like he was pinning the blame on me.

I didn't know if he was blaming me for running away from home or for my "pettiness" that caused his first love to move out.

Either way, I didn't care anymore. I just hummed simply and set down my glass before heading upstairs.

"Evelyn Severa!"

Callum suddenly jumped to his feet and looked at me longingly.

"I'm hungry. Make me some food. Your food tastes better than anyone else's."

What a sick joke!

I raised my left arm, which was still tightly wrapped up in bandages, and replied in a light manner, "You must have forgotten that my hand is still hurt."

Callum was stunned. It was as if he'd just remembered that I had been gravely wounded and would still have injuries all over.

I turned around coldly and went upstairs, leaving Callum frozen in his spot.

The next morning, I opened my room door and saw Callum standing at the door with a set of car keys in his hand.

"This is your compensation."

Callum spoke calmly as he rubbed his fingers on the key ring. "About last time… I'd been too busy taking care of Iris that I forgot about you. I just bought this car from an auction. I think it's the model you like.'

He tilted his chin upward, pointing toward the sports car parked outside the house. I followed his line of sight and saw a very sporty car in a shiny pink chrome color dazzling under the sun, looking like a billion dollars.

I stayed rooted in my spot and didn't take the keys from him. I stared at the pink car with a conflicted look in my eyes.

It had been five whole years, and this was the first time Callum had ever given me anything as a present. However, it was only because he felt bad about something and wanted to make it up to me.

"I remember that you liked this color," he added confidently.

A cold smile appeared faintly on my lips. I hated the color pink. It was Iris' favorite color, not mine.

"Look, Iris! Look at this! Cal got a surprise for you!" Lily exclaimed, suddenly appearing with Iris next to her.

Lily's eyes lit up when she saw the pink sports car outside the house. She yelled excitedly, "Oh my god, Cal! Isn't this the color Iris said she totally loved? Did you purposely have it custom-made for her?"

Iris stood by Lily's side, smiling shyly as she lowered her head to hide her excitement.

Callum frowned slightly. His gaze flickered between Iris and the car as if wanting to explain something, but he just couldn't.

I knew Callum too well. He just couldn't tell her that this car was actually for me. I stepped forward, took the keys from Callum, and handed them to Iris.

"Since you like it so much, you should take it."

"Evelyn…" Callum called out to me in disbelief. He stared at me, his dark, obsidian eyes swirling with conflict.

"I don't need you to make anything up to me, Callum," I said, looking back up at him coldly.

Callum was stunned.

I had changed. I was no longer the meek, mild-mannered woman he used to know. She wasn't coming back, ever.