Chapter 11

Evelyn woke up the next morning to her phone ringing loudly on the nightstand. The sound pulled her out of a restless sleep, and she reached for it with tired eyes. It was her father’s lawyer calling. She answered, trying to sound more awake than she felt.

The lawyer got straight to business. “Evelyn, the revised agreement has already been drafted,” he said. “One key clause is that you are to move into Lucien’s residence within forty-eight hours. Both families have already agreed to everything.”

She sat up in bed, blinking in surprise. Everything was happening so fast. She hadn’t expected it to move this quickly at all. “Both families agreed already?” she asked, her voice quiet.

“Yes,” the lawyer replied. “I’ll send over the papers shortly.” Then the call ended with a click.

Evelyn hung up and just sat there for a while. It felt like everyone was making decisions for her again, without really asking what she wanted. She sighed and got out of bed, knowing she had to start getting ready for the move.

She pulled out her suitcases and began packing the rest of her belongings quietly. Even though her family had money, she didn’t own many expensive things.

Most of what she packed were simple clothes, a few favorite books, old photographs from when she was younger, and a small music box from her childhood. She turned the music box in her hands for a moment, listening to the soft tune it played.

As she folded her clothes and placed them inside the bags, memories came back to her. She remembered happier days before the company started failing.

There were family trips and laughter around the dinner table. Things felt lighter back then. Now everything was different. She kept packing, taking her time with each item.

Her mother walked into the room a little later. She saw the open suitcases and the things spread out on the bed. Unlike her father, her mom noticed right away that Evelyn wasn’t excited about any of this.

“Are you alright?” her mother asked softly, stepping closer.

For a moment Evelyn almost told her the truth. That she didn’t want this move. That she was scared of what it would be like living with Lucien.

But instead she forced a small smile and said, “I’m fine.”

Her mother didn’t look like she believed it. She stood there watching for a bit, then pulled Evelyn into an unexpected hug. It was warm and real, one of the few genuine moments of affection Evelyn had received in years.

They held each other for a little while before her mother stepped back and left the room quietly.

The emotional moment didn’t last long. Her father walked in right after, holding some business documents in his hand. He immediately started talking about practical matters, not even noticing the heavy feeling in the air.

“Be polite at all times,” he said, flipping through the papers. “Represent the family well. Don’t argue with Lucien. Make sure you attend every function. And don’t do anything that could embarrass Sterling Group.”

He kept listing things like that, going on and on. Not once did he ask if she was ready or how she felt about leaving her home.

Evelyn felt something break inside her. This became the first real confrontation between them. She looked at him and asked quietly, “Are you ever going to ask if I’m happy?”

Her father looked confused, like the question didn’t make sense to him at all. He set the documents down and stared at her.

“Sometimes happiness has to wait,” he told her.

“Until when?” she asked, her voice shaking just a little.

He had no answer for that. Instead he talked about how sacrifices were necessary for the family and the business.

In that moment Evelyn realized something that hurt deep down. To him, she wasn’t his daughter anymore. She was an investment, something to help save the company. The thought made her chest feel tight, and she had to look away so he wouldn’t see the sadness in her eyes.

As he was leaving the room, her father stopped and handed her a velvet box. “Wear this to the public events,” he said. “It reflects our family’s image.”

Evelyn opened the box after he left. Inside was an expensive diamond necklace, shining brightly. She stared at it for a long time. She didn’t see a gift.

She saw another reminder that appearances mattered more than people. After a while she quietly closed the box without trying it on and set it aside.

Later that day a luxury car arrived outside. It wasn’t Lucien who came to pick her up. His butler came instead.

Mr. Alden was in his late sixties, with neat gray hair and a professional look. He was very respectful, but unlike everyone else, he greeted her warmly.

“Welcome home, Mrs. Sterling,” he said with a kind smile as he helped load her bags.

The word “home” caught her off guard. She gave a small nod and got into the car, watching her parents’ house fade away in the rearview mirror.

When they reached Lucien’s mansion, the place felt intimidating more than glamorous as she had thought of it the first time.

The house was cold, like a museum where no one really lived. There was no warmth, no laughter, no signs that anyone spent happy times there. It mirrored Lucien perfectly in a way that made her feel small.

As the staff carried her luggage upstairs, through a corridor she hadn't thought to explore the day she was here because It was locked tight, and dust covered parts of the door like no one had been there for a long time.

“What’s over there?” she asked casually, pointing toward the locked area.

Mr. Alden stiffened right away. His warm smile disappeared for a moment, and he said politely, “That area is off-limits, ma’am.” He didn’t explain anything more. Evelyn sensed she had touched on something important, but she didn’t push it.

Mr. Alden showed her to the east wing after that. He opened the bedroom door for her, and she stepped inside. The room was beautiful and elegant, prepared perfectly.

Fresh flowers sat on the table, filling the air with a soft scent. Her favorite tea was already placed there, and some books she had mentioned during the wedding preparations were arranged neatly on a shelf.

She frowned a little, looking around. Lucien didn’t seem like the type to care enough to do all this. Who arranged everything? She wondered about it for a moment.

Before she could think further, a knock came at the door. Evelyn opened it, and there stood Lucien. He was still wearing his suit from work. He looked past her into the room, then said calmly, “We have a problem.”