"Uncle Owen, I was wrong. I never should have left home. I shouldn't have hurt you for an unworthy man. I'm so sorry." Owen Lowes, a man hardened by years of service, felt his gruff exterior melt away as he saw the tear-streaked face of his niece. He knelt before her, the polished medals on his chest glinting under the harsh overhead light, a stark contrast to the trembling girl huddled in a chair. His large hands, accustomed to wielding a rifle, were surprisingly gentle as he pulled her into a loose embrace. Her sobs, raw and guttural, echoed in the sterile room, a stark symphony of grief and bewilderment."There, there, Ev," he murmured, his voice a soothing rumble. "It's okay to cry. It's good to have you back." He held her patiently, a steady presence in the storm brewing within her. Her name, a single syllable, felt foreign on his tongue, a reminder of the gaping hole in their lives – her missing parents, his beloved sister and brother-in-law."Owen POV about the accident"Owen
"Grandpa..."Eva buried herself in Waldo's arms.Waldo, a weathered man with hands gnarled by years of hard work, watched his granddaughter crumble into sobs on the worn sofa. Her cries, raw and desperate, tore at his heartstrings, a stark contrast to the composed young woman she'd tried to be for so long. He shuffled closer, careful not to startle her, and settled a calloused hand on her back, offering a silent comfort he hoped she wouldn't reject."There, there, Ev," he rasped, his voice thick with unshed tears. "Let it all out, child. It's okay not to be strong all the time."Eva buried her face deeper into the worn fabric of the sofa, her body wracked with sobs that seemed to have been waiting for this moment to erupt. Waldo felt a surge of anger towards whoever had caused her so much pain, a silent promise to stand as a shield against any future hurt.Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the intensity of her sobs subsided. Eva pulled away, wiping her tear-streaked cheeks wit
A warm mug of chamomile tea sat untouched in Eva's hands as Jenny paced across the plush living room carpet. The afternoon sun cast long shadows through the bay windows, but the tension in the room felt heavier than any approaching twilight."Eva, for goodness sake, what are you even worrying about?" Jenny finally burst out, her frustration evident. "The Lowes' entire portfolio is set to be yours. It's practically a family inheritance at this point. Jayson has worshipped the ground you walk on since he was knee-high to a grasshopper. He wouldn't dare object to you joining as vice president."Eva sighed, the sound lost in the room's hushed silence. "I know, Jenny," she said, finally setting the teacup down with a soft clink. "But it's not that simple. Sure, the legal paperwork is in order, but taking over as VP… it feels different. Like I'm some vulture swooping down after Uncle Owen's passing."Jenny stopped mid-stride, her face softening with understanding. She settled beside Eva on
"See? I was right!"The air crackled with unspoken animosity as Marian swirled the ice cubes in her glass of chardonnay, the clinking echoing in the opulent in Blake's office room.Marian rolled her eyes disdainfully. "She hasn't even been gone for long but already her true colors are showing. She's unable to support herself so now she's sucking up to you. What she said about divorce is all fake! "Blake didn't reply. He opened the package in his hand. A bank card fell out. And there was a divorce agreement already signed by Eva.The crisp legal document, stark with its black and white lettering, felt heavy in Marian's hands. As she scanned the clauses, a cold dread seeped into her bones, chilling her from the inside out. The weight of the paper morphed in her grasp, transforming into a physical manifestation of the fracturing reality before her. When her gaze finally landed on the bold title screaming "Dissolution of Marriage," Marian's jaw slackened in a silent gasp, the carefully
The world seemed to shrink around Marian as she was ushered out of the very company she'd considered an extension of her own opulent living room. The hushed whispers and pitying glances of her former colleagues scraped against her like nails on a chalkboard. Blake, the man she'd believed to be firmly under her thumb, hadn't even flickered an eyelid at her outburst. The emptiness of his gaze, devoid of the usual spark of defiance he reserved for her, sent a fresh wave of humiliation crashing over her.Now, the silence in the once-bustling office felt deafening, a physical manifestation of the void that had opened up in her life. Yet, amidst the quiet triumph of ousting Marian, a different kind of storm brewed within Blake. A gnawing sense of emptiness gnawed at him, a hollowness that the sterile silence of the office only amplified. His mind, usually a fortress of logic and control, was now a battleground of conflicting emotions. Memories of Eva, vivid and poignant, flooded his thought
Eva, who was off the radar was trying to get her life back on track.Eva gripped the worn leather briefcase handle tighter, a bead of nervous sweat trickling down her temple. The imposing glass doors of Worlds Group shimmered before her, buzzing with the controlled energy of a well-oiled machine. Inside, a symphony of activity unfolded – employees in crisp suits hurried past, briefcases clutched like shields, their every movement imbued with a resolute purpose. A pang of longing, sharp and unexpected, pierced Eva's heart.As she observed this hive of ambition, a tide of regret washed over her. Three years. Three years spent trapped in a gilded cage, her own dreams sacrificed at the altar of a loveless marriage to Blake. The life she'd envisioned for herself, a life filled with professional challenges and the thrill of carving her own path, felt like a distant mirage. The woman staring back at her from the polished surface of the glass doors was a stranger, her spark dimmed by years of
Betty snorted at those words.Consumed by a pre-conceived notion that Eva's credentials, like her entire existence in their world, were a carefully constructed facade, Betty couldn't be bothered to spare them a single glance.On second thought, she figured that she could humiliate Eva more."I see. Since you are so confident, I have to test you".Under the astonished gazes of her colleaugues, Betty threw a document to Eva."I hope you are not all mouth. This is a chance to prove yourself."Eva took the document confidently.A bead of sweat trickled down Betty's temple as she squinted at the stark headline on the weathered project proposal: "Coastal Resort Development Stalled by Rising Seas." Disappointment gnawed at her. This wasn't just any project; it was the culmination of years of meticulous planning, a vision of luxury nestled amidst swaying palm trees and turquoise waters. But the once idyllic island paradise they intended for the resort now faced a harsh reality – the relentles
All the interviewers sprang up to their feet as soon they saw their boss, Jayson Allen.Jayson was a tall and handsome young man. His wearing a pair of gold-rimmed glasses sat on his nose. Hig jawline was well-sculpted. He usually had a gentle aura. But now, he was frowning as he looked at Betty."When did you all start depending on hearsay? Since Miss Torres was allegedly expelled from school for cheating, don't you think evidence should be provided?"All the three interviewers exchange eye to eye contact and they short of words, especially Betty. She had lied, so she didn't know how to provide evidence.Jayson sneered at her. "It seems you can't provide evidence because there's none, right? You're spreading untrue rumors to taint Miss Torres image. How despicable!"Betty's face turned pale."You are fired!" Jayson declared expressionlessly."I'm fired? But, why?" Betty asked, her eyes widened in disbelief."Isn't it obvious? An interviewer is supposed to be unbiased and fait. Howeve