Chapter 29: Hidden scars(continued)

"Can't you see it?"

"For years..." "For years, everything has revolved around her." She laughed bitterly.

"When she smiles, he's happy." "When she cries, he falls apart." "When she gets hurt, the whole world has to stop."

Her eyes glistened. "And no one thinks that's strange except me."

Richard looked away.

"He's protective."

"He is obsessed."

The word echoed through the room.

Richard immediately shook his head. "No."

Vivian took another step. "Open your eyes."

"He left a board meeting." "He ignored work."

"He drove straight to her university without thinking."

She inhaled sharply. "You call that normal?”

Richard answered quietly. "I call that love."

Vivian's expression hardened. "A brother's love has limits." A heavy, uncomfortable silence fell in the room.

Richard slowly rubbed his forehead. "She's his sister."

Vivian stared at him for a long moment before speaking again.

"Ever since..." She stopped herself.

Her jaw tightened.

Richard's eyes narrowed slightly. "Don't."

"No." She shook her head. "You don't get to tell me not to remember."

Her voice trembled.

"The day she came into this family..."

She paused, fighting emotions she'd buried for years. "...everything changed."

Richard closed his eyes. "I know."

"No, you don't." Vivian's laugh was almost humourless.

"Our son used to check up on me after work."

"He used to tell me everything."

"He wanted me at every school event."

She swallowed hard.

"Then she arrived." "And suddenly..."

She looked away. "...I wasn't enough anymore."

Richard's expression softened. "Vivian..."

"You don't understand what that feels like."

"I do."

"No." She shook her head firmly. "You don't."

"He stopped reaching for my hand."

"He started reaching for hers."

Every word carried years of pain. "Every birthday..."

"Every holiday..." "Every family outing..."

"It was always..." She whispered the name. "Evie."

Richard stepped closer. "She was a little girl."

"And he was my son."

Neither of them spoke.

The silence between husband and wife stretched painfully.

Finally, Vivian looked directly at him.

"You brought her into this house." "You made that decision." "You asked me to accept it." "You asked me not to ask questions." Her eyes searched his face. "And for twenty-one years..." "I've lived with the consequences."

Richard lowered his gaze.

If only she knew why. If only he could tell her.

But he couldn't. Not yet.

Not ever...If he could help it. "I made a promise."

Vivian's expression changed. "A promise."

"That's all you ever say."

She laughed softly. "A promise." "It cost me my peace." "It cost this family." "And one day..."

Her voice became almost a whisper. "It will cost all of us."

She turned and walked out of the study without another word.

Richard remained standing where he was.

The door clicked shut.

He sank slowly into his chair.

His eyes drifted towards the locked drawer hidden inside his desk.

Inside… Lay a faded envelope. Twenty-one years old. Untouched.

He whispered into the empty room, "I promised I'd protect her." His voice broke. "I just hope I haven't destroyed everyone else trying to keep that promise."

Upstairs...Isabella stood on the balcony connected to her bedroom. The night breeze stirred the curtains behind her. From where she stood, she could see the illuminated gardens below. The Scott mansion looked peaceful. Almost perfect. Exactly the illusion she wanted everyone else to believe.

Her phone vibrated. She glanced at the screen before answering. "Tell me."

Her assistant's voice came through immediately.

"The rumours are spreading even faster than we expected."

A satisfied smile touched Isabella's lips. "And the university?"

"The lecturers have begun reviewing the anonymous complaint."

"Good."

"The students believe everything."

"They always do."

Her assistant hesitated. "There's one more thing."

"What is it?"

"Aiden left work today the moment he heard what happened."

Isabella's smile faded. "He what?"

"He cancelled the rest of his meetings." "He personally took Miss Scott home."

For several seconds… Isabella said nothing.

Her grip on the phone tightened.

"So..." she murmured. "He chose her again."

The assistant remained silent.

Isabella closed her eyes. When she opened them again, the warmth had vanished completely.

"Listen carefully."

"I'm listening."

"I don't want rumours anymore."

Her voice became cold. "I want distance."

"I want Evie to start doubting herself." "I want Aiden to question every decision he makes."

"And above all..."

She looked towards the dark window, which reflected her face. "I want this family to begin tearing itself apart."

Her assistant nodded from the other end. "I understand."

"Oh..." Isabella added. "Whatever happens..."

"My name must never be connected to any of it."

"Of course."

The call ended.

She slowly lowered the phone. Then walked back into her room. On the bedside table sat a framed photograph of her and Aiden from their engagement celebration.

She picked it up. Her fingers brushed over his smiling face. "I warned you, Evie," she whispered.

"I tried being patient." A faint smile curved her lips.

"But if I have to become the villain in your story..."

She placed the frame back down with deliberate care. "...then I will."

Outside her bedroom door, footsteps echoed faintly through the hallway.

Instantly, the coldness disappeared from her face.

She straightened her dress, softened her expression, and by the time the maid passed her room…Isabella Hawthorne was smiling again. The perfect fiancée.

The perfect future daughter-in-law. The perfect liar.

********

The Wednesday morning sun streamed lazily through Evie's bedroom curtains, casting gentle golden streaks across the floor. Usually, at this time, she would already be bustling around, getting ready for university.

Today...She hadn't even left her bed.

The room remained silent except for the occasional vibration of her phone on the bedside table.

She ignored it. Another vibration. Ignored.

Then another. Eventually, she reached over and glanced at the screen. Lila Calling...She stared at the name for several seconds before answering. "Hello?"

Lila's voice was filled with relief. "Finally! I've been trying to reach you all morning."

"I'm sorry."

"Don't apologise."

Then Lila asked the question everyone seemed to be asking. "How are you?"

Evie looked out of the window. "I don't know."

"You don't sound okay."

"I'm just... tired."

"Tired because of yesterday?"

Evie let out a quiet laugh. "I've never realised how exhausting rumours could be."

Lila's heart ached. "They're already dying down."

"Really?"

"...No." "I lied."

Evie smiled despite herself. "I figured."

Lila sighed. "Look... if you don't want to come to campus today, don't."

"I'm not."

"What about tomorrow?"

"I don't think so."

"...Friday?"

Evie closed her eyes. "I don't think I can face them this week."

Lila didn't argue with her. Instead she said, "I'm coming over.”

"Lila…"

"No." "You don't get to say no." "You need company." "And if you won't come to university..."

"...then university will come to you."

Evie laughed, trying not to sound like her problem.

"I'll see you soon."

Not even twenty minutes later...Her phone rang again.

Damien. She hesitated. Then answered. "Hi."

"Hey." His voice was gentle. "I just wanted to check on you."

"I'm okay."

"No." He chuckled softly. "I know when people are lying."

She sighed. "Is everyone talking about it?”

"A little."

"A little?"

Okay, you caught me. "They wouldn't stop talking about it.”

She buried her face in her pillow. "I knew it."

"But..." His tone grew more serious. "Not everyone believes it."

She remained silent. "I don't." Neither does Professor Bennett." "He actually defended you this morning when a student tried to bring it up after class."

Evie blinked. "He did?"

"He told everyone your work has always spoken for itself."

Warmth slowly spread through her chest.

She was glad that one lecturer believed her; at least that's enough for her.

"Thank you for telling me."

"And..." Damien added with a smile she could almost hear, "The group project can wait."

"Seriously?"

"Seriously." "You need to look after yourself first."

Her eyes stung again. "Thank you."

Downstairs…Breakfast had been served.

Only three people sat at the long dining table.

Richard. Vivian. Aiden.

Richard glanced towards the staircase. "Where's Evie?"

Maria answered quietly. "She isn't feeling up to breakfast, sir."

Aiden immediately pushed back his chair. "I'll take her something."

Vivian sighed. "She'll eat when she's hungry."

Without replying...Aiden carried a tray upstairs himself. Vivian watched him disappear.

Her expression tightened.

A soft knock sounded. "Angel?"

No answer. He knocked again. "It's me."

After a few seconds...The door opened.

Evie stood there wearing one of Aiden's old university hoodies. Her eyes were swollen from lack of sleep.

"You skipped breakfast."

"I'm not hungry."

He lifted the tray slightly. "I came prepared anyway."

She couldn't help smiling. "You never listen."

"Not when it comes to you."

She stepped aside. "Come in."

In the dining room, Isabella entered, dressed elegantly for the day. She greeted Richard and Vivian politely before sitting beside Aiden's now-empty chair. "He left already?"

Maria answered, "He took Miss Evie breakfast."

A flicker of irritation crossed Isabella's face.

Gone almost instantly. She smiled instead. "That's sweet."

Vivian remained unusually quiet.

Later that afternoon, Lila arrived at Scott Mansion carrying two bags filled with snacks, soft drinks and several films.

Maria welcomed her warmly. "Miss Evie has been waiting."

Lila found Evie sitting on the floor of her bedroom surrounded by books she clearly hadn't been reading. "I brought emergency supplies."

Evie raised an eyebrow. "Crisps?"

"Essential."

"Chocolate?"

"More essential."

"Ice cream?"

"The most essential."

Over the next two hours, they shared endless stories—reminiscing about childhood memories, hilarious teacher mishaps, and their dreams for the future. They laughed so hard that tears streamed down their faces, embracing their fun and spontaneous girl moment.

Downstairs, Maria passed Isabella's bedroom.

The door wasn't fully closed. She wasn't trying to eavesdrop. She intended to keep walking.

Until she heard Isabella say quietly, "...it worked better than expected."

Maria frowned. Another voice came faintly through the phone. Too muffled to understand.

Isabella continued, "No... not yet."

"We have to be careful."

Maria instinctively slowed her steps.

"...Aiden can't suspect anything."

Before she could hear another word...The bedroom door suddenly opened. Maria jumped slightly.

Isabella smiled warmly. "Oh, Maria." "Were you looking for me?"

Maria quickly shook her head. "No, Miss Isabella."

"I was just taking fresh towels to the guest rooms."

Isabella glanced towards the towels in Maria's hands before smiling again.

"I see." "Carry on."

Maria nodded politely and walked away.

But her heartbeat had quickened.

Perhaps...She had misunderstood.

Perhaps Isabella had simply been discussing wedding plans. Yet one sentence refused to leave her mind. "Aiden can't suspect anything."

Maria looked back once.

Isabella had already closed the door. She lowered her phone slowly. A smile spread across her lips.

"Almost caught." She wasn't worried.

People rarely questioned those who always appeared kind. And that…Was exactly how she intended to keep it.