*Flashback* "Lincoln, can we talk?" "What's up?" Sabrina wrung her hands. She was afraid to speak up but this needed to be said. If they didn't take action soon, it would only get worse. To the point of no return. She was also aware of how protective Lincoln was of the twins. He never wanted them to feel like they were alone so he went out of his way to give them whatever they wanted. There was nothing wrong with that. However, she thought the first thing he should have considered was to take them to counseling. The crash they were in might have left them traumatized, especially Eva. She wasn't herself. According to Rossy, she'd changed and they thought it was just a phase. Given time, it would pass. But how much time? It had already been two years. "Have you noticed Eva's change?" "Change? How?" She took a deep breath "She's acting strange" "How strange? I don't understand what you're saying, Sabrina" "Just hear me out first, please" she begged.

"Hey, where are you? You left early" "I needed to see someone. I'll call you later?" The line went dead. Mason looked at the black screen of his phone, the lines on his forehead crinkling in puzzlement. He'd woken up to find Eva gone. At first he thought she was in her apartment but there was no one there so he called her. Only for his calls to go to voicemail. She'd only answered it three hours later to give him a once sentence reply before hanging up. That feeling of apprehension was back, crawling up his spine inch by inch. They hadn't talked about the guy at the restaurant because he didn't want to set her off. That alone was enough to tell him something was wrong. If he couldn't even ask her simple questions without being afraid of driving her away or setting her off, then they had serious problems. The envelope was tucked away in the safe at the apartment and suddenly, he had this urge to look inside. Get it over with so he'd stop being so anxious. But i

"Hi, welcome" "Hello Sabrina. We brought some wine" Mason said handing her the bottle. She took it, forcing a smile as her eyes darted to Eva. The look on her face was different. Normally, she was either pretending to be happy or she let her dislike at being there show. Family dinners weren't her thing. "You didn't have to but thank you" stepping aside she motioned for them to go in "The food is almost ready. I hope you like..." "Did you make lasagna again?" Eva cut in. To someone who didn't know her, they'd think she was just joking "Sabrina, you need to learn how to cook something else" Ah, there she was. "Says the person who can't even fry an egg without burning it" there was a few seconds of silence where they challenged each other. Sabrina wanted to see if Eva could say anything in front of Mason. He wasn't Linc. He wouldn't assume they were joking with each other. "Ouch" she said then laughed awkwardly "I'll stop taking jabs at your lasagna" "Thank you, that's very n

"If it isn't the great Mason Adler and his bitch. Howdy folks" "Walk away Lauder. Or I'll make you" Alden hissed from beside him. "You really do go above and beyond for your bestie. Don't you Greaves?" Mason kept his eyes on her. Observing her every move and reaction. He couldn't believe she was high or that she'd come out like that. Since when did Eva start using drugs? He'd never seen her do it when they were together and if she has, he would have noticed. He wasn't that blind. What happened to her after she'd left? Where had she gone and most importantly why would she marry this asshole? Shit, it was none of his business what she did or didn't do. They weren't together anymore. If something was wrong with her, Lauder should be the one to worry. Without a second thought, he spun around and went to the bathroom. He could be civil with business rivals, even have a drink or two with them but never with Remington Lauder. Mason couldn't stand being in his presence and he didn't mind

⚠️ Trigger warning⚠️ Mentions of suicidal thoughts. "You can go without them today" Eva told the reflection in the vanity mirror. She wasn't some drug junkie. She could do it. And she would. Picking up the lipstick, she spread it over her lips and smacked them together. Telling herself she was beautiful "Smile. You're beautiful when you smile. Smile Evangeline" but it was so damn hard. How much longer could she hold the smile this time? She was exhausted and all she wanted to do was get back in bed and close her eyes. For a long time. Minus the nightmares. But Remington expected her to go down for breakfast. It would be fine if it was just the two of them since they wouldn't even bother talking to each other. He could say everything he wanted and all she needed to do was just ignore him. But with Florence there, not only did she have to keep up a lovely conversation with her so called husband, but she also had to let him touch her. With his hands and lips.