Lahat ng Kabanata ng Rejected and Banished; The kids are his.: Kabanata 231 - Kabanata 240

Eva's POV. The evening air was soft against my skin as I stepped out into the compound; I had quietly stepped out of the house after hearing the details of their journey, I couldn't spend another second in the same space with them, not without giving myself away, because deep down, I was filled up already by everything I've seen and heard since I arrived here.I tilted my head back, letting the cold breeze nip at my face, whisper through my hair, and soothe the pounding ache of too many secrets discovered in too little time.My legs moved of their own accord, slow but restless, pacing the path that wound around the side of the mansion. Each crunch of my footfalls beneath me became an anchor, reminding me that I was still here, still breathing, still surviving, still plotting; my thoughts refused to quiet.Every face I had seen locked behind that cursed door haunted me, their cries still echoed in my ears as though carried on the night wind, despite how hard I tried to push it to the

Eva's POV.I had barely left the kitchen, my nerves still swelling from the conversation with Selene, when I rounded a corner and almost collided head-on with Lady Tory.The jolt sent my breath hitching. For a heartbeat, my chest seized up as though she could see straight through me... see the secret I had just secured with Selene.“Eva,” she said smoothly, her brows lifting in mock surprise, though her eyes somehow glimmered with something else entirely. “Up so early? I didn’t take you for a dawn wanderer.”I forced my lips into an easy smile, even as my stomach twisted. “I… couldn’t sleep,” I said quickly, feigning a yawn and brushing my fingers over my temple. “I thought a little walk might help clear my head.”Her gaze lingered on me, too long for comfort, like a predator sniffing out weakness in its prey. I made myself hold still beneath her scrutiny, though I could feel the heat creeping up my neck.“Hmm,” she hummed, folding her hands delicately in front of her. “I suppose that

Eva's POV. The moment his eyes found mine, I thought the earth had stopped turning, Nicklaus stood there in the doorway like a statue carved by the moon goddess herself, tall, broad, shoulders squared as though he carried all the weight of the world on them. His lips parted slightly, as though he wanted to say something but didn't know where to begin, his chest rose and fell, but his feet remained frozen to the floor. For the briefest heartbeat, neither of us moved, and it was as though the silence itself screamed louder than any words.Then, before I could think or prepare myself, Nicklaus was moving towards me.“Eva…” His voice shook as he mentioned my name, his mouth remained open, like he had a lot more to say, but the words were heavy against his throat.Then in a swift move, he rushed forward...My breath caught as his arms wrapped around me with a force that nearly lifted me off the ground; my chest collided against his, the sudden heat of his body searing through every fibre

Eva's POV.I had barely stepped foot into the house when the sight before me nearly knocked the breath out of my lungs. Lady Tory and Aragorn were pacing like restless wolves, circling the living room with fury written all over their faces. The moment my heels clicked against the floor, both of them froze and turned toward me, like hunters catching sight of prey.I swallowed hard, forcing a polite cough past my lips as if I had no idea why the air was crackling with such fury.Let this not be about me, of shouldn't be about me!! I cried inwardly.“What… what’s going on?” I asked carefully, schooling my face into mild curiosity, though my heart slammed against my ribcage.Lady Tory practically flew at me. In her hand was a photograph, and before I could prepare myself, she shoved it right into my face.My blood turned to ice.It was me and Nicklaus. The image caught that moment outside the house, his arms wrapped around me, my lips parted in shock, while he had the look of surprise and

Eva's POV.The night air was colder than usual, but I cared less as I slipped out of the house. I pulled the dress up to free my thighs and let me quickened my steps.It was risky to be out at this hour, but risk had become my second skin since my arrival here. My entire existence here was a balancing act between death and discovery, and I had learned to walk the line with grace.The flicker of torchlight from the gate guard's room grew brighter as I neared; thankfully, I didn't have to go in, as I met him outside preparing to go in.I cleared my throat gently, and he straightened instantly, surprise flashing across his face when he recognized me.“Lady Eva,” he greeted, bowing slightly. “What are you doing here at this hour? Shouldn’t you be resting?”I smiled faintly, feigning casual curiosity, though my pulse thundered in my chest. “Rest doesn’t come easily these days. Too many things on my mind. I thought a walk might help.” I stepped closer, lowering my voice. “But truthfully, I