All Chapters of One More Chance: Chapter 1 - Chapter 8

“Mr. Kent will see you now,” his secretary, Miss Havilah, said to the young lady who had been sitting outside the boss’ office for close to two hours. Evelyn was not in her Sunday best but she had tried to get the wrinkles out of her pleated skirt and her shirt was starched till it was as stiff as a snobbish old lady. She had been afraid that the security would not let her in considering how poorly dressed she was. Every now and then, she pushed her thick glasses up her nose, playing with her fingers too out of anxiety. From the newspapers and internet business news, Mr. Kent was definitely not an ordinary man. She wondered how her father could have known such a powerful man as Lucas Kent.“Thank you,” she murmured and gradually got on her feet. She clutched her purse close to her chest, looking as petrified as a chick. Her heels were broken from the impact of jumping off the bus and they clacked noisily against the milky tiles. Her embarrassment doubled when necks turned to locate

On her way home, Evelyn reminisced about the events that had taken place in Mr Kent’s office. Prior to entering his office, the notion of marriage had never crossed her mind. Many young women would jump at the idea of being a billionaire’s wife but Evelyn was old-fashioned when it came to issues of the heart. She believed that a marriage was to be built on love, not on material fantasies. Yet, she had just sold herself to save her family from ruin. It was a sacrifice she could not term selfless because she was totally against it. She was not interested in the trinkets he would give her because the jewelry would not compare to the love he could not give her.“Tell Samuel that the deal is done. You can take a copy of the agreement to him as evidence. His presence is required so that we can discuss the marriage date as soon as possible. Everyone will think that it is an arranged marriage so you have to pretend like we are in love. I believe you should be good at that judging from the act

The weather was perfect, cloudy and humid, just right for an outdoor wedding. It was true that only her immediate family was invited, and although she missed her best friend, Ella, she was partially glad that none of their classmates were present. She had been the brightest in class back then and the student with the highest potential of continuing her education. However, she sat in a wedding chamber, fanning herself nervously though she was not feeling hot. The ivory ribbed dress was fitted to her like a second skin, and the diamond teardrops on her ears were worth a fortune. Any woman would be happy, knowing the luxurious life that awaited her, any woman but not Mrs. Evelyn Johnson–Kent.Lucas sat beside her, his fake smile gone from his lips and an indifferent mask on his face. He was a better actor than she could attempt and he had to subtly pinch her rather elbow to remind her to smile whenever a camera passed by. She was sick of the pretense and her cheeks hurt from smiling all

Dubai shimmered beneath them‌ like a kingdom carved from gold. As the plane de⁠s⁠ce‌nded, Evelyn pressed her palm against the window, st‍a‌ring‍ at the glittering coastline,‌ the endless sa‍nd dunes, and the towering buildin⁠gs‍ that loo⁠ked l⁠ik⁠e the‌y pierced t‌he⁠ sky. It was b⁠ea⁠utiful—breathtaking even—but she fel‍t nothing like a bride on her hon‍eymoon. She felt… misplaced. Lik⁠e a misplaced orna⁠m‍en⁠t in someone els‌e’‍s pala⁠ce.‌L⁠uc‍a‍s hadn’t spoken to‌ her since toss‍i‍ng his wedding ring as⁠ide⁠ on the fli‍g‍ht. The ring still lay on the cabin table bet⁠ween them, catching the overhead lights‌ just enou‌gh to m‍ock her.When the wheels touched down o‌n the tarmac, Lucas fin‌ally stood, stretching lazily as if t‌he last t‍w⁠enty hours‍ hadn’t inc⁠luded a ru‍de dismiss‍al of‍ their vows. He gr‌abbed his jacket and watch, not the ring.⁠‌He d⁠idn’t‌ even glance at it‌.“Let’s‍ go,” he s⁠aid, voice clipped.Evelyn‌ swal⁠lowed any left⁠over hop⁠e that t‌heir honeymo⁠on mi