Lahat ng Kabanata ng Hidden Heiress Rising: Married to my Ex-Husband’s Uncle: Kabanata 21 - Kabanata 30

~ EVANGELINE'S POV~ Damien opened the door, and Roman strode in with another man trailing behind. “Perfect timing,” Damien said with a sigh. “We were just talking about Paris.” Roman grinned. “That’s why we’re here. I called the office, they said you weren’t in yet, so we came straight over. We have news.” “What news?” I asked. The other man stepped forward. “Hi, Eva. I’m Jackson, Damien’s so-called forgotten friend.” Damien and Roman rolled their eyes in unison. “Get to the point,” Damien muttered. Jackson raised his hands. “I’ve been invited to Paris Fashion Week, as a celebrity guest and potential judge for the Emerging Designer Award.” My eyes widened. “Really?” “Really. Which means I’ll be there to make sure everything stays fair.” “And I’m coming as security coordinator,” Roman added. “I’ve got contacts in Paris. I have private firms that can keep you safe. Damien already filled us in on the details.” Damien nodded. “Good. I can finally put you both to work.

~ EVANGELINE'S POV ~My head was pounding when I opened my eyes. I instantly regretted it as sunlight streamed through the windows like tiny knives stabbing my brain.Fuck! Where was I?I looked around and noticed I was in a different guest room. This wasn't the room I had been staying in.Wait. How did I get here?I tried to remember last night, but all I could get were flashes.Drinking whiskey. Lots of whiskey.Talking about my grandmother. Damien's face, close to mine. His eyes were soft, and his voice, gentle.Shit! I jumped up from the bed, ignoring the intensifying pounding in my head.Had I said something embarrassing?Oh God. I definitely said something embarrassing.My stomach lurched as I tried to stand, forcing me to sit back down. My eyes fell on a glass of water on the nightstand with aspirin and a note.I picked it up.["Take these. Drink all the water. There's coffee in the kitchen when you're ready. -D"]I took the aspirin and drank the entire glass. Then I lay back a

~ EVANGELINE’S POV ~“Mrs. Blackwood, is it true you’re still competing despite the threats?”“What about your mother? Do you have any updates?”“Are you afraid for your safety in Paris?”I felt the tension rise in my chest, but before it could settle into anything stronger, Damien’s hand came to rest firmly on my lower back, anchoring me in place without restricting my movement.“Stay close,” he whispered calmly, his voice low enough that only I could hear.“I will,” I replied, keeping my voice even.He guided me forward, which made it easier to move through the crowd without feeling swallowed by it.His security team formed a barrier around us, creating just enough space for us to walk without being touched or blocked.At one point, a reporter stepped too close, and Damien’s expression changed slightly, his voice firm as he said, “That’s enough. Give her space.”There was no shouting or unnecessary aggression, but the authority in his tone was enough to make the man step back.We re

~ EVANGELINE’S POV ~By the time we got back to the hotel, I could barely feel my legs.The adrenaline that had carried me through the last few hours was gone, leaving behind nothing but exhaustion and a deep, throbbing ache that made every step I took feel heavier than the last.I tried to walk normally when we stepped out of the car, but the second my feet touched the ground, my knees almost buckled.Damien noticed immediately.Before I could steady myself, his hand was already on my arm, holding me in place.“Careful,” he said softly, his eyes scanning my face.“I’m fine,” I insisted, even though I clearly wasn’t.He didn’t argue. Instead, he stepped closer, his grip tightening slightly as if making a decision.Eventually, without warning, he picked me up. A small gasp left my lips as my hands instinctively went to his shoulders.“Damien…”“You’re not walking like this,” he replied softly, as if it wasn’t even up for discussion.“I can manage…”“No, you can’t.”There was no irritat

~ EVANGELINE'S POV ~I didn’t like her. I don’t even know her, and I already disliked her.The thought of hating someone because of Damien unsettled me. Why would I dislike her because of him?I stood there, watching as she held onto Damien’s arm like it was hers to hold.Anyone with functioning eyes could see she had done it a thousand times before and fully intended to keep doing it.“Come on, don’t be like this. You owe me coffee. I haven’t seen you in years.”“I don’t think that’s a good idea,” Damien repeated, declining once again.He was still trying to free his arm. But she wasn’t letting him.I noticed that. And it irritated me more than it should have.Why was I even paying attention to something so small? Why was he occupying my mind like this?“Damien…” she pouted, pulling on his shirt sleeve. “You can’t just show up in Paris and pretend I don’t exist,” she whined, tilting her head at him.Eww… was she a child?“I’m not pretending anything,” he replied, pulling his hand fro