Evelyn Todd Novels & Stories

CHAPTER TWO Growing up wasn’t quite glamorous or exciting for Ava, she had a father who was very strict and often abusive and a mother who was just the opposite. She was loving, caring, patient, and understanding. She had other siblings who were all male. Childhood wasn’t all fun-filled though she had a fair share of it, thank God for next-door relatives. She grew up in Tuscarawas and went to one of the central schools and then, an Eastern University campus in Cleaveland. Her dad wanted her to study law but deep down, she didn’t want that. She had an interest in the creative industry but unfortunately, no one was keying into her dreams. She wanted more than just appearing in a courtroom to d

A voice came from behind the two. Gael and Leonard turned around in unison and they were both shocked at the sight of Ashton. Ashton was walking over with a woman and the two were holding hands. The woman had fair skin, she was slender with a narrow waist and her legs were long. She looked beautiful as her long hair danced lazily in the wind. Ashton was as dashing as always but his face was a little pale. Gael's mouth was wide open after seeing his grandson. Leonard on the other hand had his eyes fixed on Maya as his eyes flashed with a mysterious light. No one could tell what he was thinking about or what was so interesting about Maya.

Ingrate. "Welcome, Mr Harrell, it's amazing to have you here", she outstretched a hand expectantly. Before I could, Amara shook it. "Yeah, nice to meet you, I'm Mrs Sophie Sanders Harrell, you get the concept?", she explained. He almost laughed at her jealousy. Obviously, she had no idea how much he loved her and how he lived for her. The restaurant was dedicated to her, Sophie Sanders Harrell(SSH). It was her wedding present. He would let her know when they get married.

‘Stand tall, Ava Morgan. Her father’s voice was clear in her head, so she did just that despite Jared’s advice to keep her head down. Jared didn’t know the whole story. She could look right down and still end up in trouble. She would bow to no one, not today. After sorting her tray, she turned and walked towards the exit. She knew she looked ridiculous. She couldn’t square up to anyone here when she was barely five feet four, but she walked like she could, anyway. She didn’t look at Ezekiel even once as she left that room and headed for her stupid lessons.

" Evelyn was completely oblivious to the fact that the others were there for entertainment. She genuinely believed that their praises were sincere. Ingrid felt a little giddy with excitement. It was her first time navigating a high-profile event. The experience was nothing like what she had felt before. "Oh, aren't you Mrs. Susan Kane?" Evelyn walked over to Susan and sat down with a broad smile. "You're here today as well?" She had heard about the tension between the sisters-in-law of the Jefferson family. The enemy of one's enemy could be a friend, so Evelyn tried to butter Susan up. "That silk brocade maxi skirt you're wearing is lovely! The color really suits your complexion."

Mary Redferne Judith, my best friend, sat beside me on the couch, with my mother and sister opposite us, as we were presented with a selection of wedding dresses, each one simpler than the last. It was evident these dresses were deliberately chosen, designed to ensure I didn't outshine my sister Clara on her wedding day. Mr. McKinnon had made it clear that his son’s wedding needed to be the talk of the season. Clara expressed her disappointment directly, saying, "Mary, these dresses are so plain. I thought your wedding dress would be more... special. This is something you wouldn’t even wear."

Evelyn brushed off the gossip as mere chatter, knowing her relationship with Warren had ended long ago. Her phone buzzed on the table, breaking the quiet atmosphere. Evelyn glanced at the screen and saw it was a call from the former executive secretary, Tammy Graham. Without hesitation, she picked up. "Hey, Tammy." "Evelyn, are you still at work? You better head over soon. Don't be late," Tammy's voice came through. "I'm leaving right away. See you shortly." Tammy, who had previously served as Warren's executive secretary and mentored Evelyn, had transitioned into a full-time wife after marrying Yandel Hawkins.

Before she could come up with even a half-baked excuse, a familiar voice cut through the tension. "Hey, Anna, babe! How are you?!" A tall, glamorous woman in a glittering cocktail dress and enough diamonds to blind a man at twenty feet sashayed into the scene. Evelyn Brooke. Socialite. Wife of Defense Secretary Arnold Brooke. And... someone Annabelle vaguely remembered from college? Annabelle blinked. What the hell? Before she could even process, Evelyn swooped in and hugged her like they were besties from birth. Annabelle stiffened. Evelyn had barely known her name back in college—if she even knew it at all. They'd been classmates, nothing more.

“We have plans. But you two go. Celebrate.” Serena looked relieved. “Are you sure?” “Positive. Go be eighteen.” Before we left, I went to the restroom. On my way back, I passed a woman standing in front of Serena’s sculpture. She wasn’t a parent. She was older, dressed in severe Issey Miyake pleats, holding a notepad. I recognized her. Evelyn Vance. One of the toughest critics for The New York Times. I froze. If she hated it… if she wrote something scathing… it would crush Serena.

Adela tagged along, occasionally chiming in when they discussed certain designs. It was obvious to anyone paying attention that Evelyn placed a lot of value on the pretty young woman beside her. Their conversation was soft, but if you wanted to eavesdrop, you could. The way they spoke—so relaxed, so familiar—it was clear they’d known each other a long time. Evelyn, despite her gentle temperament, was a woman born of privilege. A Walton by marriage and a daughter of the prestigious Walton family, she had the natural confidence of someone who’d grown up wealthy. Her social circle wasn’t easily accessed.