If I have to watch any more ads I may cry… please help! Thank you.

The day Rowan Thatcher divorced me, he brought his pregnant mistress to the courthouse, made me pay for the filing fee, and told me I should thank him for setting me free.

I stared at the woman clinging to his arm — Sienna Cole, his college ex — and watched her rub her belly with a smug little smile that made my blood run cold.

"Don't look so heartbroken, Elara," Sienna said sweetly. "Rowan was never really yours to begin with."

Rowan didn't even flinch. He just signed the papers, slid them across the table, and said, "You can keep the apartment. Consider it severance."

Severance. As if our six-year marriage was an employment contract he was terminating.

What Rowan didn't know — what none of them knew — was that the apartment he so generously "gave" me was one of thirty-seven properties I owned across the country.

He also didn't know that Pinnacle Group, the corporation he'd been desperately trying to land a contract with for the past eighteen months, was mine.

Every email he'd sent begging for a meeting had landed in my inbox.

I signed the papers without a word.

"That's it?" Rowan frowned, clearly expecting tears, begging, a scene. "You're not going to say anything?"

I looked at him — really looked at him — for the last time. The man I'd loved since I was nineteen. The man I'd quietly built an empire around while he thought I was just a housewife with a "little online shop."

"Good luck, Rowan," I said. "You're going to need it."

Sienna laughed. "Is that a threat? From a woman who spent six years doing nothing but cooking and cleaning?"

I smiled at her. It was the kind of smile my CFO said made grown men sweat in boardrooms.

"It's not a threat. It's a weather forecast."

I walked out of the courthouse, got into the black Maybach waiting at the curb, and told my driver, "Take me to Pinnacle headquarters."

My phone buzzed. A message from my assistant, Margot: *"The Thatcher Group contract request is on your desk. Want me to shred it or frame it?"*

I typed back: *"Neither. We'll deal with it when the time is right."*

In the rearview mirror, I watched Rowan and Sienna celebrating on the courthouse steps. He lifted her up and spun her around like he'd just won the lottery.

He had no idea he'd just signed away the only thing keeping his company alive.

My phone buzzed again. This time, it was a name I hadn't seen in two years.

**Callum Blackwood.**

The message was just four words: *"I heard. I'm coming."*

My heart did something it hadn't done in six years.

It skipped.

Before the design competition, Ronald Pierce's childhood sweetheart, Tiffany Robbins, was seriously injured in a car accident and ended up in a coma.

All the evidence pointed straight at me.

But Ronald never doubted me. He stayed by my side and witnessed me win the championship in glory.

I thought our love was unbreakable.

But then, someone exposed me for plagiarism.

Everyone turned against me, and I ended up getting kidnapped.

The kidnappers asked Ronald to hand over the money. "If you don't pay, she's dead."

On the other end of the line, all I heard was Ronald's mocking snicker. "Lucy, now you know how helpless Tiffany felt back then, don't you?"

So, he always believed I was the one responsible for Tiffany's accident, and that was why he married me.

He stole my manuscript and was the one who reported me for plagiarism.

Also, he was the one who set the kidnappers on me.

I finally felt regret for everything.

And then, I traveled back to the day Ronald confessed his love to me.

There he was, that sunny, handsome guy, holding a bouquet of lisianthus, his eyes full of hope as he looked at me. "Lucy, I like you. Will you be my girlfriend?"

I answered calmly, "Sorry, I don't feel that way about you."

*****

"Lucy, why are you zoning out? Ronald's confessing to you right now," Tiffany called out, snapping me back to reality. My eyes went wide as I looked around in a daze. It took me several long seconds to realize that I really had traveled back.

Before I could react, Tiffany grabbed the bouquet from Ronald and stuffed it into my arms, giving me an innocent little wink and a playful grin. "Lucy, everyone's watching. Don't put Ronald on the spot."

The sun was blazing overhead, but I felt like I'd been plunged into an ice bath.

Ronald's young face started to blur into the cold, heartless one I remembered. My face turned pale as a sheet, and I dropped the bouquet without even thinking.

"Sorry, I don't like Ronald," I said.

Ronald's smile stiffened on his face.

Everyone was left speechless.

Tiffany was totally floored. "Lucy, seriously? Are you joking right now? I literally saw you writing Ronald a love letter last night. How could you not like him?"

Tiffany was Ronald's childhood friend, and she was also my roommate.

She was the very first person to find out about my secret crush on Ronald.

On registration day, she accidentally knocked over my bookshelf and spotted my photo album.

She was totally shocked. "Lucy, how do you have pictures of Ronald?"

I was so flustered that my face turned bright red. "Tiffany, you know Ronald?"

Tiffany picked up the album and handed it back to me, her laughter ringing out like a bell. "Of course, I know him. He is my neighbor. We grew up together."

"Oh, I see." I lowered my head even more, speaking so quietly that it was almost inaudible.

I never thought my feelings would be revealed like this.

Tiffany noticed how shy and awkward I was, so she patted my shoulder and said, "Come on, Lucy, I'll introduce you to Ronald. He's not hard to get at all.

"Actually, never mind. Girls are the cutest thing on earth. Let those guys chase after you. Trust me, you are definitely Ronald's type."

Tiffany was right about that.

The first time Ronald saw me, he was so shy that he couldn't even look me in the eye.

After spending six months together, everyone in the design and physics departments assumed we were a couple.

But neither of us ever said it out loud.

Last night, Tiffany came up to me all mysterious and said, "Lucy, don't go to your part-time job tomorrow. Ronald's got a surprise for you. Trust me, you're gonna love it."

I was pretty sure Ronald was going to confess to me.

So, I got up early, slipped into my prettiest dress, and did my makeup extra carefully in front of the mirror, all for this big moment.

No one ever expected I would reject Ronald right in front of everyone.

Without bothering to explain, I turned and headed straight for my dorm, without looking back

*Have found only 25 chapters on crush and 30 chapters on editors, but looking for full novel*

Also found alt titles "Consistency you gave me confusion" and "The day love betrayed me never the plan"

Chapter 1 Woken Before The Apocalypse

Ten years into the apocalypse , darkness spread like a sinister blanket , suffocating the world . Moss - covered skyscrapers swayed in the thick black fog , while mutant plants tore through cracked concrete , climbing upward . Freezing winds howled across the barren landscape , echoing like vengeful spirits . The streets felt haunted , every alley thick with the stench of decay . The entire world was lifeless , filled with nothing but endless despair . Chloe Yates stumbled backward on a ruined wasteland , her bare feet scraping over sharp debris .

Blood seeped from her soles , leaving faint trails behind . Her short , uneven hair was a tangled mess , clumped together in dirty strands and reeking of rot . Years of survival had ravaged her face , making her almost unrecognizable . She wore a filthy , torn military coat , trembling in the freezing wind . Ragged cotton poked through the holes , stained with dried blood . " Honey , you're really being naughty ," Shawn Taylor said , moving closer . His voice was eerily soft , sending a chill down her spine . " Ten years of marriage , and aren't you going to let me go ?

" Chloe rasped , her voice as rough as sandpaper . She staggered back , a sharp stone slicing her foot . Blood dripped , soaking into the ground . Shawn glared at her with utter contempt , his stained teeth bared in a vicious grin . " Sophie's pregnant . She needs your heart - blood to keep her strong ." Chloe lifted her gaze to the churning clouds , defiance burning in her chest . When she looked back , her eyes blazed with rage . A dozen powered humans burst through the darkness , their eyes gleaming with savage hunger .

They licked their dry lips , looking more like starving wolves than human beings . Sophie Gilmore stepped out from the protective circle . Her delicate figure shivered helplessly , her flawless face streaked with tears . 15:02 Sun , Dec 21 Chapter 1 : " Chloe , I'm sorry . Shawn and I really love each other . Please , just let us be ," she begged . ( 75 10 vouchers Chloe felt a wave of disgust and bitter irony . " These two cheaters want me dead to make their little romance work ? How shameless ! ' Shawn pulled Sophie into his arms , his voice full of concern . " You shouldn't be here .

You're pregnant ; be careful . " He shot Chloe a deadly glare . " Stay away from Sophie , you freak . " Chloe suddenly laughed , her voice so distant it sounded like it came from another world , as if her last spark of fight had finally died . " Shawn , give me back the emerald bracelet , and let's just call this a divorce ," she said wearily , wanting nothing more to do with him . Panic flashed in Sophie's eyes . Instinctively , she clutched the emerald bracelet on her wrist . " This one's mine . Yours was lost years ago ." Her overreaction only made her look more guilty .

Her friends started giving her suspicious looks . Shawn barked , " What are you guys waiting for ? Kill her , and you'll have real meat for dinner tonight . " The powered humans locked their crazed stares back on Chloe , like starving wolves eyeing fresh prey in the frozen wasteland . Suddenly , Chloe laughed maniacally , her eyes gleaming with a wicked light . " Fine , let's all go to hell together . " " Everyone , run ! " Shawn screamed , panicking as he dragged Sophie away . But it was already too late . The bombs Chloe had planted exploded with a thunderous roar .

Instantly , a nauseating mist of blood enveloped the wreckage . When it cleared , only shredded body parts were strewn across the ground . 15:03 Sun , Dec 21 Chapter 1 75 10 vouchers In the eerie darkness , zombies began howling like maniacs , their screams growing closer and closer . Shawn's legs were blown off . He dragged himself forward , his eyes filled with blood and terror . Behind him , Sophie's screams abruptly stopped as the zombie horde devoured her .

In the end , he watched helplessly as the zombies tore into him , ripping flesh from his bones , his eyes wide with terror until his final breath . In a luxurious villa , the first sunlight slipped through the window , landing softly on Chloe's sleeping face . For a moment , everything seemed perfectly still . Suddenly , the phone alarm on the nightstand blared , shattering the silence . Chloe's long lashes fluttered , and her eyes snapped open , sharp , cold , and deadly . The room's temperature seemed to plummet instantly . As she took in her surroundings , confusion flickered in her eyes .

' Did someone save me ? Ten years into the apocalypse , and there's still a place this clean and fancy ? But why does it feel so familiar ? ' Chloe thought . Suddenly , her eyes widened , her breath catching . " This is ... my home . " She froze . Her voice was ethereal and crisp , nothing like the raspy one from the apocalypse . She glanced at the wall mirror and saw a stunning young woman with ruby lips , pearly teeth , and flawless skin . Every subtle expression was captivating . Her face was untouched by the rough , blackened cracks and bleeding wounds .

She lacked bulky muscles , thick calluses , or a filthy , decaying body reeking of stench . Chloe stared blankly at her reflection , her eyes holding a sorrow from another lifetime . She slapped herself hard , the searing pain snapping her back to reality . She fumbled for her phone , her lashes trembling , breathing carefully . 15:03 Sun , Dec 21 Chapter 1 It was October 1st , 2024 . She gasped . She'd returned more than four months before the apocalypse began . 75 10 vouchers On Christmas Eve , at midnight , a crimson rain would spread the zombie virus .

Anyone caught in it would develop an endless fever . Most people would become mindless zombies . But one in ten thousand would awaken special abilities , becoming the first powered humans of the apocalypse . Chloe wasn't one of the lucky ones . But later , she'd been bitten saving Shawn , barely surviving to become a strength - powered human . Thinking of Shawn ignited pure hatred in her eyes . Deadly energy swirled around her , the kind of deadly aura forged through countless battles .

Staring at her reflection , Chloe parted her red lips , her voice hauntingly beautiful and eerily menacing . " Shawn , Sophie , I've come to collect your souls . " ***** In a pasta restaurant on a bustling food street , Chloe devoured her meal , empty plates piling up in front of her . A couple nearby , Harry Hoffman and Mandy Woodward , stared in disbelief . " Wow , that gorgeous girl in designer clothes can really eat . She's kind of adorable , " Harry said , swallowing hard . Chloe's massive appetite made him feel hungrier . He waved to the waiter and ordered another plate of pasta .

My mom was a university professor. She always said the biggest regret of her life was marrying my dad—a man who'd blown up as a livestream shopping host.

"So materialistic. So tacky."

Eventually, they divorced. In my last life, I chose my mom—the one who seemed above it all, who didn't care about money.

What a mistake.

I bought a new dress? "Wasteful." I wanted to grab dinner with friends on the weekend? She slapped me across the face.

When my period came and I wanted decent tampons, I got screamed at.

"You're just like your father—obsessed with money! You're such a disappointment!"

Later, my uncle's investment failed and he drowned in debt. When he tried to sell me to an underground matchmaking ring for bride money, I begged my mom through tears to save me.

She just frowned. "You won't even help your own uncle? You're as selfish as your father!"

In the end, my uncle sold me to some fifty-year-old bachelor in the mountains. I died falling off a cliff trying to escape.

When I opened my eyes again, I was back at the moment of their divorce—the moment they asked me to choose

Lena Drake spent three years as Ethan Cross's contract wife. She cooked his meals, managed his penthouse, smiled at his family, and never once complained — not even when he brought another woman home and called her "the love of my life" right in front of her.

But when she heard him tell his mother, "I'm divorcing Lena. Serena is the only woman I'll ever love," something inside her finally cracked.

She didn't scream. She didn't cry. She pulled off her wedding ring, placed it on the kitchen counter, and walked toward the door.

His voice stopped her cold.

"Where the hell do you think you're going?"

***

Twelve hours earlier, the morning had started like every other.

Lena woke at 5:30 a.m. She prepared Ethan's favorite breakfast — poached eggs, fresh-squeezed orange juice, and avocado toast with exactly the right amount of sea salt. She ironed his shirt, set out his cufflinks, and placed his briefcase by the door.

By the time Ethan came downstairs, everything was perfect. He barely glanced at the table.

"I won't be home for dinner," he said, adjusting his tie in the hallway mirror. "Serena's flying in tonight. I'm picking her up."

Lena's hand tightened around her coffee mug. "Of course."

She had heard the name Serena Blake a thousand times. Ethan's college sweetheart. The one who left him to pursue her modeling career in Paris. The one whose photo he still kept in his wallet — not Lena's. Never Lena's.

"Also," Ethan added, his tone casual, almost bored, "my mother's coming for dinner tomorrow. Make sure the house looks presentable."

"It always does," Lena said quietly.

He didn't respond. The front door clicked shut behind him, and the penthouse fell silent.

***

Lena stood in the kitchen for a long time, staring at the untouched breakfast. Three years. She had spent three years perfecting every detail of this man's life, and he couldn't even say thank you.

Their marriage had been an arrangement — a contract designed by Ethan's grandfather, who believed Lena's quiet, dependable nature would "stabilize" his reckless grandson. In exchange, Lena received financial support for her younger brother's medical treatment. It was supposed to be simple. Clinical. Temporary.

But somewhere along the way, Lena had made the fatal mistake of falling in love with her husband.

She'd hidden it well. She never confessed, never pushed, never asked for more than he was willing to give. She told herself that if she was patient enough, kind enough, useful enough, he might eventually see her.

He never did.

Her phone buzzed. A text from her best friend, Maya.

[Girl. Have you seen this?]

Below the message was a link to a tabloid article. The headline screamed:

**ETHAN CROSS SPOTTED AT AIRPORT WITH MYSTERY BRUNETTE — PASSIONATE REUNION KISS!**

The photo showed Ethan holding Serena in his arms, his lips pressed against hers, his eyes closed as though the rest of the world had ceased to exist.

Lena's chest tightened. She zoomed in on the image, her fingers trembling.

He was wearing the tie she had ironed that morning.

***

That evening, Ethan walked through the door with Serena on his arm. The woman was everything Lena was not — tall, striking, effortlessly glamorous. Her laugh filled the room like music, and Ethan looked at her the way he had never once looked at Lena.

"You must be Lena!" Serena said brightly, extending a perfectly manicured hand. "Ethan's told me so much about you. It's so sweet that you've been helping him manage the house."

Helping him manage the house.

Not "his wife." Not even "his partner."

Just the help.

Lena shook her hand, her smile frozen in place. "Welcome."

Ethan didn't even look at her. His attention was fixed entirely on Serena as he guided her to the couch, his hand resting on the small of her back.

"Lena," he called over his shoulder, "make some tea for Serena. She likes chamomile."

Lena turned toward the kitchen, her vision blurring.

She had prepared chamomile tea for him once, early in their marriage. He'd pushed it away and said, "I don't drink this."

Now she knew why he remembered the flavor.

It had never been for him.

It had always been for her.

***

That night, lying in her cold, separate bedroom, Lena heard laughter drifting through the walls. Ethan and Serena were in the living room, talking, sharing wine, their voices warm and intimate.

Her phone lit up with another message from Maya.

[Are you okay? Please tell me you're okay.]

Lena typed back three words:

[I'm leaving him.]

1.Chapter 1 The Downpour

Rain poured down on Riverstone all day, turning the ground into a soggy mess. Jewel Moreno's belongings lay scattered across the front steps, tossed out by her adoptive mother, Lorelei Moreno.

""Get out of here!"" Lorelei yelled, glaring at Jewel. ""We've given you the best of everything, and this is how you repay us? You're not even our biological child, yet we've treated you like our own. How could you do this to Samantha?""

Lorelei's rant continued, ""Tristan broke up with you and got together with Samantha ages ago. And out of jealousy, you pushed her into the water. Don't you have any conscience?""

With a flourish, Lorelei pulled out a bank card and tossed it at Jewel's feet. ""If it weren't for Samantha pleading on your behalf, I wouldn't let you off so easily.There's 10 thousand dollars on there. Consider it compensation.""

Jewel's face remained impassive throughout the outburst. Without even glancing at the card, she reached into her backpack and pulled out another, tossing it back to Lorelei. ""There's one million dollars on this one. Consider it my thanks for raising me all these years.""

Lorelei stared at Jewel in annoyance. The sum was more than the entire Moreno family could earn in a year, yet Jewel acted as if she could hand it over without a second thought. Lorelei doubted how Jewel could casually produce such an astronomical amount.

Without another word, Jewel slung her bag over her shoulder and walked away. Her back was straight as an arrow, projecting unwavering dignity, while her rain-soaked hair betrayed her pitiable state.

Samantha Moreno watched the scene unfold from the rooftop, a sly smile spreading across her face. 'Jewel, you've had it easy for over twenty years,' she thought to herself. 'It's time for that to come to an end.'

*****

Jewel hadn't gone far when her phone rang. She glanced at the caller ID and answered, recognizing the familiar voice.

""Jewel, is it true the Moreno family kicked you out?"" the caller asked.

Jewel's tone was flat as she confirmed with a simple ""Mm.""

The caller's voice grew agitated. ""This is outrageous! I saw the video of what happened before Samantha fell into the water. She clearly tripped on her own. If you hadn't jumped in to save her, she would've drowned!""

After a pause, the voice continued, even more heated. ""The Moreno family is a bunch of ungrateful wolves. As soon as their biological daughter shows up, they toss you out like trash. If we'd known it would come to this, you should never have bailed out their company.""

Jewel let out a soft chuckle, her composure a stark contrast to the caller's agitation. ""Listen to you, getting all worked up. Anyone would think you were the one who got kicked out.""

""I'm just angry on your behalf!"" the caller insisted.

""Alright, alright,"" Jewel said. ""Just come pick me up, will you? I've been trying to hail a cab forever, and I'm about to turn into a drowned rat—""

Her words were cut short as a blinding light suddenly shot towards her. She instinctively raised her hand to shield her eyes. The screech of brakes pierced the air, but on the rain-slicked roads, it was futile. The car slammed into her before she could react.

The impact sent Jewel flying into a nearby flowerbed, her head cracking against a rock. She struggled to sit up, but a wave of dizziness washed over her, and she lost consciousness.

As she fell back, the necklace around her neck slipped into view.

The driver scrambled out of the car and rushed to check on the victim. Panic was evident in his voice as he reported back to his passenger. ""Mr. Snider, I think she's passed out.""

Calvert Snider, the man in the back seat, gazed down at the unconscious woman, his expression unreadable. He issued a single command. ""Take her to the hospital.""

As Jewel was lifted into the car, Calvert's eyes were drawn to the necklace around her neck. His brow furrowed as he leaned closer to examine it. In the dim light of the car's interior, he could make out the shape of a moon pendant.

With sudden urgency, he pulled out his phone, scrolling through his gallery until he found a particular photo. The sun pendant in the image was a perfect match for the moon around Jewel's neck.

The realization hit him like a ton of bricks. This woman was his childhood betrothed—the long-lost girl of the Turner family.

*****

When Jewel came to, she found herself surrounded by a chorus of unfamiliar voices. As her vision cleared, she locked eyes with a silver-haired elderly man. Behind him stood four strikingly handsome young men.

The old man's eyes welled up as he spoke. ""My dear, you're awake.""

Jewel's brow furrowed in confusion. ""I'm sorry, but who are you?"" she asked, trying to make sense of the scene.

Franklin Turner's voice quavered with emotion as he explained, ""My dear, I'm your grandpa. These three are your brothers – Lachlan, Caspian, and Jackson Turner. And this fine young man is your fiancé, Calvert.""

He paused, his voice thick with regret. ""It's all my fault. If I had kept a closer eye on you back then, you would never have been taken from us.""

Jewel's confusion deepened. One minute she was getting kicked out of the Moreno family, and the next she had a grandfather, three brothers, and even a fiancé. This had to be some kind of wild dream.

Sensing Jewel's bewilderment, Lachlan stepped forward, gesturing to the necklace around her neck. ""You see that necklace? It's the Turner family's heirloom – the Sun and Moon set. Grandpa placed it around your neck himself the day you were born.""

Jewel's hand instinctively went to the necklace. Her father – or rather, the man she had believed to be her father – had given it to her on her eighteenth birthday, claiming he had bought it back at great expense from an auction.

Lachlan continued, his voice laced with guilt. ""It's our fault – we were too busy fooling around back then and didn't watch over you properly. That was how those lowlifes managed to snatch you away.""

""Hold on,"" Jewel interrupted, trying to process this flood of information. She looked at each of them skeptically. ""Isn't it a stretch to claim I'm family based on just a necklace?""

Franklin's eyes softened as he gazed at her. ""There's no doubt in my mind. Your eyes are the spitting image of your mother's. I'd stake my life on it – you're my granddaughter, through and through.""

Before Jewel could object, a deep, cool voice cut through the air. ""There's no need for speculation. I've already sent a sample of your hair for DNA testing. We'll have concrete proof soon.""

Jewel turned to face the speaker – Calvert, her alleged fiancé. His piercing eyes and chiseled features were undeniably handsome, but his demeanor was ice-cold, warning others to keep their distance.

Despite herself, Jewel's gaze lingered on his face a moment too long. She had always been a sucker for a pretty face.

Calvert's eyes swept over her, and he suddenly raised his hand to button up the top of his shirt. Jewel blinked in surprise, wondering what had prompted that reaction.

Franklin, noticing the subtle interaction, cleared his throat and addressed the three Turner brothers. ""It's getting late, boys. Why don't you help me back to my room?""

""But Grandpa, I can stay and look after—"" Lachlan began, but seeing his grandfather's meaningful look, he quickly caught on.

Jewel was at a loss for words, completely unimpressed by their terrible acting.

""Calvert,"" Lachlan said, ""we'll take Grandpa back. Mind looking after our sister for us? Thanks, man.""

Jewel opened her mouth to protest, but to her surprise, Calvert nodded.

Once the door clicked shut behind the others, Calvert turned to face Jewel. His eyes bore into her with an intensity that made her breath catch.

""Now that everyone else is gone,"" he said, his voice low and serious, ""we need to discuss breaking off our engagement.""

2.Chapter 2 Family Reunion

Jewel didn't hesitate, blurting out her agreement before Calvert could continue. ""Sure, I'm in.""

Calvert was taken aback. His scrutinizing gaze fell on her face, his brow furrowing. He wondered how this woman could agree so quickly, questioning if she knew his identity.

""Do you know who I am?"" he asked.

Jewel shook her head, unfazed. ""No, and frankly, I don't care to know."" She added, ""Whether I'm the Turner family's long-lost girl or not is irrelevant. I'm not interested in you, so I'd be happy to call off the engagement.""

She paused before continuing, ""But I'm guessing my agreement alone isn't enough to cancel it, right?""

Calvert's eyes narrowed, his gaze icy. He should have known there was a catch to her quick agreement. She had been waiting for this moment.

""I'll explain the situation to both families,"" he said, his voice laced with disdain. ""Just play along when the time comes.""

Jewel raised an eyebrow, readily agreeing. ""No problem. Now, can you leave?"" She was done with his stone-cold stare and frosty demeanor.

Calvert was stunned by her request, instantly thinking she was playing hard to get. 'Typical of a woman from a humble background - always with an ulterior motive,' he thought. As he looked at her, his disgust only deepened.

Seeing that he wasn't budging, Jewel turned her back on him and pulled out her phone. She texted: [Look into the Turner family for me and check on someone named Calvert Snider.]

As she was typing, she heard the door close. She sighed with relief. 'Thank God, that ice-cold man is finally gone,' she thought.

Just then, her phone rang.

""Jewel, are you okay?"" came a voice from the other end.

""I'm fine,"" Jewel replied reassuringly. ""Did you find anything?""

""Yeah, I did,"" the voice said. ""The Turner, Snider, Rowse, and Shelton families are known as the four major families of Riverstone. They're not just wealthy, but also incredibly influential. And Calvert is next in line to lead the Snider family.""

After listening to the rundown, Jewel asked, ""Is there a girl from the Turner family who went missing over twenty years ago?""

""I think there was something like that, but it seems to have been hushed up somehow.""

""Alright, got it.""

The next morning, the DNA test results confirmed it – Jewel was indeed the Turner family's long-lost girl. Overjoyed, Franklin immediately arranged a grand welcome party, and Jewel was officially renamed Ash Turner.

The day before the party, Ash's birth parents, Josh and Brooke Turner, rushed home, accompanied by a young woman around Ash's age.

""Ash, come meet your father and mother,"" Franklin said.

Ash walked over and politely greeted them. ""Dad, Mom.""

As soon as Josh and Brooke saw her, their eyes brimmed with tears.

""Is it really you, Ash?"" Brooke asked, her voice trembling. ""Oh, my dear, we've finally found you!"" She pulled Ash into a tight embrace, her voice choked with emotion.

But Ash didn't know how to react at the moment. Growing up with Lorelei and Dexter Moreno, she wasn't used to such affection. They had never been the huggy type, and Ash had always assumed it was because she wasn't good enough.

So she had pushed herself to excel, only to be met with lukewarm responses like, ""Isn't this what you're supposed to do?""

Now, she realized that people without blood ties would never truly be close.

Brooke cupped Ash's face, taking in her exquisite features. ""You've suffered all these years,"" she said, her teary eyes fixed on Ash, who was her mirror image.

Josh wiped away his own tears, his voice cracking as he said, ""It's wonderful to have you back, Ash. Truly.""

The family reunion was heartwarming, but one person stood out – the young woman who had returned with Josh and Brooke. Her gaze was fixed intently on Ash who could feel the weight of her stare.

As soon as Ash turned her head, their eyes locked, and she was struck by the girl's piercing gaze. It was like looking at the sharp edge of a knife.

Caught off guard by Ash's sudden attention, the girl quickly averted her eyes and, as if nothing had happened, approached with a smile. ""Hi, Ash, I'm Jade,"" she said, extending her hand.

But Ash didn't reciprocate. She just stared at Jade, her expression unreadable. Jade's smile faltered, and she awkwardly withdrew her hand.

Brooke jumped in to smooth things over. ""Ash, this is Jade, the daughter we adopted. She's your younger sister. You might not know her yet, but you'll get to know each other soon.""

Jade's smile returned, but it was clear that the word ""adopted"" had struck a nerve. All her years of effort had been reset in an instant by Ash's return.

Suddenly, a voice cut through the crowd, dripping with disdain. ""Hmph, people from humble backgrounds really have no manners,"" Caspian sneered, his eyes filled with contempt.

Ash turned to see who was speaking and spotted Caspian, his face twisted in disgust.

Jackson elbowed him, trying to silence him, but Caspian persisted. ""Am I wrong? Jade's been holding out her hand forever, and look at her attitude!""

Ash was taken aback by the sudden hostility. She hadn't expected to make enemies so quickly in her new family.

Jade explained, her voice smooth as silk, ""Caspian, Ash is just not used to our family customs yet. Don't be so harsh.""

But Caspian wouldn't relent. He sneered, ""I don't think it's about being used to it. Jade, you'd better watch out—"" His grandpa and parents cut him off before he could finish.

Jade quickly ran to Caspian's side, tugging at his clothes and shaking her head. Though Caspian fell silent, his face showed his discontent.

When the tension eased, Jade turned to Ash with a smile. ""Ash, don't mind him. Caspian has always been blunt, but he's a good person.""

""Oh,"" Ash said, her expression neutral, before turning to Franklin. ""Grandpa, I'd like to go back to my room now.""

Franklin nodded. ""Go ahead.""

After a quick word to her parents, Ash headed straight upstairs.

Franklin tapped his cane on the floor, his voice resolute. ""From now on, if anyone in this family dares to pick on Ash, don't blame me for losing my temper!""

*****

Upstairs, Ash was unfazed by the recent events. She sat at her computer, reviewing clothing designs submitted by her designers.

Suddenly, there was a knock at the door. Before Ash could respond, Jade had already pushed it open and walked in. ""Ash!""

""Did I say you could come in?"" Ash asked, her voice cold.

Jade, startled, quickly apologized. ""I'm sorry. I'm just used to that. I...""

Ash saw right through Jade's trick. She stood up, her eyes narrowing. ""Drop the act with me, Jade. I'm not interested in whatever game you're playing, got it?""

Ash appeared calm, but there was an undeniable air of authority in her every move.

Embarrassed, Jade pressed her lips together tightly. Just as she was fumbling for words, she spotted the clothing designs on the computer screen. ""Ash, do you like Dream Couture's clothes too? I'm a VIP there. I can have some sets sent over for you tomorrow.""

3.Chapter 3 Change

""No need,"" Ash said, dismissing Jade's offer. After all, she owned Dream Couture, so a few pieces of clothing were hardly worth mentioning.

But Jade persisted. ""It's no trouble. I'm going shopping with Calvert tomorrow anyway, so I can pick up a few outfits for you.""

""Are you done?"" Ash cut her off bluntly. ""I'm going to bed.""

Jade struggled to maintain her composure, but her expression betrayed her. ""Alright then. Sleep well,"" she said, her voice quavering.

Without looking back, Ash returned to her seat at her computer. ""Don't forget to close the door behind you,"" she said.

Jade bit her lip, glaring hatefully at Ash's back before leaving. In the hallway, she ran into Caspian, who was just returning to his room. In an instant, her expression changed completely.

""Jade, why are your eyes red? Did she mess with you again?"" Caspian demanded, about to storm into Ash's room.

Jade quickly grabbed his arm, her eyes brimming with tears. ""Caspian, I'm fine. Please don't confront Ash,"" she pleaded. ""She didn't mess with me. I just feel like she doesn't like me.""

Caspian ruffled her hair affectionately. ""So what if she doesn't? You're too good for her anyway. You don't need to try so hard to please her. You'll always be my precious little sister.""

""You're the best, Caspian,"" Jade cried, throwing herself into his arms as tears rolled down her cheeks.

Caspian comforted her tenderly, completely missing the terrifying gleam in her eyes as she stared at the closed door of Ash's bedroom.

The next morning, Ash rose early. She'd noticed irregularities in yesterday's reports and needed to visit Dream Couture's physical store. It was also a chance to pick up gifts for her newfound family.

As she descended the stairs, she encountered Jade and Brooke.

""Ash, are you going shopping?"" Jade asked, her voice saccharine. ""Calvert and I have plans - why don't you join us?""

Hearing this, Brooke's brow furrowed slightly. She cleared her throat, concern evident. ""I'd like to accompany you instead, Ash.""

Ash sensed Brooke was hinting at something but didn't want to get involved. Shaking her head, she said, ""No need, Mom. I'm just meeting a friend.""

""Alright then, have fun,"" Brooke said, producing a credit card and pressing it into Ash's hand. ""Here you go. No limit.""

""Thanks, Mom."" Ash accepted the card and then left.

Once Ash was out of earshot, Brooke fixed Jade with a pointed look. Her voice was low but firm. ""I know you're fond of Calvert, but Ash's return changes things. Your relationship with him needs to end.""

Jade's eyes widened in disbelief, her voice quavering. ""Mom, if you knew about my feelings for Calvert, why would you try to separate us?""

Brooke flashed Jade a smile, but her tone brooking no argument, ""Jade, even if Ash hadn't returned, you were never in contention for this marriage. Don't worry, I've raised you for eighteen years and won't let you down. But Calvert is off-limits.""

Jade bit her lip, nails digging into her palms. Despite her inner turmoil, she forced a smile. ""Got it, Mom.""

""You're always the sensible one, sweetheart. Alright, I'm off. See you tonight!"" With that, Brooke headed out.

As Brooke left, Jade's expression turned glacial, her eyes burning with barely concealed rage.

At Dream Couture's store, an employee greeted Ash. ""Hello, Boss.""

Ash glanced around, her tone softening as she recognized her friend. ""Drop the act, Bailey. Isn't today your day off?""

Bailey Field's shoulders sagged, her voice laced with frustration. ""Tracy switched shifts with me. I told her last week I had plans today, but she still scheduled me for this shift.""

""Is everything okay? Your mom isn't doing well?"" Ash asked, concerned.

Bailey nodded. ""She's having surgery today. I'm really worried about her.""

Ash plucked off Bailey's name tag and pressed it into her hand. ""Then why are you still here? Go. I'll cover for you.""

""Oh my god, you're the best boss ever! I owe you one,"" Bailey exclaimed, hugging Ash and planting a quick kiss on her cheek.

Ash wiped her face in mock disgust. ""Ugh, you got lipstick on me.""

Bailey grinned sheepishly, said a quick goodbye, and dashed out. Ash shook her head with a wry smile and turned to check on the store's recent limited-edition items.

Just then, a familiar voice reached her ears. ""Tristan, what do you think of this outfit? Does it look good on me?"" Samantha asked.

""It's pretty. Why don't you try it on?"" Tristan Ford replied gently. He called out, ""Excuse me, could we get this in her size to try on?""

As Ash approached, both Samantha and Tristan looked surprised to see her.

""Jewel? What are you doing here?"" Samantha asked, her voice dripping with disdain. Before Ash could respond, she continued, ""Don't tell me you're working as a sales clerk now?""

Ash's face turned icy, her blood-red lips curling into a chilling smile. ""Oh? Dropping the act already? I thought you'd at least try to keep up appearances in front of Tristan.""

Samantha's expression faltered, her eyes darting nervously.

Tristan quickly stepped in front of her protectively. ""Hey, Jewel, no need to be that harsh, okay?""

""What else did you expect? Oh, should I grovel at her feet with eternal gratitude?"" Ash laughed bitterly. She then turned to Samantha. ""FYI, Dream Couture's sales associates make more in a month than your two-month allowance. Not just anyone can work here, so what exactly are you looking down on?""

In fact, the employees here went through a rigorous selection process. Their etiquette often surpassed that of many upper-class families.

""Whatever. Just pick out an outfit for me. I'm attending the Turner family's welcome party tonight."" Samantha couldn't resist adding, ""You know, the event you were supposed to attend before you screwed up.""

Ash's lips twitched, her voice turning glacial. ""I'm surprised the Turner family even invited you two.""

""What's that supposed to mean? Our family has quite a reputation in Riverstone,"" Samantha began defensively.

""Is that so? I wasn't aware. Though I do know your family has quite the reputation for being shameless,"" Ash retorted coolly.

""What—"" Samantha sputtered, at a loss for words. She turned to Tristan, her eyes brimming with tears.

Tristan wrapped Samantha in his arms. ""Jewel, I know you hate Samantha because of me, but we're in love. Why make things difficult for yourself?""

He then added, ""Back then, when you pushed Samantha into the water and she nearly drowned, she still defended you. And now here you are, saying such vicious things to her. Jewel, when did you become like this?""

As Ash locked eyes with Tristan, her gaze landed on the crisp white shirt he was wearing. Memories came flooding back of the boy in the white shirt who had vowed to protect her no matter what, as they basked in the warm sunlight.

But life had a way of changing people, and the boy she once knew was now a distant memory - the man standing before her was a different story altogether.

Ash gazed at him for a long moment, a frosty smile playing at the corner of her lips. ""Tristan,"" she said, her voice level and cool, ""how many years were we together?""

4.Chapter 4 Five Years

Tristan hesitated, his eyes darting away from Ash's piercing gaze like a guilty man caught red-handed. ""Five years,"" he whispered.

Ash let out a bitter laugh. She couldn't believe that after all this time, Tristan's trust in her could be shattered so easily. She silently thanked Samantha for revealing Tristan's true colors.

""You really love Samantha, don't you?"" Ash asked, her voice deceptively calm as she watched Tristan's reaction.

""Yes, I do,"" he said, his tone laced with annoyance. ""What's your point, Jewel?""

Ash's laugh was cold and mocking, her eyes glinting with a mix of hurt and disdain. ""I hope you won't regret it.""

Tristan tightened his grip on Samantha's waist as he declared firmly, ""I'll never regret it!"" He then added with forced politeness, ""Now, can you help Samantha find a dress or not?""

Ash's face became an emotionless mask as she gestured around the store. ""The cheapest piece here costs seven figures. Are you sure you can afford it, Mr. Ford?""

As far as she knew, while Tristan's family was well-off, the luxury items here were still beyond his casual credit card swipes.

Tristan bristled at the jab but. Unwilling to lose face in front of Samantha, he pulled out his credit card with a flourish. ""That blue dress from earlier. We'll take it.""

""Certainly, sir. One moment."" Ash reached for the card with a smile.

Tristan's fingers gripped it tightly, but he reluctantly let it go after a brief tug-of-war with Ash.

Ash swiftly swiped the card through the POS machine and then handed it back to Tristan. ""Mr. Ford, your total comes to 590 thousand dollars. Here's your receipt.""

Samantha squealed with delight, clinging to Tristan's arm like a vine. ""Thank you so much, Tristan! You're the best!""

Tristan forced a smile despite the pain evident in his expression. ""Anything to make you happy,"" he murmured.

As soon as the couple was out of sight, Ash crumpled into a chair, her eyes glazing over. She knew she shouldn't waste her tears on Tristan, but the ache in her chest was a harsh reminder that she wasn't as immune to pain as she thought.

Betrayal had a way of cutting deep, no matter how tough you pretended to be - and Ash was no exception.

As she fought back tears, a shadow loomed over her. A handkerchief suddenly appeared in her line of sight, jolting her out of her thoughts.

When Ash realized the man standing before her was Calvert, her eyes widened in shock. ""What brings you here?"" she blurted out.

Today, he was dressed in a black suit that accentuated his refined and polished demeanor. There was an air of innate nobility about him that commanded attention, making it hard to look away.

""Dry your tears,"" he said, his voice low and gentle.

Seeing her brow furrow in confusion, Calvert quickly explained, his words spilling out in a rush, ""I don't usually eavesdrop, but I overheard your conversation. That guy's not worth your tears.""

Ash's tone was light, almost teasing, as she regained her composure. ""And what kind of guy is worth my tears, Mr. Snider?"" she asked, a hint of playfulness in her voice.

However, an awkward silence fell between them, the air thick with unspoken tension.

Calvert's face darkened, misinterpreting her words. ""Ms. Turner,"" he said stiffly, ""your grandfather will likely announce our engagement at tonight's welcome party. I hope you'll keep your promise to cooperate.""

Before Ash could respond, Calvert strode out of the store, leaving her staring after him in bewilderment. She shook her head, chuckling wryly, ""Did he really think I was talking about him? Talk about an inflated ego.""

Later that afternoon, Bailey returned with the good news about her mom's successful surgery. Ash, relieved, invited Bailey to the evening's party, deciding to be upfront about her new identity.

After picking out gifts for her parents and grandfather, Ash got dressed, applied her makeup, and headed to the venue with Bailey in tow.

As they arrived at the venue, Ash spotted Tristan, Samantha, and her adoptive parents near the entrance. Lorelei was gushing over Samantha's dress, praising Tristan's generosity in sweet tones.

""You know how good Tristan is to you, sweetie? Make sure you're on your best behavior tonight and try to befriend the new Turner girl,"" Lorelei said.

""I know, Mom,"" Samantha replied.

While chatting, Samantha noticed Ash first, her eyes widening in surprise. ""Mom, Dad,"" she called out, ""isn't that Jewel?""

Lorelei marched over, her face twisted in anger. ""Jewel, what are you doing here?"" she hissed, eyeing Ash's elegant dress. ""Where did you get that dress?""

Samantha gasped dramatically, ""Did you steal it from Dream Couture? How could you do that, Jewel? You're just a sales associate there.""

Lorelei's voice rose in pitch. ""Jewel, how dare you!""

""Watch your mouth!"" Bailey started to defend her friend, her fists clenched at her sides, but Ash held her back with a gentle touch. A small crowd had gathered, drawn by the commotion.

Dexter, mortified by the scene, snapped at Ash, his face red with embarrassment. ""Cut the drama and leave!""

Ash was baffled by their anger. It was as if she'd committed some terrible crime just by showing up.

Samantha chimed in a sugary voice, her eyes gleaming with false sympathy, ""Jewel, I know leaving our family upset you, but you can't crash events like this using our name. You don't belong here.""

""Get lost, now!"" Lorelei demanded, her patience wearing thin.

Just as Bailey was about to blow her top, a well-dressed man rushed out of the hotel. People nodded respectfully as he passed, murmuring greetings. He approached Ash's group and bowed slightly, his eyes locked on her.

""Miss,"" he said with a warm smile, ""everyone's been waiting. Please, come inside.""

Lorelei and Samantha eagerly stepped forward, their faces aglow with anticipation. ""Are you here to escort us in, sir?"" Lorelei asked.

Although they had no idea who he was talking about, they were sure of one thing—he definitely wasn't here for Jewel.

The man gave them a disdainful look, his lip curling slightly. ""Who are you? I'm here for this young lady,"" he said, gesturing to Ash.

Lorelei exclaimed, ""What? There must be some mistake.""

""I know exactly who I'm supposed to escort,"" the man said firmly, his tone leaving no room for argument.

Lorelei and Samantha stared at Ash in shock, their faces pale.

""Mom,"" Samantha whispered urgently, ""how does she know anyone from the Turner family? I heard Franklin has been a widower for years. You don't think Jewel has hooked up with..."" Her implication hung in the air, unspoken but clear.

Tristan's face darkened at Samantha's tactless words, his gaze fixed on Ash.

Catching wind of Samantha's nasty gossip, Ash stopped in her tracks and muttered something to the guy who'd shown up to escort her.

He nodded respectfully, his expression serious. ""Understood, Miss.""

Bailey, looking utterly lost after hearing Samantha's words, couldn't help but ask, ""Jewel, did you really...""

5.Chapter 5 Kidnapping

Bailey bit back the words that were about to spill out. She reminded herself that Ash, as the owner of Dream Couture, was likely to rub shoulders with high-society people.

Shaking her head, she chided herself, ""No way, you're not that kind of person.""

Ash chuckled, playfully pinching Bailey's cheek. ""You know me too well. Otherwise, you might've fallen for Samantha's drama.""

Afraid of offending her friend, Bailey quickly apologized, ""I'm sorry, Jewel. I shouldn't have doubted you.""

""It's fine,"" Ash interrupted gently. ""We've been friends for years. But from now on, don't call me Jewel anymore, okay?""

Before Bailey could wrap her head around this, the Turner family's butler approached with a slight bow. ""Miss Turner, Mr. Franklin Turner requests your presence.""

""Okay,"" Ash replied and had someone look after Bailey.

Even after Ash walked away, Bailey was still floored - the bombshell that Jewel was actually the Turner family's young lady left her head spinning.

Meanwhile, outside the hotel, the Moreno family's earlier scene had left them feeling embarrassed, with sharp gazes cutting into them from all sides. Heads hung low, they tried to enter the venue but were stopped by security.

Lorelei, already fuming, lost it. ""What do you mean we can't enter? We're on the guest list!""

The man who had escorted Ash inside earlier came out, a slight smirk on his face. ""You offended our young lady. That's why you're not welcome at today's party.""

He summoned more security to surround them, instructing, ""If they try to force their way in, throw them out on the spot.""

Red-faced, the Morenos hightailed it out of there. Dexter slunk back to their car while Samantha looked on with green eyes as Ash waltzed into the grand hall, admirers in tow.

In a fit of frustration, Samantha stomped her foot, losing her balance. With a cry of pain, she tumbled over, her 590-thousand-dollar dress tearing on the rough pavement. Her anger towards Ash intensified as she realized her chance to show off was ruined before it even began.

*****

As the party reached its peak, Franklin took the stage to speak. Just as he wrapped up introducing Ash and she started heading for the stage, the lights suddenly went out.

Chaos broke out in the darkness. Screams and shouts filled the air as people stumbled around in a panic.

Ash, pushed around by the scared crowd, tried to make her way to her grandfather. Out of nowhere, a strong hand grabbed her wrist and pulled her away.

Before she could react, she was being led through the darkness by someone who seemed to know the hotel inside and out.

When the lights flickered back on, the ballroom was a mess. Franklin, shaken up by the commotion, had been taken upstairs to rest.

Brooke was the first to notice Ash was missing. ""Where's Ash?"" she asked, her voice shaky.

They looked everywhere, but Ash was nowhere to be found. Caspian grumbled, ""She's probably never dealt with anything like this before. Who knows where she's hiding?""

""Shut up,"" Josh snapped, smacking Caspian's head. ""Keep looking. If your grandpa finds out about this, you're in hot water."" He added as he turned to Lachlan, ""Get someone to show the guests out.""

Brooke stood off to the side, on the verge of tears. ""My dear Ash,"" she whispered, ""I've only just found you. Are you leaving me again?""

Jade, unable to stand seeing Brooke so upset, tried to comfort her. ""Mom, don't worry. I'm sure she's okay.""

""Of course you're not worried. She's not your daughter!"" Brooke snapped, immediately regretting her words but too upset to apologize.

Jade flinched, her expression a complex mix of emotions.

Calvert, standing behind her, gave her shoulder a gentle squeeze. ""Why don't you go check on your grandpa? There's not much more you can do here.""

Jade nodded, giving Calvert a quick hug. ""I'm so glad I have you, Calvert,"" she murmured.

*****

As the last guests cleared out, Ash was still nowhere to be found. Even the security cameras drew a blank on her exit.

Calvert, puffing away thoughtfully, figured hotel staff must've had a hand in it. His eyes landed on a bracelet tossed in the corner—one he kinda remembered Ash wearing. It was lying near a staff-only door which was left slightly open, backing up his hunch.

At first, Calvert thought about letting the Turners deal with the mess. He was gonna call off the engagement soon anyway. But then Jade popped into his mind. If Ash didn't turn up tonight, tomorrow's news would paint Jade as the suspect.

For Jade's sake, he decided to poke around, clutching the bracelet as he made for the staff-only door.

*****

Meanwhile, Ash came to in a moving car, her head fuzzy from whatever they'd doped her with. As she shook off the fog, the bumpy ride told her they were heading to the boonies.

When she tried the door, the man beside her pressed a knife to her throat. His breath was hot on her ear as he growled, ""Stay put.""

Ash tensed up, her mind in overdrive. ""Who are you? What's this about?"" she asked, fighting to keep her voice level.

The man sneered. ""You know damn well. The Turner family's princess must be worth a pretty penny. Play nice, and you won't get hurt.""

His words set off alarm bells—how did he know she was the Turner family's young lady when it wasn't public knowledge? This reeked of an inside job. Ash let out a chilly laugh that caught her captor off guard.

""What's so funny?"" he snarled, pressing the knife closer.

""How much did she pay you?"" Ash asked coolly.

""Mind your own business!"" the man spat.

Ash raised her hands in apparent surrender. As the man eased up, she turned to face him. ""I'll triple your pay to let me walk,"" she offered, her voice low and tempting.

The man scoffed. ""Cut the crap! You just returned to the Turner family. Where would you get that kind of cash?""

""We're in the middle of nowhere,"" Ash pointed out, her voice taking on a sultry edge. ""If I'm bluffing, you two can easily take me down. Right?""

Her half-smirk and tempting gaze set the man's pulse racing. He grinned sleazily, lowering his knife.

In that split second, Ash pounced. Quick as a flash, she grabbed the weapon and held it to his throat. ""Pull over. Now!"" she ordered, her voice icy and firm.

Matthew Levine once said his mother, Amelia Levine, was a very difficult woman. So after eight years together, Evangeline Reyes had never met his parents. To win over Amelia, Evangeline pretended to be a staff member and staged a chance encounter. It worked. They hit it off and became unlikely friends despite the age gap. Just as she finally worked up the courage to tell the truth, Amelia suddenly said, "You know what? My son, who's been hopeless with women, is getting married." Evangeline's heart skipped a beat. She was about to speak when she saw a photo of Matthew with an unfamiliar woman. "Mattie insisted on marrying her," Amelia went on. "Said if it wasn't her, he'd never marry in this lifetime. "Take a look for me—what do you think of this girl?" In the photo, he tilted his head slightly, eyes full of affection as he looked at the girl in his arms. And the girl nestled against him, happiness written all over her face. They looked perfect together. Evangeline stared, disbelief flooding her face. Her fingers trembled. She couldn't believe what she was seeing. Her mind flashed back to that very morning. Matthew had pulled her into his arms, nuzzling her neck, whispering against her ear. The next second, Amelia's voice pulled Evangeline back to reality. "I didn't agree at first. He'd never even dated before—then suddenly he brings someone home and says he's getting married. It shocked me." "But later I found out this Nicole and Mattie were high school classmates. He had a crush on her back then. But she was focused on her studies and went abroad after graduation. He refused to date all these years—he was waiting for her. "That silly boy flew abroad every single month just to see her. He kept it up for eight years and finally won her over. The moment he did, he brought her home, afraid she might regret it." Amelia swiped through more photos. Each one was hard proof that Matthew was seeing another. Evangeline's face went pale. She stepped back, no longer able to hold herself together. Memories surfaced from their eight years together. Matthew never posted her on Instagram and never introduced her to his family or friends. She couldn't even drop by his office without scheduling it in advance. She had complained and argued with him about it. But he always answered calmly, "I don't post much on Instagram. "As for my friends, you know my background. Most of them are spoiled rich kids. They mess around and don't respect women. I don't want you dealing with that. "And work has to stay professional. I don't want personal matters affecting the company." Eventually, Evangeline let it go. In the past two years, she had hinted more than once about marriage. But Matthew told her, "My mother is very strict. She's picky about who I marry. I don't want you getting hurt. Can you wait two more years?" So, she waited and waited. What she got instead was news that he was marrying someone else. Evangeline felt like a complete fool. She didn't hear anything else Amelia said, then made up an excuse and left. On the ride home, she opened Nicole Houston's Instagram account that Amelia had sent her. The very first post announced an upcoming wedding. The photo showed Matthew on one knee, slipping a ring onto Nicole's finger. The caption read, "So someone really would spend eight years waiting for me." Evangeline continued scrolling. Every post showed things Matthew had done with Nicole. Three months ago, on Evangeline's birthday, he had been with Nicole, taking in the view of the Alps. Six months ago, when Evangeline was hospitalized after a car accident, he had been in Santorini watching the sunset with Nicole. One year ago, while Evangeline poured everything into planning a proposal, Matthew was under the northern lights in Iceland, confessing his love to Nicole for the 999th time. Even earlier, they were caught in a shooting on the streets of London. Matthew had shielded Nicole with his body and taken a bullet for her. Evangeline still remembered when he was rushed back on a medical flight, his clothes stained with blood. She had been terrified. She stayed by his side day and night, crying and begging him not to work himself so hard. She had always believed he traveled abroad every month for work and that he missed important holidays because he was too busy. Now, it all seemed laughable. Her vision blurred with tears. Evangeline stepped out of the cab and looked at the home that once felt warm and safe. She pushed open the door. Matthew was in the kitchen cooking. Her favorite barbecue ribs sat on the table. "You're back, honey? Go wash your hands. Dinner's ready." Evangeline didn't move. Matthew came out carrying baked salmon and gently stroked her head. "What's wrong? Your eyes are red. Did someone upset you?" Evangeline opened the wedding photo. "Should I be congratulating you?" she asked. Chapter 2 The room fell completely silent. The moment Matthew saw the photo, his gaze turned cold. He pushed his glasses up and said in a flat tone, "So you know." Evangeline couldn't believe how calm he was. "You're not going to explain?" He pulled out a chair, sat down, and ladled himself a bowl of soup. "Well, as you can see, I'm getting married." He sounded like he was talking about the weather. Evangeline snapped. She slapped the bowl from his hand. "What about me? What do you take me for?" What about the eight years she'd given him? Seeing the tears welling in her eyes, he finally sighed and pulled her into his arms. "Evie, I wasn't planning to tell you. I knew you wouldn't accept it. "But this is how things are now. You don't really have a choice. "Don't worry. Even after I get married, nothing between us has to change. "I'll buy you a villa. You'll have the best staff, housekeeper, nanny, and driver. As long as you don't cause trouble in front of Nicole, you can do whatever you want." Matthew's tone stayed gentle, the same as always. Evangeline bit her lip hard. "You want me to be your mistress?" He frowned slightly and stroked her hair. "With me around, no one would dare call you that." Her heart turned cold. She placed a hand over her lower abdomen, voice hollow. "Do you know why I've been pushing so hard to get married?" He looked confused. Just as he was about to ask, his phone rang. The moment he answered, he jumped to his feet and rushed toward the door. "Where are you? I'm coming right now!" Matthew moved so fast that he knocked into Evangeline. Her already slender frame hit the floor hard, and shards of broken porcelain dug into her leg. He didn't even look back. He walked straight out. Blood seeped from the cut, but it hurt far less than her chest. Inside her coat pocket was her pregnancy test report. She was four weeks pregnant. She'd planned to surprise him. But now, there was no point. That night, Evangeline sat by the window until morning. Nicole's Instagram was updated again. She'd gotten into a road accident. Matthew rushed over to handle it and stayed with her all night. At dawn, Evangeline sent him a message. "Let's break up." Then, she started packing. They had lived in this place for five years. Every corner held memories. She took nothing except a few essentials. When she was about to leave, Amelia called. Amelia's voice was cheerful. "The weather's perfect today. Come shopping with me. That new mall I told you about just opened." When Evangeline heard Amelia's voice again, bitterness was all that remained in her heart. Their time together had been real. If she was leaving, she at least wanted to say goodbye properly. With that in mind, Evangeline replied, "Okay." When she arrived, she saw two people standing behind Amelia. They were Matthew and Nicole. Evangeline turned to leave, but Amelia called her back. She introduced them with bright enthusiasm. "This is Evie, the one I told you about. This is my son and his fiancée. Perfect timing. I'll introduce you all." Matthew's eyes landed on her, a clear warning in them. Evangeline ignored the dull ache in her chest and forced a small smile. "They're picking out a wedding dress today. You young people have better taste. Help them choose." Amelia pulled her toward the bridal boutique. A dull ache spread across her chest. Inside, Nicole stepped out in a wedding gown. Matthew changed into a suit. Standing together, they looked like something out of a fairy tale. Nicole smiled at Evangeline. "What do you think?" Evangeline swallowed the pain and nodded. "It's beautiful. "You look great together." Matthew frowned slightly. He studied Evangeline's face and saw nothing unusual. Then, he remembered the message she'd sent that morning, and irritation flared. He wrapped an arm around Nicole. Lowering his head, he deliberately brushed against her neck while adjusting her zipper. They stood very close. The intimacy was obvious. Even the sales associates covered their faces, blushing. Evangeline's face turned paler and paler. She couldn't watch anymore. Holding her chest, she rushed to the restroom. After a violent wave of dry heaving, someone grabbed her wrist. The familiar scent of pine closed in as Matthew forced her into the corner. "Why have you been secretly approaching my mother?" Chapter 3 Evangeline instinctively tried to pull away, but Matthew pinned her in place, forcing her to tilt her head back and meet his eyes. "Why have you been contacting my mother behind my back?" he pressed. Her eyes reddened. What could she say? That she wanted to marry him, so she shamelessly approached Amelia and did everything she could to become part of his family? It would sound pathetic. Evangeline bit her lip and refused to answer. He let out a short laugh, released her, and said, "You're the same as always. You shut down whenever you're upset." He stroked her head gently. "Don't overthink it. Even if I marry someone else, nothing between us will change. "But Nicole doesn't know who you are. Be more careful around her. Don't let her find out." Matthew was using the same gentle tone, but now it only made her feel cold all over. Nicole's voice came from behind them. "Mattie?" He immediately stepped back, putting distance between them, then walked away as if nothing had happened. Evangeline's stomach churned again. She braced herself against the sink and gagged. Nicole walked in. When she saw Evangeline vomiting, surprise flickered in her eyes, then disappeared. "Ms. Reyes, is it fun being the mistress?" Evangeline looked up in shock. Nicole's refined features tightened with faint disdain. "You really think I don't know about you and Mattie?" At that moment, a chill ran through Evangeline. She had thought Nicole might have been misled and might not even have known she existed. But now, it was clear Nicole knew everything. Evangeline forced a sarcastic smile. "If you know that much, you should know who the mistress really is, then." Nicole didn't care. She replied, "The one who isn't loved is the mistress. "Mattie is only killing time with you. I'm the one he truly loves. "I kept rejecting him, so he settled for you as my substitute. You're just a toy. "Now that I'm back, you're the mistress." Nicole spoke with complete confidence. Evangeline had no interest in arguing with someone like her and tried to leave. Nicole grabbed her arm. "If you don't believe me, let's find out who Mattie actually cares about more. You or me." At that, she pulled a lighter from her bag and set the hallway carpet on fire. Flames spread instantly. Evangeline stared at her. "You're insane!" Nicole's gaze dropped to her stomach, eyes dark with malice. "If I'm not mistaken, you're pregnant. "I'm not letting you keep that illegitimate child..." She suddenly shoved Evangeline toward the fiercest part of the flames. The flames surged toward Evangeline, and she let out a startled scream. The next second, Matthew burst in, grabbed her, and pulled her into his arms. Clutching her aching lower abdomen, she was about to speak. Just then, Nicole cried out behind her, "Mattie, save me!" Without hesitation, Matthew released Evangeline and rushed toward Nicole. "Nikki's health is fragile. You've always been strong. I'll save her first." Ignoring the danger, he picked Nicole up and ran for the exit. Smoke filled the air, quickly blocking everything from view. Evangeline struggled to breathe. Sharp pain kept stabbing her lower abdomen, and she felt warm blood slowly soaking through between her legs. She was so desperate that she couldn't even call for help. She didn't know how much time had passed before she woke up in a hospital bed. The doctor told her, "You lost the baby." Evangeline lay in bed as tears slipped silently down her face, grief tearing through her. Matthew sat beside the bed with dark circles under his eyes. "Why didn't you tell me you were pregnant? "And why would you do something like setting a fire and hurting yourself?" Evangeline stared at him in disbelief. "You think I started the fire?" He looked at her, disappointed. "The investigation is over. It was arson. "You and Nikki were the only ones there. "She told me you threatened her and demanded she leave me. When she refused, you set the fire. "Evangeline, how did you become like this?" He spoke as if deeply disappointed. Evangeline felt nothing but absurdity. "You believe her that easily?" Matthew replied firmly, "Nikki is kind. Her arm was burned, and she didn't even care. She kept speaking up for you and told me not to pursue it. "You've really disappointed me." At that, he turned and left. Evangeline lay there, staring blankly at his back as tears fell one by one. She should have understood long ago. When it came to life and death, the only person he cared about was Nicole. Of course, he wouldn't believe Evangeline. His heart had always belonged to Nicole. Evangeline placed a hand over her now-empty lower abdomen and finally broke down, sobbing. She had been wrong. She'd loved the wrong man. Chapter 4 Matthew never came again. The nurses noticed Evangeline was always alone. Their expressions softened with sympathy. Some whispered to each other, "Ms. Reyes came in the same day as the woman next door. Both were in the fire. The other patient's boyfriend shows up every day, brings different meals, and takes care of her with extreme care. "Ms. Reyes hasn't had a single visitor. Same situation, but totally different outcome." Evangeline listened as they talked about how attentive he was to Nicole, how careful he was, and how he treated her like something precious. The pain in her chest had long since gone numb. The day she was discharged, she moved out of the home she'd shared with him for five years. Then, she started wrapping up her remaining work. She had studied architecture for seven years. After graduating, she worked for two years at one of the top studios in the country. Now, she was an independent designer. To make a name for herself, she entered one of the industry's most prestigious architecture competitions. She had already reached the finals. All that remained was the final result, a closing chapter to years of effort. But when she opened the competition website, she saw Nicole's name under her design. Nicole had taken her work and won first place. Evangeline's mind went blank. She immediately called the competition organizers. The response was blunt. "We've verified it. The project titled 'Returning Home' was submitted by Ms. Houston. As for your entry, it's been flagged for plagiarism. After review, your qualification has been revoked, and you've been permanently banned from future competitions." She opened the industry forum. The entire thread was about her plagiarism scandal. A former colleague called her. "Evie, what's going on with those plagiarism accusations? You didn't actually copy someone, did you? "It's already spreading across the industry. If it's not true, you need to clear it up fast, or you won't be able to work in this field anymore." Evangeline's hand trembled as she gripped the phone. "Returning Home" was something she spent six full months drafting by hand at home. Matthew knew every sketch and every design detail. The only person who could've had the complete set of drawings was him. Her blood ran cold. She went to Matthew and confronted him. "Why did you give my work to someone else?" Matthew answered calmly, "Nicole just returned to the country. She needed this competition to build her reputation." He sounded like it was the most natural thing in the world. Evangeline bit her lip, voice trembling. "So you just used my work? "Matthew, that was my life's work! This competition meant everything to me! What you did is plagiarism!" The word made his expression turn cold. "The competition is over, and the official announcement is out. Saying this now won't change anything. "And besides, you nearly seriously injured Nicole when you set that fire. I only used a few of your drawings. Consider it your apology to her." Evangeline almost laughed in disbelief. "An apology? "I didn't start that fire. Why should I apologize? "I'm not letting this go." At that, she turned and walked away. Even if Matthew had all her original drawings, her unique vision for the project, the material she'd gathered during site research, and years of groundwork behind it weren't something anyone else could replicate. She would submit everything to the committee and demand a reinvestigation. She would clear her name. She was driving to the organizers' office when a vehicle suddenly sped toward her from the side. There was a loud crash. The impact threw her body upward. Her head slammed hard against the glass, and the world spun. Warm liquid ran over her eyelids, and everything turned red. In the last second before she lost consciousness, she looked through the window at the driver of the SUV that hit her. It was Nicole. Chapter 5 On the chaotic street, Nicole gripped the steering wheel, trembling uncontrollably as she called Matthew. "Mattie, I got into an accident. Come help me." Ten minutes later, he arrived. When he saw Evangeline trapped in the wrecked car, bleeding heavily, his pupils tightened. "Evie! "How did this happen? Call an ambulance now!" Nicole's hands trembled as she sobbed. "Mattie, I didn't mean to. I was just scared. I didn't mean to. Don't blame me. Please don't blame me..." He pulled her into his arms. "Don't be afraid. I'll handle everything," he said. Then, he glanced at Evangeline on the ground, guilt flickering in his eyes. When Evangeline woke up, a week had passed. She had multiple fractures and a head injury. After several surgeries, she was finally out of danger. Matthew sat beside her bed. Dark circles lined his eyes, and stubble shadowed his jaw. When he saw her awake, relief flooded his face. "Evie, you're finally awake. How do you feel?" He gripped her hand tightly, as if afraid she might disappear. The doctor came to check her. "Her vitals look good. As long as she rests, she should recover." Only then did Matthew ease up, gripping her hand as if afraid something might still happen. Evangeline pulled it away. "It was Nicole, wasn't it?" she asked. He fell silent. Her lips trembled as tears slid down her face. "Where's the evidence I was going to submit to the committee?" Pain flashed in Matthew's eyes. "Evie, you just woke up. Don't worry about that right now." Summoning what little strength she had left, Evangeline shoved him away. "She almost killed me, Matthew! "I could've died!" She looked at the man she had loved for eight years. Grief and resentment filled her eyes. "You gave her my work to build her career. Then, you let her run me off the road. "Matthew, how did I ever fall for you..." Evangeline cried silently, struggling to breathe. "I'm not letting this go. "The person who hurt me will pay for it." Matthew sighed, guilt in his expression, but his tone stayed firm. "Evie, it's useless. I won't let you hurt Nicole." When she saw the resolve in his eyes, something clicked. "What are you saying?" He replied, "I burned the evidence you collected. "The competition's over. The committee's already disbanded. The ownership of 'Returning Home' won't be disputed again. "As for the driver who hit you, the police have already arrested a drunk driver. The case is closed. The accident has nothing to do with Nicole. Even if you appeal after you're discharged, it won't change anything." Evangeline's eyes widened. Every word felt like it was cutting straight into her. Her blood seemed to turn cold. Tears fell, but she started laughing. She laughed so hard it hurt. "Matthew, you actually went this far for her." She had overestimated herself. Her tears soaked the pillow. The pain tore through her wounds, and the monitors beside the bed began beeping. Matthew snapped back to attention and hurried to comfort her. "Evie, I know you're upset, but Nicole didn't mean it. She was just scared. "I'll make it up to you. You like kids, don't you? You wanted a child, right? "I'll give you a child. We can go back to how things were, okay?" Evangeline said nothing. She simply closed her eyes, numb. She thought, "Matthew, nothing's the same anymore. "There's no going back." Chapter 6 After that, Matthew really did act like things had gone back to how they used to be. He cooked for her every day. He brought small gifts to the hospital to keep her entertained. Afraid she'd get bored, he downloaded her favorite shows onto a tablet and brought the books she liked. He even acted like a full-time caregiver. He wiped her down, helped with the bedpan, and accompanied her to physical therapy without complaint. Even the nurses praised him. "Your boyfriend treats you so well. I've worked here for years, and I've never seen a man this attentive." Evangeline just curled her lips in a faint, self-mocking smile. That day, after finishing rehab, she returned to the ward and immediately felt something was off. People in the hallway were looking at her strangely. Even the nurse who usually chatted with her now looked at her with open contempt. When it was time for her IV, the nurse jabbed the needle roughly and missed several times. Evangeline inhaled sharply in pain. "Maybe try the other hand?" The nurse sneered. "You got yourself beaten into the hospital for being the mistress, and you're worried about a little pain?" Evangeline stared at her, confused. "What mistress?" The nurse shoved her hand aside. "It's all over the internet. You're the homewrecker. "That guy who kept visiting you is your affair partner, right? He has a girlfriend, and you still tried to break them up. You're shameless!" The words stabbed into Evangeline's chest. She opened her phone with her trembling hands. The top trending topic was about her. "Rising designer caught in plagiarism scandal, then exposed for breaking up someone else's relationship." The internet was flooded with insults. Someone had even leaked her phone number and home address. In just minutes, her phone was flooded with calls. Evangeline accidentally answered one call. The moment it connected, she was met with vicious insults. Then, her younger sister, Cindy Reyes, called, sobbing uncontrollably. "Evie, what's going on online? Why are they saying you're the mistress? "Someone came to our house. Dad saw everything and had a heart attack. Come back now!" Her head rang, and the world spun. Ignoring her still-healing body, she grabbed her crutch and took a cab to the hospital, where her father, Darren Reyes, was. When she saw him lying pale on the bed, hair completely white, her chest tightened in pain. How had things turned out like this? Evangeline's eyes reddened, and she trembled, barely daring to reach out. Cindy choked back tears. "Evie, what's happening? Weren't you with Mattie for eight years? How did you suddenly become the mistress?" Evangeline bit her lip hard as tears fell. She knew exactly who did it. It must be Nicole. She turned and left, found Nicole, and slapped her hard. The next second, Matthew appeared and pulled Nicole behind him. "Evangeline, what are you doing?" Evangeline's eyes were red, voice hoarse. "Do you know what she's done?" He frowned. He had heard about the rumors online. He had also just learned about Darren's heart attack, too. But so what? "Your father's situation was caused by internet trolls. It has nothing to do with Nicole. She didn't expect this to happen either. "I'll arrange the best doctors for him, but that's not a reason for you to hit her. "Apologize to Nikki now!" Evangeline laughed like she'd heard the most ridiculous joke. "You want me to apologize to her? "If she hadn't spread those lies online, my father wouldn't have had a heart attack. "If anything happens to him, she's responsible. And you want me to apologize to her?" Matthew's expression darkened. "Your dad isn't dead, is he? "And Nicole only posted a few things online because she was jealous. Do you really need to make such a big deal out of it?" He grabbed Evangeline's arm, forcing her to bow toward Nicole. "Get on your knees and apologize. If you do, I'll let this go." Evangeline bit her lip stubbornly and refused. Nicole spoke softly, pretending to be generous. "It's fine, Mattie. Ms. Reyes probably acted on impulse. I don't blame her." Hearing that only made Matthew angrier. He shoved Evangeline away, and she hit the ground hard. "Fine. You won't apologize, right? "Evangeline, you'd better stay this stubborn forever!" After saying that, he turned and left. She lay on the ground, pain shooting through her leg, but it was nothing compared to the pain in her chest. When she returned to the hospital, Darren was still unconscious. The doctor said all they could do now was wait and see. Evangeline finally broke down, collapsing beside the bed and sobbing. The next day, when she tried to pay the hospital bill, the doctor said, "This card's frozen. Do you have another one?" She froze. The card belonged to Darren. How could it be frozen? She used her own card to pay, then prepared to make some calls when Darren's friend, Caleb Blevins, called. "Evie, did your dad offend someone? The company's been shut down. I asked around. It looks like the Levine Group is behind it. "What happened? How did he anger someone that powerful?" Evangeline's face went pale. It was Matthew. He had shut down Darren's company. After her mother died, Darren raised Cindy and her alone, surviving on that small renovation business. Now the company was sealed, and all assets under Darren's name were frozen. Cindy was still in school, and Darren needed expensive treatment. Only then did Evangeline understand what Matthew meant when he left. He was driving her into a dead end. Chapter 7 Her phone chimed. It was a video. Evangeline tapped it open, and the moment she realized what she was seeing, her hands started trembling. It was a video of Cindy being held hostage. The world tilted. She forced herself to stay standing and immediately called Matthew. "Let Cindy go. Please. "I'll do anything. Just let her go. She's still a minor." In that moment, nothing else mattered. She let go of her pride and dignity. She only wanted Cindy to be safe. But the voice on the other end was Nicole. "Ms. Reyes, an apology should be sincere. Saying a few words over the phone doesn't count. You should come in person." Evangeline understood. She hung up and rushed to the address Nicole gave her. Only when she arrived did she realize there was a party going on. Matthew stood with Nicole in his arms, looking at her coldly. "Do you admit your mistakes?" Evangeline lowered her head, biting her lip until it hurt. "Yes." Evangeline dropped to her knees. "I shouldn't have hit her. It was my fault. Please let Cindy go." Rain lashed her face, but Evangeline ignored the way she looked and the whispers around her. She shuffled forward on her knees, throwing away every shred of dignity as she begged him, "Please. Let Cindy go. She's still a student. She's not even an adult yet." Something flickered in Matthew's eyes, and he was about to speak. Nicole curled her lips into a smile. "If you want my forgiveness, it's simple. Kneel here all night. "There's a party inside tonight, and there are a lot of people. If anyone asks why you're kneeling here, you have to admit you shamelessly acted as a mistress and came to make amends. "Can you do that?" Her voice carried through the video still playing on the tablet. On the other end, her bound sister suddenly shouted, "Evie, don't listen to her! You didn't do anything wrong! Don't admit it!" The video cut off. Evangeline panicked. "I'll do it. I'll do whatever you want! Just let my sister go." The rain kept getting heavier. The party inside went on while she knelt alone in the courtyard. At first, some people tried to help. They offered umbrellas and tried to pull her up. But each time, she repeated mechanically, "I broke up someone's relationship. I'm the mistress. I deserve this. I'm here to make amends." Eventually, no one tried anymore. Instead, people started secretly taking photos. Some even recorded videos. Evangeline knew what would happen after tonight. She would become the woman everyone condemned. Wherever she went, people would recognize her from the videos and call her a shameless homewrecker. But she didn't care. She only wanted Cindy to be safe. By morning, her legs were completely numb. Only then did Matthew finally give her an address. Ignoring the pain in her injured legs, she rushed to the outskirts by cab. When she arrived at the abandoned factory, she saw torn clothing scattered across the floor. Cindy lay on the ground, barely breathing. In that moment, Evangeline nearly broke. By the time she got Cindy to the hospital, she felt like a walking shell. The doctor spoke gravely, "The patient was assaulted by multiple individuals. She has a pelvic fracture, extensive bruising, internal tearing, and severe bleeding..." Evangeline's ears rang. She felt the world spinning, and she almost passed out. But she couldn't fall. She was all Cindy had left. She had to take good care of Cindy. Clinging to that thought, she forced herself to keep going. When she returned from the cafeteria with food, she saw blood all over the bed. Cindy had slit her wrists. Evangeline couldn't take it anymore and blacked out. When she woke, the doctor said softly, "I'm sorry. Your sister didn't make it." Evangeline lay numb on the hospital bed. It felt like a hole had been torn open in her chest, hollow and strangely painless. She couldn't even cry. Cindy, her sister, who had clung to her since childhood, and the one who always took her side no matter what happened, had been killed by a group of animals because of her. Suddenly, Evangeline struggled to breathe. She hated herself so much that she felt like she might suffocate. The heart monitor beside her bed started beeping. The doctor rushed in and injected a sedative. He said gently, "I know you're devastated about your sister, but you have to stay strong. Your father still needs you. "He's awake now, but he needs someone to care for him. If you collapse, what will he do?" Evangeline turned toward the ward next door, grief filling her eyes. Just as the doctor said, Darren had regained consciousness. But the heart attack had left him partially paralyzed. He couldn't even eat or drink without help. From the hospital bed, Darren slowly reached out and clumsily wiped the tears from her face. Then, he made a few slurred sounds. Evangeline understood. He was trying to comfort her and telling her to keep living. She couldn't hold it in anymore. She broke down and sobbed. A week later, Evangeline completed Darren's discharge paperwork. She held Cindy's funeral, packed everything up, and prepared to leave. Just before she left, her phone rang. It was a message from Matthew. "Done throwing your tantrum yet? It's been a week. What exactly are you trying to do?" "I just asked you to apologize. Is that really such a big deal?" Evangeline calmly turned off the phone. She wiped the data and tossed it into the river. With a dull splash, the phone carrying eight years of their relationship sank into the rushing water and disappeared. Evangeline pushed Darren's wheelchair into the airport. From this moment on, she wanted nothing more to do with Matthew. Next Chapter