(Eve’s POV)“I thought you went home already.” My voice almost didn’t come out. I immediately picked up my clothes and stepped back. “Please don’t come in.”Callahan sighed and closed the door behind him.“This is my office, Eve. Don’t forget that,” he said, still walking in my direction.“Stop,” I croaked, feeling my defense melting.Callahan did halt but in front of me. Then, he leaned forward to pick up the car key on the side table.“Oh,” I murmured, realizing why he returned to the office.I swallowed hard when his eyes returned to my face and slowly lowered his gaze. I craned my neck, pinning my eyes on the elegant, linear pattern of the ceiling.Callahan gasped and lightly touched my arm. “Did I do this?”“Did what?” I asked curiously, looking at the still visible mark of his and Millicent’s grip on a day that didn’t matter anymore. “Ah,” I pursed my lips, unsure why it left marks on me when it was not supposed to exist or happen.I tilted my head, seeing the horror in his eyes
(Eve’s POV)“Jessy?” I murmured.My heart continued to thump, lost and confused as I stared at Callahan. He ended the call, not asking if I still wanted to talk to my daughter.He sighed, put his phone back in his pocket, and gently held my face. “You can relax now, Eve. Rudy saw her in the lobby. He’s bringing her here. What happened at home?”Home? I blinked the tears away, sad that Callahan made it sound like he was part of it. I opened my mouth, but no words came out. How could I explain that my daughter hated me because she saw me kissing Wyatt, and despite his lie, she knew what happened in the basement?The soft knocks were my cue to ease back, and I sighed in relief when Callahan let me go. When I opened the door, Rudy smiled softly and looked over his shoulder enough to tell me my daughter was in my working area.“Thank you, Rudy,” I murmured and walked past him. “Jessy -”Jessy was in my seat, facing my computer monitor. I grabbed the backrest and turned the swivel chair whe
(Eve’s POV)“Mommy, are you alright?” Cooper asked, taking my eyes away from my cell phone.My lips curved into a smile, and I nodded curtly to assure him I was okay. I returned my phone to my bag and pressed the small remote to open Moira’s car. With the gasoline price spiking almost weekly, I never considered using her Honda Civic. Five children would not fit there anyway.“Of course, she’s not okay,” Theo sighed, getting into the backseat. “She just told Mr. Barclay she’s feeling under the weather.”I did not mean to call in sick, but I was really mad at him after what Callahan did yesterday. My daughters could still be with me if he did not interfere with my life. I was not selfish, but I was sure Marcus had his reasons for not wanting the girls to come to her.“Where’s Rosie and Jessy?” Isabella asked, playing the buckle of her seatbelt.“Stop doing that, Isabella,” Cooper said when he entered the car. He looked over his shoulder and grinned at his younger brother and sister. “Wh
(Cal’s POV)Bob entered the office and dashed to the couch, moaning in relief as he sat. He piled maybe about ten different sizes of shopping bags on his side.“I think I broke my shoulders,” he complained, but his hand was on his neck. When I ignored him, he looked in my direction. “Where’s Eve? I haven’t seen her all day.”I fixed my eyes on the documents. “I don’t know. She called in sick earlier.”We had a heated argument on our way to her place last night, so her call this morning didn’t surprise me. After what happened yesterday, I doubted if she still wanted to talk to me. She thought I was the culprit of her children’s decision.When Bob went quiet, I raised my head and saw him staring at me.“What?” I sighed, returning my eyes to the paper and rereading the same lines in the budget request. With my cousin’s accusing look, I knew he had much to say. “You’ve been shopping again,” I said, hoping to change our topic and looking briefly at the shopping bags. “Stress?”I could tel
(Eve's POV) ‘I want to reset my life. Please, can somebody push that button?’ I groaned, wincing at the bright light when my expected guest turned on the switch. I immediately pulled the old, worn-out blanket and covered my face. “Reset? Where’s the button, Eve Bennet, and I will.” Bethany sneered, grasping the edge of the blanket and tugging it towards her. Bethany Bennett, my chirpy and goddess-looking best friend, beamed like the sun in her flouncy, off-shoulder yellow floral dress, contrasting my black pair of silk sleepwear, and like my blanket, it was old but comfortable. I grumbled, clutching the sheet and pulling it back to my chest as if it were the last thing that tied my sanity to me. I must have said my wish aloud when she entered the main bedroom. “Why are you still in bed?” Her eyes grew wider as she crossed her arms over her chest. I bet the sun wasn’t up yet because the bright light would usually spill through the window and cast a warm glow over everything. The
(Eve's POV)“Are you sure this is the address?” Bethany gawked at the mansion. She wasn’t blinking, so I doubted if she was breathing.It was old and… gothic, reminding me of all the scary movies my family watched together. My breathing and the beating of my heart were on pause as I slowly glanced at my children. Like me, their eyes fixed on where we would live temporarily, their mouths open, and I bet their heart pounding faster as we got closer to the place.Bethany slowed down the car, stopping at the gate.Isabella screamed when the tall, beautifully decorated metal gate creaked, automatically opening for us. I opened the window, hoping to find the sensor, but I gasped when the cold wind kissed my skin. Goosebumps broke out over my skin.“Brrr…” I shivered, clearing my throat as I pressed the button to close the car window. I couldn’t find the sensor if this old place had one, or maybe it was hidden from the neglected sprawling vines around the area. “Shh!” Jessy hushed her, unfa
(Eve's POV)“3601? 3611? 3610? Damn card key! Why don’t you have numbers in you?” I groaned, balancing the two drinks on a small tray I held as I exited the elevator.I bit my bottom lip and looked at the left hallway, hoping it would help me remember what Bethany instructed. It was supposed to be the easiest task, but after Rosie’s call, I got distracted, and the only thing I remembered was bringing the wine to Bob Barclay. This was a test, so I knew I shouldn’t make a mistake. My job was at stake as Bob was as perfectionist as the CEO of Secret Temptation.“Turn left…” My eyes narrowed as I looked at the long hallway. I shook my head. “No, it must be right.”I drew in a long breath and made my way to the nearby coffee table, regretting that I didn’t jot down the room number. I gently rested the small tray on the polished surface of the table and picked up the elegant wine glasses, holding them firmly. I had no intention of making the two glasses into many pieces in case I accidental
(Eve’s POV)I crawled onto the bed, facing the full-length mirror that stood against the wall. A sense of shock washed over me when I saw my reflection. I was dressed in my old pair of black pajamas, which I was sure I wore yesterday night. There was no evidence of my messy mascara, but my hair was a complete mess, with a few strands sticking out in every direction. I blinked in dazed confusion, slowly turning my head on the table calendar on the side table.Was it a dream? I swallowed hard, convincing myself that what happened yesterday must be real. My core still tingled, reacting at the memory of Callahan’s massive manhood inside me. I could still taste and feel his touch and kisses.I closed my eyes and groaned. Either I was lonely or broken.“Is everything okay?” Bethany looked at me anxiously and shook her head. “Wrong question. Are you okay? You look sick,” she said, pressing her palm on my forehead. “You’re -”“Okay,” I muttered, easing back. “I’m fine, Bethany,” I assured her