(Eve’s POV)Millicent grabbed my arm and pulled me to the pantry before I could reach Callahan’s office. I winced, feeling her fingernails digging into my skin. My body jerked when she banged the door and pushed me, pinning me to the wall.“You bitch! Of all days, you chose today to be irresponsible!” Millicent snarled, squeezing my arm harder. “Just because Cal is giving you some sort of special treatment, you’ll abuse his kindness!”“Millicent,” I groaned, wincing at the pain. “Cal -”“Know your place, Eve! You are not friends, so don’t call him Cal. He is Mr. Barclay to you,” She interrupted, not letting me finish, and gave my arm one hard squeeze before releasing me. I lifted my hand and lightly brushed my fingers over the area. My lips curled in discomfort, and I flinched again when Millicent banged the door on her way out. I let out a heavy sigh and glanced down at my arm, still feeling her tight grip. I groaned when I saw the visible marks left behind by her forceful grip.Al

(Eve’s POV)Slowly, I opened my eyes and turned my head on the alarm clock on the side table. It was three in the morning, but instead of believing the time, I reached for my cell phone to check the time and date. My lips curved into a smile, and I sighed softly, getting up and processing what to do.I could not undo what happened yesterday. What I meant was getting late and making horrible mistakes at work, costing Bethany and me our jobs. The Wyatt-and-Callahan incident was another story. And Jessy? Again, that was another story.Before I entered Moira’s room, I read her reply to me. Callahan fired her, not because she was incompetent but because of her relationship with me. It was unfair!“Good morning,” Bethany said, almost whispering. She was drying her hair with a towel as she walked toward the dresser. “You’re up early,” she continued, still in a hushed tone.Marga rolled to the other side, occupying the space I was sleeping in a while ago. She groaned but didn’t wake up.“Toda

(Eve’s POV)Callahan stared at me without his eyes flinching. His gaze pierced through me as if he was trying to rack my brain. This was weird. Why did he have to know when he didn’t care? Although today, his first but my second, I clearly remembered what he said. He didn’t want to be responsible, but at this moment, he seemed to pull out my tongue to tell the truth.‘No, no, no! My mind screamed as if he could really read my mind.The shrill, persistent ring of the cell phone echoed in the small room. I jolted, thinking my heart had jumped out of my chest, when the ringing stopped.“Eve -”‘No, no, no! I cried in my mind.Ms. Jung saved me again when the phone chimed with a message. Immediately, I swiped the screen and sighed in relief, quickly reading her text message. I stood up, ready to escape Callahan, but Bethany grabbed my wrist.“Where are you going?” she asked, her eyes wide and worried. “Sorry, it’s a joke. I’m not trying to -”“I know,” I said, raising the phone. “But Mr.

(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)“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