Chapter 14 The King Arrives
One week had passed since the dramatic birthday celebration, and Evelyn was sitting in Lena's living room when her phone started ringing again.
It had been like this for days. First Nathan calling repeatedly until she blocked his number. Then her father Richard started his endless stream of calls. Evelyn just let the phone buzz on the coffee table, ignoring it completely.
On the tenth call that morning, Lena slammed her book shut in frustration. "Why don't you just block your father too?" she exclaimed. "He's going to keep calling until your battery dies!"
Evelyn didn't look up from her own book. "If I block him, he'll just use different numbers. At least this way I know it's him calling."
The phone rang again. This time Evelyn reached for it, but Lena stopped her hand. "What are you doing?"
"You said you were tired of the ringing. Maybe I should finally hear what he has to say."
Lena stared at her like she'd lost her mind. "Evelyn, are you serious? What could he possibly say that would matter now? He switched your evidence! He stood by while Nathan and Maya humiliated you! He chose his stepdaughter over his own flesh and blood. Give me that phone!"
Just as Lena grabbed the device in frustration, it rang again. Her thumb accidentally hit the answer button.
A deep, calm voice filled the room through the speaker. "Hello."
Evelyn sat up straight, recognition hitting her immediately. "Wait... I know that voice."
The voice spoke again, smooth and patient. "Hello?"
"Put it on speaker!" Evelyn whispered urgently. Lena fumbled with the phone settings.
"Hello?" Evelyn said cautiously.
"I was beginning to think you'd decided to ignore my calls forever," came the reply. The voice belonged to Roman.
Evelyn's eyes widened in surprise. "You were the one calling all morning?"
"For the past few minutes, yes."
Evelyn felt embarrassed. Her father must have finally given up trying. She'd been so used to ignoring the constant calls that she hadn't even bothered answering to know who was actually calling.
Roman's voice came through again, businesslike but warm. "Are you free now?"
Evelyn spaced out for a moment, but an excited Lena nudged her hard. "Uh—no, actually! I'm not available right now!" she stammered.
"Yes, you are," he said with complete confidence, leaving no room for argument. "Come downstairs with your identification documents. We're going to register our marriage today."
"What?" Evelyn sputtered, completely caught off guard.
He answered simply, matter-of-factly: "I'm waiting outside your building."
Evelyn and Lena rushed to the window and looked down. Sure enough, an elegant black car was parked right in front of the building, looking completely out of place in the modest neighborhood.
"I'll be here," Roman said calmly, and ended the call.
Lena squealed with excitement, grabbing Evelyn's arms. "Your king has arrived to claim his queen!"
"Stop it, Lena!" Evelyn pulled away, though she couldn't hide her own nervousness. "Doesn't it bother you that he somehow got my number and your address? I never gave him either!"
Lena rolled her eyes. "Honey, we're talking about Roman Sinclair. The man probably has access to everything. Don't underestimate your future husband." She started pulling Evelyn toward the bedroom. "Now come on! We need to get you ready. You cannot get married looking like you just rolled out of bed!"
As Lena dragged her toward the closet, Evelyn's head spun with the realization that this was really happening. There truly was no turning back now.
"You need to look like a bride, not like someone being dragged to their execution!" Lena insisted, working her magic in the small walk-in closet.
After what felt like forever, Lena had transformed Evelyn completely. She'd chosen a flowing white dress that was elegant but not too formal, styled Evelyn's hair in soft waves, and added delicate jewelry with natural makeup that made her glow.
When Lena finally let her see herself in the full-length mirror, Evelyn gasped. She looked radiant, confident, beautiful. She hadn't seen herself look this good in years. Nathan had always discouraged her from dressing up, saying it attracted unwanted attention and made her look "high maintenance." But seeing her reflection now, graceful and glowing, she couldn't help but smile.
Her phone rang again, startling her. Thinking it was Roman calling, she answered without checking the number.
"Evelyn, we need to talk urgently—" Nathan's voice came strained and desperate.
She hung up immediately, her face flashing with irritation. "I thought I blocked his number."
"Forget him!" Lena called from across the room. "Your real husband is waiting!"
Evelyn quickly gathered her important documents. Taking one last look in the mirror, she felt her cheeks warm with anticipation. She found herself wondering what Roman would think when he saw her like this.
After saying goodbye to Lena, Evelyn stepped outside and saw Roman leaning casually against his car. He was wearing a perfectly tailored black suit with no tie, the top button undone—effortlessly sophisticated, like royalty who didn't need a crown to command respect.
The moment he saw her, he straightened, his intense gaze locking onto hers. Without a word, he opened the passenger door, his eyes never leaving her face.
Under his silent scrutiny, Evelyn began to feel self-conscious. Was the dress too much? Was the jewelry too flashy? Had Nathan been right about her looking overdone?
Seeing her sudden shyness and uncertainty, the slightest smile touched Roman's lips. "It seems you're truly prepared for today," he said in that low, commanding voice. "I can see you used the week well to make a proper decision."
He closed her door and walked around to the driver's side. After getting in and fastening his own seatbelt, he leaned over to help with hers. The sudden closeness made the air feel electric. Evelyn held her breath, staring straight ahead as his arm brushed against her.
He didn't pull away immediately after clicking the buckle into place. Instead, he stayed close, his face inches from hers. She could feel his warm breath on her skin.
"Lyn," he said softly.
She finally turned to meet his gaze, their faces now just inches apart. "Yes?"
His eyes softened just a fraction. "You look beautiful."
His thumb brushed her cheek. “I’ve waited long enough to see you like this.”
He pulled back, started the engine, and drove toward their destination.
Evelyn sat frozen, her heart racing. A wave of warmth flooded her face and neck. She discreetly fanned herself, suddenly feeling overheated.
Noticing her reaction from the corner of his eye, Roman quietly smiled to himself and turned up the air conditioning.
'If she only knew the effect she has on me,' he thought to himself, 'she'd be running in the opposite direction.'