Chapter 18 Morning After
Evelyn woke to sunlight streaming through unfamiliar windows and a delicious soreness throughout her body. She shifted slightly and realized she was alone in the enormous bed, though the sheets beside her still held warmth.
She sat up, surprised to find herself dressed in a soft silk nightgown she didn't remember putting on. She felt clean and refreshed, as if someone had carefully tended to her while she slept.
Looking around the room, she saw no trace of the romantic setup from the night before. The rose petals and candles had been cleared away, leaving the bedroom immaculate. If not for the pleasant ache between her legs and the lingering scent of Roman's cologne on the pillows, she might have wondered if the passionate night had been a dream.
A small note on the nightstand caught her attention:
Good morning, my beautiful wife. I hope you slept well. Business required my early attention, but I've arranged for breakfast to be kept warm for you. Take care of yourself until I return. - Your devoted husband
A warm blush crept up her neck as she read his words. Being called "wife" still felt surreal, but not unwelcome.
Her phone rang, interrupting her thoughts. She found it on the vanity and noticed her legs were still unsteady as she walked. The caller ID made her steel herself—it was her dad.
She took a deep breath before answering.
"You ungrateful little witch!" her father's voice boomed through the speaker. "Get home immediately! We need to talk!"
Evelyn's grip tightened on the phone. "Why would I do that?"
“Because if you don't, you're dead to this family! And you will regret having me as a father! Consider yourself cut off completely!”
A sharp pang of sadness hit her chest, yet in that moment, she buried it. The threat that once would have terrified her now felt empty. She'd made her choice, and she was at peace with it.
"I'm already dead to you. I don't want to come back. You made that clear when you chose Maya over your own daughter.” Her voice cracked slightly, but she held her ground, “Do whatever you want. I already regret having you as my father"
She hung up before he could respond, feeling a liberating rush of freedom.
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Downstairs, a full breakfast was waiting in the elegant dining room. The household staff moved efficiently around her, addressing her respectfully as "Madame" and anticipating her every need. The treatment was a far cry from the cold indifference she'd grown accustomed to in her father's house.
After breakfast, James appeared at her side. "Young Mistress, the Young Master asked me to take you anywhere you'd like to go today. He also suggested you might want to collect some of your personal belongings from your previous residence."
"Give me a second to get ready," Evelyn said.
She went upstairs, changed into one of the beautiful dresses that had been prepared for her in the wardrobe, carefully fastening the diamond necklace Roman had given her, wanting to show Lena the necklace.
She gave James Lena's address.
"Let's visit my friend first, then we'll go to my old apartment to get some of my things."
When Lena saw her arriving in the luxury car, her eyes went wide. But when Evelyn stepped out, practically glowing, Lena's expression shifted to pure delight.
"Look at you!" Lena exclaimed, pulling her inside. "You're absolutely radiant! I don't think I ever saw you look this happy, even during your best days with Nathan."
They settled in with coffee, and Lena immediately began her interrogation about the wedding night. Her teasing comments about "experienced older men" and even joking that “older meat is the sweetest.” left Evelyn speechless with embarrassment.
When Evelyn showed off the diamond necklace, Lena gasped in admiration. "It's gorgeous! Though I would have wanted a wedding ring with this diamond instead."
Evelyn smiled. "He said this was just a thank you gift. The wedding ring and other gifts are apparently still coming."
Lena laughed. "Listen to yourself! One day married and you're already glowing like a woman in love. Weren't you terrified of this whole arrangement yesterday?"
Evelyn rolled her eyes, but she couldn't deny the happiness she felt.
"I hope I find my own rich, handsome older man someday," Lena sighed dreamily before pouncing on Evelyn for a hug. "Rub some of that luck on me!"
"Hey, go find yourself a girlfriend or a man to hug!
Lena sat up, putting on a serious face. “My bad. I don't want to end up in your husband's black book. And don't tell him I hugged, okay? Rich uncles can be super jealous.”
After extricating herself from Lena's embrace with laughter, Evelyn decided it was time to collect her things. James drove her to her old apartment building.
She had packed only the most essentials into a small box. As she exited her building, someone suddenly grabbed her from behind, pressing a cloth over her mouth and nose.
Panic flooded through her as she tried to scream for James, but no sound emerged. She was dragged rapidly into a narrow alley beside the building, her heart hammering with terror.
Once in the alley, her attacker released her. Evelyn spun around, ready to fight, and came face to face with Nathan.
Without hesitation, she drove her knee hard into his groin.
Nathan collapsed with a howl of pain, clutching himself.
"That's what you get for putting your filthy hands on me," Evelyn said coldly. "Don't ever touch me again."
Nathan struggled to his feet, his face twisted with pain and rage. "You're disgusting!" he yelled. "You're the one who ended up in my uncle's bed and got pregnant by him!"
Evelyn snorted derisively. “Look who's talking. Shouldn't you be figuring out how to take care of that problem you put in my sister's stomach?”
"I won't listen to your insults!" Nathan snarled. "You have no right to judge me! You cheated with my uncle!"
He stepped closer, desperation creeping into his voice. "You're coming with me. You're going to tell my grandfather this was all a mistake. You're going to beg him to take me back!"
Evelyn stared at him in disbelief. "Are you completely insane? Stop harassing me, or I'll tell Roman about this."
Nathan's face went pale at the mention of his uncle's name. “You… you can’t be serious.”
Evelyn smiled sweetly. "Dead serious, nephew. Now run along before I inform your uncle that you assaulted his wife."
"Don't get cocky," Nathan hissed through gritted teeth. "You don't know who you're dealing with. My uncle will destroy you when he's done using you. He's ruthless."
Evelyn, who had started to walk away stopped, she turned back with a dangerous smile. "Well, until then, you should stay far away from your aunt. And let me correct you—you don't speak to me in that way anymore. I promised you once that I'd ruin you. I haven't even begun yet. So sit back and watch your pathetic life fall apart."
She walked away, leaving Nathan stunned and speechless. He'd never seen her so coldly confident, so completely transformed from the woman he'd once controlled.
Clutching his injured pride and aching body, Nathan pulled out his phone with shaking fingers. "Proceed with the plan," he whispered into the receiver, his voice hard with desperate rage.