Chapter 123 Bizarre Couple

Chapter 123 Bizarre Couple

Margaret stood rooted to the spot, her gaze lingering in the direction Evie had disappeared. "After raising her all these years, how can she be so heartless? She wouldn't even call me 'Mom' to my face."

Turning to Vivian, Margaret asked, "By the way, did Evie really marry James?"

"Yeah, they had this pathetic little wedding. Even the ring was just a plain band." Vivian scoffed.

Vivian linked her arm through Margaret's as they walked back, her tone softening. "I married way better than her. You've seen how Dimitri treats me. This ring alone is enough to make her green with envy. Stop dwelling on Evie's business."

Margaret let herself be led for a few steps before speaking, her voice quieter now. "I know you married well. I'm happy for you."

Margaret paused, then added, "But James... he is a Rockefeller, after all. Evie marrying him—that connection changes things."

Vivian stopped mid-stride, turning her head to look at Margaret. The smile on her lips remained, but her eyes darkened a shade. "Mom, what exactly are you saying? You think she married better than me?"

Margaret patted Vivian's hand with a laugh. "Of course not. You're reading too much into it."

The two resumed their picture of maternal affection, chatting and laughing as they walked on.

-

Two days into the semester, Evie spent her days immersed in painting classes and her evenings on scheduled video calls with James.

Since she hadn't fully warmed up to Katie and Sophie yet, Evie didn't want to disturb them with her nightly calls. She took her phone to the window at the far end of the hallway instead.

The window was half-open, cool night air brushing against her face.

Evie leaned against the windowsill, propping her phone on the ledge. On the screen, James's face was half-lit by streetlamps, shadows playing across his features.

"How's campus life treating you?" James asked.

"Pretty good. It's the relaxed college experience I always imagined." Evie smiled.

James let out a soft laugh, his tone carrying a hint of mock resentment. "You've adapted quickly. Meanwhile, I'm left here all alone. Every day I come home from the hospital to this big empty house."

Evie laughed lightly. "Then rent a smaller place."

James pouted, looking every bit the aggrieved husband.

"The wind's picking up out there. Head back to your room soon and get some rest. Just text me when it's not convenient to call," James said.

"It's fine. I'll keep you company a little longer—can't have certain people complaining I 'abandoned' them."

James chuckled on the other end without arguing.

They chatted for a while longer about little things, mundane details that somehow felt warm and intimate.

After about ten minutes, James, worried about Evie standing in the drafty hallway, exchanged goodnights with her and ended the call.

Evie smiled as she put away her phone and turned to head back to her room when footsteps echoed from the other end of the hallway. She glanced over.

The footsteps drew closer, stopping about six feet away from her.

Evie frowned. Tyler stood there leaning against the wall, flicking a lighter between his fingers, his eyes fixed on her face.

Evie felt a flash of displeasure. What was Tyler doing in the girls' dorm this late at night? Suppressing her irritation, she moved to walk around him.

Tyler stepped forward, positioning himself between Evie and the dorm room door.

"Done with your call?" Tyler's tone was casual, like he was making small talk with a friend. "Standing out here this late—aren't you cold?"

Evie didn't look at him. "Move."

"Don't rush off."

Tyler didn't budge. Instead, he leaned in closer, looking down at Evie. His gaze slid from her eyes to her lips, then down to her hands hanging at her sides, his face twisted in a lewd smirk.

"We're practically acquainted now, but I've never really talked to you. Sophie says you're always so busy."

Revulsion churned in Evie's stomach. She took a step back, her spine pressing against the brick edge of the windowsill.

Evie tightened her grip on her phone, her voice turning cold. "Get lost."

Tyler reached out to touch Evie's arm, but before his hand could make contact, the dorm room door clicked open from inside.

Sophie poked her head out. Seeing the two of them in their standoff positions, her expression froze momentarily before shifting into an easy, familiar smile.

"Tyler, what are you doing standing here? Did you need something?" Sophie stepped out a few paces and tugged at Tyler's arm, pulling him away from Evie.

Sophie turned to Evie, her tone apologetic. "Did he bother you? I'm so sorry. He has zero sense of boundaries."

Evie straightened from the windowsill, giving Sophie a cool look. "You said you wouldn't bring him to the dorm again."

Sophie's smile stiffened, her lips tightening slightly. "He just came to pick something up from me today. He's leaving right now."

Sophie glanced at Tyler and lowered her voice. "You need to go."

Tyler was still staring at Evie. Sophie had to shove him before he reluctantly took a couple of steps toward the stairwell.

Evie stood by the dorm room door without entering, turning to face Sophie. Her tone was cold. "He just cornered me in the hallway. That's sexual harassment."

Sophie froze for a moment, then laughed awkwardly. "I'm really sorry. He probably just had a bit to drink. He's not a bad guy normally. Don't take it to heart—I'll talk to him about it."

Evie's frown deepened as she stared at Sophie without responding.

What normal person reacts this way to finding out their boyfriend sexually harassed another woman? Evie was convinced this couple were both bad news.

Sophie forced another smile and patted Evie's arm. "Calm down, okay? I'll make him apologize to you later. How's that?"

"Don't bother." Evie pulled her hand away. "Just keep him from coming back here."

Evie yanked open the door and returned to the dorm without another word.

Sophie breathed a sigh of relief. She walked toward Tyler, her voice dropping to an accusatory whisper. "What were you doing just now? She's only been here two days—couldn't you show a little restraint?"

Tyler's footsteps paused. His voice drifted back lazily. "She's hot. Way more interesting than you."

Sophie's voice rose slightly. "What's that supposed to mean?!"

Tyler stood with one hand in his pocket, leaning against the stairwell railing. He grinned. "What I mean is, I'm breaking up with you. I want to go after Evie."

Sophie stood under the hallway light, eyes wide with shock, as if she couldn't believe Tyler was actually dumping her.

"Evie is married!"

"So what if she's married? She can get divorced." Tyler laughed, as if her objection was hilarious. "Her husband can't be here watching over her 24/7, can he?"

Sophie stared at him for several seconds, her voice dropping with urgency. "Her husband isn't just anybody. Don't do something stupid."

"I'm not doing anything stupid." Tyler tilted his head, his tone softening slightly. "I just think she's really hot and want to sleep with her. If I manage it, that's a win. But... if you help me out with this, I won't bring up breaking up again."

Sophie's lips moved slightly, as if she'd already guessed what Tyler had in mind.

Sophie lowered her eyes and fell silent for a long moment before speaking hesitantly. "...What do you want me to do?"

Tyler smiled. "The usual arrangement, of course. You know what I mean."

Sophie clenched her fists, trembling all over with rage.

After a long while, she suddenly deflated, her head dropping. "This is the last time. After I do this, you can't threaten to break up with me again!"

"No problem, babe. Don't worry—you'll always be my girlfriend."