Chapter 24
Early morning. City A airport.
Matthew was going through pre-boarding procedures when his phone buzzed.
He checked immediately. A text from Lucas.
[Mr. Perkins, found her. She's safe. Didn't want you worrying, so letting you know right away.]
[Still getting all the details together. Will send you everything by tomorrow latest.]
Matthew's eyes scanned the message, stopping on "she's safe."
He let out a soft breath, feeling the tension in his back ease slightly.
He turned toward the boarding stairs when his phone rang sharply.
Emma calling.
"Matthew, where are you right now?"
His mother's voice was low but barely containing her fury. She even used his first name.
Matthew said nothing.
On the other end, Emma took a deep breath.
"Do you understand what day tomorrow is?"
"Dozens of elders and guests from both the Quinn and Perkins families are arriving. And you're running off somewhere?"
"The media's already been arranged. If you're not here, where does that leave both our families?"
"I'll be back before morning," Matthew said.
"Be back?" Emma let out a cold laugh. "Two and a half hours each way—what time will you even get here?"
"You gonna have the media wait around for you to show up? Or just skip it entirely and let everyone laugh at the Perkins family?"
Matthew stayed silent.
"Matthew." Emma's tone shifted, growing heavier. "You know you can't miss an event like this."
"If you leave now, what will the Quinns think? Where does that leave Marigold?"
"For some outsider, are you really going to throw away years of trust between our families?"
"She's not an outsider," Matthew said suddenly.
Emma paused.
"...What did you say?"
Matthew didn't repeat himself.
Silence hung between them for a few seconds.
Emma's voice softened slightly, taking on the knowing tone of someone who'd been there.
"I know you have feelings for Miss Arden."
"But feelings are one thing, responsibility is another. You're the Perkins heir. Your marriage has never been just about you."
She paused.
"Miss Arden is a good girl. But she's not right for you, and not right for the Perkins family. You know that better than anyone."
Matthew still said nothing.
In the distance, ground crew were waiting.
"Come home," Emma said. "After tomorrow, you can handle your situation however you want. I won't stop you."
Night wind swept across the tarmac.
Matthew knew Emma was right.
If he left, the Perkins family would pay the price.
"...Understood."
He hung up.
A ground crew member jogged over. "Mr. Perkins, the plane's ready. We can take off whenever—"
"Not going." Matthew cut him off and turned to walk back.
---
In the car heading back, Matthew leaned against the seat with his eyes closed.
Outside the window, city lights streaked past in flickering frames.
He told himself: after tomorrow, he'd go find her himself.
---
Next morning. S City hospital.
Zeal sat by the bed, clumsily peeling an apple.
"Your peeling technique..." Evelyn looked at the apple peel broken into three sections. "Very creative."
Zeal kept a straight face. "It's called deconstructivism. You're eating the concept."
He handed over the peeled apple. Evelyn took it and bit in.
"Sweet," she said.
Before Zeal could smile, his phone rang.
He glanced at the caller ID, his brow furrowing almost imperceptibly, and walked to the window to answer.
"...Got it. I'll be there as soon as I can."
He hung up and came back to the bed.
"Something came up at home." He tried to keep his tone light. "My grandfather's not feeling well. They're calling me back."
Evelyn set down the apple and looked up. "Is it serious?"
"Old problem." Zeal didn't elaborate, hesitating before carefully starting. "I need to go check on him. I'll leave a couple people here to look after you."
"No need," Evelyn said. "You do what you need to. I'm checking out soon anyway. A friend's picking me up."
Zeal paused, looking at her understanding expression, and finally nodded.
"Alright, but I'm still leaving someone. They'll wait till you're in the car before they go."
Evelyn smiled as she watched him leave.
---
Ten minutes after Zeal left, Evelyn's phone rang.
Thinking it was Luna, she answered.
"Evelyn, where are you?"
It was Britney.
"What do you want?" Evelyn's tone was impatient.
"Matthew's getting engaged to Marigold today!" Britney sounded frantic. "Aren't you going to do something?"
Evelyn leaned back against the pillow, her voice flat.
"I'm about to quit anyway. Why would I be worried?"
"Instead of worrying about me, maybe worry about yourself."
Britney slammed the phone down in anger.
Evelyn didn't care. She slowly finished the apple in her hand.
She walked into the bathroom and fixed her hair and clothes in the mirror.
The reflection showed someone still a bit pale, but with clear eyes.
She texted Luna: [When will you be here?]
Luna replied instantly: [Ten minutes.]
---
Hospital entrance. Bright sunlight.
Kevin climbed out of his car and immediately spotted Evelyn standing on the steps.
She wore a beige knit sweater, her long hair simply tied back. Bandages peeked out from her sleeve, starkly white.
"Evelyn!" He strode over, voice full of regret. "I didn't see your call last night... Are you okay?"
Evelyn nodded. "I'm fine."
Kevin looked at her pale face, his throat working, finally managing only three words.
"...I'm sorry."
Evelyn shook her head. "Not your fault."
"Are you heading back to City A?" Kevin asked. "I can give you a ride."
"No need." Evelyn glanced toward the street. "My friend's picking me up."
Her tone was light, carrying clear distance.
Kevin stood frozen, seeing a silver sedan pull up with its window rolling down.
Luna stuck her head out, waving at Evelyn. "Eve!"
Evelyn nodded at Kevin without another word, opened the car door, and got in.
Kevin stood there watching the car drive away.
---
In the car, Luna kept glancing at Evelyn in the rearview mirror, clearly wanting to say something.
"Luna," Evelyn spoke first. "I'm fine."
"It's my fault." Luna's voice was heavy. "That night if I'd insisted on walking you back, you wouldn't have..."
"Really, I'm fine." Evelyn cut her off, her tone softening. "Look, I'm right here, aren't I?"
Luna sniffled.
"Grandma knows you're in S City. She's been asking about you for days," she said. "You should stay here for a bit, let your wounds heal."
"Grandma's lamb stew is amazing. You have to try it."
Evelyn smiled and agreed.
After picking up Kate, they drove toward the old district.
The car radio was broadcasting Matthew's grand engagement ceremony.
"...Pretty big production," Luna muttered quietly, her tone clearly disdainful.
"Works his employees to the bone, but throws himself this fancy engagement party."
She snuck a peek at Evelyn in the rearview mirror.
Evelyn leaned against her seat, face turned toward the window, expression unreadable.
Luna was about to say more when Kate gently kicked her seat from behind. She immediately shut up.
Outside, the streetscape flew backward.
Evelyn quietly watched the play of light and shadow, remembering herself three years ago signing that contract.
Remembering countless late nights waiting for him.
Remembering Britney's provocations. Remembering Marigold's voice coming through Matthew's phone late at night.
It was all over now.
She gently placed her hand over her stomach.
From now on, her life, her child, her choices—none of it had anything to do with him.
The car stopped deep in an old alley.
Luna turned off the engine and called back with a smile.
"Eve, we're home!"
Evelyn came back to herself and smiled slightly. "Yeah. Home."