Chapter 8 CHAPTER 8
Evelyn’s POV
I stood still for a long time after the Lambo pulled up in front of Alpha Michael’s mansion. It was the second time in this place and the worst time to be. I moved in my heels and the dress he had sent. The note had said ‘Engagement dinner. 6pm prompt’ and that was all.
A man led me to the terrace where Michael sat, sipping some drink and watching the sky.
“I had something urgent,” I said, immediately I saw him.
He looked at me. “You're not the doctor. You don't need to be there for the surgery.” His eyes showed no remorse. He didn't feel a bit sorry for pulling me out for this date when my father was hanging by a thread.
“Smile,” he said, dropping his wine. “This engagement will be covered live.”
I wondered what I was getting into at this point. As I stood there, a few feet from him, I deliberated on whether I wanted to be there or to tell him to fuck himself and his money and run away. I walked to the table and poured some wine for myself. I needed it badly.
He looked at my dress and swallowed the compliment that was about to escape his lips. He leaned back in his seat and watched me instead. Then he spoke, “Just as we agreed earlier, in public, we'll play the part of a loving couple. We'll attend events together, smile for the cameras, and pretend we love each other.” He paused for effect, and I just nodded. Whatever I had eaten for the day turned sour in my belly.
“You'll also have full access to my company's portfolio of brands,” he continued. “If you need anything, you can call my beta, Jasper. On your nightstand, you'll find his number, a black Amex and your engagement ring. Wear it.”
He couldn't even be bothered to hand over the engagement ring to me like a proper gentleman.
“Is that all?” I asked, holding my frustration in.
He rose to his feet. “That should be all. Enjoy the wine and ask the butler for any help you need.” He picked up his phone and walked away.
I bit my lips. The bastard. The butler gave me directions to my room, even though I ended up getting lost.
When I eventually found the room, my jaw dropped. It was the most beautiful room I'd ever seen and for a brief moment, I forgot I'd be living with a monster. I found the engagement ring on the nightstand. It was the purest cut of diamond. Exquisite. Rare. I slid it down my finger and admired it. Then I took a photo of it. I might as well let the whole world know that Alpha Michael was insanely in love with me. I found a bouquet of flowers and laid my hand against it, capturing the diamond ring. I struggled for a caption. When I finally got one, I smiled as I typed it.
I walked around the room. No single item in the room was cheap. I knew a lot about manufacturing since I visited my father's company from childhood. Every single item in the room was high in taste and money. I collapsed on the bed and imagined what the next one year would look like. It would be the biggest rise for the Moons.
My phone kept beeping with notifications and I smiled. Clearly the world didn't think Everlyn Moon would ever have such a rare cut of diamond resting on her finger. I reached for it and swiped through the comments.
‘How can she be so caught up in her own world?’
‘She is just a selfish society climber.’
‘You are wrong for this, Evelyn. I used to be a fan.’
‘She should be with her family, not posting diamonds.’
I scrolled fast. The comments were definitely not making sense to me. What was going on?
‘How can she be celebrating on the night her father died? Such a selfish girl.’
I stopped. My hands trembled. I clicked on the comment and read the conversation under it.
“No. No,” I cried. My hands shook as I called my step mum. Her phone rang but there was no response. My step sister was not picking up too. I rushed out of the room, almost twisting my ankle on the heels. I leaned down, unbundled it and kicked it off. A lady met me on the way as I ran out.
“Hey. Are you fine?” She asked.
I looked at her, tears streaming down my eyes already. I couldn't say a word, I just ran out.
When I got to the hospital, my step mum was sitting outside dad's room, looking distraught. Anna was hugging her while Xavier was speaking to a man in a white coat.
“Mum-” the words rolled out of my mouth. I saw their eyes and I knew it was true. I made it towards dad's room and a nurse held me. “Let me go. Let me see for myself I cried,” trying to pull my hand from her grip.
A slap landed on my ears from behind, stunning me. I turned around to see my step mum glaring at me. “You selfish idiot,” she cried. “Where were you all evening when your father was going into the surgery?” She eyed my gown.
My hand flew to my ear. I stared at her, unable to string any coherent words together. Anna walked to her side, flashing a phone in front of her. “Look, mum. She was busy gushing over a diamond ring while we were here.”
I looked at the phone, then at them. I was the only one with dad before he was wheeled away for surgery and I had endured being degraded by Alpha Michael because of them. Really?
My step mum looked me in the eyes. “At least the whole world can see you for who you truly are,” she spat out.
Xavier joined us, holding some bills in his hand. “What’s the matter, mum? He asked, looking at me. I was still holding my ear in stunned silence.
She reached for the bills and flung them at me. “Sort them. At least be useful for once and think about someone else but yourself.”
She stormed out. Anna huffed and followed suit.
Xavier held my shoulders. “I'm sorry. Mum can be… a lot.”
I looked at him through the tears. “What happened?”
“There was no blood..”
He didn't need to say much again. Dad and I shared a very rare blood type. I should have been there.