After seeing Adrian and Noah for who they really were, something inside her had completely cleared.
Helena said, “Evic, could you please grow a spine? You should’ve knocked those people flat. If they talk behind your back, tear their mouths apart. If they play dirty, hit them back twice as hard.”
She hated seeing Evelyn this calm. Those bastards had walked all over her, and she still acted like nothing happened.
Just then, Evelyn caught a glimpse of a car in the rearview mirror, following too closely. She instantly became alarmed.
‘Clarissa didn’t pull anything the whole night. That is weird. Could she have sent someone to follow us?‘ Evelyn wondered.
Her voice dropped low. “Helena, someone’s tailing us.”
Helena turned around instantly and spotted the black car behind them. She swallowed hard, then quickly grabbed her phone and called her brother.
She shouted, “Walter, I’m with Evie on Sunshine Avenue. Someone’s following us. Hurry, come get us.”
She didn’t feel safe, so right after hanging up, she sent Walter their live location.
Walter’s calm voice came through the speaker. “Don’t worry, I’m close to you guys. Just stay cool and don’t stop the car. I’m on my way.”
His voice had that kind of steadiness that made them feel like everything was going to be okay.
The midnight streets were nearly empty. Evelyn hit the gas, speeding forward like a bullet.
Meanwhile, Clayton watched the sudden acceleration from Evelyn’s car and rubbed his temples. “Sir, does Ms. Stevenson think we’re the bad guys?”
Nathan stared ahead, watching the tail lights get smaller in the distance. He flashed a slight smile in
amusement.
The first time he tried playing knight in shining armor, he’d been mistaken for a threat. But he didn’t mind. He thought being cautious was actually a good thing.
Clayton asked, “So, should we keep following?”
They’d already scared the girls half to death. If they kept chasing, Evelyn would probably hit warp speed.
Nathan replied coolly, “Keep going.”
*****
“Evie, that car’s still on us,” Helena said, glancing back with wide eyes.
11:22 Fri, Sep 5
Chapter 31
Evelyn had noticed it too. She asked, “How close is your brother?”
Helena checked the GPS again. “Almost here.”
Evelyn tried to make out the plate through the mirror, but the streetlights kept flashing across it, throwing shadows everywhere. She couldn’t see anything clearly.
Just then, another car zoomed past in the opposite lane. Helena caught it with her sharp eyes and shouted, “That’s him. My brother’s here. We’re good.”
Evelyn finally relaxed a little.
A second later, Walter sent them a voice message. “Go home. I’ll take care of whoever’s behind you.”
Even though both girls were still worried, they knew sticking around would only get in the way. So Evelyn kept driving.
Walter turned the corner fast, caught sight of the license plate, and froze in surprise. Without hesitation, he cut the car in front, blocking it completely.
The sound of tires screeching filled the air as both cars skidded to a stop.
Walter stepped out, walked straight up to the rear passenger side, and knocked on the window.
Nathan lowered it slowly, revealing the sharp lines of his profile. He turned slightly, locking eyes with Walter’s sharp stare.
Walter’s tone was polite but full of warning. “Mr. Ford, since when do you go around tailing young girls?”
Nathan’s gaze was cool, assessing, as if weighing Walter’s every word.
Before Nathan could reply, Clayton stepped out and waved his hands. “Mr. Harmon, please don’t misunderstand. Mr. Ford was just worried about Ms. Stevenson and your sister’s safety.”
Walter’s eyes flickered with something unreadable. Their family had no business ties with the Fords, and as far as he knew, Helena had never been close with Nathan either.
All this could only mean one thing–Nathan had followed them because of Evelyn.
The thought slid into his head and tightened something in his chest. His hand gripped the edge of the car roof, knuckles turning pale.
“Well, thank you, Mr. Ford. Since we’ve cleared that up, I won’t keep you,” Walter said calmly and returned to
his car.
11:22 Fri, Sep 5
Chapter 32
Chapter 32
Nathan never said a word the whole time, but he’d caught every flicker of emotion in Walter’s face.
Nathan thought, “This guy is into Evelyn.
His eyes narrowed dangerously as he watched Walter’s car disappear into the night. A slow smirk curled across his lips as he mused, “This just keeps getting more interesting.
Just as Evelyn pulled up to Helena’s house, the rain started to pour. Helena called Walter and found out he was almost home too, so the two of them waited in the living room.
Not long after, headlights cut through the downpour. Helena jumped off the couch and dashed to the door, with Evelyn close behind.
When Walter walked in, he saw the two of them waiting at the entrance.
He set down his shoes, sat on the low stool to change into slippers, and gently said, “Didn’t I tell you everything was fine? It’s late. Go to bed. You must be scared, huh? Let me get you guys some milk. That’s good for your sleep.”
“Walter, you’re so sweet,” Helena said cheerfully.
Evelyn flashed a polite smile, a little reserved. “Sorry for all the trouble tonight.”
Under the warm light, her smile bloomed like a radiant flower, making it impossible to ignore. Walter felt something thump in his chest.
He cleared his throat and pushed the feeling down, afraid Evelyn might see through it.
“Evie, sleep in my room tonight, alright?” Helena chimed in, tugging on her arm. “I’ve got so much to tell you.”
Helena dragged Evelyn away. After a shower, Evelyn was drying her hair when there was a knock at the door.
She turned off the hairdryer and went to open it, only to find Walter standing there with two cups of warm milk.
He was wearing a beige loungewear set, relaxed and clean–cut. Without the sharp suit, he seemed softer and warmer–naturally comforting in a way that couldn’t be faked.
“Thanks,” Evelyn said as she took the cups from him.
Walter waved his hand. “No biggie.”
Even wrapped in a bathrobe, Evelyn exuded a grace that couldn’t be hidden. She looked like a white lotus blooming on a summer night–pure, calm, and untouchable.
Walter put on a gentle smile, quickly hiding whatever was on his mind. He reminded them to get some rest,
11:22 Fri, Sep 5
Chapter 32
then left their room.
:
Evelyn returned to the room, finished drying her hair, and by then, the milk had cooled just enough. She drank it in one go and then lay down.
Helena yawned, the alcohol finally kicking back in. After a few half–asleep mumblings, she drifted off.
Evelyn was tired too. Her eyelids felt heavy, and before long, she slipped into sleep.
T
(903
At the hospital, the effects of the drug had finally worn off. When Clarissa woke up, she realized she was in a hospital bed.
During the haze of the drug, she’d even hinted to Adrian that as long as he was gentle, it wouldn’t hurt the baby.
But Adrian refused to touch her. He brought her straight to the hospital instead. His rejection stung Clarrisa more than anything.
She’d only ever managed to sleep with Adrian once. Just that one time, she’d gotten him drunk, worn makeup just like Evelyn’s, and even used Evelyn’s perfume.
Clarissa knew very well that she had never truly owned his heart.
Adrian stayed by her side only out of some twisted sense of duty or guilt. Maybe even he hadn’t figured out yet that the woman he loved most was still Evelyn.
Clarissa had always gone after Evelyn, not just out of resentment, but because deep down, she was jealous.
Looking around and not seeing Adrian, Clarrisa sat up slowly. The sight of him sleeping on the couch brought a flicker of comfort to her empty heart.
She whispered under her breath, “Adrian, I’m not gonna lose you again.”
A cold glint flickered in her eyes. She picked up her phone and sent a message to her friend: [I’ve got exclusive dirt on Nathan.]
The reply came in fast. [You’re amazing, my girl. Spill it. If this lands me a headline, the payoff is gonna huge.]
Clarissa sent the photos off, and within seconds, a 30,000–dollar payment hit her account.
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
