Chapter 56

Evelyn had stayed up late the previous night and was catching up on sleep in the early hours of the morning.

Her phone buzzed insistently, shattering the quiet of her rest.

With a groan, she reached for it, squinting against the harsh light of the screen.

Margaret's voice was sharp on the other end. "Where have you been disappearing to lately?"

Evelyn exhaled, her voice thick with sleep. "Since I'm married now, obviously I'm living with my husband."

The Hayes family had never taken her claims seriously.

Margaret scoffed. "Evelyn is obsessed with Ethan. She wouldn't just marry someone else. I need to make sure she doesn’t cause a scene when she hears about Ethan and Vanessa’s wedding. The date’s already set. If she starts another fight, it’ll ruin everything. I have to talk some sense into her."

She didn’t have the patience to argue. "Come home. I bought you some new outfits."

Evelyn blinked, momentarily stunned. Margaret never buys me clothes.

A beat of silence stretched between them.

Then, suspicion crept in.

What’s her angle this time?

She sat up slowly, the sheets pooling around her waist. "Why?"

Margaret’s tone shifted, suddenly lighter. "Can’t a mother do something nice for her daughter?"

Evelyn’s fingers tightened around the phone.

Nice? Since when?

She knew better.

There was always a catch.

Her lips curved into a humorless smile. "Fine. I’ll come by later."

She hung up before Margaret could say more.

The room felt colder now, the weight of unspoken schemes pressing down on her.

She exhaled sharply.

Whatever it is, I’m not playing along.

Not this time.

Not ever again.

The morning sun filtered through the curtains as Evelyn sat at the dining table, picking at her breakfast. She couldn’t shake the lingering warmth of last night from her mind.

Just as she stepped out, her phone buzzed. Claire’s voice crackled through the line, playful and teasing. "So? How was it? Did Alexander live up to his reputation? Or were you too exhausted to move this morning?"

Evelyn’s cheeks burned. She twirled a strand of hair around her finger, hesitating before answering. "We didn’t… sleep. He left for a business trip. Won’t be back for a week."

Claire groaned dramatically. "You should’ve booked a flight and gone with him! What’s wrong with you? A man like Alexander Whitmore doesn’t come around often. You can’t just let him walk away like that!"

Evelyn’s fingers tingled at the memory—the way his muscles had tensed under her touch, the heat of his skin beneath her fingertips. She swallowed hard, forcing herself to focus.

"What about you?" she asked, steering the conversation away. "Have you told Lucas about the baby yet?"

Claire’s tone darkened. "No. He’s ignoring my calls. Again." She exhaled sharply. "But it’s fine. I still have time."

Evelyn murmured in agreement, though worry gnawed at her. Before she could say more, the car rolled to a stop in front of Hawthorne Estate.

The grand gates loomed ahead, but Evelyn’s thoughts were still tangled in the past night—and the man who had left her wanting more.

Evelyn ended the call and stepped out of the car.

The Hawthorne Estate was unusually crowded today. The grand living room buzzed with relatives, their voices filling the air until the moment Evelyn walked in.

A servant had just set down a tray of fresh fruit when the conversations abruptly ceased. The cheerful atmosphere turned icy in an instant.

Vanessa had been preoccupied with wedding preparations lately, having taken leave from work. Nothing mattered more than securing her place in the Caldwell family.

Beneath her expertly applied makeup, faint traces of Eleanor’s slap still lingered. But Vanessa had made sure no one in the family knew about the hospital incident—some secrets were best kept buried.

Spotting Evelyn, Vanessa forced a smile. "You're back."

Evelyn barely spared her a glance before turning away.

She settled onto the sofa and picked up a slice of fruit from the tray, ignoring the tension thickening the room.

Margaret’s lips pursed in disapproval. "What’s wrong with you? Vanessa was speaking to you, and you didn’t even acknowledge her. No greeting, no respect—who do you think you are?"

Margaret Hayes frowned, watching her daughter with growing irritation. Ethan and Vanessa are about to marry. I expected Evelyn to be upset. Even though she wasn’t raised by me, she’s still my flesh and blood. I even bought her two designer dresses to make up for it. But she’s so stubborn—nothing like Vanessa.

"I am the eldest daughter of the Hayes family," Evelyn said coolly, her lips curling into a mocking smile. "Got a problem with that?"

Margaret’s temper flared. "You—!"

Vanessa, ever the peacemaker, stepped between them with practiced ease. "Evelyn, Mom’s been exhausted lately. Don’t upset her further. She picked these out just for you—why don’t you try them on?"

She slid a glossy shopping bag across the table toward Evelyn.

Inside were two dresses from Radiant’s latest collection—elegant, expensive, the kind of luxury the Hayes family never hesitated to indulge in.

Evelyn barely spared them a glance before pushing the bag back. "Return them. I don’t want anything from you."

Her voice was ice.

Margaret’s hands clenched.

Vanessa sighed.

And Evelyn?

She turned and walked away without another word.