Ch. 141..150

Chapter 141

Evelyn had a smirk on her face as she pulled into the parking lot of The People's Times building.

Six years had passed since she last stepped foot in the family's magazine company, and now, she was ready to take her place here once again.

The magnificent glass-covered building loomed over her, a symbol of how much had changed in the last six years. She wasn't the same person who had left Ludus all those years ago, and she doubted the company was the same either. Taking a deep breath, she stepped out of the car, straightened her blazer, and walked toward the entrance. As she pushed open the doors, the familiar scent of fresh paper and ink hit her, bringing back memories of all the time she had spent here. But the layout had changed. The once warm, cozy reception area had been transformed into a modern design with metallic finishes and glass partitions. The walls were adorned with magazine covers- The People's Times had clearly kept up with the times.

Evelyn approached the front desk, where a young receptionist looked up and smiled. "Good morning. How may I help you?"

"I'm Evelyn Quinn," she said, offering a small smile.

"I'm resuming here today."

The receptionist's eyes widened, clearly recognizing the name. "Oh! Welcome back, Miss Quinn. Let me notify HR."

As she waited, Evelyn scanned the room, noticing a few familiar faces among the staff bustling around. Some of the people who had been there for years smiled warmly at her, clearly recognizing her. A tall, graying man- Mr. Jenkins waved from across the lobby. He had been in charge of the finance department for as long as she could remember.

"Good to see you, Evelyn!" he called out. "Welcome back!"

Evelyn smiled and waved back. "Good to see you too, Mr. Jenkins."

"HR will be with you shortly," the receptionist said, interrupting her thoughts. A moment later, a woman from HR appeared, clipboard in hand.

"Miss Quinn, follow me, please."

Evelyn nodded and followed her through the glasswalled corridors, trying to shake off the unease settling in her stomach. She wasn't nervous about the work itself-she could handle that. It was Sandra she was worried about.

Sandra had made it clear she didn't want her back, and although Evelyn was prepared for whatever confrontation lay ahead, she still couldn't help but feel wary.

After a brief tour of the office spaces, HR led her to an office near the corner of the building. "This is where you will be working," the HR rep said, smiling as she led Evelyn into the office. Evelyn smiled to herself as she followed the lady into

Sandra's office, eager to see the look that would be on Sandra's face when she realized that they were going to be working together, and as such, sabotaging her work would cost her as well

Sandra was sitting behind a large desk. Her expression froze the moment she saw Evelyn, and her eyes widened in disbelief.

"Sandra here will be your direct supervisor, as I'm sure you both know already. Ordinarily, I will do the introduction, but since you're sisters, I guess there is no need for that."

"You've got to be kidding me," Sandra muttered under her breath before remembering that they had company and she had decided to stop fighting with Evelyn.

Before she could fake a smile, Evelyn forced a bright smile of her own, stepping forward as though nothing was wrong. "Hey, sis, I'm really excited to be working with you. I look forward to learning from your wealth of experience," Evelyn said, and Sandra blinked, clearly taken aback by Evelyn's overly cheerful tone.

"Why are you working here as an associate editor when you should be a senior editor?" Sandra asked in disbelief.

"Because I want to work with you, Sandy," Evelyn said, her voice sickeningly sweet.

Sandra's shock was barely hidden as she stood up. "Dad allowed this?"

"Of course. I might be a senior editor at Empowered, but I'm new here. I should learn from you." Evelyn kept her expression innocent, though inside, she was savoring the moment. "I'm sure we will work well together," Evelyn added, keeping her voice light.

The tension in the room was thick as they exchanged fake smiles. Evelyn knew Sandra was probably fuming inside, but Sandra couldn't do anything to her.

"Sandra, I guess you can handle the rest. Please let her know what is expected from her," the HR lady said before excusing them.

As the lady walked away, Sandra subtly picked up her phone and turned on the recorder, wanting to use Evelyn's tactic against her this time.

The moment the door clicked shut after the HR lady, Sandra's smile dropped. "What the hell are you doing here in my office?" she hissed, crossing her arms.

Evelyn didn't flinch. Instead, she leaned casually against the desk. "Oh, Sandra, don't pretend you're not thrilled to see me. You look so happy." Her voice dripped with sarcasm.

Sandra's eyes narrowed. "Cut the act, Evelyn. You know we can't work together. I do not want that and I'm sure you don't want it either."

"And yet, here I am," Evelyn said, her tone turning icy.

"Working right under you. Isn't it perfect?"

Sandra glared, her nostrils flaring. "You're a fool if you think I'll make this easy for you."

Evelyn's smile turned sharp. "And why do you think I'm going to make it easy for you either? I know you're uncomfortable, Sandra. But guess what? I'm only getting started. If I were you, I'd quit now and save myself the trouble. You see, a snake like you doesn't belong in this family or this company. You've slithered your way through everything for too long."

Sandra's mouth twitched, and she reached for her phone. "You realize I'm recording this, right?" She asked with a smirk.

Evelyn let out a low chuckle. "Oh, sweetheart, I'm recording too. So go ahead."

Sandra's face paled slightly as she realized Evelyn had anticipated her move. "What game are you playing, Evelyn? Why are you doing all this?"

"You know exactly what game I'm playing, and you know why I'm doing this too," Evelyn said, her voice soft but firm.

Sandra snorted, "No matter how

hard I try, I can't understand why you go about acting all innocent and self righteous when you're nothing but a dirty slut. You cheated on Michael and had a child yet you have the guys to keep acting like the victim. Well, guess what? Your secret is

out

now. Derek and his family know exactly the kind of slut you are. A word of advice to you, do not think of seducing Derek again. I don't want you embarrassing yourself and our family any more than you've done already. Derek's family will never let him marry a single mother, and especially not you," she said, and Evelyn smirked.

"It's good to see you still care so much about me, but you can keep your concern to yourself. It's not welcome. And just so you know, I won't only be seducing Derek, I will also get married to him. Want to make a bet and see if I don't?" She asked, and a sense of unease settled over Sandra.

Evelyn wasn't the same girl she remembered. And that made her dangerous. "I do not want any more

troubles, Evelyn. Let's leave the past behind."

"Says the one who tried to drug me after using similar lines," Evelyn said with a roll of her eyes. "Guess what? You might not want trouble anymore, but I want trouble. I warned you before, remember?

Now, here is the first rule of our net

arrangement: I'm not your lackey. I'm preparing for my interview with Derek, so you will have to handle your work yourself. I've heard about how you order everyone around, but you do nothing here. That's going to change now that I'm here. You have to start earning your salary. This isn't a charity organization for lowlife bitches like you."

Sandra opened her mouth to retort, but nothing came out. She stood there, seething, as Evelyn calmly walked toward the door. "I'm here to stay, Sandy." With that, Evelyn walked out, her heart pounding but her face composed. She could feel Sandra's gaze burning into her back, but she didn't look back.

As soon as she was out of the office, Sandra grabbed her phone and furiously dialed Michael's number.

"She's here," Sandra hissed when he picked up.

"Evelyn just resumed. And you won't believe the nerve of her. She thinks she can walk in here and-" "Calm down," Michael interrupted. "We knew this was coming. Don't let her get to you." "Calm down?" Sandra spat. "She's going to ruin everything! She's already threatening me."

"You need to focus," Michael said, his voice steady. "Remember, we're not worrying about Evelyn anymore? I told you, you have to choose one It's either you want Derek or you want your family magazine. You have to focus on what is more important and profitable. What you need to do is find a way to get her phone and get rid of that video from the club- if she still has it, you're done for."

Sandra clenched her jaw. "I am done for?"

"Of course. I wasn't party to that. That is all on you.

Have you gotten someone to steal her phone?"

Michael asked, and Sandra took in a deep breath.

"It's easier now that she's working with me. I'll find a way to get it," Sandra said as she stared at the door Evelyn had just walked through, her mind racing.

Michael said calmly. "Good. Figure it out. And get it done quickly."

 

Chapter 142

Evelyn sat at her desk, engrossed in her work, her fingers tapping lightly on her keyboard as she worked on the questions she was compiling for her interview with Derek. The phone on her desk buzzed softly, and she glanced down at the screen. A smile spread across her face when she saw Derek's name flashing.

Without hesitation, she picked up the phone. "Hey, D!" she greeted warmly, leaning back in her chair, her eyes twinkling with excitement.

"Hey, baby! How's your day going?" Derek's familiar voice came through the line, and she could hear the hint of a smile in his tone.

"Going smoothly so far" Evelyn replied, glancing briefly at the clock on her computer screen. "What about you?"

Derek chuckled softly. "Busy, as usual, but everything's on track. I wanted to check in and see if the movers have arrived at your place yet. Have you heard from Maya?" Evelyn's eyes brightened at the mention of the movers. "Not yet."

They had agreed to make the move that day while she was at work, keeping an eye on Sandra, and they were certain Michael was also in his office.

Maya was to coordinate the movers and take them to the new house, and after the close of school, she'd go get Samantha and take her to their new home. Evelyn would also go there after the close of work. "I assume they'll get there soon. The last time I spoke with them, they were on their way," Derek confirmed. "Also, I need to

to warn you - Sandra is planning to steal your phone to get rid of that video we have. You might want to be careful."

Evelyn let out a short, amused laugh. "Oh, she can try, but I'm not going to make it easy for her."

"I trust you not to. So, when are we inviting Rayna and Ethan over?" Derek asked, and Evelyn grinned.

"Wednesday would be good. What do you think? Or should we make it Friday?" Evelyn asked, thinking about how much time it would take to unpack.

"It depends on you. But don't forget that your parents will want to come over by the weekend, and my Dad will too," he said, and she smiled.

"Let's have them over by Wednesday then," Evelyn said, and before Derek could respond, his office door opened and his mother walked in.

"Sorry, babe, I have to call you back. My mom just walked in," he said in a quiet voice.

Talk

"Oh, okay," she said softly, a little surprised but knowing that they were probably about to have a serious conversation since he had told her how dinner had gone the previous night. "Talk to you later." soon." Derek hung up and placed his phone down before turning to greet his mother.

She stood inside the office, her posture stiff, her face pale and uncertain. For a long moment, they stared at each other in silence.

"Mom," Derek greeted quietly, nodding at her, "I heard from Dad. Did you confirm things at the hotel?"

She stepped closer to the desk, her eyes avoiding his for a moment before she nodded. "I did," she whispered. "I've seen everything, Derek. I don't know how to face you."

Derek sighed, standing up from his desk. "It's not your fault. Michael and Sandra had everyone fooled." He motioned to a chair. "Please, sit. Do you want some coffee? Anything to drink?"

His mother shook her head, sitting down slowly. "No, thank you. I'm not here for that." She swallowed hard, her eyes finally meeting his. "I came to apologize, Derek. I've been so blind... I didn't listen to you and tried to force my decisions on you. I see now how wrong I

was.'

Derek's expression softened as he walked around his desk and sat across from her. "I love you, Mom. The only thing that matters to me is that you know the truth now. That's all that matters."

She sighed heavily, her hands clasped tightly in her lap. "I was so cruel to Evelyn... I judged her based on lies. I need to meet with her and apologize."

Derek raised an eyebrow, watching her closely. "Do you mean it? Or are you just saying that?"

"I mean it," she insisted, her voice trembling with sincerity. "I'm truly sorry for everything. I've not been able to stop thinking about the incident in your suite. I said those harsh words to her and I made her lose her job. I feel so ashamed now." "Yes, I agree that you should be embarrassed. Your behavior embarrassed me, too. But don't worry.

Evelyn is forgiving and sweet. I'm sure she won't hold it against you."

"I have no doubt. Anyone that raised Samantha is wonderful," she said softly.

"I'm surprised you're not asking for a DNA test," he said, and she shook her head.

"I suspected from the moment I saw her that she was your daughter. The resemblance was too strong to ignore. I just didn't want to believe it at the time. I even... I even had a DNA test done..." she trailed off when Derek's eyes widened in surprise. "You... did what? When? How?"

His mother nodded, shame coloring her features as she explained it to him. "I just wanted to know for sure, and now I want to make things right."

Derek leaned back in his chair, processing her words.

"Like I told you already, I plan to marry Evelyn, Mom.

I hope you're okay with that."

She gave him a slight, tentative nod. "I don't mind. I never had anything against Evelyn, not personally. I just... I listened to Michael too much. This has taught me always to hear both sides of the story, no matter who tells it first." Derek studied her for a moment, then sighed. "I will arrange for you to meet Evelyn. Maybe you and Dad can come over to the house. We can all sit down and talk things through." But she quickly shook her head. "No, I want to meet her privately. I need to apologize and make amends before I come into her home. It wouldn't feel right." Derek nodded thoughtfully.

"Alright,

if that's what you prefer. Do you want me to bring her to you?"

"No," mother his

firmly. said t

I need is her phone number. I'll reach out to her myself and arrange a meeting," she said, and Derek reluctantly pulled out his phone and gave her Evelyn's number. His mother took it with a grateful nod, and as they put their phones away, she looked at him again, her expression shifting to one of annoyance.

"I was going to confront Michael, but your father asked me not to. What are we going to do about those two animals?" She asked, and Derek smirked.

"I have a plan," he said, his voice steady with resolve.

"And now that you're on our side, I need your help executing it." "Whatever

need, Derek. I'll do anything to fix the mess I've caused," she said, her eyes meeting his with a newfound determination. Derek gave her a small, approving nod. "First, you have to keep acting like you don't know a thing. I'd like us to reveal everything at your upcoming birthday party. I want you to make sure they plan the party themselves. I will make Michael believe I plan to propose to нега Sandra on on that night." His mother frowned, "I like the idea, but don't forget that Michael is family and I have to think about my sister and our relatives before doing something like that in public. Besides, it would ruin my party," she reminded him.

"That doesn't have to be the real party. We could do that at home with only family members present and after that we can move to the real party venue. How about that?" He asked, and she considered it for a moment before nodding. "That sounds good. Will Sandra's parents be present too?" She asked, and Derek nodde

"Yes. They have to be there. I plan to propose to Evelyn on that night after I've cleared up everything," he said, and she nodded

"Alright. If that's what you want, you have my support," she assured him, making up her mind not to worry about what anyone was going to say about Derek marrying Michael's ex fiancée. Derek smiled, happy that he finally had his mother on his side. With both their parents' blessing, he could proceed with his plans to marry Evelyn now.

 

Chapter 143

The day dragged on, with Sandra doing her best to get under Evelyn's skin. She hovered around, offering unsolicited advice, acting extra friendly with some of the staff, and throwing Evelyn fake smiles every time their paths crossed. But beneath Sandra's thinly veiled hostility, Evelyn could sense something more: Sandra was looking for an opportunity to steal her phone.

Evelyn kept her phone close all morning, knowing that if she left her phone unattended, Sandra might take the chance to snoop.

She made sure it was either in her pocket or locked securely in her drawer. She even caught Sandra casting glances at her desk when she thought Evelyn wasn't looking. Every time she excused herself from her desk, Evelyn could feel Sandra watching, waiting for her to slip up. But Evelyn wasn't about to give her the satisfaction.

By mid-afternoon, Evelyn needed to use the restroom. Tucking her phone into her pocket, she made her way to the restroom, trying to shake off the growing tension. She couldn't let Sandra control her every move.

Once inside the restroom, Evelyn slipped into a stall, grateful for a moment of peace. She was about to relax when she overheard voices- some of the staff

chatting as they fixed their makeup at the sink.

"Did you hear about Evelyn?" one of them whispered.

"Oh yeah," another replied. "I heard she got fired from Empowered for being incompetent. Imagine, she came back here like nothing happened. Must be good to have the family company to fall back on." Evelyn rolled her eyes as she listened in silence. She did not doubt that Sandra had sponsored some of these rumors.

The first woman chuckled softly. "That's not even the best part. I heard she leaked those stories about Derek Stone all over the internet because she was jealous of her sister's relationship with him." "And," the second woman added in a hushed tone, "apparently, she has been away for a long time because she ran away on the morning of her wedding. Can you believe it?"

She was usually not one to enjoy gossip, but there was oddly something satisfying about eavesdropping on a conversation about yourself, especially when the gossipers were clueless gossipmongers. The first woman gasped. "No way. What a mess."

The gossipers continued to snicker, clearly enjoying themselves, oblivious to the fact that Evelyn could hear every word. But Evelyn wasn't going to hide. She flushed the toilet, and as she stepped out of the stall, the women froze, their faces draining of color.

Evelyn walked to the sink, washed her hands, and smiled at them through the mirror. "You know," she said calmly, "I don't care about the rumors you're peddling, and I certainly don't care where you got them from. What I care about is that you are being paid to stand in the restroom gossiping during work hours."

The two women stammered apologies, avoiding her gaze as they hurriedly grabbed their things and fled from the restroom. Evelyn shook her head, drying her hands before walking back to her office.

Just as she was settling back at her desk, her phone buzzed with a text message. It was from Derek: [I gave my mom your number. She'll probably call you soon.

I'll call you when I'm less busy.]

Evelyn's heart skipped a beat. [Why would you give her my number?] She started typing in response, but before she could send it, her phone lit up with an incoming call from an unknown number. Her heart raced. Was it Derek's mother?

She hesitated for a moment, then took a deep breath and answered.

"Hello?"

"Evelyn?" came a soft, tentative voice from the other end. "It's Derek's mother. I-I'm sure Derek told you everything already, but I just wanted to... well, I was hoping you'd give me a chance to meet with you. I know I've made mistakes, and I don't expect you to forgive me easily, but I would really like to apologize.

That's all I want."

Evelyn's grip on the phone relaxed. She could hear the nervousness in Mrs. Stone's voice, and despite everything that had happened, Evelyn felt a small sense of empathy for the woman.

"Okay," Evelyn said after a pause. "We can meet during my lunch hour."

Relief flooded Mrs. Stone's voice. "Thank you, Evelyn. You can pick the place."

"How about Café Limca? It's quiet and not far from my office," Evelyn suggested.

"Sounds fine," Mrs Stone replied. "I'll see you then."

When lunch hour arrived, Evelyn left the office and headed to Café Limca. Her mind swirled with thoughts of the meeting with Derek's Mom.

Despite the fact that the woman had said she wanted to see her to apologize, Evelyn couldn't help but feel anxious as she remembered the last time they met in Derek's suite and how it had resulted in the loss of her job.

Evelyn reminded herself that she

was Derek's mother, and Derek wouldn't have given her number to his mother if he didn't trust that she wouldn't cause any trouble. So she pushed her worries aside,

ΛΟΥ

determined to clear the air and make

a good impression on her,

When she arrived at the café, Evelyn spotted Mrs. Stone sitting at a table near the window. She looked slightly anxious but composed, with a glass of iced coffee in front of her. Evelyn approached with a polite smile. "Hello, ma'am," she greeted warmly, wanting her to relax.

Mrs. Stone looked up and returned the smile, though it was tinged with nervousness. "Evelyn, thank you for meeting me. Please sit down."

Evelyn took a seat across from her, noticing how carefully Mrs. Stone had dressed for the occasion. Neither of them said a word until they had ordered their snacks, and Evelyn ordered her drink.

"I'm really ashamed of the way I acted the last time we met," Mrs. Stone began after they had been served, her voice low. "I misjudged you. I should have never spoken to you the way I did or did all of that."

Evelyn nodded, her expression neutral. "As much as it hurt me, I understand why you did that. I've tried to put myself in your shoes. You reacted that way because you didn't know what was going on."

Mrs. Stone leaned forward slightly. "I

don't think everyone would have reacted the same way I did. It is true that I didn't know the details of all that transpired between you and Michael, and I reacted based on the lies he told me, but I shouldn't have treated you that way, regardless. I'm so sorry, Evelyn. I don't want to

make excuses. I want to start over if you'll let me."

Evelyn considered her words carefully before responding. "I appreciate your apology, ma'am. And to be honest, I don't hold it against you. If you had known the full story and still taken Michael's side, that would be different. But you didn't." Mrs. Stone's shoulders relaxed, but her gaze remained earnest. "Thank you, Evelyn. But I want to do more than just apologize. I want to make it up to you. If there's anything I can do- if you want your job back at Empowered or even a promotion, I can help." Evelyn shook her head with a small smile. "I've moved on from Empowered. I'm where I need to be now, with my family's company. You really don't need to do anything. I believe everything happened as it was meant to. I don't have any regrets." Mrs. Stone seemed slightly surprised but nodded. "I understand."

After a brief pause, Mrs. Stone reached into her handbag and pulled out a photo. She slid it across the table to Evelyn, who looked down at it.

It was a picture of Derek as a child.

Evelyn smiled softly, her heart warming at the sight. "Samantha looks just like him," she observed, surprised by the striking resemblance between them.

Mrs. Stone's eyes glistened as she nodded. "The moment I saw her, I knew she was Derek's even though he tried to deceive me."

Evelyn laughed softly, "He didn't

mean to deceive you. He wasn't sure

how you'd receive Sam if you knew

who she was. And all they told you is

the truth. They met and became friends before he realized she was his Evelyn said and watched as her eyes widened slightly.

"Are you for real?" She asked, and Evelyn nodded.

Although Evelyn wasn't usually the chatty type, she wanted to put the lady at ease, so she decided to tell her everything.

"I was surprised myself. I never knew about their friendship," Evelyn said and went on to tell her how she had been thinking Rek was a kid until she found out that Rek was actually Derek.

Mrs Stone laughed as Evelyn narrated everything to her and then went on to tell her more about

Samantha. By the time she was done, they were both chatting like nothing had happened between them.

"She's priceless, Evelyn. I can't imagine how tough it must have been, yet you did such a wonderful job raising her," she said, and Evelyn smiled.

"Seeing all the praises I've been getting from everyone, I guess it was worth it. I will send you all of her pictures when next we meet," Evelyn promised.

"I will love that. And I want to be part of her life, too, if you'll let me."

Evelyn met her hopeful gaze with a wide smile. "Of course, she's your granddaughter; you have no choice but to be a part of her life," she said, and Mrs. Stone smiled.

It was always easier to tell if something was fake after seeing the original, and now that she had seen Evelyn, she could tell that Sandra was a complete sham. Evelyn's grace and beauty were effortless, and her warmth and kindness radiated from her like a sweet fragrance. She had no doubt that Derek had made the right choice. Michael's loss was Derek's win.

 

 

Chapter 144

Rayna sat in her office at her bakery on Wednesday, leaning back in her chair with her legs casually propped on her desk and a silly smile on her face as she chatted with ET over the phone.

The bakery's usual hum of activity filled the background, but Rayna was focused on the conversation.

"So, your turn," Rayna said, twirling a pencil in her hand, "What's one thing you've always wanted in a partner but have never found?"

Ethan's voice came through her phone, warm and relaxed. "Hmm, that's a good one. I think it would be someone who understands me, you know? Not just the surface stuff but what makes me tick. Someone who can challenge me but also be my peace." Rayna smiled, lowering the pencil. "I get that. I'm kind of the same. I need someone who's ambitious but also knows how to relax. Balance is important."

"Exactly! It's all about balance. You get it." Ethan agreed.

"Of course I do," Rayna said with a proud smile.

"Now, your turn. What's your favorite movie of all time? This is important," he said, eager to see if she would tick his box in her movie choice as she had been ticking other boxes.

Rayna's laughter rumbled through the phone, soft and warm. "Oof, that's a tough one. I'd have to go with The Princess Bride. I mean, come on, it's perfect! Romance, adventure, sword fights..."

"Hm. Not a bad choice. Mine is The Matrix. It's a classic," he said, and Rayna smiled, rolling her eyes.

"Predictable. But not bad. I've got another important question for you," she said since they were taking turns asking questions.

"Lay it on me, baby," he said, and she grinned.

Somehow, in the last couple of days, he had switched to calling her baby, and each time he did, she felt warm all over.

"If you could have dinner with anyone, dead or alive, who would it be?" Rayna's voice carried a playful edge, but Ethan could sense her curiosity.

"My grandfather. He passed away when I was young, but he was the wisest man I knew. I'd love to have just one more conversation with him," Ethan said, his tone softening slightly.

There was a brief silence as Rayna smiled, touched by his answer. "That's really sweet."

"Thanks. What about you?"

She giggled, tapping the pen against her lips.

"Honestly? Probably Michael Jackson. Sorry, I don't have a response as deep as yours," she said, and Ethan chuckled.

"It's all about balance, remember? We both can't be too serious all the time," He said, and they shared a laugh before Ethan's tone turned curious. "So, what are your plans this weekend? Maybe we can meet up?"

Rayna leaned back, closing her eyes with a contented smile. "I'd love to, but I have my high school reunion on Saturday. Maybe Sunday?"

Ethan thought for a moment. "Sunday works, but..." he trailed off, thinking about something more spontaneous.

"But what?" Rayna asked curiously.

There was a pause, and then Ethan's laugh filled the room. "You know, I could come to the reunion with you on Saturday instead."

Rayna opened her eyes, blinking in surprise. "Wait, what?" Rayna burst out laughing, shaking her head in disbelief.

"Yeah, why not?" Ethan said, still chuckling. "Let's see how many people can guess we've never met in person before. I bet we could totally pull it off. We'd walk in, and everyone would just assume we've known each other forever." Rayna grinned, picturing the scene. "I know, right?

They'd never guess it's our first time meeting."

"I know it's a crazy idea," Ethan said, and she nodded.

"It is indeed a crazy idea, and that is why I love it. It'd be fun! Plus, it'd give us the perfect excuse to spend the whole day together. You know what? You're on. Let's do it," she said with a grin that Ethan could practically hear through the phone. "You crazy matches my crazy. Why are you so perfect me, baby?" Ethan asked, the smile clear in his voice.

She bit her lip, considering it. "Maybe because I'm your soul mate, who knows?" She asked, and Ethan laughed.

His laughter was infectious. "Perfect response. Now, can I ask you some more... intimate questions? To see if we're compatible in other ways?"

Rayna's eyebrows shot up, her interest piqued. "Sure, go ahead."

Ethan took a breath, his voice dropping a little.

"Alright, how do you feel about, let's say... physical touch? Are you affectionate?"

Rayna felt a little heat rise in her cheeks but answered confidently. "I'm very affectionate when I feel a strong connection. I like to be close to my partner. I could say it's my love language."

"Good," Ethan responded, sounding pleased. "Me too. I think touch is important in a relationship. For me, it sort of says things words can't."

Rayna raised an eyebrow, "Things words can't? Like your fist saying you're mad?" She joked, and Ethan chuckled.

"No, please. That's not the kind of touch I mean," he said, and Rayna smiled.

"I know. I was just kidding. What else?" She asked curiously.

Ethan's voice softened. "Okay, how

about... do you have a high libido? I know it's personal, but it's something we should talk about. believesex is very important ina relationship, especially a committed relationship as a marriage

Rayna chuckled, appreciating his straightforwardness. "I'd say I have a healthy libido. And I agree with you.

think sexual compatibility is important in a relationship, and believe in being open about what

works and what doesn't. I'm open to a lot of things sexually, but I'm NEVER going to be open to anal sex or BDSM. Unless, of course, I'm the one doing the whipping," she said, and Ethan let out a low laugh.

"You don't have to worry about any of those. I'm not into it either. This might sound wild, but I think we're totally compatible. I can't believe I found my soulmate through a marriage ad."

Rayna grinned, leaning back in her chair. "I can't believe it either. Who would've thought?"

"Not me, that's for sure. I thought I was going to settle for just anyone that passed my minimum requirement, but you've exceeded it all," Ethan admitted.

Rayna leaned forward, elbows resting on her desk. "That's good to know. Tell me, what's your idea of a perfect relationship?" She asked, changing the subject again.

"Mutual respect, trust, love, open communication. And it's probably too soon to say this, but I believe it is time to tell you that I've fallen in love with you," he said, and Rayna's breath caught.

"Isn't it too soon for you to tell?" She asked, even though she knew she felt the same way.

They had been communicating more often for the some days now, and the best part of her day had become when they were talking or chatting.

Whenever they weren't talking or chatting, she found herself thinking about their conversations and rereading their chats.

"No. I know my emotions. I know

what I feel. I'm in love with you, Golden Sun. And that's why I want us to meet so we can talk about getting married. I'd love us to get married as soon as possible so I can spend some time with you before going back to work," he said, and Rayna smiled.

"What should we do for our first official date after the reunion? Do you really want to spend the night there, pretending we know each other?"

Ethan chuckled. "We could, but how about we sneak out after the reunion and do something fun? Maybe catch a late-night movie or go clubbing?" Rayna's face lit up. "That sounds perfect! I'm totally down for that."

Ethan's deep laugh resonated through the phone. "I knew you'd like it. I'm really looking forward to this weekend now."

Just as Rayna was about to respond, there was a soft knock on her office door. One of her servers peeked in, looking a little hesitant. "Sorry to interrupt, but

there's a client here asking about an event order."

Rayna nodded and gave the waiter a quick smile. "I'll be right there."

Turning back to the phone, Rayna sighed. "Duty calls. I don't know how long this is going to take, but I have to get ready and go visit my best friend. I'll talk to you after I get home later at night, okay?" "Definitely. I've got plans with my best friend too," Ethan replied smoothly. "Don't forget, we've got a weekend to plan."

Rayna smiled as she ended the call, already looking forward to their first meeting and what the weekend had in store.

She couldn't wait to tell Evelyn about it when she visits her new home later in the day.

She was going to make sure to go shopping for something sexy. Now that she was going to be having a date to the reunion, she wanted to wear the sexiest dress in the room.

 

Chapter 145

As Rayna drove through the gate of the estate where Evelyn's new home was located, she cruised down the road slowly so she could appreciate the serene and beautiful environment. As she parked her car outside Evelyn's new home, she smiled, impressed with Evelyn's choice. Grabbing the tray of appetizers and a box of desserts, she made her way to the door. Evelyn greeted her with a wide smile, opening the door before Rayna could knock. "Ray! You made it!" she exclaimed, pulling her into a warm hug.

"Of course I did! You know I wouldn't miss this for the world." Rayna stepped back, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "This neighborhood is amazing, by the way. You've really outdone yourself." Evelyn laughed, brushing a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "I'm just glad everything came together. I've been running around like crazy since we moved in, but it's finally starting to feel like home."

Rayna looked around as she stepped inside, admiring the high ceilings and the warm, inviting decor. "It's gorgeous, Evie. Truly. I love the open system kitchen," she said with approval. And here, I brought some sweet little treats," she said, and Evelyn grinned. "Thanks. Derek would certainly love these. Come on in," Evelyn said, and she took the box of desserts from her as they headed towards the kitchen.

"Where's Derek?" Rayna asked, glancing around as she set the tray of appetizers down on the dining.

"He's on his way. Got caught up with a meeting, but he should be here soon," Evelyn replied as she opened the box of desserts and set them on the counter.

"You've got enough food here to feed an army, Rayna!" Evelyn teased, eyeing the array of treats her friend had brought.

"Well, I figured you'd be too busy to bake anything," Rayna grinned. "Plus, it's your housewarming, so I had to go all out."

Evelyn shook her head with a chuckle. "I don't know what I'd do without you."

"Exactly as you did for six years without me," she said dryly, and Evelyn giggled.

"You're never going to let go of that, I suppose," Evelyn said, and Rayna nodded.

"Yup. Never. What about Maya and Sammy?" Rayna asked as she arranged the desserts on a tray while Evelyn added the finishing touch to the meal.

"Maya is keeping Samantha entertained in her bedroom. I was just finishing up in the kitchen."

Rayna smiled, "Good. Now, why don't you give me all that gist in person? What has it been like working with Sandra these last couple of days? Is she still trying to steal your phone?" Rayna asked, and Evelyn giggled.

"Of course. She's growing frustrated by the day, though. I feel so sorry for her that I'm almost tempted to hand it to her," Evelyn said with a grin, and Rayna laughed.

"So, are we expecting anyone else for the housewarming?" Rayna asked, and Evelyn couldn't help but wonder what Rayna was going to say or how she would react if she told her Ethan was coming.

Instead of responding, she picked up a meatball and tossed it into her mouth, "Mm, this tastes divine," she said, changing the subject, "Your husband is going to be a very lucky man, whoever he is," Evelyn said, knowing that would get Rayna. Rayna's eyes lit up mischievously. "Oh, by the way, I've got some juicy news."

Evelyn raised an eyebrow as she led her out of the kitchen, wanting to give her a quick tour of the house. "Oh? Why do I feel this is about ET?" Evelyn asked with a knowing smile.

"Because it is. So," Rayna began, her voice brimming with excitement. "I think I'm in love with him, Ev. Like, seriously. I can't stop thinking about him, and we haven't even met yet!"

Evelyn laughed softly, guiding her through the spacious living room. "We both know you fall fast, Ray, but you sound serious this time."

"I am!" Rayna insisted. "I can't wait to see him. And guess what? I'm planning on... well, you know, taking things to the next level when we meet."

Evelyn's eyes widened slightly, and she stopped at the foot of the staircase. "Already? Isn't it a bit soon?"

Rayna waved her hand dismissively, a playful grin on her face. "My heart is connected to my vjay, and trust me, it's not soon enough." Evelyn burst out laughing. "Ray, you're impossible! I don't know how I am friends with you."

"I know, but come on, he's perfect," Rayna said, her eyes dreamy. "We've been talking non-stop for the last couple of days, and it's like we're

completely in sync. I've never feltet

this way with anyone before. He totally gets me. And do you know what is even more amazing? We agreed to meet on Saturday. Our first date begins with the reunion," she said with a grin, and Evelyn's brows pulled together.

"You don't even know how he looks. What if he shows up and he's not what you what? I mean physically?" Evelyn asked with concern.

"Oh, trust me, I know he's going to be everything I want. The universe can't be so unfair as to make him look hideous when he has all these other amazing qualities," Rayna said, and Evelyn nodded.

toFindNovel

"I hope he looks like everything you want, Ray. I really want you to be happy," Evelyn said, and Rayna grinned.

"Yeah. Thanks," Rayna said as they made their way upstairs.

"You know where I am most curious to see? My bedroom. You made sure there is a best friend room, right?" She asked, and Evelyn giggled.

"Sure. Come with me," Evelyn said as she led the way to the guestroom.

As the ladies disappeared up the stairs, Derek entered the house with Ethan. "1-1m. This place looks nice, but it smells nicer," Ethan said, and Derek chuckled. "Make yourself comfortable while I find Eve," Derek said, leaving his friend in the living room.

Drawn to the scent wafting from the dining, he made his way over there with the bite of wine he had brought. He glanced at the table covered in deliciouslooking appetizers and desserts, his stomach rumbling.

He set down the bottle of wine and quickly popped a meatball into his mouth. He was in the middle of savoring it when Derek returned with Evelyn. "Babe, this is Ethan. Ethan Fischer. Ethan, this is the love of my life, Evelyn Quinn," Derek said, grinning as he introduced the two.

Before Ethan could finish swallowing, Rayna, who had been using the restroom, emerged behind Evelyn and Derek, and she froze in the doorway. Her eyes locked with Ethan's, and her heart skipped a beat. Ethan, in turn, choked on the appetizer, coughing as his face turned red.

 

Chapter 146

Rayna's face contorted into a scowl as she turned to Evelyn while Ethan glared at Derek.

"Really, Evie? You planned this, didn't you?" Rayna asked Evelyn.

"Did you ask me over on purpose?" Ethan asked

Derek, his tone equally confused and accusatory.

Evelyn looked between them. "Rayna's my best friend, Ethan. I invited her to celebrate the housewarming with us."

Derek stepped in. "Ethan's my best friend, Rayna. I wanted him to see the house and meet Evelyn."

Ethan shook his head, glaring at Derek. "You could've done that any other day. Why today, when you knew she would be here?"

Rayna crossed her arms, her voice sharp. "Exactly. Why today?"

"At least you both agree on something. That's a start," Evelyn joked, and Derek chuckled while Rayna and Ethan glared at the couple.

Before anyone else could speak, Samantha bounded into the room, her cheerful energy breaking the

tension. "Daddy!" She called as she jumped on Derek, and he caught her.

Ethan's attention shifted to her, and Derek quickly introduced them. "Ethan, this is Samantha, my daughter," Derek said proudly. "Baby, this is my best friend, Ethan." Ethan smiled at the little girl. "It's nice to meet you, Sam. You look so pretty," Ethan said, and Samantha blushed.

"Thank you," she said with a shy smile as she glanced at Rayna.

"Hello, baby!" Rayna greeted and held out a hand to Samantha, who took it.

"Did you bring me chocolates or cakes?" She asked, and Rayna grinned.

"I brought you those and more," Rayna said, and Samantha did a happy dance.

"You know, she is about Ella's age. Maybe I could ask Sara to let me bring Ella over for a play date," Ethan suggested.

Samantha perked up. "My best friend's name is Ella!"

Evelyn glanced at Ethan, curious. "You know Sara and Ella? Now that I think about it, they have the same last name as you. Fischer."

Ethan looked surprised. "Yeah, Sara is my sister-inlaw. How did you know?"

Evelyn laughed. "Small world. I met Sara on

Samantha's first day at school."

Derek chuckled, nudging Evelyn. "Looks like I was bound to find out about Samantha one way or another."

Rayna, still annoyed, chimed in. "Good thing Evelyn told you. I hate dramatic reveals."

"And here is the nanny of the century," Derek announced as Maya joined them, and Maya giggled shyly at the introduction.

"Ethan, this is Maya, Sam's wonderful nanny. Maya, this is Nathan, my best friend," Derek said, and Maya gave Nathan a polite nod before turning to Evelyn.

"Sam and I will have our dinner upstairs," she said, and Evelyn gave her a nod.

Samantha ran off with Maya, leaving the adults to continue their awkward conversation.

As they sat down to eat, Rayna ignored Ethan and turned to Evelyn. "So, I guess now that we have the mother-in-law's approval, we will be hearing wedding bells soon, right?" She asked, looking from Evelyn to Derek.

"As long as Evelyn will have me, sure," Derek said, and Rayna grinned. "Let's hope she doesn't bail this time," Rayna joked, and Evelyn giggled. "Shut up, Ray. Let's focus on dinner," she said as she served the meal.

Evelyn and Derek tried to make small talk so that

Ethan and Rayna could converse, but no matter how much they tried, Rayna and Ethan refused to discuss the same subjects.

After they had eaten for a while, Rayna looked at Evelyn and said, "So, do you want to go shopping tomorrow? We need to get a few things for the reunion this weekend."

Ethan paused momentarily, his fork hovering in midair. Reunion? he thought, suddenly anxious. It couldn't be the same reunion his golden sun was attending, right? Evelyn grinned. "We? Are you sure it's about the reunion or it's about your date?"

Rayna giggled. "Both."

Sandra," Derek said, but Evelyn shook her head.

"Nah. Until everything is revealed, I'd like her to keep believing that she's winning. It will be more satisfying to watch her make a fool of herself," Evelyn said, and Rayna giggled.

"You have a point. I can picture her bragging and feeling all important that she is with Derek Stone," Rayna said, and Derek chuckled.

"Why aren't you saying anything?" Derek asked, looking at Ethan.

Still trying to keep his cool, Ethan flashed Evelyn an apologetic smile. "I wish I could help, but I have a date that day."

Derek looked surprised. "You're finally meeting your golden sun?"

Ethan smiled. "Yep."

Rayna's face paled. She stared at Ethan in disbelief, and her heart skipped a beat when he briefly met her gaze. No... it couldn't be him...

Evelyn exchanged a look with Rayna, her eyes widening when she realized what was going on.

"Wait, Ethan, were you the one who put out the marriage ad on Empowered Couple's page?"

Ethan nodded. "Yeah, that was me. How did you know?"

Hearing that, Rayna shot up from her chair, grabbing her handbag. "Evelyn, I'm leaving."

Derek, confused, watched as Rayna hurried to the door and Evelyn hurried after her. "What's wrong with her?" he asked, looking at Ethan.

Ethan didn't say a word, but his gaze followed Rayna, a look of realization dawning on his face.

It wasn't a coincidence. It seemed like Rayna was actually his golden sun.

Shit!

 

Chapter 147

How could this happen? Why did it have to be Ethan? After chatting for days and anticipating their date, how could the person she had fallen for be Ethan?

This had to be a joke. This was a cruel joke. There was no way this could be happening to her, Rayna thought as she hurriedly headed for the door.

Evelyn caught Rayna just as she got to her car. The evening air was cool, and the quiet around them only made the tension in Rayna's posture more noticeable. Her friend looked lost in thought, her fingers nervously gripping her car keys.

"Ray!" Evelyn called softly, catching up to her.

Rayna paused but didn't turn fully. She glanced over her shoulder, her eyes already misting. "Evie, I... I can't talk right now. I just need to be alone for a bit. Maybe we can talk tomorrow."

Tears began to fall, and Evelyn's heart clenched at the sight. She quickly moved closer, wrapping her arms around Rayna in a warm embrace.

"Rayna, let's go inside, okay? We can talk about this," Evelyn pleaded softly, not wanting Rayna to leave in that state, especially not when she was crying this way. She had never seen Rayna this emotional, and it made her worry.

Rayna shook her head as she pulled away gently from Evelyn's embrace, her teary gaze flickering towards the house.

Shame burned her cheeks at the thought that she had spent days confiding in Evelyn about Ethan- gushing about his wit and charm when he couldn't even stand her in reality.

"I don't want to talk about it right now, Evelyn," she whispered, her voice cracking as she fought back more tears. "Please, I just need to go," she said, wiping her tears.

"I will let you go, but not in this state. You need to calm down," Evelyn said, and Rayna nodded.

"I'm calm," Rayna assured her, even though she didn't look calm in any way.

Evelyn followed Rayna as she unlocked her car and Evelyn got into the passenger seat, "Don't overthink it, Ray. I know this is a lot to take in, but before you jump to conclusions, hear me out."

"What is there to hear? It's him. ET is Ethan."

Evelyn sighed. "Yes. But listen, Ray, have you considered the fact that he might be your soul mate, as you said the other day? Isn't this a good thing? I mean, what are the chances that you both connected this way despite everything?"

Rayna shook her head, "This isn't going to work."

"Why not? Don't you think the anonymity of the internet allowed you both to be more relaxed and more open with each other so you could see you are meant for each other?" Evelyn asked softly. "We can't even stand each other in real life. How did this happen?

How could this happen? How could I have fallen for a man I can't stand in person? Someone I can't even have a civil conversation with in real life?" Rayna asked, breaking down in tears once again. "No. That's not true. You can stand him. The only reason you are this way with him is because he refused to accept your apology and move on..."

"Exactly! And somehow, I managed to fall for someone who despises me!"

"You said ET said he is in love with you," Evelyn reminded her.

"We both know Ethan doesn't like me. Evelyn, please. I'm exhausted. I just want to go home. Please, let's stop talking about this now," she begged. Evelyn nodded, understanding. "Alright. Drive safely. Don't cry. Call me when you get home," she said as she stepped out of the car.

Evelyn watched as Rayna drove off without another word, leaving her standing by the door, feeling the weight of her friend's pain.

As Evelyn returned inside, she noticed Ethan standing by the dining table, his coat in hand, clearly ready to leave as well.

She opened her mouth to speak, but Derek caught her eye and subtly shook his head, signaling her to wait.

Without a word, Derek walked over to Ethan, placing a reassuring hand on his shoulder, and escorted him out of the house.

As Derek walked Ethan to his car, Ethan kept muttering to himself.

He then turned to Derek once he got to his car, "This doesn't make any sense. How can this be? How can she be Rayna? The name doesn't even make any sense. How did she go from Rayna to Golden Sun? I used ET! Ethan, ET! She had me fooled!"

Although Derek was amused by the situation, he knew that laughing now could earn him a punch from Ethan, so he tried to maintain a straight face.

"Take it easy, man. Rayna isn't so bad..."

Before Derek could finish, Ethan shot him a glare again, "Was it you? Did you tell Evelyn that I put out the ad, and you made her respond to it? Or was it Melvin and Sarah? Shit!" Ethan swore under his breath and kicked his car tire, setting off the theft alarm. "Or maybe it's just fate. Destiny," Derek said with a shrug.

"That doesn't make any sense. Why would it be her of all the people in the world?" Ethan asked, and then, with another curse under his breath, he got into his car and drove away.

The moment he disappeared, Derek chuckled under his breath, unable to hold back his laughter anymore.

"What's so funny?" Evelyn asked, raising an eyebrow as she stepped outside to join him.

She had been watching them from the window, and the moment Ethan drove off, she hurried out to meet Derek. She wanted to know what Ethan said since she had been unable to hear him.

Derek let out a soft chuckle, "The whole situation. If you think about it, it's funny."

Evelyn shook her head, "I guess it is, but I can't find the humor in it right now. Not when Rayna is so heartbroken. What did Ethan say?"

Derek shook his head. "He's still in denial. He didn't say much. He just wants to be alone for a while."

"The same as Rayna. She was crying but wouldn't talk about it," Evelyn said with a sigh, crossing her arms.

Derek walked over to her and rubbed her arms, "Don't lose sleep over it. I'm sure those two will find a way to fix things. It seems like we didn't really have to invite them over after all. They're meant to be."

"What if they don't fix things? Do you really think Ethan is going to want to fix things? Rayna believes that he hates her. The problem between them is from Ethan, not Rayna," Evelyn said, and Derek nodded thoughtfully.

"It is true that Ethan holds grudges. But I'm sure they will be fine, Evie. Let's give them time. I believe they will sort things out. Ethan won't let something silly get in the way of what he has found and can have with Rayna." She sighed softly, leaning into Derek's comforting presence. "I hope you're right."

Evelyn wasn't so sure. She could stilli see the hurt in Rayna's eyes, and she knew her friend well enough to know that this wasn't just a small issue. But Derek's calm reassured her a little since he knew Ethan well enough. Maybe he was right. Perhaps they just needed some space to figure things out on their own.

 

Chapter 148

Ethan's mind was racing, his heart pounding with frustration as he drove away into the night.

How could this be happening?

Rayna... Golden Sun?

The thought kept spinning in his head, and the more he thought about all their conversations and how well they had synced, the angrier he became.

He knew something was off. There was absolutely no way this could have been a coincidence. How else could he explain that of everyone who had applied, she had been the only one to refuse to give her real name or even show him her pictures?

She had to have known he was the one, even though she had been pretending not to know the whole time. She had deliberately lured him in and seduced him into falling for her.

How dare she be the woman he had fallen for? All these while he had spent his time talking to Rayna?

This had to be some kind of setup. And he had a pretty good idea of who might have been behind it. Ethan's fingers gripped the steering wheel tightly as he drove down the quiet streets toward his brother's house instead of his.

He pulled into Melvin's driveway with a sharp jerk, barely able to keep his composure. He slammed the car door shut and stormed up to the front door. The moment he walked inside, he found his brother lounging on the couch, scrolling through his phone like he didn't have a care in the world.

Melvin looked up, his eyebrows raised at the sight of Ethan's furious expression. "Whoa, what's with the look? You lose a million bucks or something?"

Ethan didn't waste any time. He glared at his brother, his voice low and cold. "Were you behind it?"

Melvin blinked in confusion, sitting up straighter. "Behind what?"

"Don't play dumb with me, Mel. Did you tell Rayna about the marriage ad and make her apply for it?" Ethan's voice was growing louder, his frustration and impatience leaking through with every word.

Melvin's eyes widened in genuine surprise, and for a second, he just stared at Ethan like he had lost his mind. "Wait... what? Rayna responded to the ad?"

Ethan clenched his fists, trying to keep his temper in check. He was already at the edge, and Melvin's clueless expression wasn't helping. "Don't act like you didn't know. Did you and Sarah plan this? Did you tell her to apply and make her look like the perfect match for me?" Before Melvin could respond, Sarah waddled into the room, her hand resting on her belly. She gave Ethan a concerned look.

"What's going on? Why are you so furious, Tan?"

Ethan shifted his glare to her, his voice sharp. "Were you in on this, too? Did you two set this up? Did you tell Rayna to apply and make her seem like the perfect woman for me?"

Melvin and Sarah exchanged a quick glance, something passing between them that only made Ethan more frustrated. His sister-in-law's lips twitched, and she tilted her head. "Wait... Rayna? Is she the 'Golden Sun' you were always talking about?" Ethan's face flushed with embarrassment. He rubbed the back of his neck, avoiding their gazes as he muttered, "Yes."

Melvin let out a snort of laughter, and Sarah's eyes lit up with amusement. In the next second, they both burst into laughter, unable to contain themselves.

Ethan's scowl deepened. "This isn't funny."

"Oh, but it is funny," Sarah giggled, wiping a tear from her eye. "We told you, Tan! We told you that Rayna was perfect for you, but no, you were too stubborn to listen!"

Melvin was still chuckling as he leaned back on the couch. "Yeah, man. You've been pining over her this whole time and didn't even realize it. How did you figure it out, anyway?"

"I'm not in the mood to talk about it," Ethan snapped, pacing the living room like a caged animal. "Just tell me if you two had anything to do with it."

Finally catching his breath, Melvin looked at him with a raised brow. "Do you really think I was the one who helped you choose 'Golden Sun' from your list of candidates? Or that Sarah was standing by Raynas side every time she talked to you, telling her what to say to make her perfect for you?"

Ethan stopped pacing, his hands still clenched at his sides. He didn't know what to believe anymore. How was this possible if they didn't have a hand in this? How could someone like Rayna be his perfect lady? Melvin's expression softened slightly. "Listen, man, I don't know why you're so mad at Rayna, but that... that is something you're going to have to let go of if you really want to get married to someone special.'

"Yes, Tan. Mel is right. Think about it: you put out the ad hoping for just a wife for yourself and a mother for your future kids, but you were lucky enough to find love and friendship. How many people do you think are that lucky? I think you should be able to forgive and forget whatever Rayna did to get you so upset, Sarah said softly.

Ethan stared at his brother and sister-in-law for a moment, his mind buzzing with a thousand thoughts. Without another word, he turned on his heel and stormed out of the house, slamming the door behind him. He cursed under his breath as he walked back to his car, his frustration boiling over.

How could the universe play such a dumb trick on him? No way!

There was absolutely no way he was going to get married to Rayna.

He was just going to start afresh. If need be, he would go back to the remaining four ladies on the list. He was very certain that he would find someone among them.

Anyone else would be better for him than Rayna. Anyone else, he told himself, but as he got into his bed a short while later, he couldn't help the ache in his chest. He couldn't help the feeling of disappointment that overwhelmed him.

He had been looking forward to meeting his Golden Sun. He had been looking forward to their first date. How was he supposed to find someone else who would sync with him as she had done?

How was he going to get over this overwhelming heartache?

This was all his fault, and he deserved it. He should have insisted she send in her pictures. He should have asked to meet before his emotions got in the way. He had lost focus, and now he had himself to blame for this disappointment and heartbreak.

 

 

Chapter 149

The next morning, Evelyn sat at her desk, her fingers tapping restlessly against the cool surface as she stared blankly at her computer screen.

Her mind wasn't on work. It was far from it. She was thinking about Rayna. The image of her friend's tear-streaked face from last night haunted her, making it impossible to focus.

Rayna had always been the one with a level head, the one to offer advice and support. Now, seeing her like that, broken and vulnerable, made Evelyn feel utterly helpless.

She sighed and picked up her phone, dialing Raynas number again, hoping that this time she'd pick up. But once more, the call went straight to voicemail.

'Her phone must be off, Evelyn thought, biting her lip anxiously.

What was she supposed to do now? Rayna needed her, and she didn't know how to help.

As the minutes dragged on, Evelyn found herself spiraling deeper into worry. She couldn't shake the guilt that weighed heavy on her chest. Rayna had always been there for her- Rayna had been her rock. But now, when it was Rayna who needed support, Evelyn felt lost.

I have to do something, she thought. Maybe instead of giving Rayna space, she could swing by her place during her lunch break.

Even if Rayna didn't want to talk, Evelyn could at least check in on her and make sure she wasn't crying alone.

Glancing at the time, she pushed her chair back and stood up when she saw it was a few minutes before lunch break. As she grabbed her handbag and headed for the door, another thought intruded, one that had been lingering at the back of her mind for some days.

Liam.

He had promised to call her after he got back to Husla, but he hadn't. She had brushed it off initially, thinking he was probably busy, but now she wondered if it was because he was avoiding her.

The thought stung more than she cared to admit, and so without thinking, once Evelyn got into a cab, she pulled out her phone and scrolled to Liam's name in her contacts.

She hesitated only for a moment, her thumb hovering over the call symbol as she thought of what to say.

Liam had seemed so sincere when he confessed his feelings for her, and it made her wonder if she should bring up the awkward conversation they had. She shook her head.

No. She was not going to do that. It was best to leave that as it was. There was no reason to do so when he knew about Derek. She didn't owe him an apology for being with someone else. It wasn't like she was doing anything wrong by being with Derek.

Maybe she was reading too much into it. She just needed to check in to confirm that he arrived safely and see how he was doing. That was what friends did.

Taking a deep breath, she dialed his line and brought the phone to her ear, listening to the ringing tone. After a few moments, Liam picked up.

"Hey, Evelyn, his voice came through the line, though it sounded distant, distracted.

"Liam, hi," Evelyn said, feeling a little awkward when she didn't hear the usual cheerfulness in his voice. "I just wanted to see how you're doing. You said you'd call once you got back, but I hadn't heard from you, so..."

There was a pause on the other end, long enough for Evelyn to wonder if the connection had dropped. Then, Liam sighed. "Yeah, I've been really busy. Sorry about that. Look, I'm in the middle of something right now, but I'll call you back later, okay?" Before Evelyn could respond, the line went dead. She blinked, pulling the phone away from her ear and staring at the screen.

Busy? Liam hadn't even given her a chance to say more. He had never hung up first, no matter how busy he was. The dismissal stung, even if he didn't mean it that way.

Concluding that maybe he needed space from her, she decided to respect that and let him be, hoping that he would come around lately. He was a nice friend, and she didn't want to lose their friendship.

Away from there, Liam leaned back on the couch in his apartment, staring at the phone in his hand. The lie had slipped out so easily.

He wasn't really busy- not in the way he'd made it sound. But he couldn't bring himself to have a proper conversation with Evelyn right now. Not after he had made a complete fool of himself.

He glanced around the apartment, the boxes still stacked against the walls. He hadn't even unpacked properly yet because he was still regretting his decision.

The truth was, he hadn't gone back to Husla as he told them. He had not traveled down for a conference either. He had applied for a job in Ludus and had moved down to be closer to her and Samantha. He had planned to surprise her, to show her that he was ready to be part of her life. But seeing her with Derek had crushed any hope he had. And now, he didn't know what to do.

Coming to Ludus had seemed like the right decision at the time.

He had thought that if he were closer to Evelyn, maybe she would be more willing to accept him when he told her how he felt, but instead, he had walked straight into a situation he hadn't anticipated.

He thought sadly that he had been such a fool to have assumed that Evelyn was still single and that maybe she had been waiting for him to make a move.

Even though she hadn't exactly introduced Derek as her man, when he saw her with Derek- the way they interacted, the way she looked at him-Liam knew he had been wrong. Evelyn wasn't single, and neither was she waiting for him.

A part of him regretted not telling her sooner. If he had, maybe things would have been different. Perhaps he wouldn't be sitting here, hiding out in an apartment in Ludus, avoiding her because he was too embarrassed to admit he had followed his heart moved and down here for her.

He was just going to have to keep avoiding her, he thought grimly.

That was the plan, at least for now. He didn't want to complicate her life by letting her know he was in Ludus. He didn't want her to feel guilty for turning him down or for choosing someone else.

He stood up, walked over to the window, and looked out at the quiet street below. Ludus was supposed to be a fresh start for him. But now, it just felt like a mistake.

He had made up his mind. He would stay out of Evelyn's way for now and focus on settling into his new life. Maybe with time, things would feel less awkward, and he could reach out to her again without the weight of his feelings hanging between them. For now, though, it was best to keep his distance.

 

Chapter 150

Sandra sat at her desk, fingers flying across her keyboard as she worked through the latest project reports. The office was quiet, save for the tap-tap sound of her keyboard. It was the kind of afternoon when the minutes dragged, and yet she was too focused on her tasks to notice.

With Evelyn working directly with her, she had to work extra hard now since she could tell Evelyn was looking for an excuse to accuse her of shirking her duties.

Her phone buzzed on the desk, pulling her from her work. A sense of unease settled in her stomach when she glanced at the screen and saw Michael's name displayed there. Taking a deep breath, she received the call.

"What's up, babe?" Michael's voice came through, calm and to the point. "Any luck getting rid of the video from Evelyn's phone yet?"

Sandra sighed, frustrated. She had tried, but Evelyn was too careful, always keeping the phone close. "No," she admitted, "I haven't been able to get to it. She's been more guarded than usual.

If I didn't know better, I'd think she knew what I was up to. Or maybe she knows. She acts like a know-it-all witch."

Michael exhaled loudly, and she could picture him pinching the bridge of his nose in irritation. "Forget it then," he said finally, "it's been days already, and seeing as my aunt hasn't done anything, it seems she listened to me and decided not to pursue the hotel incident. Let's leave it alone for now. We will get it when she leases suspects."

Relief washed over Sandra. That video had been a constant worry plaguing her mind. Michael's next words made her heart skip.

"Let's meet after work tonight," he said. "Come over to my place."

Sandra's eyes flicked around the quiet office, instinctively lowering her voice. "Won't that be risky? You never can tell who is watching us."

Michael chuckled dismissively. "At this point, I think my place is safer for us. You can leave your car and take a cab. I'll be waiting."

Before Sandra could respond, her phone chimed with another incoming call. She glanced at the screen, and a smile lit her face when she saw that it was Derek's mom.

"Mike, I have to call you back," she said hurriedly. "Your aunt is on the other line."

"Alright," Michael said. "Let me know what she says when you're done."

Sandra ended the call with Michael and immediately switched to Mrs. Stones. Forcing her voice into a bright, respectful tone, she greeted, "Hello, Rebecca. How are you doing today?"

Although hearing Sandra address her so casually now grated on her nerves, she tried to keep her calm. "I'm fine, my dear. Are you busy? I'd like to go shopping, and I was hoping you could accompany me," she said in her usual cheerful voice.

Sandra's heart leaped. An invitation to shop with Derek's mother was another opportunity to secure her place in the Stone family, and it was not one she could pass up. "No, I'm not busy at all," she lied smoothly. "Where would you like me to meet you?"

"I will text you the details now. See you soon""" she said before hanging up.

As soon as the call ended, Sandra's lips curved into a smile of triumph. She quickly gathered her things, eager to make a good impression.

On her way out of the office, she noticed Evelyn's desk was empty.

Sandra paused, her brows knitting together. Where had Evelyn gone?

She was tempted to investigate but decided against it. Whatever Evelyn was up to, it didn't matter right now. Mrs. Stone was waiting, and this was far more important.

As Sandra drove to the upscale mall not too far away, she called Michael to let him know she was meeting up with his aunt. The last thing she wanted was for Michael to get in her way now. She could always get rid of him after achieving her goal.

By the time Sandra arrived at the restaurant within the mall, Mrs. Stone was already seated, sipping a glass of wine, and looking poised and elegant as usual.

She greeted Sandra with a sweet smile. "Thank you for coming on such short notice, darling."

"It's my pleasure. I'm happy to help with whatever you need" Sandra said with a bright smile, eager to please her.

They soon headed to the boutique nearby, and as they walked through the rows of high-end clothing and accessories, Mrs. Stone began picking out items.

She handed them to Sandra, who dutifully carried everything without complaint. Sandra's arms ached, but she didn't let it show.

She wanted Mrs. Stone to see her as reliable, as someone who could handle anything.

Although Mrs Stone knew that the load was too much for Sandra, she heaped on more and more items that she didn't need. This was her own petty way of making Sandra suffer for making a fool of her. This was the best she could do for the time being until everything was revealed and she received proper punishment.

After several hours of shopping, they sat down to catch their breath and ordered two glasses of iced coffee. Mrs. Stone eyed Sandra over the rim of her glass before speaking. "My 60th birthday is coming up soon."

Sandra's eyes widened with excitement. "That's wonderful! You must be so excited. Do you have plans for the celebration?"

Mrs. Stone nodded, her gaze steady on Sandra. "Yes, and I'd like you to help me plan it."

Sandra's heart soared. This was huge. Helping Mrs. Stone with her birthday party would not only solidify her place in the family but might also bring her closer to Derek. "Of course! I'd be honored to help. What kind of event are you thinking of?"

Mrs. Stone took a slow sip of her coffee. "Something intimate.

Just the families- my family and yours."

"

Sandra blinked, surprised. "My family? Does that mean my parents are invited too?"

Mrs. Stone nodded. "Yes. Your parents will be there. It's going to be a significant night."

Sandra's cheeks flushed, her mind racing. Was Mrs. Stone hinting that Derek might propose to her at the party? She could hardly contain her excitement. "I'll make sure it's a perfect evening," she promised. "You won't have to worry about a thing."

Mrs. Stone leaned back in her chair, her expression unreadable. "I don't want anything extravagant, just something that brings the families together," she said since the party Sandra was planning wasn't going to be the main event.

Sandra nodded eagerly, already imagining the grand event she could pull together. "Leave it to me," she said confidently. "I'll take care of everything."

There was a pause, and then Sandra hesitated before adding,

"Would it be alright if I invited Evelyn? I know you're not very fond of her, but she's still family, and it would be nice for her to be there, even if she is... you know, the black sheep of our family."

Mrs. Stone's lips thinned into a slight smile. "As long as you can guarantee that she won't cause any trouble, I suppose she can come."

Sandra smirked inwardly, already picturing Evelyn's shock when she saw her standing beside Derek, wearing an engagement ring. "She won't cause any trouble," Sandra promised, her voice sweet.

"I'll handle her."

As they finished their coffee and prepared to leave, Sandra's mind buzzed with plans. The party was going to be her moment. Evelyn would be humiliated, and she would finally secure her place by Derek's side.

She just had to play her cards right.