by L. B. Reyes
“How dare you send this whole company to hell?” she sneered, standing up. “You've thrown away all our efforts, everything. I always knew you wouldn't be able to handle big responsibilities, Evelyn, I knew it from the start. Your grandmother babied you—”
“Nana did what you weren't capable of doing,” I interrupted her, slamming my hands on the table. “You can say whatever the hell you want about me but you will keep your mouth shut regarding Nana. She was more of a mother than you ever were. You have no right to bring her up, not when you weren't there for her, not when you know absolutely nothing about my relationship with her. I'm your daughter,” I snapped. “And despite you leaving me alone, despite you being the selfish woman that you are and not being there for me when I needed you the most, I still love you, but that doesn't mean I'm going to sit back and listen you degrade my grandma, not when she's the one that raised me.”
My mom looked at me defiantly, glare blazing with anger.
“Say something else, I dare you,” I hissed. When she didn't say anything and simply crossed her hands over her chest, I continued. “Besides, your precious daughter, the one you've always protected is the reason the family name is ruined.”
My mom raised an eyebrow, looking between Hannah and me. I was right to assume that Nathan didn't say anything about that, he was much too cautious to drag my sister's name down no matter how much she deserved it.
“Hannah installed cameras in my bedroom and Nathan's to use as leverage. Stupidly, she asked Josh Nicholson to put them in, and he sent the recording out so blame it on her. On the smart one. The one you have so thoroughly raised to be a businesswoman. She failed the biggest lesson, which is thinking ahead.”
There was tense silence between us until I took a breath to try to relax. I had to keep it together.
“You, sister dearest? I'm sure there's plenty you have to say.”
Hannah smiled, one full of resentment and hate. “I thought you'd be giving the company back to me.”
Give her a chance.
Maybe she'll apologize.
“That's it? There's nothing else you wish to say?”
She shook her head, pressing her lips together.
Of course not.
“And to think that at some point in my life I admired you,” I said sadly. “In many ways, this wasn't you're fault, Mom raised you this way, Han. But you could have decided to be different. I could say many things to you, Hannah. Hurtful things. Spit out how bad of a sister you've been. Remind you of the days you turned your back on me. But I won't waste my time. I only have one thing to say to you. All of you, actually. I know you're not sorry, but I forgive you.”
I turned to David, giving him a single nod. He'd know what to do. He sighed, opening the door to the meeting room and signaled for the officers to walk inside.
“What are you doing?” my mom asked, a desperate shriek in her voice.
“Something I should have done a long time ago.”
I stood back as my parents and Hannah protested against the officer’s commands, they were being apprehended for fraud and my sister had the added charge of invasion of privacy.
Pleading eyes met mine, and their voices echoed as they asked me for help.
“We're your family,” my mom hissed.
I raised an eyebrow. “The girl who used to believe that, you broke her. She's gone.”
She was far too surprised to say anything else.
“Is this your revenge?” Hannah asked, tears in her eyes, disbelief in her features.
I gave her a small smile, shaking my head. “This is justice.”
CHAPTER 44
Evelyn
My hand was in his, such as it had been many times before. Except this time it was different; it was the last time we'd hold hands. His thumb drew circles over the back of my hand out of habit, unknowingly soothing my worries and concerns.
I closed my eyes, reaching across the console and placing my head on his shoulder. I could picture Nathan's smile despite not seeing him as he placed a kiss at the top of my head.
“You okay?” he asked quietly.
“Yeah,” I swallowed past the lump in my throat. “It's just been an overwhelming day.”
“Mmm, I know. Once you get to New York City, you rest, okay?”
“Hm. Yeah, that sounds nice,” I replied with a small smile.
“You'll text me once you get there?” he asked, turning right. We were almost at the airport. Carter was in the backseat, quiet, probably eavesdropping on our conversation.
“I will, I promise.”
“Just making sure,” he chuckled.
As overwhelmed as I was, I believed I was making the right decision. Nathan deserved someone who had their head on straight, someone who was okay with themselves. And I needed time to think. Some things are better done alone and this was one of them.
I loved him, there was no doubt about that, and I knew he loved me too. I just needed to learn how to trust again, gain the self-confidence that had been taken from me.
There was Josh; naively I'd believed that he was my friend. That his intentions were honest only to be betrayed in the end. Thankfully, along with my sister, he was in jail, but I knew it was only a matter of time before his family paid his bond. Money can buy you many, many things. Freedom was one of them. At least I would be far away from him, in another state, never to see him again, or so I hoped.
For months, it was shot after shot, wound after wound. Eventually, it all added up. It all snowballed into insurmountable pain and I was about to explode. There was no need to bring Nathan down with me.
Perhaps with time, we would meet again. Our relationship would start in a normal way, without anyone else involved and we could be happy. For now, however, I had to look out for myself. Be happy with who I was, before truly being able to be happy with anyone else. It's not easy to leave behind the person you love, but sometimes it's necessary in order to find closure.
That’s exactly what I was doing.
“We're here,” Nathan announced, tilting my face up.
Our eyes met and I bit my lip nervously, needing to feel his lips on mine one last time.
“Uh, I'm going to get one of those luggage carrier things,” Carter cleared his throat. “Yeah, that's what I'm going to do.”
“You do that, Carter,” Nathan smiled, his unwavering gaze still on me.
Carter still hadn't fully stepped out of the car when Nathan's mouth was on mine, lips moving with passion and intensity, tongue searching out mine desperately. His hand was at the nape of my neck, pulling me closer, kissing me deeper while my fingers tugged at his hair.
That kiss said more than words ever would.
It said that even if I met someone else, I'd still belong to him just as he'd still be mine.
“God, I'm going to miss doing that,” he admitted between kisses, searching out my lips once again.
When the kiss was finally broken off, I smiled, happy to have been able to feel him against me for one last time. “Promise you'll be happy,” I whispered. “I don't want to feel bad about doing this. I need you to promise me you'll be happy.”
“As long as I know you're okay, I'll be fine,” he comforted.
“We'll stay in contact like always?” I asked.
“Of course. We were friends before all this, Evie. We're not losing that, okay?”
I nodded, sighing when I heard the trunk being opened.
“Let me help Carter with the luggage,” Nathan said, pressing a kiss on my forehead.
I sighed, covering my mouth with my hand as a quiet sob escaped. I exhaled quietly, closing my eyes and suppressing another sob. I couldn't cry. This was already difficult for Nate. I couldn't let him see me breaking down. I had to stand by my decision.
As the men finished up packing, I took out the short letter I'd written for Nathan, placing it on the driver's seat for him to read whenever we were already gone. It was easier to write everything I had to say instead of speaking it, I wouldn'
t have been able to talk without breaking down.
Finally, I stepped out of the car, thankful that I was no longer in an uncomfortable dress and that I had changed into my regular jeans and a blouse. It seemed like Nathan and Carter were also having a bit of a conversation so I stayed behind, sending Jenna and her parents a quick goodbye text as well as Poison and Tessa.
“You ready?” Carter asked after a moment.
I nodded, once again interlocking fingers with Nathan. He walked us into the airport, helping us check in and with the luggage, always relaxed and not betraying his true feelings. I could see everything in his eyes though, and my decision was breaking his heart.
We had plenty of time left so we were able to relax and eat a quick meal before boarding the plane. Most of the time I just listened to the casual conversation between Carter and Nathan. They were both relaxed and at ease and though I enjoyed seeing them that way. The nostalgia was very much present.
“What are you thinking?” Nathan asked, placing an arm over my shoulder.
“I'm not,” I replied quickly. “I'm actually just memorizing everything.”
Carter nodded, understanding in his eyes. Just then the last call for the flight to New York City was made. Our sign that it was time to leave.
“I guess this is it,” Nathan said quietly.
“Seems that way,” Carter said, glancing my way. “Are you ready?”
The deeper meaning of the question made my heart feel torn. Nevertheless, I nodded, standing up.
“I'm ready.”
Nathan looked at me with pride, pulling me into his arms as we stood up. He held me as we walked towards the boarding area and hardly let go of me to say goodbye to Carter.
“Don't forget to text me, hm?” I nodded, leaning my face into his hand as he ran a thumb over my jaw.
“Keep in touch.”
“You too,” he said with a small smile.
He embraced me once again, placing a kiss at the top of my head before pulling away. “Good luck, Evelyn.”
Nodding, I took a step back and turned around, walking towards my destination. It took all of my courage not to turn around and go back to him. And though I tried with all my might, I failed.
I ran back towards him, jumping in his arms as he lifted me up.
“I love you,” I whispered, burying my face in his neck.
“I love you too, Evelyn”
Nathan held me close to him, breathing me in one last time.
Those past months taught me many things; they taught me that family really isn't limited to just blood. Sometimes complete strangers can show you more kindness than the people you share DNA with.
It taught me that love can be the greatest motivator and strength.
I learned that a simple kiss could say more than a speech…
And as Nathan lowered me on the floor and I waved him a final goodbye, I realized that the most valuable lesson you can learn in life that the hardest part of getting hurt isn't falling down, but learning how to get back up.
THE END
Chapter 1
Evelyn
I bit my lip, looking up at the man in front of me. He was handsome, toned, with bright blue eyes and messy, light brown hair. Very, very handsome. He leaned in, pressing a kiss onto my cheek. Gentle. Soft. Tentative.
Wrong.
His hand caressed the soft skin of my neck as he tilted his face slightly, trying to kiss my lips.
Except when he pulled back slightly, and his eyes met mine, I didn’t see him anymore.
Nathan’s gray eyes looked back at me, catching me off guard and making me shake my head.
“Tonight was nice,” I said, clearing my throat. I’d tried, but I couldn’t. The dating scene wasn’t for me, especially when I could see only him.
“Can I come in?” James asked, a teasing smile on his face.
My heart raced, not because I was nervous around him, but because I didn’t know how to let him down easily, as I had with the others.
It was our second date, and the guy probably thought he was going to get lucky or something of the sort. He was so wrong. As handsome as he was, I just didn’t feel that spark. In fact, I didn’t feel a spark with anyone. I couldn’t find the person that could make me trust them…make me feel.
“Uh, I’m actually a bit tired,” I replied, forcing a smile.
He shoved his hands into his pockets, shaking his head. “Really? You seem pretty awake to me, Evie.”
My name sounded weird leaving his lips. I didn’t like it.
“It’s Evelyn,” I said. I let out a breath, fidgeting with my clutch. I had practiced this speech with several other men already. I went out on a lot of dates but they…sucked. “Listen, James, this has been nice, really. But I don’t think it’s going to work out.”
James frowned, his eyes fixed on my face. “I don’t understand.”
“I’m not interested in anything serious.”
His lips tilted up into a slow smirk. “I’m not either.”
Oh God.
“What do you say we have a good time tonight? If it happens again, then so be it, but if not, at least we made the most of it,” he said, stepping closer to me.
“You’re not understanding. I’m not interested at all. Sorry for wasting your time, James.”
I tightened the coat around me and finally stepped inside the condo building in which I lived. I could still feel his glare, but it didn’t matter, at least I was getting out of there.
After a year and a half of living in New York, I still couldn’t believe this was my home. Carter and I lived in the same building but in different areas, so we both had a sense of privacy. Still, every morning we had breakfast together and more than likely dinner too.
Friendships were difficult to come across now, and the only reason I tried to date was under the insistence of Carter. He wanted to see me happy with someone. I was by no means unhappy…I was just alone. I felt like I had to be. Trust was a word I didn’t fully believe in anymore.
I unlocked my condo, closing the door behind me and throwing my purse on the floor. “I’m not going on another date ever,” I promised, taking out a bottle of wine.
Before pouring myself a glass, I took off the uncomfortable dress and put on my pajamas, bundling myself up in one of the coziest blankets I had. I walked out onto the balcony with the bottle and glass, sitting down in one of the patio chairs.
Admiring the city lights was one of my favorite things to do. I was sure I had made the right decision; this place was the furthest thing from my previous environment, and I loved it. Even then, I couldn’t help but feel something was missing.
I enjoyed the anonymity of being in New York. No one knew me here, no one knew my past, and no one knew my story. The perfect place for a new start.
Except that new start never started. It seemed as if my life had just gotten stuck. Sure, I had things to do and had a place to live, but there was just so much that was still missing.
I stole a glance at my phone.
11 p.m.
Would he still be up?
Building up courage, I dialed the phone number as I took a sip of the wine. I didn’t expect him to pick up; he was probably sleeping. Being head of the art department, Nathan barely even had time to eat anymore. I was very proud of him and all that he’d accomplished in the time I had been gone. Everything he had set his mind to was finally happening.
That didn’t change the fact that I missed him.
I was about to hang up when his face appeared on the screen, the chaos behind him much too loud. He was smiling, looking happy with his friends.
“Hey,” he said, lifting a beer. I lifted my glass up just the same, a toast from miles and miles away. “How was your date?”
I rolled my eyes. That would be something he asked me with everyone around him. “It was fine. How’s your night so far? Seems busy,” I said, covering myself up from the cool air.
“Just Lanthorn and his wife, couple of friends. Say hi,�
�� he said, turning his phone so I got a view of his crowded house. Everyone greeted me as if they knew me, and I waved back.
Professor Lanthorn and Nathan had formed quite a friendship after the events of a year back. His wife and he tried many, many times to set him up with a couple of her friends. It never worked out as planned. One woman had a slight obsession with earthquakes which, for clear reasons, scared Nathan off. The other he’d decided they were better off as friends.
“Let me go somewhere quiet.” He excused himself, and I heard a door opening then closing as he sat down on the porch of the house.
“So, now you can tell me all about that date,” he said with a chuckle. I saw him take a sip of his beer, then run his hand through his hair. He wasn’t drunk, but a bit tipsy, much more relaxed than I’d seen him in a while.
“I don’t know.” I shrugged. “Could have been better, I guess.”
“What was wrong with this one?”
“Nothing,” I sighed. “I just wasn’t too comfortable with him. No spark, nothing.”
Nathan rolled his eyes. “Jeez, Evie. I don’t remember you being this picky.”
I don’t, either.
“I’m not picky,” I replied, ready to tease him. “I just have bad luck with men.”
“Ouch.” He winced.
I giggled, leaning back in the chair. “You should see the city lights from here. They look beautiful,” I said quietly.
“Mm, show me.”
I smiled, switching the camera so he could see the scenery.
“Maybe one day soon you can give me a tour of New York City,” he said.
Right.
In the time that had passed, we hadn’t seen each other in person because, for one, I wasn’t ready to return to Pennsylvania, and for two, he never had time. His new job had given him additional responsibilities, and since he continued to teach, it wasn’t easy for him to dedicate time to anything else anymore.
Despite the distance and everything that happened between us, we had forged a strong friendship. I didn’t fool myself, though; I wasn’t sure how I’d react if we were ever face to face again. I told myself I would be strong, but Carter didn’t think so.
