At The Valley.
Since exchanging ssages with Axel, Evelyn’s phone had beco a relentless source of disturbance.
It rang so often that the silence she once enjoyed now felt like a distant mory.
The device vibrated, chid, and flashed without rcy, as if determined to remind her that peace was no longer a luxury she could afford.
It made sense to silence it.
Completely.
Evelyn stared at the glowing screen for a long second before pressing the silent option with quiet determination.
The room instantly fell into a comforting stillness, the sudden absence of noise almost suspicious in its perfection. Her shoulders eased, and a small sigh of relief escaped her lips.
However, silencing her phone did not silence the world around her.
No one could stop her family from worrying.
No one could stop Axel’s family from intruding.
Persistence, it seed, ran strongly in both bloodlines.
Still, for the mont, Evelyn allowed herself the illusion of freedom. She settled comfortably onto the sofa in her watching area, pulling the blanket slightly higher as she reached for the remote.
The television flickered to life, bathing the room in soft light. The familiar opening of her favorite drama series appeared, instantly lifting her mood.
Finally.
A peaceful night.
The opening song began, its lody filling the quiet room. Evelyn relaxed against cushions, a faint smile forming as she prepared to lose herself in fictional chaos rather than her own.
Knock. Knock.
The sound was soft. Polite. Yet impossibly disruptive.
Evelyn’s brows drew together. She turned her head toward the door, mild confusion crossing her face. It was late. Her maid or Jimmy rarely ca to her bedroom at this hour, especially after dinner, unless sothing required imdiate attention.
Curiosity stirred.
"Madam..." Laura’s gentle voice followed the knock. "...I apologize if I interrupt your rest. But, may I co in?"
Evelyn straightened slightly. "No need to apologize. Please, co in."
The door opened slowly. Laura stepped inside.
And imdiately, Evelyn sensed sothing unusual.
Her maid looked... hurried. Not panicked, but clearly flustered. A cell phone rested tightly in her hand, and her usual calm expression carried a trace of apology.
"Madam, I’m very sorry if I’m bothering you," Laura said, her tone respectful yet tinged with urgency.
Evelyn smiled reassuringly. "It’s fine, Laura. You’re not interrupting or bothering ."
Laura visibly relaxed, though her grip on the phone did not loosen.
"Go ahead. Tell why you’re here, Laura." Evelyn calmly asked.
Laura hesitated briefly before answering. "Well... Ma’am, it’s Ms. Alicia. She has been trying to call you several tis."
Evelyn’s expression froze. Then shifted into quiet resignation.
’She did? Hmmm. Of course she did...’ Evelyn can’t help but laugh inwardly, knowing her stepmother will never stop until she speaks to her.
"And since you didn’t answer..." Laura continued carefully, lifting the phone slightly, "...and that’s why she called ."
For a brief mont, Evelyn simply stared. The situation was almost impressive. She had silenced her phone. Yet sohow, Alicia had still found a way.
"I see," Evelyn said slowly, amusent flickering behind her eyes.
Laura nodded nervously. "She sounded very worried, Madam."
"I’m sure she did," Evelyn replied with a faint, knowing smile.
Laura stepped forward, extending the phone toward her. "She asked to give this to you imdiately. Ugh, well, this is still connected to her. I’m sorry."
Evelyn accepted the device, shaking her head lightly.
’Well,’ she sighed with playful disbelief, ’my family truly refuses to let disappear even for a second.’
Laura stepped aside in the corner while waiting.
...
"Hi, Alice..." Evelyn greeted her cheerfully.
"My dear Eve!" Alicia’s voice burst through instantly, filled with frantic concern. "Are you alright? What happens on the internet? Why does the gossip appear about my son-in-law? Why didn’t you answer my calls?"
Evelyn winced slightly at the volu and her never-ending question.
"Alice," she said gently, "I’m using Laura’s phone right now."
A brief pause followed.
"Oh." The shift in Alicia’s tone was imdiate and unmistakable.
"I’ll hang up now," Evelyn continued quickly. "I’ll call you back on my phone."
"But Eve—"
"I promise."
Another pause.
"...Alright," Alicia sighed, relief clearly audible. "Call imdiately."
"I will."
Evelyn ended the call and lowered the phone. For a mont, she simply sat there. Half amused. Half exhausted.
She turned toward Laura. "Thank you, Laura."
Laura nodded politely.
"You may rest now," Evelyn added gently. "And turn off your phone."
Laura blinked, confused. "Turn it off?"
"Yes," Evelyn said with a small, knowing smile. "Before the others decide you’re now my official replacent."
Laura’s eyes widened slightly. "Oh dear..." she smiled, knowing what her madam was trying to say.
Evelyn laughed softly. "Trust . It’s safer that way."
Laura smiled, clearly entertained. "Yes, Madam." Then, she turned toward the door, pausing briefly. "Goodnight, Madam."
"Goodnight, Laura," Evelyn said while leaning back against the sofa once more, glancing at her still-silent phone.
Her peaceful night...
Had officially surrendered.
Evelyn did not want Alicia to wait any longer. The mont Laura left the room, she reached for her own phone and then pressed Alicia’s na.
The call barely completed its first ring.
"My girl Eve!" Alicia’s voice burst through the speaker with the exact sa mixture of sadness, worry, and barely controlled rage. "Are you alright? What is happening on the internet? Why is there gossip about my son-in-law? Tell the truth. Axel would not do sothing like that to you. And if he did, I swear, I will go to him personally and beat him."
Evelyn had to bite her lip, holding back her laughter, to hear Alicia sound genuinely ready for battle.
"Alice..." Evelyn began, her tone gentle but steady.
"No, don’t ’Alice’ ," Alicia continued dramatically. "I read everything. My blood pressure nearly hit a dangerous level. Who is that woman? Where did she co from? Why is she so confident?"
Evelyn closed her eyes briefly, fighting the smile threatening to escape.
"Alice, calm down and take a deep breath."
"I am calm and breathing!"
"No, you don’t. I could hear it," Evelyn tries to tease her.
A brief pause followed.
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