Stella nodded fast.
"Yep. I get it. That evil father of ours might kill you if you say that na right before him," she muttered darkly, then shuddered.
"I know. That’s why I chose that path," Evelyn admitted, her voice steady but her hand unconsciously curling into a fist. "How could I lose my son because of him, my own father? No. No. He isn’t my father anymore."
The bitterness in her tone made Stella’s heart sink. She reached out and gently touched Evelyn’s hand. "Sis, I’m sorry..."
"That’s not your fault..." Evelyn forced her shoulders to relax, a faint but genuine smile returning to her lips.
"But still..."
"Well, it’s been a long ti, and now I’m happy with my life. Truly." Evelyn tilted her head, staring closely at her sister. "How about you? Why did you end up in that restaurant trap, under that bastard’s knee?"
Stella’s expression slowly darkened. She fiddled with her fingers before blurtin’, "Because I was stupid, okay? I trusted her, Lana... She said I just needed to co et that bastard and bring the company contract, but instead..." her voice trembling, "... I ran into that nightmare."
Evelyn’s eyes darkened, but she remained silent, allowing her sister to speak.
Stella gave a shaky laugh, half embarrassed, half furious.
"I should’ve known better the mont I entered that room. That bastard kept smiling like a gentleman, but the mont I sat down, he turned into a monster."
She took another long, deep sigh before continuing, "I froze, Eve. I couldn’t even scream. Then, thank God, you ca and saved . Otherwise..." she stopped, her throat tightening.
Evelyn leaned closer, squeezing her hand. "Don’t bla yourself. Monsters like him... they hide behind fake smiles and power. You’re safe now."
"Safe, yes. But also humiliated. And of all people, I ran into you right after. Like fate was mocking . Ugh, but well, I’m happy..."
Stella smiled and took Evelyn’s hand, squeezing it tighter to show how happy she was now. Her anger gradually faded, replaced only by happiness.
"Or maybe fate was finally being kind to you, silly girl..." Evelyn said, then playfully pulled her hand and pinched her sister’s dainty nose. "You found again, didn’t you?"
"Ouch! That hurt, sis."
Stella rubbed her arm dramatically, shooting Evelyn a glare before breaking into laughter.
"Yeah, that’s why I’m not too bothered about that ugly bastard. I buried him deep in my mories. Locked up. Key thrown away."
"Sounds perfect," Evelyn said with a smile.
"Hah..." Stella let out a long exhale, as if releasing a burden she had been carrying for too long. "Sis, I can finally forget him. What I’ll rember instead is today... eting you again. And—" her eyes brightened, "—I got a nephew out of it! Oliver is so freaking cute."
Evelyn’s expression softened instantly. "He is." Her voice carried warmth.
"And I still can’t believe Axel Knight is my brother-in-law," Stella continued, half-whining, half-giggling. "Like...seriously? That powerful, scary, ridiculously handso man is your hubby? You’re living in so kind of drama, sis."
Evelyn’s smile faltered at the sound of Axel’s na. He was never far from her mind, and Stella’s teasing only pulled him closer.
"Ough, sis," Stella drawled, leaning closer with a mischievous grin. "I can totally imagine all the won out there sharpening their claws, ready to kill you once they find out you’re Axel Knight’s wifey. And also n, your husband’s enemies, now that they know you are his dearest, most precious person."
"Stella." Evelyn’s tone turned serious, her gaze sharp. "Never talk about it to anyone. Ever. Please! I don’t want our marriage revealed to anyone, let alone the public. I’m not ready to have enemies I don’t even know."
Stella raised her hand as if taking an oath.
"Promise. Your secret’s safe with ." Then, tilting her head, curiosity bubbled back up. "But... Why hide it? You should flaunt it! Reveal it to the world. Heck, rub it in Dad’s face—" She stopped her words far too late.
The air thickened instantly. Silence stretched between them.
Stella bit her lip, guilt flooding her features. She hadn’t ant to drag their ’father’ into this again. The na itself was a knife.
But Evelyn wasn’t protesting or angry at Stella. Instead, sothing crossed her mind.
"Stella, you said Lana sent you to bring that contract?" Evelyn asked.
"Yes!" Stella’s answer ca sharply, her lingering anger toward Lana flaring again.
Evelyn’s brows furrowed. "Lana Green, the finance director?" She knew the woman and rembered her face from her days at the Walters Group.
"Well..." Stella gave a bitter shrug. "She’s not the finance director anymore. She’s the CFO now."
"What?" Evelyn’s voice shook in disbelief. "She’s the Chief Financial Officer? How is that possible? Where’s the Second Uncle?"
Stella’s lips twisted. "Dad forced him into early retirent. Said he was too old to sit in that position. And put Lana in that position. Well, that happened not long after you left."
Evelyn gasped, her chest tightening. That was impossible. Their uncle wasn’t too old. He had years of sharpness left in him.
Instantly, her mind spun, suspicion curling like smoke. The pieces didn’t fit, and she hated the picture they were forming.
Worse, the reality hit harder: William Walter had shoved Stella into the company as her replacent. But in four years, her sister hadn’t risen past a small managerial role in the finance departnt.
Evelyn clenched her fists and realized sothing was not right.
But then, her thoughts were interrupted by Stella’s sudden voice.
"Oh, right, sis!" She straightened, eyes narrowing at Evelyn. "How the hell did you beat up that bodyguard and that bastard so easily?"
Evelyn blinked. Then she smirked. "Did you forget?"
"Forget what?" Stella repeated, one elegant eyebrow arching high.
"William Walters never saw as rely his daughter," Evelyn said quietly, her gaze steady. "He saw as his successor. From the ti I could walk, he drilled for it. Martial arts, finance, psychology, business...na it, and I studied it. He wanted forged into the perfect heir to the Walters Group."
Stella gasped, then nodded so hard. "I forgot! Damn it..." Her voice rose, hands flailing before dropping heavily. "No wonder Dad never trusted with anything, because I’m useless. He only put in the company because..."
Her voice shook, and the words faded in her throat. Her eyes, wide and glossy, turned a deep shade of red as the sting of unshed tears gathered.
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