Ex–Wife’s Revenge, Billionaire’s Temptation
CHAPTER 25: There She Was Again
Dominic’s POV
The tension in the house was suffocating, hanging in the air like an unrelenting storm. Mom had made her decision swiftly after last night’s confrontation, her resolve steely and unshakable. Eva needed distance–time and space to sort through the dangerous feelings that had been festering for far too long.
For the first time in years, she had taken control, personally arranging Eva’s transfer to a prestigious university abroad. It was a drastic measure, but one that I fully supported, even if it left an uneasy feeling in my chest.
The morning had been a blur of tense exchanges and long silences. Eva, furious and defiant, refused to acknowledge either of us. She moved through the house with clipped movements, her face set in a mask of icy disdain. Mom had tried to reason with her, but Eva’s stubbornness only hardened further.
At the very least, she was quiet now; she had been furious last night, she had screamed, smashed things in her room, and cried loudly. Mom had been worried sick about her, she had asked me to go up to her room and talk to her but I had immediately refused.
“She’s on the verge of losing her mind.” I had said to her. “That might not be such a good idea.”
She nodded.
“I know, I know. But what if she hurts herself?”
I felt bad that she was worried so much, not like I wasn’t worried myself, but there was truly nothing I could do. Eva was literally volatile now, only knew what she would do if I went to her.
“Go up there and talk to her instead. I suggested. “It’ll be better for all of us.”
heavens
Eva had after all tried to seduce me countless times, she had gone as far as trying to run into the ocean the last time I had refused. What was to say she wouldn’t do worse than that if I went up there now?
Mom had agreed, she had gone upstairs, and I don’t know how she did it, but she managed to get Eva to stop acting up.
Standing in the foyer, I watched as mom tried one last time to reach her.
“Eva,” she said, her voice soft but firm. “This isn’t a punishment. It’s a chance for you to find yourself, to heal. You’ll see that one day.”
Eva’s laugh was sharp and bitter. “Heal? Is that what you think this is about? You’re sending me away because you’re ashamed of me.”
“That’s not true,” mom replied, her expression pained. “I love you, Eva. That’s why I’m doing this. I can’t stand by and watch you destroy yourself–or this family.”
“You don’t know what love is, you don’t understand what love is if you cannot understand that I love him. She replied sharply. “You know I’m right. He’ll be better off with me than with any of the harlots that flock around him.”
“Don’t say that about your brother.” Mom hushed her sternly. “What has come over you, Eva?”
“Don’t try to lecture me, and don’t act like there something wrong with me. He’s not my brother!” Eva snapped back.
Mom shook her head, clearly exasperated.
“He’s your brother!” She spat, her voice rising. “You both grew up in this house! You did everything together. Your feeling for him…… they’re not right.”
Eva’s gaze shifted to me, her eyes blazing with anger and hurt; she looked at me like I was the one who betrayed her.
“You’re just going to let her send me away?” She spat.
“It’s not as bad as you’re making it sound.” I replied. “Calm down.”
She chuckled humorlessly.
“You fucked Sienna right? I’m older than that bitch and you fucked her. I thought you didn’t want me because I’m a child?”
1 stepped forward, my voice low and steady. “Eva, that’s enough.”
1/2
CHAPTER 25 There She Was Again
Her brooding was beginning to suffocate me.
She turned on me, her voice trembling with rage. “You’re a coward, Dom. You run from everything–your feelings, your responsibilities. You don’t care about anyone but yourself.”
Eva….”
“Your double–standard is almost pathetic!” She spat, cutting mom short.
The words stung, but I didn’t let it show. “This isn’t about me, Eva. It’s about you. And until you accept that, nothing will change. I told her.
Her jaw tightened, and for a moment, I thought she might lash out again. But then she turned away, grabbing her suitcase with a forceful tug.
I stayed behind as mom escorted Eva to the airport. She told me about some interviews she had needed to conduct at her atelier.
“I won’t be available so I need you to take care of things while I’m away.” She had said. “I know you’re busy, but it shouldn’t be too much work; just the final stage of the interview, that’s all.”
I had agreed. And instead of heading to the office, I head to the atelier.”
The interview room was quiet, save for the faint hum of the air conditioner. I sat at the head of the table, reviewing the list of candidates as, mom’s assistant, entered with a fresh stack of portfolios.
“The next candidate is ready,” he said, placing a folder in front of me.
I barely glanced at it, too focused on the task at hand. ‘Send her in.”
When the door opened, I didn’t look up immediately. My focus was on the papers in front of me, scanning the details of the previous candidate’s submission.
“Good afternoon,” a familiar voice said, and something about it made me pause.
I lifted my gaze, and there she was again; Victoria Hawthorne.
I had seen her thrice now, each encounter leaving a distinct impression. But never–not even for a second–had I imagined she would walk into my office.
She was dressed modestly but elegantly, her dark hair pulled back neatly, her expression poised yet slightly nervous. She held herself with a quiet confidence, though I noticed the faint tremor in her hands as she gripped her portfolio.
For a moment, I just stared at her, my mind racing. Of all the places, of all the candidates, how had she ended up here?
Chapter Comments
LIKE
POST COMMENT NOW
SHARE
