My eyes were frozen open. When I thought things couldn't get any worse... Guess what? They did! Miguel took a step back while Juliette kept examining him as if he was for sale... What a witch! I breathed faster and clenched my fists, ready to smash her if necessary. I should've brought Francis. If my dog was there, he would've bitten her already. Narrowing my eyes, I felt a strange will to say all the bad words I knew... Juliette slowly approached us. Her calm was so extreme that it terrified me. I chewed on my lip, hoping the French woman had some goodness in her heart... Assuming she had a heart after betraying poor Gálvez. I suddenly felt small as she walked closer. Besides being taller, Juliette was stunningly beautiful. I glanced away, slightly ashamed of my old pirate captain outfit. If that woman was indeed a good manipulator, I'd lost Miguel already.

"Come on in," Juliette gave us space to enter. "My cook will finish dinner soon."

Miguel stared at the ground. The lady wouldn't stop smiling, seemingly having fun with his agony. I took a deep breath, controlling myself not to do something I'd regret... Well, I wouldn't regret it, so never mind. We sat by a large table. Juliette served a sparkly yellowish beverage for us. I scowled while feeling the bitter taste.

"I'm sure you never tried champagne," she shot me a defiant gaze. "It's too elegant for your pirate taste."

I forced a smile, "I have an extremely elegant cutlass. Would you like to touch it?"

Gálvez covered his mouth, seemingly hiding a laugh. Juliette rolled her eyes and sipped her champagne. I didn't blink, showing I wasn't afraid.

"When you worked for my dad, you drank so much that your shirt smelled like alcohol," Miguel raised his brows. "Don't pretend you're sophisticated, Juliette."

"I'm not that woman anymore," Juliette's lips curled into a coy grin. "Besides, we know you loved to smell me..."

"We didn't come here for this!" I cleared my throat. "What about proving I'm Carolien's daughter? She said you're good at detecting lies."

"Let's do that later," the French lady leaned closer to the Spaniard and caressed his arm. "Miguel and I have a lot to catch up on."

He pulled away, "No, we don't. I broke up with you, remember?"

"So weak! Couldn't you handle a few love affairs?" Juliette rolled her eyes. "You should've fixed your flaws after realizing my unsatisfaction!"

"You mistreat anyone who doesn't do everything you want," Gálvez shot his ex an icy glare. "Are you sure I am the one who needs fixing?"

"My husband bends to his queen's will like a good man," she winked. "If you'd done the same, you've could've been my king."

Miguel shook his head in denial. I pursed my lips, feeling as if my entire body would explode. I frowned once I saw myself smashing a napkin... The French lady chuckled, apparently happy with my misery.

"Quit bothering my quartermaster!" I crossed my arms. "What are your requirements to believe I'm my mother's kid?"

"Can't you have a good time?" the woman laughed as if I was a worm. "I thought you were fun, but you're just a boring lady with a manly..."

"Stop now, Juliette!" Miguel ground his teeth. "I'm not letting you say these things about Eva!"

"You didn't protect me so fiercely when we were together," Juliette's lips curled into a defiant smile. "Still, you let me walk all over you, so I had my fun..."

"Enough!" I glared at the French lady. "Based on your attitude, you aren't meeting me out of the goodness of your heart. What do you want?"

This woman is a sadistic freak!

Juliette stared at me while drinking all the champagne in one sip... Yeah, Miguel hadn't lied about her love for alcohol. I couldn't believe Gálvez and I ended up in that lady's house... From all women, did it have to be her? I took a deep breath, controlling myself not to wipe that smile off Juliette's face.

"I'm a rather unhappy woman behind my witch mask," the French lady pressed her lips together. "Before we move on, you must hear my condition."

"First, I'd like to explain why I'm not a liar," I crossed my arms. "I had no chance to talk."

Juliette shrugged, "There's nothing to explain."

I frowned, wondering if I was dreaming... Did the lady who'd insulted me and made Miguel crazy have some kindness inside her? No, that couldn't be true.

Miguel frowned, "What's the trick this time?"

"None. I met Eva's mother once," she turned to me. "There's no doubt you're related. That woman is insane not to see the truth."

I chuckled nervously, "Why are you so sure?"

"Easy," Juliette's lips curled into an evil grin. "Besides being physically similar, you're both dramatic, aggressive, and pathetic."

Gálvez narrowed his eyes, "You never know when to stop, do you? I feel sorry for your husband."

"The poor bastard thinks I'm perfect and believes everything I say," the French lady laughed softly. "Just like you once did."

He glanced away and sighed. That witch knew exactly how to upset him... How could she be so cruel? I shouldn't have chosen the wrong man, but meeting Juliette made me feel slightly better. She was a thousand times worse than Dirk... Unbelievable! Even though she treated Miguel horribly, a small part of me thought he could crawl back to her ... Just the thought of it made me want to scream! Why didn't I confess my feelings? Damn it...

I took a deep breath to avoid freaking out, "Past issues aside, what's your condition?"

"My husband beats me ruthlessly and treats me like filth," Juliette's chin trembled as tears ran down my face. "If you kill him, I'll tell Carolien you're her daughter, and the SHA is over."

Gálvez sighed pronouncedly, "I'm not falling for that."

"Please! He's a monster!" Juliette held Miguel's hand and seemed desperate. "I should've never let you go. Be mine again."

No! Anything but this!

My quartermaster shook his head in denial. Juliette looked deep into his eyes, crying more. I breathed faster, wondering if he'd give in... No, Miguel wouldn't do that. He wasn't going to get back together with that lady, was he? I couldn't lose him. No way. My fear of confessing my feelings wouldn't throw the Spaniard into another lady's arms... Would it? The agony... Yes, you may laugh! I'm letting you judge me for being a coward.

Miguel pulled away, "I can help with the abusive husband situation, but we're never getting back together."

"Come on, mon amour. I didn't mean the ugly things I said," the French lady caressed Gálvez's face. "We were so happy..."

"I don't love you anymore," Gálvez gently removed Juliette's hand from his cheek. "Find someone else to fool."

"It was worth a try," Juliette laughed. "You're faster to catch my lies than you used to be."

I gawked, "Those were false tears?"

"My husband is great. I just had to know if I could still deceive Miguel," the witch giggled. "He didn't fall for it, so satisfying my condition will be harder."

"I'm sick of this already!" I shot the French woman a defiant stare. "What the hell do you want?"

Was this how Miguel felt when Dirk was nearby? Dear God!

Juliette chuckled. She looked at Miguel than at me. Her cook could've at least brought the food... What was taking so long? Well, I probably wouldn't eat anything that crazy lady ordered... Don't judge me! Maybe she'd added poison. I smashed another napkin, wondering if that witch would make advances to Gálvez again.

Juliette gazed at my hand, "Are you nervous, petit captaine?"

"I was killing a bug," I forced a smile. "Would you like to be next?"

"I'm not afraid of you," she cleared her throat. "My condition is simple. Only one of you has to take action."

Miguel raised his brows, "Does it involve stroking your huge ego?"

"In a way, yes. I didn't lie about everything," Juliette winked at him. "You still give me very inappropriate thoughts."

I pursed my lips, "What's that supposed to mean?"

"If Miguel sleeps with me tonight, your problems are over," the French woman crossed her arms. "I'll tell Carolien you're her kid and she'll terminate the SHA. It's a promise."

Gálvez wrinkled his nose while I gaped... Was I hallucinating? I had to be stuck in a nightmare! Poor Miguel had been the gentleman in distress all night, but he needed help more than ever at that instant. I had to save him... Did I mention I wanted to punch the witch in the face?

"I don't want that! Besides, I'm not your property!" Gálvez shook his head in denial. "Madre de Dios..."

Juliette's lips curled into a cruel smile, "You're making a big mistake, mon chéri."

I scowled, "So you knew Miguel would come tonight? That's why you created that stupid condition?"

"Pirate captains are usually with their quartermasters. I heard yours was handsome," the French lady smiled at Gálvez. "I'm happy it's him, but any good-looking man would suffice."

"This won't happen because he's not just my quartermaster," I slowly touched Miguel's hand. "We're married."

Gálvez smiled widely, apparently happy with my idea. Consciously or not, Miguel held my hand, giving me hot jitters. The French lady huffed. Maartje would've definitely teased me if she was there.

"That's a lie. You two didn't touch each other until now," Juliette laughed and glared at me. "Bad things will happen if he doesn't do what I asked."

"I'm done!" Miguel stood up. "Eva, we should go."

I did the same as him, "Finally! I couldn't look at this witch anymore."

"Unbelievable!" the lady frowned. "You'll let this woman with no class talk to me like this?"

She's asking for it!

Without thinking twice, I grabbed a glass and threw champagne on Juliette's face. She screamed and wiped away some of it. The lady narrowed her eyes. If looks could kill, I would've dropped dead. Miguel laughed softly. She breathed fast, ready to take me down. I reached for my cutlass.

I grinned sarcastically, "Classy enough for you?"

"Folle! You will regret this!" Juliette opened the door. "The pirates attacked me, darling!"

My eyes bulged as Reyes came with five other Armada men. He kissed Juliette, seemingly worried. The French lady forced more tears to come... Yeah, she was the worst.

I can't believe she's married to this old guy!

"I was kind, but these criminals only understand violence!" Juliette pouted and hugged Reyes tight. "Help me, mon chéri. Please..."

The man shot Miguel and me a cold glare, "Bastards! How could you hurt my poor wife?"

I frowned, "Juliette asked my quartermaster to sleep with her!"

"How dare you?" she gaped and put a hand on her chest. "That imprudent man was the one who came to me!"

Gálvez's eyes bulged, "I didn't do anything! Mentirosa..."

The French woman turned to Reyes, "You see how that pirate looks at me? He's dangerous!"

"He reminds me of El Dorado," the Spanish admiral rubbed his chin. "Another reason to put him behind bars!"

"Do you seriously believe this woman?" I ground my teeth while approaching Reyes. "She's lying!"

"Enough talking!" the admiral pointed at Gálvez and me. "Get them!"

The men walked closer, apparently ready to kill. I took Miguel to a larger room, broke the window with a chair, and we ran for our lives. The stubborn Armada guys kept chasing us on the streets. The moon wasn't shining that much, so everything was darker. Panting, I tried to ignore my endless sweat... What? It was gross! Maybe that's why Miguel stayed with Juliette for two years. That witch wasn't sweaty at all.

"Juliette's insane!" I breathed faster. "Even Satan must be scared of her!"

"Indeed!" Miguel wiped the sweat off his forehead. "I told you we both had crazy former partners."

"Diabolical would be a better word," I smiled. "Juliette and Dirk would've gotten along pretty well."

Gálvez laughed, "They would've been the perfect match."

"Dirk didn't succeed when he led the SHA to us," I briefly looked back. "Let's hope the same happens to Juliette."

My legs burned as I kept running. Although Miguel didn't seem tired, he wouldn't stop sighing. I couldn't tell if he was scared, sad, or angry... Perhaps a mix of everything. The last thing I expected was Juliette Dupont to be the lady who could save my crew and me. If my mother knew that witch's name, I would've never gone to that house. Besides giving us no food, Miguel's insane ex-partner sent her husband and his SHA idiots after us... What a pleasant situation! Also, I couldn't stop thinking of how Juliette looked at Miguel... Wasn't she the worst? I know you agree! Taking several deep breaths, I tried to forget her. 

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Author's note: Hey! Thank you for reading! I hope everyone is well. Please vote and comment if you enjoyed this chapter and follow the "Battles and Secrets" playlist on Spotify. All translations can be found below. Will Miguel and Eva escape the SHA men? Keep reading and you'll find out... :-) 

Quick question: In your opinion, which evil ex is the worst? Dirk or Juliette?

Foreign words/expressions in order of appearance:

1. Mon amour means "my love" in French

2. Petit captaine means "little captain" in French

3. Folle means "crazy" in French

4. Mentirosa means "liar" in Spanish