[ Evangeline ]

The evening crept in without I realising how quickly the clock ticks. By the time, I get ready for the party, it was already six thirty and Dominic would be here anytime.

The uneasiness settled in the pit of my stomach is now growing bigger as the time coming nearer for me to attend the same event but this time in a different time span and in opposite circumstances.

Earlier, I used to be the wife of a billionaire with no voice of her own but now I am an ordinary employee for another businessman but have a mind and narrative of my own.

"Don't overthink, Eve. You'll be fine even if you encounter him there. He's a closed   chapter of your past, let him be there and do not allow him to effect your present and future." Kate, who agreed to stay at my house to watch over Chase, tries her best to lift up my sinking confidence.

I released the breath that I've been holding for a long,"It's easier to say than doing it, Kate. He is not just my ex-husband but father of my son. What if he digs into my life and find out about Chase. I can't trust him around my child, Kate. He..he..tried to..kill him in my womb." I find difficult to speak as I recall the moment I told him about my pregnancy.

He coldly asked me to abort the child who would be a possible hindrance in his way to get engaged with my sister who was carrying his child for seven months. He didn't need an heir from me, a discarded wife.

"Dominic will be there with you, Eve. He won't allow Colton to treat you in the same way he used to do years ago. You're not his property anymore." Kate responds in a higher pitch.

Before I could say something, the door bell rings.

"It must be Dominic, collect yourself, Eve or it won't take him a second to read through your mind. Your expressions speaks of your inner feelings easily." She advised me before leaving my room to open the door.

I sighed and take a last glance of my reflection in the vanity mirror. I am no more the shy teenage girl who married him at the age of nineteen and divorced him three years later but I am a twenty seven now and knows how to fight for myself and my son.

Taking my clutch and putting on my nude heels, I made my way into the living room where I caught a sight which I yearn to come into reality. Dominic is playing with Chase. Both are lost in their own world. It doesn't take me another moment to see through my child's sparkling eyes, he sees a father figure in Dominic.

"Boys, sorry to interrupt your moment." I cleared my throat to gain their attention.

They both halted and looked into my direction. Dominic's eyes widened, he couldn't take his eyes from me and it made me feel conscious. I know this look.

"Mommy! You look pretty." Chase ran to me and hugged my waist. It brought a smile on my face. Meanwhile, Kate appeared through the other door. She's holding Chase's milk.

"Thank you, baby." I kissed his hairs.

"Eve, we're getting late. Shall we leave now." Dominic cleared his throat.

I bend a little to Chase's level,"Be a good boy and don't trouble Aunt Kate. I'll be back soon but don't watch T.V. too long. Remember, you have school tomorrow." I reminded him though he would be a good kid but I did my duty as his parent.

"I will, Mommy." He smiled broadly.

"Good, love you baby." I kissed his cheek and turned to Kate,"Thanks for looking after him, Kate. You're my life saver."

"Oh, don't be silly, Eve. I am your best friend and I love this child no less than you. Now leave." She said and pushed me towards Dominic.

"I'll pick you up on Sunday for the football match, buddy." Dominic gave a high five to Chase and we together left my house.

"You're looking amazing, Eve." He said once we settled on the backseat of his car.

"Thanks, you don't look bad yourself." I complimented him with a smile.

"I am very positive about tonight, Eve. I mean we'd meet potential investors or business partners, it will be a long shot for us. I just hope my brother won't be an asshole and ruin it for us." He gritted his teeth. Dominic and Colton always have a sour and competitive relation since Colton thought his mother left him and his father for Dominic's Dad.

"You're no less than him, Dominic. If he makes billions in a financial year, you make no less. You have equal knowledge of business and ability to run a multinational company as him. So, trust yourself than thinking about him." I advised him.

"You're right, Eve but tonight I won't spare him if he and his whore try to hurt you mentally or emotionally."

"Let's not talk about them." I requested him as since the morning, the thought of them kept invading my mind.

The rest of the ride went by in silence. The venue is one of the five star hotel, the centre of public's eye. Flashes of cameras and a swarm of reporters rounded the car as soon as it stopped at the entrance, the valets and Dominic's bodyguards rushed to protect us from their shitty questions.

I immediately clinged to Dominic's side as soon as they angled the camera in my direction. I know what would be their possible questions.

"Ignore them." He whispered in my ear and our bodyguards escorted us inside the banquet hall.

The lavish decorations in golden and red screamed of the wealth that Ricardo family spent to organize this charity event. I tried my best to stay hidden behind Dominic as I spotted many familiar faces in the party. Luckily, they don't acknowledge my presence yet.

"Let's meet the host first." He tucked my hand and dragged us to where the old Mr. Giovanni Ricardo and his wife was talking to a group of guests. Adrenaline rushed through my blood. I just prayed they won't recognize me.

"Mr. Richardo," Dominic called out his name to gain his attention and the others also turned to us. I want to be invisible.

"Dominic, ragazzo. How are you and who is this beautiful lady?" The old man smiled broadly at us and his question about me, made me a little relaxed.

"I am fine, Mr. Ricardo and this is the acting head of financial department of my company, Miss Evangeline Parker.  Dominic introduced me.

His wrinkled eyes travelled in my direction so of the others. They surely recognize me as I could read their questioning gaze on me.

"Oh! It's nice to hear that a woman in a very young age is handling such a crucial department. It determines the success or fall of a company." He said with admiration and his compliment brought a smile on my lips. Receiving a word of admiration from a business tycoon like him is a huge thing.

Soon they involed in their business talks and I found myself listening to them and trying to avoid the constant stare of Mrs.  Ricardo on me.

"How are you, Evangeline?" Mrs. Ricardo spoke after some time. It was enough only for me to hear.

The hair on my body stood on it's end.

Shit! She recognized me.

"Dominic, if you don't mind, can I take your employee for a minute, of course to meet the other ladies of the family." Mrs. Ricardo said sweetly to Dominic.

'No, Dominic, please say no to her.' I prayed in my heart. She would definitely fire questions on me regarding my marriage with Colton.

"Oh sure, Mrs. Ricardo. She's all yours." He pushed me gently towards her.

"Follow me, young lady." She gestured me to join her.

It's not like she's a rude woman. In fact, she used to behave nicely with me on the few occasions I met her and it scared me even more. I didn't talk about my marriage to anyone in all these years but it seemed I wouldn't escape tonight.

I should had denied Dominic's request to come here. I chose this path and now there's no going back. I have to face the consequences.

She took me to a corner where no one could hear our conversation and before I could think further, her old hands wrapped me in a warm hug.

"It's been a really long time since I last saw you, Evangeline. Life is so cruel sometimes. I didn't expect Colton to choose your cunning sister over a gem like you but some people never sees the goodness, it's his bad luck." She sighs shaking her head.

"Mrs. Ricardo, please let's not talk about my past with Mr. Black. We have moved forward a long time ago and I am content in my present life. In fact, the divorce did good to me." I response to her with confidence.

"Yes, you're right. I feel proud of your achievements. I and the other ladies talk about you a lot. Do you want to meet them?" She asked me with hope in her wrinkled eyes.

"Mrs. Ricardo...I..don't..kno-"I try to form a suitable excuse when a tap on my shoulder made me flinch.

"Evanca Parker?" Mrs. Ricardo mentioned the name of the last person I wanted to meet in my mortal life and it sucked the life out of me.

"Evanca Black. Can't you see this big diamond on my finger, Mrs. Ricardo?" She replied with the same haughty tone that I used to hear all my life. A shiver run down my spine upon hearing her voice after five years.

"Pardon me, young lady. I never attended Colton's wedding with another woman." The old woman mocked her and it hit the right spot; Evanca's ego.

"Evangeline, is this really you?" This time the question was directed on me and it left me with no other option than to face my elder sister.

I turned around only to meet with those striking brown eyes and sharp facial features which wore a vicious smile like always. She hasn't changed much even at the age of thirty but her long golden hairs are shoulder length now.

"How are you, little sister?" She asked me in the sweetest tone but I know the truth behind it.

"I am good, Evanca. How is your life as Mrs. Black. I can see that you're enjoying the privilege of being Mrs. Black." I scanned her from top to bottom.

"Well, you're right here, Eve. Colton leaves no chance to pamper me and his daughter. We are his world. He can't leave us for a second, specially our daughter, Mia." She smirked as her response faltered my confidence.

"Good to hear it." I forced a smile and turned to Mrs. Ricardo who had worn a bored look."Mrs. Ricardo, you were about to introduce me to your club friends. Shall we go to meet them?"

"Oh yes, let's go, dear." She said with urgency as Evanca's presence was also bothering her.

"Wait, Mrs. Ricardo!" Evanca said out aloud for us to halt in our track.

My heart started to pound crazily.

"Yes, Mrs. Black?" She arched her brows at my sister.

"I want to have a word with my sister in private. Please excuse us for a moment." She said in a sugar coated tone again, the feral look on her face was enough to bell the warning alarm in my brain.

My sister was always hostile towards me but she never showed this side in front of others, which is why our parents thought it was my jealousy against my own sister that I used to complain about her bullying. After a time, I stopped protesting as they'd never going to trust me above their favorite daughter.

Mrs. Ricardo looked at me to confirm whether she could leave me under her presence. I blinked my eyes in assurance.

"I'll see you later." She patted my back and left us alone. Eerie silence sprawled between us.

"So, how is your life as a an ordinary whore of Dominic Rodriguez, little sister?" Her thorny remark came but it didn't hurt like before.

"Same as yours being the wedded whore of my ex-husband." I retorted with a sly smirk and felt satisfied as her smile vanished and replaced by anger.

"Mind your tongue, Evangeline. " She pointed her forefinger at me, her thin lips trembling in fury.

"Same applies on you, Evanca. It was you who started it, I just returned what I received. Now, may I leave? I have more important people to meet than wasting my time on a trophy wife whose husband I guess is busy cracking future deals in some corner of this hall." I threw another sharp remark on her to make her remember all those insults she used to decorate on me.

"Evangeline!" She gritted her teeth and whispered yelled," Last time I spared your life because my husband pitied you but you won't be lucky this time." She tried her old formula to threaten me but I was way past that timid girl.

"Excuse me." I ignored her and tried to walk past her but she grabbed my forearm and dug her sharp nails on my soft bare skin.

"You're not excused yet, Evangeline because I am not done with you yet." She whispered only for me to hear,"Tell me where is your bastard? Did you keep him? Is he alive because I don't want your dirty blood to challenge my child's inheritance. I know woman like you are capable of many things."

The mention of my son was enough to push my confidence back and the fear of my child being in any kind of danger, filled my heart. Evanca's obsession for Colton is unpredictable. She poisoned her first husband and trapped his secretary in his murder just to reconcile with Colton as they used to date during their college time.

"Cat caught your tongue, huh?" She smirked, she sensed my discomfort over the mention of my son," Don't worry I won't hurt your little bastard if you stay out of my way and better you leave this place before Colton sees you. Mark my words, Evangeline. You and your son would never live at peace if you ever try to come near my family. Colton is mine and he's only the father of my child." She shoved me with one final warning. I stumbled but caught hold of my balance before I could kiss the floor.

She gave me one last glare and swayed away after revoking the same fear inside me which I felt when Colton asked me to abort our baby.

Sweat formed on my body even the cool temperature of the hall couldn't ease my panic state. I turned on my heels and rushed towards the open garden to catch some air and leave for house. I decided on texting Dominic for making an unannounced exit but he would understand.

Yes, I'll leave this place before Colton sees me.

I ran into the backside of the hotel where only the hotel staff could be seen. A perfect place to let out my bottled up emotions. I fell down on the grass and burst into crying. Evanca reopened my wounds tonight. She made me remember how vicious she can be if it comes to protect her interests. Since, she's legal wife of Colton, she wouldn't let it go easily. Her insecurity has no bounds. No one other than me knows it's depth when it comes to her favorite possession.

I cried in the solitude of night until I hear footsteps and a very familiar scent hits my senses.

The hairs on my body stood and a wave of nostalgia and fear ran down my spine.

"What are you doing here alone, Miss?"

Shit! It's really him.

"Miss, are you okay?" He asked again with concern.

I made no move to turn and contfront the man who destroyed my life including my son's.  I used to love him at a point of my life but now, I only feel hatred towards him.

"Evangeline! Is it you?"

I didn't realise when he walked upto me and stood right in front of me, staring at me with shocked expression on his still handsome face.

I had no courage to look up at him. I don't know how am I going to control the flood of mixed emotions.

"Evangeline?" He repeated again but this time in a higher pitch which sent warning alarm to my brain and in the next moment, I sprang up on my feet.

"Sorry, Sir, I bothered you for no reason but I am alright." I muster up my leftover confidence and replied him in a plain voice.

His face hardened upon my reply.

"Eve, I am not a stranger for you nor you are to me. So, stop with these fucking formalities." He snappped in a pissed off tone.

"But you're a stranger to me, Sir and my name is Evangeline but I prefer strangers address me as Miss Parker. Please excuse me." I hit his other nerve and turned to leave but he grabbed my wrist.

Electrifying sensation ran through my body as soon as his warm skin came in the contact with my cold one. I forgot to breathe for a moment.

"How are you?" He asked in a soft voice this time and the same reflected in his beautiful green eyes. They always pulled me closer to him.

'Focus, Evangeline! He isn't your husband but your tormentor!' I reminded myself.

"You have nerve to ask me how I am when you abandoned me to rot on streets with nothing but humiliation in every news. You destroyed me and my future, Colton Black and now you have audacity to ask how I am." I taunted him angrily.

Guilty flashed on his face but he quickly masked it. He distanced himself from me. The sudden loss between our skins didn't settle well with me for a strange reason.

"You left me with no other choice, Evangeline. You chose that bastard brother of mine over me. You got what you asked from me." He said with no remorse and it boiled my anger on an exploding point.

I don't know what have gotten into me and I slapped him across his left cheek.

"How dare you to blame me for my own miseries when you were the one who wanted to get rid off me and my child because you knocked your whore and wanted her and her bastard in your life? " I vent out my frustration on him.

"Don't you dare call my daughter bastard, Evangeline or the consequences won't be good." He warned me with those piercing eyes digging holes in me. It sent a tremor in my heart but I couldn't fall weak.

"It hurt, right? You did the same by calling my unborn child with different names but anyways, I am happy in my current life and yes," I jabbed my forefinger on his chest," Dominic is thousand times better than you. He leaves no chance to keep me happy." I hit the last nail by mentioning his step-brother and turned to leave but I found another nightmare of my life aka my sister standing right behind me with crossed hands.

"We're not done with you, Evangeline. You can't walk away after insulting my husband and calling our child with names." She said while walking towards me.

I had nowhere to run as two predators are standing at both sides ready to eat me alive.

"You have to answer a few questions before we let you go, Evangeline." Colton said in a deep Alpha like voice

God please save me!