Chapter 5
After completing her work, Evelyn received a call from Michael, relaying Lucas's message. She instantly understood Lucas's intentions. His affair with Tiffany during their marriage—his infidelity—made Tiffany his mistress. Making Evelyn manage the fallout was merely a precaution. If their scandal resurfaced, he could claim his "wife" had handled public opinion, clearing Tiffany's name and shielding her from accusations of being a homewrecker. Lucas was indeed solicitous of Tiffany. The "consequences" he'd mentioned were a threat: refusal to comply meant professional ruin.
Throughout their three-year marriage, Evelyn had striven to be a good wife. She'd severed all past ties upon marrying him, yet he'd never shown genuine sincerity. She felt utterly depleted.
With a sardonic smile, Evelyn replied indifferently, "I'm on sick leave. Forcing me to handle this while ill is illegal. We can settle this in court." Having resigned and divorced Lucas, she no longer cared about his happiness.
After work, while in her car, Evelyn received a text from her father, Derek Harrison: "Your brother has been released from prison. We're having a party at home. Will you be attending?" The question was thinly veiled; Derek didn't want his "disgraceful" daughter creating a scene. He'd been humiliated by her relationship with Blake, deeming her immoral and shameless. Were it not for her potential to marry into a powerful family like the Grants, he would have cut ties long ago. But the party was for Blake, the most important person to her.
After considering, she refreshed her makeup, appearing healthier and more vibrant before driving to the Harrison residence. Without Blake, she wouldn't maintain contact with the Harrisons.
A housekeeper stiffened upon seeing Evelyn. Frowning, she asked, "Ms. Reed, what brings you here?" Evelyn ignored her; the Harrison residence hadn't felt like home for years, and the staff remained unwelcoming, condescending in their attitude.
"Evelyn?" Lily Harrison descended the stairs, scowling. "How shameless! Blake's just returned, and you cling to him? Must you ruin everyone's mood?"
Lily, Derek's illegitimate daughter from an affair, shared Evelyn's birth year and carried herself with an arrogant air, despite her illegitimacy, mocking Evelyn.
"If you're so dignified, move out of my mother's house," Evelyn retorted impassively. Her mother, Naomi Reed, had bought the house after a successful art sale, yet Derek now lived there comfortably with Selina and Lily. Evelyn couldn't fathom Lily's arrogance, enjoying the fruits of Naomi's labor.
"Evelyn!" Lily's expression faltered momentarily, then she smirked. "Let's see if you can keep that smile."
"Who is she?" A curious female voice interrupted. Two figures emerged from the living room, embracing intimately. Jessica instinctively tugged Blake's shirt upon seeing Evelyn. "She's so beautiful."
Blake glanced at Evelyn, then back at Jessica. Wrapping an arm around Jessica's waist, he explained, "She's my sister, like Selina. Jealous?"
Jessica blushed, playfully punching Blake's chest. Turning to Evelyn, she asked, "I didn't know Blake had two sisters. What's your name?"
Evelyn felt lost. She hadn't anticipated Blake bringing his girlfriend home, a sign of seriousness; he'd brought her to meet his family. The Blake who once wanted to marry her, to forsake everything for her, was gone, replaced by someone who treated her like Selina.
Her throat dry, she answered, "I'm Evelyn Reed."
Jessica's surprise morphed into thoughtfulness. Then, she asked the question that made Evelyn and the Harrisons uncomfortable: "Why isn't Harrison your last name?"
Seeing Evelyn's hesitation, Jessica smiled confidently. "My name's Jessica Clark, and I'm Blake's—"
"She's my girlfriend," Blake interjected smoothly, finally looking directly at Evelyn. "I'm considering marriage. Treat her with respect."