The nanny helped her inside, but the warmth of the house offered little relief. The sudden change in temperature sent jolts of pain through her body, as though needles were piercing her skin. Her legs throbbed with an excruciating ache, as if thousands of nails were driven into her bones.
By the time she reached her room, the pain had become unbearable and her vision blurred. She collapsed onto her bed, fever overtaking her almost immediately.
She barely had time to pull the blanket over herself when the door swung open.
Charlotte entered, a smug expression on her face and a tablet clutched in her hands. She stood at the foot of the bed, her tone laced with mockery. “Oh, you’re still alive?” she sneered. “Brother Chris asked me to let you know—the bride for the wedding next month has changed. It’s me.”
She didn’t wait for a response before shoving the tablet in Evelyn’s face. On the screen were photos of luxurious wedding venues. “See? I’m already picking out the location.”
Evelyn didn’t respond. Her face was pale, lips cracked and her body shivered under the covers. She didn’t even bother to glance at the screen, her indifference cutting deeper than any retort.
Charlotte’s smirk faltered. She frowned, her voice turning sharp. “You know how Chris feels about me, don’t you? Let me warn you—get out while you can. Don’t embarrass yourself.”
She leaned closer, her words dripping with venom. “A woman like you, who was abandoned by her own parents, has no place in Chris’s life. You’re nothing but a pathetic mistress.”
Evelyn finally spoke, her voice barely audible but steady, “Don’t worry. I’ll leave soon. You don’t need to make this harder for me. Now get out.”
The words were simple but firm and Evelyn didn’t give Charlotte the satisfaction of seeing her break. She turned over, pulling the blanket tighter around her fragile frame and closed her eyes.
Charlotte stared at her in disbelief.
The Evelyn she knew would have fought back—sharp words, bitter accusations, anything to defend herself. But now, Evelyn was strangely calm, almost resigned.
It unsettled Charlotte, though she quickly dismissed the feeling. Fine, she thought. It’ll save me the trouble.
With a click of her heels, she turned and walked out, slamming the door behind her.
Once the room was quiet again, Evelyn opened her eyes.
It was hard to say what hurt more—her legs, her head, or the hollow ache in her chest.