Stella nodded fast.
"Yep. I get it. That evil father of ours might kill you if you say that name right before him," she muttered darkly, then shuddered.
"I know. That’s why I chose that path," Evelyn admitted, her voice steady but her hand unconsciously curling into a fist. "How could I lose my son because of him, my own father? No. No. He isn’t my father anymore."
The bitterness in her tone made Stella’s heart sink. She reached out and gently touched Evelyn’s hand. "Sis, I’m sorry..."
"That’s not your fault..." Evelyn forced her shoulders to relax, a faint but genuine smile returning to her lips.
"But still..."
"Well, it’s been a long time, and now I’m happy with my life. Truly." Evelyn tilted her head, staring closely at her sister. "How about you? Why did you end up in that restaurant trap, under that bastard’s knee?"
Stella’s expression slowly darkened. She fiddled with her fingers before blurtin’, "Because I was stupid, okay? I trusted her, Lana... She said I just needed to come meet that bastard and bring the company contract, but instead..." her voice trembling, "... I ran into that nightmare."
Evelyn’s eyes darkened, but she remained silent, allowing her sister to speak.
Stella gave a shaky laugh, half embarrassed, half furious.
"I should’ve known better the moment I entered that room. That bastard kept smiling like a gentleman, but the moment I sat down, he turned into a monster."
She took another long, deep sigh before continuing, "I froze, Eve. I couldn’t even scream. Then, thank God, you came and saved me. Otherwise..." she stopped, her throat tightening.
Evelyn leaned closer, squeezing her hand. "Don’t blame yourself. Monsters like him... they hide behind fake smiles and power. You’re safe now."
"Safe, yes. But also humiliated. And of all people, I ran into you right after. Like fate was mocking me. Ugh, but well, I’m happy..."
Stella smiled and took Evelyn’s hand, squeezing it tighter to show how happy she was now. Her anger gradually faded, replaced only by happiness.
"Or maybe fate was finally being kind to you, silly girl..." Evelyn said, then playfully pulled her hand and pinched her sister’s dainty nose. "You found me again, didn’t you?"
"Ouch! That hurt, sis."
Stella rubbed her arm dramatically, shooting Evelyn a glare before breaking into laughter.
"Yeah, that’s why I’m not too bothered about that ugly bastard. I buried him deep in my memories. Locked up. Key thrown away."
"Sounds perfect," Evelyn said with a smile.
"Hah..." Stella let out a long exhale, as if releasing a burden she had been carrying for too long. "Sis, I can finally forget him. What I’ll remember instead is today... meeting you again. And—" her eyes brightened, "—I got a nephew out of it! Oliver is so freaking cute."
Evelyn’s expression softened instantly. "He is." Her voice carried warmth.
"And I still can’t believe Axel Knight is my brother-in-law," Stella continued, half-whining, half-giggling. "Like...seriously? That powerful, scary, ridiculously handsome man is your hubby? You’re living in some kind of drama, sis."
Evelyn’s smile faltered at the sound of Axel’s name. He was never far from her mind, and Stella’s teasing only pulled him closer.
"Ough, sis," Stella drawled, leaning closer with a mischievous grin. "I can totally imagine all the women out there sharpening their claws, ready to kill you once they find out you’re Axel Knight’s wifey. And also men, your husband’s enemies, now that they know you are his dearest, most precious person."
"Stella." Evelyn’s tone turned serious, her gaze sharp. "Never talk about it to anyone. Ever. Please! I don’t want our marriage revealed to anyone, let alone the public. I’m not ready to have enemies I don’t even know."
Stella raised her hand as if taking an oath.
"Promise. Your secret’s safe with me." Then, tilting her head, curiosity bubbled back up. "But... Why hide it? You should flaunt it! Reveal it to the world. Heck, rub it in Dad’s face—" She stopped her words far too late.
The air thickened instantly. Silence stretched between them.
Stella bit her lip, guilt flooding her features. She hadn’t meant to drag their ’father’ into this again. The name itself was a knife.
But Evelyn wasn’t protesting or angry at Stella. Instead, something crossed her mind.
"Stella, you said Lana sent you to bring that contract?" Evelyn asked.
"Yes!" Stella’s answer came sharply, her lingering anger toward Lana flaring again.
Evelyn’s brows furrowed. "Lana Green, the finance director?" She knew the woman and remembered her face from her days at the Walters Group.
"Well..." Stella gave a bitter shrug. "She’s not the finance director anymore. She’s the CFO now."
"What?" Evelyn’s voice shook in disbelief. "She’s the Chief Financial Officer? How is that possible? Where’s the Second Uncle?"
Stella’s lips twisted. "Dad forced him into early retirement. Said he was too old to sit in that position. And put Lana in that position. Well, that happened not long after you left."
Evelyn gasped, her chest tightening. That was impossible. Their uncle wasn’t too old. He had years of sharpness left in him.
Instantly, her mind spun, suspicion curling like smoke. The pieces didn’t fit, and she hated the picture they were forming.
Worse, the reality hit harder: William Walter had shoved Stella into the company as her replacement. But in four years, her sister hadn’t risen past a small managerial role in the finance department.
Evelyn clenched her fists and realized something was not right.
But then, her thoughts were interrupted by Stella’s sudden voice.
"Oh, right, sis!" She straightened, eyes narrowing at Evelyn. "How the hell did you beat up that bodyguard and that bastard so easily?"
Evelyn blinked. Then she smirked. "Did you forget?"
"Forget what?" Stella repeated, one elegant eyebrow arching high.
"William Walters never saw me as merely his daughter," Evelyn said quietly, her gaze steady. "He saw me as his successor. From the time I could walk, he drilled me for it. Martial arts, finance, psychology, business...name it, and I studied it. He wanted me forged into the perfect heir to the Walters Group."
Stella gasped, then nodded so hard. "I forgot! Damn it..." Her voice rose, hands flailing before dropping heavily. "No wonder Dad never trusted me with anything, because I’m useless. He only put me in the company because..."
Her voice shook, and the words faded in her throat. Her eyes, wide and glossy, turned a deep shade of red as the sting of unshed tears gathered.