Chapter 15
Evelyn’s ’s POV
I couldn’t help feeling a tug of happiness when I walked into the room and saw my little Alexis lying on the bed, waving a candy at the phone while mumbling about eating sweets. My heart warmed at the sight of her innocent gesture.
“Sweetie, you’ve already had candy today. If you eat more, little bugs will grow on your teeth. How about saving it for tomorrow?” I gently suggested, moving closer to her.
Alexis shook her head firmly, her eyes wide and earnest. “Not for me. For him p>
I assumed she meant Rowan and ruffled her soft hair affectionately. “We’ll give it to your brother when he comes, okay p>
Taking the phone, I expected to see Rowan on the other end, but the call had already ended. A wave of disappointment washed over me.
The weekend was approaching, and I wanted both my boys to visit.
I quickly sent Rowan a voice message, asking if he’d like to come over. The silence that followed felt heavy, like the weight of everything left unsaid between Calvin and me.
The next day, still with no response from Rowan, I came across news about Wolfe Haven International expanding into the entertainment industry. The comments section was filled with speculation about the “Rich CEO” stepping down from his pedestal for love. Once again, Calvin and Clara’s names were trending.
The old memories came back like a pain that wouldn’t go away.
Calvin never wanted his photos in public. His team would quickly delete any photos of him that showed up in the news. Even though I was his Luna and his legal wife, he wouldn’t let me share our photos online.
But three years ago, something different happened. Calvin let people see a video of him at a pack meeting with Clara. That’s when I knew the truth.Calvin didn’t mind being seen with others in public, he just didn’t want to be seen with me.
Thinking about those five years still hurt, though the pain had evolved from drowning desperation to a dull ache.
My phone rang,Astrid calling.
“Hey, Eve! My cousin just opened a family resort and it’s having a test run today. Why don’t you bring Alexis? Let’s go enjoy ourselves for a couple of days,” she suggested brightly.
I hesitated. “What about your identity? Won’t it be risky?” Astrid’s obsessive fans were notorious, some bordering on dangerous.
“Don’t worry,” she assured me. “It’s just family and friends for now, not open to the public. Completely safe p>
It had been so long since I’d taken Alexis on a proper outing.
I agreed, sending Rowan another message inviting him along, though I received no response.
My heart filled with concern for my son. Had something happened? Was Calvin restricting his communication with me?
We arrived at the Lakeside Resort. I was carrying Alexis out of the car when I suddenly stopped. I saw Rowan and Rhys getting out of another car, and Clara was following them.
She extended her hand to Rhys, who took it without hesitation. Even from a distance, I could hear his excited voice. “Dad, hurry up! Aunt Clara said she’d take me kite flying. Let’s see who can fly it higher p>
I stood motionless, the weight of Alexis in my arms suddenly heavier.
Behind Rhys came Rowan, looking noticeably downcast.
Alexis spotted her brother instantly and waved her little arms excitedly. “Brother!” she called out.
Rowan seemed startled at first, as if he couldn’t believe his ears. After Alexis called out again, his face lit up with genuine joy.
“Mom! Little sis!” he waved back enthusiastically.
My eyes inevitably met Calvin’s across the distance. We both immediately looked away, mutual coldness hanging in the air between us like an invisible wall.
Alexis wiggled out of my arms and ran toward her brother. As Rowan started to move in our direction, Clara caught his arm.
“Rowan,” she said with a big pout, “Auntie specially made time to be with you and Rhys. Are you really going to leave me alone p>
Rhys joined in, tugging at his brother’s sleeve. “Come on, we promised Aunt Clara we’d fly kites together p>
Clara smiled sweetly. “I bought so many kites. Don’t you want to play with them, Rowan p>
“I want to!” Rhys exclaimed excitedly. For him, playtime was playtime, regardless of who it was with.
I could see the conflict on Rowan’s face. He glanced toward Calvin, then lowered his head in resignation. “Okay,” he mumbled.
By then, Alexis had reached them, looking adorable in her white collar top and pink overalls, with a matching candy bag slung across her body.
She grabbed Rowan’s hand, calling him “brother” in her sweet voice.
Though clearly happy to see his sister, Rowan’s expression changed after noticing the way Calvin looked at me. He tightened his grip on Alexis’s hand.
“Dad, I’ll take my sister back to Mom,” he said quickly, pulling Alexis in my direction.
I met them halfway, bending down to stroke Rowan’s hair. “Rowan, why didn’t you respond to my messages?” I asked gently.
He glanced at Calvin before answering, “I’m sorry, Mom. Dad hasn’t let me use my phone lately, so I didn’t see your messages p>
I caught Calvin’s gaze from the corner of my eye, knowing full well this was deliberate on his part.
“That’s alright, sweetie. I understand,” I assured him with a smile.
Just as I was about to ask if he wanted to join us, Clara’s sugary voice cut through the air.
“Evelyn,” she said with false concern, “I know Calvin agreed to let you see the children on weekends, but you shouldn’t be so clingy. Children need time with their father too. You’re putting both Calvin and the boys in an awkward position p>
I straightened up, the smile fading from my face as cold anger took its place.
“What exactly is awkward for him?” I retorted with a bitter laugh. “Is it awkward that his children want to be with their mother instead of their future stepmother? Or is it awkward to choose between spending time with his children or his lover p>
Calvin’s POV
I pressed my lips together tightly as I watched the scene unfold. My gaze locked on my eldest son, who was nestled in Evelyn’s arms.
The sight stirred something uncomfortable within me.
“Rowan, come here,” I commanded, my voice leaving no room for argument.
I’ve always been strict with my sons’ upbringing, personally overseeing their education and behavior. In my eyes, Rowan had been a well-behaved, obedient child until Evelyn reappeared in his life. Something had changed in him since then.
When I saw tears forming in my son’s eyes, something twisted in my chest. This wasn’t the reaction I expected from him.
“Calvin Wolfe, what are you yelling at him for?” Evelyn snapped, immediately pulling Rowan closer and whispering comforting words. “Don’t be afraid, Rowan. Mom’s here p>
Alexis joined in, wrapping her small arms around her brother, mimicking her mother’s actions by gently patting his back. “Brother, don’t be scared,” she said in her tiny voice.
I felt my brow furrow as I watched the three of them hugging. When I saw Evelyn and Rowan together, with this child who looked just like her, it brought up feelings I didn’t want to think about.
“Rowan,” I repeated, more firmly this time, “I said come here p>
My wolf stirred restlessly within me, sensing my rising frustration. Every instinct told me to reclaim what was mine—my son, my authority, my pack order. Yet something held me back when I saw the protective stance Evelyn took with our children.
The little girl, Alexis, caught my eye again. Something in her look made me feel strangely connected to her. Every time I looked into her clear eyes, I felt like I knew her from somewhere. It confused me how this child I barely knew could make me feel this way.
When Alexis had offered me candy through the video call yesterday, attempting to comfort me as if she understood my pain, it had momentarily broken through my dark mood. Even my wolf had calmed at the sight of her innocent gesture.
Now, watching her comfort Rowan with the same instinctive care, I felt my anger softening despite myself.She was so small, yet already showing the protective instincts.
But I couldn’t allow myself to be distracted. This confrontation with Evelyn had been brewing for too long. The sight of her,my ex-mate,standing defiant before me with my children, awakened both my Alpha’s territorial instincts and a deeper pain I refused to acknowledge.
“I won’t repeat myself again,” I stated coldly.Distance was safer than confronting what her presence still did to me after all this time.