Chapter 77
Evelyn’s POV
Another secretary? I couldn’t help but feel skeptical about this mysterious “secretary” Calvin mentioned.
But one thing was clear—between his secretary and me, Calvin trusted the secretary more. This remained true even after I showed him solid proof of Clara’s involvement.
I took a subtle breath, my nose picking up something that made my stomach tight. The scent on Calvin’s suit was unmistakable. Jasmine mixed with vanilla. Feminine. Personal.
“A female secretary?” I tried to keep my voice steady.
His silence told me everything. That jasmine scent had soaked into his expensive suit. I didn’t want to think about how close they must have been.
“Let go of my wrist,” I said coldly.
Eryx stepped forward from his guard position. Calvin’s security team moved too. Zeon watched us nervously, clearly worried about the tension between his Alpha and former Luna.
“Let’s handle this calmly,” Zeon suggested softly.
I pulled my wrist from Calvin’s grip, not caring if it hurt. “Your condition can’t be treated here, Alpha Calvin,” I said, my voice ice cold.
Calvin moved closer, his tall frame still intimidating. “Evelyn, why are you being defensive p>
“I’m not defensive,” I shot back.
His dark eyes held mine with certainty. “Yes, you are p>
I shrugged and looked away. “Think what you want p>
His expression changed, like a hunter sensing weakness. “The female scent on me bothers you, doesn’t it p>
My steps faltered. He’d hit too close to home. Despite everything, something deep inside me hated the idea of another woman’s scent on him.
I hurried toward my car. Just as I touched the door handle, I heard something heavy drop behind me.
“Is this better?” Calvin’s deep voice sent an unwanted shiver down my spine.
I turned and caught my breath. He stood there like some ancient god. Strong jawline, intense eyes, aristocratic nose, and lips that once claimed mine so completely. His expensive suit jacket lay on the ground, leaving him in a fitted black shirt that showed every muscle.
His fingers lingered at his collar buttons, one eyebrow raised. “Should I continue p>
His husky voice stroked across my senses like velvet, making my heart race against my will.
I met his gaze. “What exactly are you doing, Calvin p>
“You didn’t like the scent on me. Now it’s gone,” he said simply, as if stripping in a parking lot was normal behavior for the CEO of Wolfe Haven International.
He moved closer, and I noticed the change in him. His shoulders relaxed, his eyes grew heavy. My presence seemed to affect him. Without a word, he opened the car door opposite mine and got in.
I stood there, shocked. His boldness had only grown since our separation.
Zeon didn’t seem surprised by his Alpha’s behavior. At this point, Calvin’s Beta would probably let him sleep in the woods if it meant he got rest near me.
During the drive back to the lab, I wanted to talk to him, but when I turned, he was already asleep. His breathing was deep and steady, his usual sharp expression soft in sleep.
This was his insomnia? He’d fallen asleep within minutes of being near me!
Men and their lies. Even the great Alpha Calvin Wolfe wasn’t above them.
At my quarters, I got out first, barely opening the door when his sleepy voice stopped me.
“Don’t go,” he murmured.
“Go rest at a hotel!” I snapped, angry at how his vulnerable tone affected me.
Silence answered me.
After a few steps, I couldn’t help looking back. He sat in the car, elegant even disheveled.
Calvin watched me through half-closed eyes, the intensity in them making my heart skip. I refused to examine that feeling.
As I walked away, I heard him finally leave the car. The short nap seemed to have restored his composure and clear thinking.
He followed me to my quarters where Rowan, Rhys, and little Alexis played. Their faces brightened at seeing their father.
The twins ran to him, hugging his legs.
“Dad, we missed you so much!” they said together.
He ruffled their hair gently. “I missed you too p>
“Play with your sister while I talk to your mother,” he told them softly.
The children stayed in the living area with their caregiver while I led Calvin to my study.
“What game is this?” I demanded. “Your sad act won’t work on me p>
He sat in the armchair, swallowing hard. His self-mocking smile looked so strange on him, it caught me off guard.
“Do you hate me that much now, Evelyn?” he asked quietly.
“For five years, I was faithful to you, to our family. So why did you cheat? What did I not give you? High status, money, respect as my mate. Which was missing? Why betray me and our children p>
“Was that other man worth leaving your mate and children for p>
Calvin was usually cold and distant, observing everything but saying little, always leaving room for doubt.
But now, with me p>
His accusation hit like a physical blow. Anger exploded from my chest to my brain, burning away all reason.
ME? CHEATING?
What an ridiculous joke!
I grabbed his tie and pulled him forward, holding him in the chair as I leaned in, too angry to care about being close.
“Who cheated on who, Calvin?” I snapped. “You always chose Clara over me! You betrayed our family, not me p>
Something flickered in his eyes, like my outburst confirmed something for him.
“The year after the twins were born,” he said smoothly. “Valentine’s Day. Where did you go? Who did you meet? What happened p>
I almost answered before realizing he was manipulating me. Looking back at his behavior since entering my study, I saw his negotiation tactics in every move, every expression, every word.
He was leading me step by step, using my emotions, drawing me into his trap.
I let go of his tie and stepped back, rethinking everything since he arrived.
We were both clever people. From our talk, we realized something—We each thought the other had cheated!
I suspected him with Clara, but who did Calvin think I had betrayed him with?
The twins’ second year… Valentine’s Day p>
A blurry memory surfaced, making my heart skip as I recalled something that must stay secret.
My voice stuck in my throat. He asked why I wasn’t speaking, but I couldn’t tell him.
“It involves someone else’s privacy. I can’t discuss it,” I finally said. “But I never betrayed our mate bond or you, and I never abandoned our children. Your accusations are wrong p>
My words seemed to hit him hard. His body tensed, his shirt showing the outline of his muscles and the veins in his arms.
“What about Leon Robinson?” he asked, his voice deadly quiet. “His birthday night… you went to see him, didn’t you p>