Chapter 38
Evelyn’s POV
“Are you suspecting Clara p>
I kept my face calm, unsurprised by his response.
“What if it is her?” I asked, my voice dripping with sarcasm.
Calvin remained silent for what felt like an eternity before finally speaking, “But she has no reason to do something like that p>
His words felt like ice water poured over the last embers of hope I had for him.
I disappointed but not surprised. I’d prepared myself for this reaction, knowing deep down that he would never see past Clara’s facade.
I nodded slowly. “You really do trust her, don’t you p>
Calvin tried to speak again, but I didn’t give him the chance. I turned away and walked back into the house.
“I’ll drop the children off at the Bloodbane Packhouse on Sunday. Don’t come here anymore p>
I could feel his eyes on me through the living room windows as I joined our children. With them, I allowed myself to relax, my smile genuine as we played board games. The contrast between the mother I was with my kids and the cold woman I became around Calvin couldn’t be more stark.
Over the next couple of weeks, I established a new routine. Whenever I picked up the children from school, I had Eryx send a message to Zeon first to inform Calvin.
The twins and Alexis would decide for themselves whether they wanted to spend weekends at the Bloodbane Packhouse or stay with me. This arrangement continued smoothly for about two weeks.
With me caring for all three children, Calvin could focus more on his pack business and work. He no longer had to rush back from business trips to be with our sons.
Everything seemed to be moving in a positive direction—the children were happy, I was regaining my independence,and my research at Evelink Biosciences was progressing well.
Everyone was happy. Except for him. But that wasn’t my concern anymore.
Tonight, I found myself at the Silver Moon Gala, wearing a black evening gown that hugged my curves. I was engaged in conversation with Julian when I felt that familiar penetrating gaze.
Without turning around, I knew Calvin was watching us, his eyes cold and calculating as they assessed the man beside me.
I deliberately shifted my position to block his view. I was here to meet an important client, and Julian had specifically come to help facilitate the connection.
“Everything okay, Evelyn?” Julian asked, noticing my sudden movement.
I shook my head. “It’s nothing p>
Once we’d met with everyone we needed to see, Julian and I stepped out onto the balcony for some fresh air. He thanked me for the medication I’d provided for his wife.
“Evelyn, my wife wanted to come thank you personally, but she’s not well enough to travel. I’m thanking you on her behalf—you saved her life. You’re our family’s guardian angel. If you ever need anything, just name it p>
I nodded, feeling a rare moment of genuine satisfaction. “I will p>
Julian seemed relieved. If I hadn’t intervened, his wife would have succumbed to her illness over a year ago. This was why I’d created Evelink Biosciences to help people like her.
“You should bring Alexis to visit us in Duskwatch Bay sometime. My son keeps talking about her. He even tried to sneak onto the plane to come with me this time,” Julian said with a fond smile.
The thought of Julian’s well-mannered son, who had always been so kind to Alexis, brought a small smile to my face. “We’ll definitely visit when we can p>
Julian checked his watch and mentioned he needed to fly back to be with his family. He offered to drive me home, but I politely declined.
“You should get back to your family, Julian. My driver is waiting outside. I’ll be fine p>
After Julian left, I decided it was time for me to leave as well. I had just collected my purse when Calvin intercepted me.
He’d clearly had several drinks. His eyes weren’t quite focused as he asked, “Is he your new mate p>
I raised an eyebrow. “How is that any of your business p>
My gaze drifted to Clara hovering in the background, watching us with that sickly-sweet smile of hers.
My blood ran cold.My disgust for both of them grew with each passing second.
I’d uncovered everything about the “accident” that nearly took our lives. It was Clara who had orchestrated it. If Alexis hadn’t developed a sudden fever that day, prompting me to have Eryx arrange alternative transportation and a private jet to the lab…I shuddered to think what might have happened.
Calvin’s voice cut through my thoughts, tense with barely contained emotion. “Do you know he has a wife and child back in Duskwatch Bay p>
His distrust pierced my heart like a silver dagger. I stared at his perfect face—that face I had once thought I would never tire of looking at—and felt only bitterness.
I questioned myself: how had I ever given my heart so completely to this man? Was it just his handsome face that had made me fall for him so quickly? The Moon Goddess’s supposed bond between mates? I searched my soul for answers but found none.
After three full minutes of silence, I looked up at him with a cold smile. “So what if he does? That’s my business, not yours, Alpha Calvin p>
Calvin looked as if I’d slapped him.
His eyes darkened as he stared at me intently. “Evelyn, do you even hear yourself right now p>
I nodded. “I’ve never been more clear-headed in my life p>
I spotted Clara approaching us, and my smile widened. The last thorn in my heart was finally being pulled out.
“Calvin, you have no right to dictate my life anymore p>
I turned to leave, but he grabbed my wrist with enough force to make me wince.
“So your plan to fight for custody is about taking my sons to be hidden away as stepsons to your illegitimate mate?” His voice was dangerously low. “How dare you, Evelyn p>
I yanked my wrist free, rubbing the sore spot as I casually studied the furious man before me. I tilted my head, genuinely perplexed by his hypocrisy.
“I learned from the best, Calvin,” I said, my tone cool and measured.
“You dined with another woman while we were still mated, showered her with expensive gifts, and called it ’just friendship’ when I confronted you p>
“You never took responsibility. You never felt guilty. You wrapped your betrayal in pretty words like freedom and independence, and then had the audacity to turn around and accuse me of crossing the line p>
I tilted my head, eyes steady on his.”If it was acceptable when you did it, why is it so wrong when I do the same p>
Calvin’s face darkened with rage. Just then, Clara rushed over, her face a mask of concern.
“Cal, are you okay? You don’t look well,” she said.
With an audience present, Calvin turned away to compose himself. Clara pretended to be the understanding “mate,” when I knew she secretly despised me. The act was sickening to watch.
“Cal,” she whined, “weren’t you going to introduce me to Dr. Hector and that professor from Evelink Biosciences? I just saw Dr. Hector go upstairs. We should hurry p>
Evelink Biosciences? My heart skipped a beat, but I quickly masked my reaction.
Clara was clearly eager to pull Calvin away from me, but his eyes remained fixed on my face. The alcohol I’d consumed—not much, just enough for a pleasant buzz—was beginning to affect me.
I was tired of Clara’s two-faced behavior and Calvin’s willful blindness. This man who had once been my mate had lied to me repeatedly and proven himself unworthy of my trust.
In that moment of alcohol-induced clarity, I smiled seductively.
Calvin froze.
I stood on my tiptoes and whispered in his ear, my breath warm against his skin.
“Is this your idea of ’just friendship,’ Calvin?” My voice was soft but cutting. “Or should I stop pretending? Have you two been more than friends all along p>
I pulled back with a mocking laugh. “I would choose Julian over you any day. Shouldn’t you be asking yourself why p>
I watched as Calvin’s expression changed, his eyes widening in shock.
He looked like someone who had suddenly been thrust into thin air, gasping for oxygen, veins pulsing at his temples.
Without another word, I turned and walked away, my high heels clicking steadily against the marble floor.
I didn’t look back, but I knew Clara would be trying to comfort him.
Calvin only lost his composure around me. With everyone else, he was the cold, emotionless Alpha of the Bloodbane Pack.
As I left, I heard him tell Clara, “Let’s go.” His voice was devoid of emotion once more.