A week had passed since Cassie’s unexpected return. Aubrey found herself immersed in her work, trying her best to remain focused and ignore the lingering presence of Evan in her thoughts. Deep down, she knew that Evan’s heart still belonged to Cassie, their high school sweetheart. Together, they had been an iconic couple, the envy of their peers. Aubrey had been in the same high school, a silent observer of their seemingly unbreakable bond.
In the kitchen, Aubrey grappled with a persistent leak from the tap that had plagued her since morning. With a determined effort, she managed to temporarily fix the issue, halting the incessant flow of water. Wiping her forehead, Aubrey heaved a sigh of relief, realizing that she needed to call a plumber to address the problem properly. Leaving the kitchen, she headed towards her room to retrieve her phone.
Suddenly, a thunderous shout jolted Aubrey, causing her heart to skip a beat. Rushing back to the kitchen, she was taken aback to find Evan, clad in a tuxedo, fuming with anger. In his hands, he held the very tap that she had just managed to patch up, the water spraying onto his drenched face. Aubrey could clearly see the fury etched upon his features. Nervously, she approached Evan, attempting to stop the water’s flow. In the process, both of them became drenched, their clothes soaked.
Lifting her gaze, Aubrey met Evan’s furious eyes. “What the hell? If the tap was broken, you should have called a plumber,” he bellowed at her, his voice filled with frustration.
“I was just about to call the plumber,” Aubrey quickly informed him, her fingers fidgeting nervously.
“Can’t you do anything right? Now I have to change my suit,” Evan retorted, casting a disapproving glance at his soaked attire.
“Sorry, Mr. Evan,” Aubrey murmured, her gaze lowered in submission.
“What are you still doing here? Go and call the plumber,” Evan ordered, his eyes piercing through her.
Aubrey nodded, ready to comply with his command. However, as she stepped forward, the wet floor caused her to lose her footing. Just as she was about to fall, Evan swiftly grabbed her waist, pulling her towards him. For a brief moment, Aubrey was dazed, unsure of what had just transpired. As she gradually opened her tightly shut eyes, she found herself mere inches away from Evan’s face, their eyes locked in a profound gaze. In that intense moment, Aubrey’s love for him radiated from her eyes. Her gaze involuntarily shifted towards Evan’s lips, and she noticed that he too was fixated on hers. Slowly, Evan leaned closer, and Aubrey closed her eyes, anticipating his touch. However, the memory of his recent kiss with Cassie, prominently displayed in the newspaper, flashed in her mind. With a sudden surge of determination, Aubrey gently freed herself from Evan’s grip, stepping back. Evan looked at her, bewildered by her sudden retreat. Aubrey swiftly departed, leaving Evan in a state of turmoil.
Unbeknownst to them, Mrs. Jane, Evan’s mother, had witnessed the entire encounter from outside the kitchen. She knew her son never accepted Aubrey as his wife, and she was filled with apprehension that this audacious girl might seduce him away. Mrs. Jane instinctively reached for her mobile phone and dialed Cassie’s number.
“Welcome back, Cassie. How have you been? It’s been years since we last met. I would like to invite you to dinner tomorrow. It would bring me great joy if you could grace us with your presence. Alright, see you tomorrow,” Mrs. Jane spoke into the phone, her face adorned with a triumphant smile.
“Now, I shall show you, Aubrey, your rightful place,” she muttered under her breath, walking away from the scene.
Later that evening, Evan returned home from the office. Grandma, Mrs. Jane, and Jennifer were seated on the sofa in the hall. As Evan glanced at his mother’s despondent expression, he greeted everyone politely. His attention was suddenly captured by his grandmother’s voice.
“Your father is returning tomorrow,” Grandma announced. The news instantly caused Evan’s fists to clench, and he turned towards his grandmother, his voice laced with incredulity.
“Why is he coming back after all these years?”
Grandma, unfazed by his reaction, retorted, “What do you mean, why? He is our family, and family can return at any time.”
A small chuckle escaped Evan’s lips as he replied, “Are we really his family, Grandma? No, he is with the family he chose for himself, not with us.”
“How dare you speak of your father in such a manner?” Grandma exclaimed in anger.
Evan looked straight into his grandmother’s eyes, a mocking smile playing on his lips. “I fail to comprehend why he is coming back. Ah, there is only one thing in this world that he truly loves, and that is money. I am quite certain, Grandma, that he is returning solely for financial gain.”
His mother stood up, defending her absent husband. “He is your father,” she stated with a hint of desperation in her voice.
Evan turned to Jennifer, tears streaming down her face. He then faced his mother and uttered, “He is not our father, nor our mother. And how can you speak of him in such a way, about the person who ruined your life?” Without waiting for a response, Evan left the room, retreating to his own sanctuary and slamming the door shut behind him.
Aubrey stood silently, a spectator to the unfolding drama. She was aware that Evan harbored deep-seated resentment towards his father, who had chosen his lover over Evan’s mother. After leaving them, Evan’s father had never returned. Aubrey could only imagine the pain Evan carried, fueling his vehement hatred for the man who had abandoned his family.
During dinner, the atmosphere was tense. Evan was noticeably absent from the gathering. Sensing the unease, Grandma turned to Aubrey and instructed her to take food to Evan in his room. Mrs. Jane, however, interjected immediately, volunteering to perform the task herself.
“No need, I will take it to him,” Mrs. Jane asserted, determined to be the one to deliver the meal.
“There’s no need for that. Perhaps if you paid as much attention to your married life as you do to your son’s, my son would not have left you for another woman,” Grandma replied sharply, causing Mrs. Jane’s face to pale.
As Grandma had commanded, Aubrey collected the food and ascended the stairs, making her way to Evan’s room. She knocked gently on the door before entering. The room was enveloped in darkness, the shattered remnants of various objects scattered about. Aubrey’s eyes were drawn to the sole source of light—a lamp positioned beside the sofa. Sitting there, sipping his drink, was Evan, his attention not yet diverted towards Aubrey since her arrival. Placing the food on the table, Aubrey made a move to leave.
“Take it back; I don’t want it,” Evan’s voice resounded through the room. Aubrey hesitated, her back still turned.
“Grandma told me to bring the food to you,” Aubrey replied, taking a small step forward. Once again, Evan’s voice cut through the air.
“Don’t you ever get tired?” he questioned. Aubrey turned to face Evan, confusion etched across her features.
“Why would I be tired?” she inquired.
Evan let out a chuckle as he rose from the sofa, taking measured steps toward her. “Being Grandma’s puppet. She has you wrapped around her finger all day long. Aubrey does this, Aubrey does that,” he remarked, a smirk playing on his lips. The smell of alcohol wafted from Evan, making it evident that he had been drinking. Aubrey merely stood, her gaze locked onto Evan’s face. He reached out and took her hand in his, his words carrying a hint of melancholy.
“You’re living in this house like prisoners for three years. Why don’t you leave everything behind and go enjoy your life?”
“And where would I go?” Aubrey’s voice trembled, her eyes welling up with tears. “I have no one in this whole world.”
“I love you,” she confessed to him. Evan released her hand, his expression pained.
“I’m sorry, Aubrey, but I don’t love you,” he replied. Aubrey couldn’t help but sob, her tears flowing freely. Evan continued to look at her, the tears streaming down her face, and the sound of her hiccups echoing through the room. Extending his arm, he pulled Aubrey into an embrace, taking a deep breath before speaking.
“Please grant me a divorce. I’ll give you a substantial amount of money so that you can start a new life when you leave.” At the mention of the word “divorce,” Aubrey’s sobs intensified. She clung to Evan, returning his embrace. Evan tightened his grip and murmured, “I don’t want to become like him, Aubrey. I don’t want to become the same kind of bastard that he was to my mother.” Aubrey, upon hearing his words, managed to compose herself and gently broke free from his embrace. She looked into Evan’s eyes and uttered, her voice filled with conviction, “You are not like your father. You have never hurt me, Evan.”
Evan gazed back at Aubrey, placing his head on her shoulder. “Do you really believe that I’m nothing like him?” he mumbled before succumbing to sleep.
“You can never be like your father, Evan,” Aubrey whispered softly. With Evan fast asleep, she guided him to his bed, gently laying him down. Carefully, she removed his shoes and covered him with a blanket. Sitting beside him, she looked at his slumbering face, her hand reaching out to brush his hair away from his forehead. She couldn’t help but utter a plea, her voice barely above a whisper.
“Please don’t divorce me. You’re the only relationship I have in this world. I don’t know how I can live without you when I can’t go a single day without seeing you.”
