“What on earth is happening here? Why haven’t we obtained the land yet?” Evan’s voice reverberated through the office as he confronted his assistant, Alex. The room crackled with tension as Evan’s frustration filled the air.
“Director, Mr. Anderson is refusing to grant us the land,” Alex replied, his forehead glistening with beads of sweat. Evan fixed his gaze on Alex, demanding an explanation.
“Why? We’ve already signed the agreement,” Evan inquired, his voice edged with impatience.
“Director, our rivals, the Pattersons, have offered him twice the amount of money we have. He’s wavering now,” Alex explained, his tone tinged with concern.
“I don’t care. I want that land at any cost. Warn him about legal action,” Evan commanded, his determination unwavering. Alex nodded in acknowledgment before leaving the office. Evan sank into his chair, resting his head against the headrest, and closed his eyes.
“Today is the worst day of my life. First, the land issue, and second, when I go home, I’ll have to face my father,” Evan mumbled under his breath, the weight of the day pressing down upon him.
20 years ago
Evan, a bright-eyed five-year-old, sat happily in his chair, clutching his report card with pride. He had secured the first rank in his class and couldn’t wait to share the news with his father. Imagining his father’s proud smile and words of praise filled Evan with excitement. As he arrived home, his steps slowed down when he heard raised voices. Evan approached the main entrance cautiously, standing at the threshold to observe the unfolding scene. His mother, Jane, and his three-year-old sister were in tears, locked in a heated argument with his father. Standing beside his father was a woman, Camilla, holding a child.
“How can you abandon us? All because of this low-class woman!” Evan’s mother shouted, her voice filled with anguish.
“Jane, don’t speak ill of her. I never loved you. I only married you because my father forced me. I’ve always loved Camilla,” Evan’s father declared, his hand entwined with Camilla’s. Mr. Cooper glanced at Mrs. Jane and added, “They are my family; they need me.”
Distraught, Evan reached out, grasping his father’s hand, and pleaded, “They’re not your family, Dad. We are your family.” But his father didn’t respond, removing his hand and walking away without a backward glance. Evan called out to him desperately, “Dad, please don’t leave us!” But his pleas fell on deaf ears as his father continued his departure, leaving Evan and his devastated family behind.
“We don’t need a father in our lives,” Evan whispered bitterly, hugging his sobbing little sister tightly.
Present day
Evan opened his eyes and took a deep breath, his gaze drifting toward the expansive sky visible through the massive glass window. The evening had descended upon the world outside.
At Cooper Villa
Evan returned home from the office, and as he stepped inside, the first sight that greeted him was his father, seated on the sofa, enjoying tea with Camilla. Grandma’s face beamed with happiness, a perpetual smile adorning her features. Evan surveyed the scene but couldn’t find his mother anywhere. He took a deep breath, mustered his composure, and continued walking toward his room.
“Evan, come and greet him. After all, he’s come back after so many years,” Grandma’s words rang out. Evan halted in his tracks, casting a disdainful glance at his father before snickering.
“Hello, Mr. Davis Cooper. How did you find your way into my house? I distinctly recall not extending an invitation to you,” Evan sneered, his tone laced with sarcasm.
“Perhaps you have a habit of visiting people’s homes without an invitation,” he continued, refusing to be deterred.
“How dare you speak to your father like that?” Grandma exclaimed in disbelief.
“Never mind, Mom. I understand you’re angry with Evan. But this house belongs to both of us, not just you. So I can come to my own house without your permission,” Mr. Davis retorted, his voice filled with a sense of entitlement.
“No, this is not your home. You seem to have forgotten that you left this house long ago,” Evan stated matter-of-factly. Mr. Davis was taken aback by his son’s audacity, but a smile managed to crease his lips.
“I had hoped that as you grew older, you would shed your childishness and stubbornness. I had hoped you would become more mature, but I am disappointed,” Mr. Davis replied with a tinge of disappointment.
Evan smiled and removed his father’s hand from his shoulder, standing before him with a determined posture. At six feet four inches tall, Evan towered over his father’s six feet.
“I’m sorry to disappoint you, Mr. Davis Cooper, but I don’t have a father to teach me manners. My father left with his lover a long time ago,” Evan declared, his gaze fixed on his father’s face, a sense of satisfaction etched across his own.
“I hope you leave my house soon,” Evan curtly remarked to Mr. Davis before walking away, heading towards his room.
Dinnertime
Grandma, Mrs. Jane, Jennifer, Evan, Mr. Davis, and Camilla sat around the dining table. The atmosphere was heavy with silence as each person consumed their meal. Only Grandma and Mr. Davis engaged in conversation, their voices the only sounds punctuating the quietude.
Mrs. Jane’s gaze fixated on Camilla, her eyes gleaming with animosity. Observing Aubrey, their maid, approaching to serve soup to Camilla, Mrs. Jane extended her foot, intentionally causing Aubrey to stumble and spill the hot liquid onto Camilla’s arm.
“Ahhhh!” Camilla screamed, her arm searing in pain. All eyes turned toward her in shock. A smug smile curled on Mrs. Jane’s lips.
“I apologize, ma’am. I didn’t mean to… I’m sorry,” Aubrey stammered, reaching for a tissue to assist with Camilla’s injury. But Camilla shoved her away, inadvertently causing Aubrey’s arm to collide with a nearby chair.
“How dare you! Can’t you even perform your duties properly?” Camilla berated Aubrey, her voice filled with disdain.
“Mother, why did you hire a girl who doesn’t know how to do her job? Look at what she’s done! She burned my wife’s hand,” Mr. Davis criticized, turning to Grandma. Grandma fixed her gaze on Aubrey, anger apparent in her features. Aubrey stood there, head bowed, apprehensive about her fate.
“Aubrey, apologize,” Grandma instructed, her tone leaving no room for disobedience. Aubrey remained silent, her gaze fixed on the ground.
“Didn’t you hear what Mother said? Apologize to my wife!” Mr. Davis bellowed, his frustration escalating. Aubrey looked up, her eyes meeting Davis’s intense gaze, and attempted to speak.
“I… I… I’m…” she faltered, her voice choked with tears.
“Enough!” Evan’s voice thundered through the room, abruptly interrupting the escalating tension. All heads turned to face him, a mixture of surprise and curiosity etched on their faces. Evan rose from his chair, slowly making his way towards Aubrey, who stared at him, bewildered and uncertain.
Evan positioned himself in front of Aubrey, taking her hand firmly in his own. A resolute expression adorned his face as he addressed the gathering.
“My wife will not apologize to anyone,” Evan declared, his words resonating through the room. Aubrey’s astonishment was palpable, her eyes locked on Evan’s commanding presence. Mrs. Jane looked at Evan, her expression a mixture of shock and disbelief.
“Your wife?” Mr. Davis inquired incredulously.
“Yes, you and your mistress were berating my wife,” Evan responded, his tone unwavering.
“You married a maid?” Mr. Davis questioned, his voice tinged with disbelief.
Evan laughed lightly, his amusement evident. “She is not a maid. She chooses to work because she enjoys it. Besides, can’t I marry someone of my choosing, even if she happens to be a maid?” he retorted. A stunned silence filled the room as everyone absorbed Evan’s words, their minds grappling with the unexpected turn of events.
A sudden shattering sound broke the stillness, drawing all eyes toward Cassie, who stood nearby.
“Evan, what are you saying?” Cassie inquired, her voice laced with shock and confusion. Cassie approached Evan, her eyes seeking answers.
“What are you doing here?” Evan questioned, a trace of anger seeping into his voice.
“Your mother invited me for dinner,” Cassie replied. Evan glared at his mother, frustration emanating from his gaze. Cassie took hold of Evan’s hand, seeking understanding.
“What do you mean by your marriage? Is it true?” Cassie asked, her face reflecting a mix of disbelief and curiosity.
“You heard correctly. I got married while you left me to pursue your career in another country,” Evan stated, a smile gracing his lips as he beheld the astonishment etched on Cassie’s face.
“I see,” Cassie uttered, her voice tinged with a hint of sorrow. Cassie gazed at Aubrey, trying to process the situation.
“Aubrey, come here,” Evan called out to her, his words surprising Aubrey. Last night, Evan had urged Aubrey to leave him, but now he was declaring her as his wife before everyone.
Aubrey stood there, unsure of what to do, her eyes darting to Grandma, who exuded an aura of anger. Fear coursed through Aubrey, but amidst it, she sensed a glimmer of something different in Evan’s eyes—a flicker of new hope. She hesitantly obeyed Evan’s request, stepping closer until she stood beside him.
Evan grasped Aubrey’s hand, his smile widening as he addressed Cassie once more.
“Cassie, allow me to introduce you to my wife, Aubrey. And Aubrey, meet my ex-girlfriend, Cassie,” Evan said, presenting both women to each other. Cassie and Aubrey stared at Evan in bewildered silence, attempting to comprehend the enigma standing before them.
“Now that everyone has had the pleasure of meeting my wife, may I take her away? She must be exhausted from preparing this meal,” Evan proposed, his voice filled with an air of finality. Aubrey stood there, stunned, as Evan took her hand and led her toward his room. The onlookers remained frozen in astonishment, their eyes fixated on the departing figures.
As they disappeared from view, the room remained suspended in silence, each person grappling with the abrupt turn of events that had unfolded before their eyes.
