Unmasking the Heiress

Evangeline never imagined Walter would show up at the hospital in the dead of night and act like a madman. Had Julia left him wanting?

The memory of the night's betrayal with Julia pierced her heart with an invisible needle, each thought of a suffocating sting.

Evangeline bit Walter's shoulder, her bite a desperate act of defiance.

Walter gasped, the sharp pain a testament to her surprising strength. He had not even gotten over the kick she had delivered to his leg last time, and she bit him.

"Do you enjoy biting people?" Walter grunted, wincing.

Evangeline felt a twinge of satisfaction seeing his usually stoic face twist in pain. "Put me down now, or I'll call the guards!"

Walter's striking features were inches away as he firmly grasped her chin. "You've got two choices: One, I put you down and we show your grandpa your disheveled state. Two, keep quiet and come back with me."

The mention of her grandpa silenced Evangeline's struggle. Walter had found her Achilles' heel. She did not want their issues aired in front of her grandpa.Property belongs to Nôvel(D)r/ama.Org.

Her heart seethed with resentment, but she fell silent, refusing to meet his gaze.

Walter carried her, and for the first time, she was as docile as a little kitten in his arms.

His expression was icy, devoid of warmth, though inside, a fire raged, like kindling ready to ignite.

Walter took Evangeline back to their house, to the bedroom they shared as a married couple. He placed her on the master bed and, with a stern expression, stripped off her shoes and socks.

"What are you doing?"

The image of Walter's tie on Julia's bed flashed in her mind, and she instinctively jerked her foot away. Please, keep your distance. You disgust me!"

10

Walter's fury flared as he pressed Evangeline beneath him, his cool scent and hot breath assaulting her senses like venom. "You think you're pure with other men? I'd love to see just how pristine you really are!" His eyes were deep pools of darkness, and the woman squirr him only fueled his fire. Walter's gaze-wild and caged-sent shivers of fear through Evangeline.

She felt his strong hands pinning her arms, ripping at her dress. A terrifying sense of powerlessness washed over her as if she were plummeting into an abyss. His eyes, hungry and beautiful, threatened to

consume her whole.

"What's your plan? Not content with the chaos you've stirred up, ready to strike me for your darling?" Evangeline pushed against his chest, her eyes blazing with anger.

Walter's fingers clamped onto her face, his dark gaze prowling over her features. "Who did this to you?" "Mind your own business! Get off!"

Evangeline used to desperately want Walter's children, but he would not even spare her a glance.

What did he want with her, fresh from Julia's bed? To settle scores?

She missed the storm brewing in Walter's handsome face as he surveyed her injuries, the turmoil in his eyes dark and foreboding

Just then, a phone rang. It was Julia calling.

Evangeline accepted the call in front of Walter, and Julia's voice burst through the moment the call connected.

"Aren't you going too far? Yesterday's beating wasn't enough, now you've gone and had someone attack Ruby's family. You're terrifying!"

"Is that so? Jealous, are you? Don't fret, you're next on the list," Evangeline's retort was calm and

mocking. The message was intended for Walter's ears

Julia was fuming on the other end of the line, unaware that Walter was standing next to Evangeline.

"Why the attitude? You're clueless, aren't you? I've already filled Walter in, and he's on board to help Ruby clean up the mess you've made. By the way, Walter rushed out so early today he left his tie at the hotel. Any idea where he's at? I need to get it to him." Evangeline shot Walter a withering glance, his expression hardening.

With a mocking laugh, she retorted, "He's here with me, says the tie's too dirty to bother with. Just toss it

somewhere!"

With that, Evangeline ended the call.

Walter inquired who had hurt her. She mistakenly thought he was not defending Julia's honor, but her own. She had not expected...

The feeling was indescribable as if her heart had been ripped apart.

"I never saw it before, Walter, but you're such a saint, always playing the hero for everyone but your own wife," mused Evangeline ironically. He would go to any lengths for Julia.

She had hoped for a moment of conscience, but he was just there to confront her on Julia's behalf.

Walter grasped her chin firmly. "I never saw it coming either, that James would drag the Garside family into this mess for you!"

The number of men in her life seemed to multiply. That James, who came out of nowhere, had completely escaped his notice.

She had kept her secrets well. It looked like her years down South had been truly liberating.

Evangeline could not read Walter's thoughts. "Are you taking her side just because of Julia? If Ruby decides to take me out, would you think I had it coming? If I'm crushed to nothing, you'd stand by Julia without a second thought and give me one more kick for good measu Walter's expression darkened.

He opened his mouth to explain, but Evangeline did not give him the chance. With a powerful shove, she sent him tumbling off the bed.

"Out! I've had it with your 'hero' act. Go save someone else.

"From here on out, we're done. You go play guardian angel to Julia. But as for the Garsides, this isn't over. Not by a long shot."

Evangeline would not let him-or anyone-make a fool of her. Even if it meant burning bridges with the whole Gordon family, she was determined to settle the score with the Garsides. "Evangeline!"

Why could she not back down?

Walter remained silent, his face a mask of anger, his lips a thin, icy line.

"Alright, then!"