The Mafia Lord's Secret Lover

One Glass of Whiskey

Evelyn Walters' bright future was destroyed over just one shot of whiskey, or at least that's how much whiskey she remembered drinking.

She never imagined her world would fall apart after a single night with her father's greatest enemy, Axel Knight, the notorious business tycoon and infamous playboy.

Almost every weekend, his name trended in the gossip columns, always photographed with some stunning, barely-dressed woman clinging to his arm.

And now...

That dangerously handsome man lay beside her, sleeping soundly, only half of his sculpted body hidden beneath the sheets.

'Oh, bloody hell, Eve… How could you sleep with him?'

Slowly, she tried to slip out of bed, but the moment she moved, her body trembled violently. 

The deep, unfamiliar ache between her thighs was unbearable.

It was a nameless pain she'd never known before. 

When she saw her naked body, still marked with the trace of their wild night, a cold shiver ran through her.

After slipping out of bed without waking him, Evelyn immediately gathered her clothes from the floor and quickly put them on.

But just as she reached for her bag, her phone rang, the sudden buzzing sound nearly making her heart leap out of her chest.

She snatched the phone and was startled to see her sister, Stella, calling.

"Sister Eve, where are you? Why aren't you in your room?"

"I'm still here!" 

Evelyn whispered sharply, casting one last glance at the man still asleep on the bed before slipping out of the master bedroom.

"Here? You mean the Imperial Hotel?"

"Yes. I'll explain later!" 

"What the hell..."

She hung up before her sister could ask another question.

With one stiletto in hand, Evelyn opened the door, but froze the moment she saw a man in a gray suit standing in front of her.

She blinked a few times, unsure if he had come into the room, but of course, he had.

Before she could speak, the man asked calmly, "Is he still inside?"

"Y-Yes..." 

Evelyn's voice was slightly shaking as she gently opened the door, signaling him to come in.

But he didn't move. 

Instead, he asked, "Do you want me to drive you home?"

"No, thank you."

"Are you sure?"

Evelyn simply nodded before turning away, as she walked the hallway and disappeared into the elevator. 

Barefoot!

...

Walters Resident.

When Evelyn parked her car in the basement, she nearly jumped when she saw her sister, Stella, already standing there in her favorite home clothes, arms crossed, and looking like a mom who caught her kid returning home late. 

Stella didn't even wait; she yanked the door open before Evelyn had fully parked.

"Oh... my goodness, Sister Eve... where the hell have you been? Do you even know what time it is? Ah, I mean, what day is it now?"

Turning off the engine with an eye roll, Evelyn stepped out, breezing past her sister like a hungover queen. 

"Nice to see you too, Stella," she muttered, heading straight for the elevator. Her mind was still in chaos.

After that ridiculous New Year's Eve party with every rich and powerful snob in the country, she got way too drunk. She somehow ended up in bed with Axel Knight, her father's arch-nemesis.

Just thinking about him made her face flush all over again. That half-naked devil was now burned into her brain like a curse.

But no way in hell was she telling Stella that.

"I got too drunk to drive, alright! So I booked a room, and I slept there…" As the elevator dinged on the third floor, she cast a sideways glance. "Where's Dad?"

"You're in deep shit, sis…" Stella trailed behind with dramatic flair, her eyes wide with mock horror.

"What deep shit?" Evelyn stopped and shot her a look, arching one perfectly arched brow. "What? Do you think this is a soap opera? This early morning?"

Stella groaned, hands flying in the air. 

"You seriously forgot that you were supposed to go golfing with him this morning? He was already losing it when you didn't show up at breakfast. I had to survive his nonstop ranting while buttering the toast!"

"Oh, fabulous. Just what I needed." 

Evelyn sighed and fished her phone from her purse, about to call him, until Stella stopped her. 

"Relax. I told him you were on your monthly period and couldn't get up. You're welcome." She smirked, clearly waiting for applause.

Evelyn blinked, then gave her cheek a teasing pinch. 

"You little liar. I love you. I owe you a designer bag... preferably one that shuts you up."

"Deal," Stella said, tossing her hair like a diva.

"Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to scrape the night off my soul and sleep before my brain explodes." 

Evelyn waved her off and disappeared into her bedroom.

After closing the door behind her, Evelyn suddenly felt her knees weaken at the thought of her father finding out what had happened last night.

"No! He won't find out unless someone tells him... You'll be fine, Eve!"

She shook off the terrifying thought and headed straight to the bathroom, stripping off her black dress and the remaining linen clinging to her skin.

When she saw her reflection in the mirror, her face immediately flushed, revealing the love bite across nearly her entire body.

"You are so fucking screwed, Eve! How dare you sleep with him? Axel Knight?"

She let out a deep sigh, trying to release the pressure building in her chest.

But the tension only tightened when another thought hit her.

"Does he even know he slept with me? No! He was definitely drunk too, right? He won't remember me... yes... he won't!" Evelyn tried desperately to convince herself.

She shoved the entire night with Axel to the back of her mind. She decided to bury it. 

Everything would be fine, as long as no one ever found out.

But Evelyn's wish didn't come true the way she hoped.

For the past five weeks, she had gone on with her usual routine. 

She stayed busy working closely with the management team at Walters Group.

However, her life was thrown into a nightmare the moment another marriage arrangement was made with the Lincoln family.

...

The night before the family dinner with the Lincolns, she stared in disbelief at the pregnancy test in her hand.

Two pink lines. 

'I'm pregnant...'

Two Paths to Choose!

Evelyn stared at the pregnancy test in her hand, her knees trembling until she sank to the floor.

Since that wild night with Axel Knight, she hadn't thought about him, not once. 

She'd shut him out completely, burying the memory deep in the farthest corners of her mind.

Until a few days ago, when her body started acting strangely and her period was more than two weeks late, that's when the suspicion crept in. 

And today, she finally took the test.

"Oh… my… God. What do I do now?"

Her hands shook as she stared at the result, heart pounding against her ribs.

"Knock. Knock."

The sound jolted her.

She turned quickly toward the door, panic flaring, and fumbled to hide the test behind her.

But her legs were too weak to support her.

"Sis, are you in there? Dinner's ready. We're all waiting for you," came Stella's impatient voice from the other side.

"I'm coming…" 

...

Evelyn found the family dinner unbearable. 

The delicious-looking dishes that she knew tasted wonderful now tasted completely bland in her mouth.

She wanted to tell her father about the pregnancy, right now, and beg him to cancel the marriage arrangement. Cancel tomorrow's dinner.

But hearing how excited he was about the alliance with the nation's leading medical business family made her hesitate.

At this moment, prayer was her only lifeline. 

She silently begged her father to stop talking about her future husband, Daniel Lincoln.

Of course, Evelyn's prayers were ignored. 

A second later, her sister Stella's words made her want to vanish from the room.

"Sister Eve, I'm so jealous of you..." Stella pouted slightly, her eyes sparkling as she stared at Evelyn.

She continued, "Daniel's such a handsome and respected neurosurgeon. A genius among young doctors... You know what? In my faculty, he's practically a god!"

"Yes, I agree with Stella…" Alicia chimed in, looking proudly at her stepdaughter, Evelyn. 

"Whenever I'm out with my friends, they all talk about him. Everyone wants him to marry into their family... I was so happy when the Lincolns chose you as their daughter-in-law."

Then Alicia turned to Stella and added, "You'd better study hard, Stella... Maybe someday you'll marry another genius doctor, too. Your daddy already promised to invest in the medical field. Right, Will?"

William Walters cleared his throat, then nodded to confirm his wife's words. 

"Sure, Mom… I'm studying hard right now," Stella giggled, then went back to enjoying her dessert.

While her family spoke with such excitement about the marriage, Evelyn felt her heart grow heavier with each word.

She couldn't blame them. Daniel Lincoln was someone she'd known since childhood. He was intelligent, kind, and a true gentleman.

But as they grew older, their lives drifted apart. Daniel focused on his medical career while she poured herself into the family business.

When she learned Daniel had chosen her, she was shocked. 

Evelyn thought Daniel would marry someone from the medical field, but she was wrong.

Though they hadn't met to talk about the engagement, she never objected. She is twenty-five now. It was time to settle down, and she wasn't dating anyone.

But now? She is pregnant. 

How could she continue this marriage arrangement?

And not just pregnant, but the father of the child inside her was her father's biggest enemy: the Knight family.

'How can I talk to dad now?' 

Evelyn silently sighed, lowered her head, and tried to stay calm while hiding a troubling thought in her mind. 

William Walters' gaze lingered on Evelyn. He watched her closely, noticing the way her fingers trembled slightly around her fork, and how she hadn't taken more than a few bites of her food.

"Evelyn?" His voice was calm, but firm. "Is something wrong?"

The table fell silent.

Everyone is now looking at her.

Evelyn looked up, eyes wide, caught in the silence. Her throat tightened. She couldn't lie anymore.

"I can't marry Daniel," she said, voice soft but clear.

A beat of silence. 

Then Alicia blinked.

"Eve, what are you saying, my dear?"

"I'm saying..." Evelyn took a shaky breath. "I can't accept the marriage arrangement. I'm... I'm pregnant."

The room froze. 

Forks paused in midair. 

Stella gasped.

William leaned forward slowly, his expression unreadable.

"Pregnant?"

Evelyn nodded once, her voice barely holding together. "Yes."

"Who's the father?" William asked, his tone colder now, heavier.

Evelyn's lips parted, but no sound came out. She lowered her gaze, her silence wrapping the table in tension.

"I'm not ready to talk about that," she said finally.

Alicia pressed a hand to her chest.

"Evelyn, how long?"

"Four or maybe five weeks..." she whispered.

Stella looked at Evelyn, stunned.

"You've got to be kidding me, right, sis? You're just trying to prank us, right?"

"I wish I were," Evelyn muttered, her voice filled with guilt. "But this is the truth."

The silence was unbearable. The air around the dining table had turned even colder.

Evelyn could barely lift her eyes, but she could feel her father's stare boring into her like a sharp dagger.

"Say, his name..." William Walters' voice was low and heavy.

Evelyn's lips trembled as she met his furious gaze.

"I'm sorry… I can't, Dad..."

"You will," he snapped. His voice cracked through the room. "You think you can stay here... under my roof and spit out something like this and not explain yourself?"

"Will, please don't be angry..." Alicia started, reaching for his hand.

He yanked it away.

"Don't. Not now, Alice..." His eyes never left Evelyn. "Tell me who he is. Now. Before I find him myself."

Evelyn opened her mouth, but no words came. Her heart was hammering so loudly she could barely breathe.

She noticed the anger in her father's eyes. She recognized the man who had built an empire from scratch and had toppled rivals for minor reasons.

If she said Axel Knight's name. 

If she even whispered it. 

Her father wouldn't just ruin him. He'd kill him. And afterward, maybe kill her too for bringing shame and impurity to his family.

"I… I can't tell you," she whispered. "Please respect me, Dad. I'm an adult, not a teenager!"

William slammed his fist against the table, making everyone flinch. 

"Then I'll give you choices, since you seem to need them spelled out!"

He stood slowly, towering over the room with the authority of a man who had ruled the family.

"You want to act like an adult? Fine. Then listen like one. You have two paths, Evelyn."

Evelyn's breath caught in her throat as her eyes trembled while she looked at her furious father. 

"One... Go to the doctor and get rid of that little demon inside you, then go ahead with your engagement to Lincoln. We will save your future, your name, your place in this family."

He paused, each word deliberate. Final.

"Will, how could..." Alicia couldn't finish her sentence, stunned by what she just heard. She gasped in disbelief, words failing her as she struggled to process her husband's unexpected words. 

Stella gasped, just as shocked as her mother. 

Evelyn's heart aches inside. She can't believe her father would ask her that way. Her hand clenched tightly under the table, but she couldn't voice anything as her father kept speaking. 

"Two... keep it. And walk out of here with nothing... No more Evelyn Walters. No family. No inheritance. No help. Just you, and your shame."

"Will!" Alicia gasped, her voice trembling. "She's our daughter! Please..."

"She made her decision," William growled. "Now I'm making mine."

Evelyn couldn't move. Her legs felt like stone. Her mouth was dry.

Stella sat frozen, eyes wide, tears threatening to spill.

"You have time after dinner with the Lincolns tomorrow," William said coldly, already turning away. "Make your choice."

And with that, he walked out, leaving Evelyn in a house that no longer felt like home.

I Slept With Her?

At Apex Tower.

Dylan Hill stared at his desktop like it had just insulted his intelligence.

The headline blaring across the screen looked like something out of a poorly written soap opera.

[William Walters banished his daughter, Evelyn Walters, from the family!]

[What could be the reason behind Evelyn Walters' dramatic exit from the Walters legacy?]

[The beautiful heiress Evelyn Walters: now officially broke and abandoned.]

"What the hell happened here?"

Dylan muttered, blinking like maybe the words would rearrange themselves into something less scandalous.

But nothing happened.

He leaned back in his chair, his mind drifting back to that morning when Evelyn Walters quietly slipped out of Axel's presidential suite.

What happened that morning was not something he could boast about, not even to his boss, Axel Knight.

But now, seeing Evelyn's name trending like a celebrity divorce, the dots practically begged to be connected.

"Did she do something to piss off her dad that bad? Wait... did William Walters find out she slept with Axel?"

Just saying it out loud gave Dylan a full-body shiver.

Suddenly, in panic mode, he shot up from his chair, stormed out of his office, and made his way to Axel Knight's office.

Two gentle, polite knocks. That's all he dared.

"Come in," came Axel's voice, cool and clipped.

Dylan stepped in and found Axel neck-deep in paperwork, not even sparing him a glance. The man was clearly married to his work.

Still, Dylan hesitated; anything involving the Walters had a fifty-fifty chance of ending with some unpleasant things being thrown at his head.

He positioned himself a few steps away from the desk, just in case.

"Boss, it's me. Are you busy?"

Dylan asked, all polite and harmless on the outside, screaming internally on the inside.

Axel didn't even look up.

"What kind of question is that, Dylan?" he replied, tone dry enough to make Dylan feel nervous.

"I mean... remember a few weeks ago? After the New Year's party?" Dylan tried, inching closer to the danger zone.

Axel paused just long enough to sign a document, then finally glanced up to meet Dylan's panicked expression.

"Should I remember something?" he asked, one eyebrow twitching in mild irritation, the sign that someone was about to regret something.

Dylan pondered for a moment, weighing whether now was the right time to bring it up.

Or… should he take Axel to a bar and casually drop the bomb over whiskey and peanuts?

He was confused. Completely blank.

Not a single bright idea in sight, until Axel's voice sliced through his internal crisis like a chainsaw.

"Damn it, Dylan, you're just wasting my time," Axel snapped, eyes back on the document. "You can leave now. I've got a mountain of paperwork you begged me to sign, and here you are... hovering like a confused intern."

Dylan sighed internally. So much for perfect timing.

"Boss, what I mean is... do you even know who you slept with on New Year's Eve?"

That got Axel's attention.

He stopped mid-signature, put the pen down with unnecessary drama, and leaned back in his chair like he was settling to hear more Dylan wanted to say.

"Why? Did someone show up claiming they've got my secret lovechild?" Axel asked lazily, letting out a dry chuckle at his own joke.

Naturally, he brushed the idea off. Everyone he slept with took the pill. That was the unspoken rule. No pills, no thrills.

But Dylan's face turned ghost-white. His blood drained even faster as a thought crossed his mind.

'Did Evelyn really get pregnant after sleeping with Boss Axel? Is that why her father disowned her?'

Axel narrowed his eyes.

"Why do you look like your girlfriend just caught you cheating?" he asked playfully.

"B-Boss... the woman you slept with that night... she wasn't the supermodel the company just signed," Dylan stammered, his voice trembling.

Axel's brow furrowed even further. He tried digging through the hazy, alcohol-soaked memories of that night.

Of course, he remembered the party. He remembered the whiskey. But the woman? Nope. His brain served up a blank slate.

"Who was she?"

Dylan swallowed.

"The first daughter of William Walters—"

"Cough! Cough!"

Axel coughed violently, his face turning red and eyes wide with shock. He never thought that woman would end up in his bed.

"Dylan, if you're trying to tell me you no longer want to work for me, just say it. No need to make a joke this ridiculous..."

"Boss, I'm being honest with you, and without any ill intention. That morning, when I went to your presidential suite, she was the one who answered the door. She looked rushed—barely had her shoes on—and bolted like she was terrified you'd catch her."

Dylan was desperately trying to convince Axel to believe him, but deep down, he knew how insane it sounded.

Honestly, he'd been just as stunned as Axel when he saw Evelyn Walters coming out of that room.

...

Axel didn't say a word.

He stood from his seat and walked toward the glass wall behind his desk, eyes scanning the traffic-laden street below.

His mind reeled back to that morning, the one time he didn't see the woman he'd slept with. When he woke up, Dylan was the only one in the room.

Something had changed in him after that day. He hadn't slept with another woman since. He thought that because he was too busy with work.

But now? He understood. That woman had left an impact on him. Even if the memories were a blur, the feeling stayed deeply in his mind.

And every woman who came after, throwing themselves at him? Boring. Flat. Like watching a movie in black and white after seeing a glimpse of color.

'Why her? Out of all the women... more outstanding, more attractive, wealthier, why her?'

After what felt like an eternity, Axel finally turned to face Dylan, who was still standing behind him.

"Why are you only telling me now? Did she come knocking and say she's pregnant or something?"

Dylan shook his head.

He walked toward Axel's desk, silent, and typed something on the computer.

A few clicks later, he turned the screen toward him.

"Boss, you need to read the news about her… her father kicked her out of the family."

Dylan's words hit like thunder, tearing through Axel's mind.

"What? Why did that old man kick her out?"

"I don't know, boss. But… do you want me to investigate?"

Axel pondered for a moment before replying, "I'm not interested in their family drama…" he said casually, waving his hand like he asked Dylan to leave him alone.

But just as Dylan turned to leave the room, Axel called him back.

"Yes, boss? Is there something you need me to do?"

"Find out whether she's carrying my child or not. It'd be a real pain if she's using that as an excuse to chase after me," Axel said, deadpan, like this sort of thing happened to him.

A smirk tugged at Dylan's lips as he nodded.

"Yes, sir… Consider it done."

I Will Never Regret It

Evelyn can't believe what she read.

[William Walters banished his daughter, Evelyn Walters, from the family!]

[What's the reason behind Evelyn Walters' dramatic exit from the Walters legacy?]

[The beautiful heiress Evelyn Walters: now officially broke and abandoned.]

'Dad! You are so cruel... How could you do this to your own daughter? You exposed this to the media?'

Evelyn's hand clenched tightly around the cell phone.

Just five days after she'd told her father the path she chose, today marked the last day she would bear the name, Evelyn Walters.

Not only that, but... Her father had forced her to sign a stack of documents, papers that stripped her of all rights as a member of the Walters family.

She'd even been coerced into signing an agreement that stated if she used any of the Walters' money or belongings, she'd owe an outrageous sum in damages.

And if she couldn't pay it?

She'd be thrown in jail.

And there is no way to defend herself.

...

"Miss Taylor..."

Evelyn was yanked from her storm of angry thoughts at the sound of her new name.

She could no longer use Walters.

Now she went by her late mother's surname: Taylor.

"Yes...?" Evelyn responded softly. On the outside, she looked calm. Inside, she was crumbling.

She fought hard to suppress every trace of rage, every drop of sorrow. She refused to give her father the satisfaction of knowing he'd broken her.

Her eyes fixed on Alan Wang, her father's lawyer, as he entered the room and took a seat across from her.

She couldn't believe how much he had changed. The same man who used to speak to her with warmth and respect now addressed her like a nobody, like someone too lowly to deserve his time.

"You need to sign here, Miss Taylor..."

Alan Wang said coldly, pushing the papers and pen toward her before resting his back casually and staring at her with his pitiful yet arrogant expression.

"Once you've signed everything, you'll need to return all: the phone, the car, the apartment key. Everything. You're only allowed to take this ID card… and whatever belonged to your late mother."

He pointed lazily to a small, worn-out suitcase in the corner.

Evelyn didn't bother replying. She picked up the pen and signed every page.

"Anything else?"

Alan Wang was clearly caught off guard by the calm glint in her eyes.

He cleared his throat.

"You can take this new ID... Regarding the press announcement about you, your father said he'll have the news wiped within the week. Also… he made it clear... you're no longer welcome in this city."

"I know. I'll excuse myself now, Mr. Wang," Evelyn said, her voice steady.

She left everything on the table, stood up, grabbed the old suitcase, and walked out of the room.

...

By the time Evelyn came out of the room, she saw Alicia Green, her stepmother, and Stella, her little sister, standing there, waiting for her.

They looked awful; eyes swollen and red, clear signs they'd been crying for her.

Even though she despised her father with every fiber of her being, Evelyn's feelings for Alicia and Stella had never changed.

She was genuinely grateful to have Alicia as her stepmother. The woman had always been kind and gentle with her, nothing like the cold, cruel stepmothers she'd seen in other families.

"My dear Eve…" Alicia's voice trembled. She couldn't hold back her sobs as she wrapped Evelyn in a tight embrace, crying openly. "I'm so sorry I couldn't help you… I tried to convince your father... I really did… I hate him for this…"

"Alice… thank you for everything you've done for me. But please, don't hate him. This is the path I've chosen…"

Evelyn whispered, her voice steady but her heart cracking. She smiled through the pain at Stella, who was crying silently behind Alicia.

As soon as Alicia let her go, Stella rushed forward and threw herself into Evelyn's arms.

"Stop crying. I'm not dead yet," Evelyn said, trying to sound playful, loosening her embrace just a little.

She cupped Stella's face in her hands, smiling faintly as she wiped away her tears.

Looking deeply into her sister's eyes, she said softly, "Little sis, you have to study hard, okay? Promise me you'll become a brilliant doctor, one of the best in this country."

"Sis…" Stella whispered through her tears, "I don't want to study hard… I already told Dad I won't do it if he still kicks you out of the family."

Evelyn froze for a moment, then let out a bittersweet chuckle and gently pinched her sister's cheek.

"Silly girl, don't say that. You have to study hard and become a great doctor. Promise me, okay?"

"Hmm…" Stella nodded, tears still streaming down her face.

"All right. I need to go now," Evelyn said. "He'll be back any minute, and if he sees me here, he'll explode."

Alicia's face stiffens as she nods to Evelyn before looking at her daughter.

"Stella, let your sister go now," Alicia urged, worry clouding her voice. She knew what her husband was capable of, his temper, his madness. She feared for Evelyn's safety.

"Sis, you need to stay healthy," Stella whispered, still holding her hand tightly. "Promise me, never forget about me..." she said before loosening her grip and letting go of Evelyn's hand.

Evelyn feels her heart torn. She didn't want this to happen. Being separated from Alicia and Stella is not what she wanted. But she also didn't want to give up the child growing inside her.

This is the best choice; she will never regret it.

"Till we meet again, Alice… Stella…" For the last time, Evelyn smiled at them both.

She didn't know if she'd ever get to see them again, but she knew, no matter what, she would never forget their love or kindness.

As the taxi pulled away from the front yard, Evelyn dared one last look at the home she'd been forced to leave behind.

The place that once meant comfort, love, and family is now nothing but a memory soaked in betrayal.

Just as the vehicle passed the main gate, she saw it.

Her father's car.

It was approaching from a distance, sleek and black, as cold and imposing as the man inside it.

Evelyn's breath caught in her throat.

The car slowed as it neared. Her heart pounded with a desperate hope she didn't want to admit, that maybe, just maybe, he'd look up. That he'd see her. That he'd change his mind.

But he didn't.

Through the tinted window, she saw William Walters seated in the back row, stone-faced and still. His eyes were fixed ahead, not even flicking toward the taxi passing him by as if she didn't exist.

As if she had never existed.

Evelyn's lips trembled. She turned her head quickly, pressing it against the cool glass of the window, shielding her face from the driver.

Silent tears rolled down her cheeks.

The ache in her chest bloomed into something bigger, something more painful; it's grief, rage, heartbreak all tangled together.

'William Walters… I admit that you have successfully ruined my future. But if you think you have destroyed me, you are wrong! I will never give up on my life. Not now. Not ever.'

She placed a hand protectively over her stomach, her fingers trembling but firm.

'One day… You will regret everything you've done to me. And to my child.'

The taxi moved forward, carrying her away from the house, the pain, and the man who'd disowned her.

A New Name. A New House. A New Life

"Excuse me, young miss, would you mind telling me where you are headed?"

Evelyn was somewhat startled by the driver's voice, pulling her out of the whirlpool of sadness and disappointment she was drowning in.

Trying to hide the tears in her eyes, she calmly replied, "Not at all. Take me to the High-speed train station, please..." 

She already had a plan for her future: to leave this city right away.

Even though her father had taken everything: her money, the facilities she had enjoyed since childhood, her name, the diplomas she earned, she didn't care and wasn't afraid.

She didn't need any of that. 

What she needed now was only her brain. As long as she can think, she believes she can survive.

If she could lead her team at Walters Group for a couple of years without her father's help, she believed she could also lead herself out of all of this.

She would start fresh to prove to William Walters that he was wrong.

A smile crossed Evelyn's face as she recalled her father's harsh words. 

"Trust me, you wouldn't have survived a week out there without my help, without my money. You would've come back and begged me…and when the time comes, I will never forgive you... I will never accept you, Evelyn!"

'Well, Mr. William Walters, you are dead wrong. I will never come back to beg you… Never!'

...

By the time Evelyn arrived at the high-speed train station, she didn't rush to the platform but headed toward the locker rental area.

After inputting a series of codes on the locker door, she smiled faintly upon seeing a black bag, about the size of a laptop bag, along with a small backpack inside.

These were her only personal belongings, which she'd bought without using any money she earned while working at Walters. They couldn't sue her for using this stuff.

After gathering all the items, she kept walking toward the high-speed train platform, blending in with the other passengers.

However, before she reached the platform, she felt something inside her coat pocket. 

She was surprised to find something inside. Her steps slowed as she checked it.

'Huh? What's this…?' 

Veering toward a quiet corner, she pulls out a black cell phone and a small envelope from her coat pocket.

Her eyebrows knitted. She didn't remember putting anything in there when she wore it. 

Hurriedly, she opened the envelope and was stunned to find a few bills and jewelry inside: a diamond pendant.

'Did Stella put this in?'

When Evelyn unfolded the small note tucked inside, her heart clenched as a wave of emotion flooded over her.

[Eve, this is all I can give you. I hope it helps you survive and thrive. Don't worry, this is my own money. I earned it myself, and it has nothing to do with your father. And Eve… even though you're not born from my womb, I want you to know that I love you, from the bottom of my heart.

With all my love,

Alicia.]

"Alice… Why do you have to make me cry again?" Evelyn mumbled softly, feeling happy and heartbroken at the same time.

Evelyn struggled to hold back her tears in public. 

However, Alicia's brief but heartfelt message overwhelmed her, and she could no longer contain her emotions. She looks down at the shiny but gloomy Station's floor and cries!

After calming herself, she continued walking toward the platform, just as the train that would take her to her new life arrived.

She was returning to her late mother's hometown, a six-hour journey by high-speed train to Grayenfall Province. 

But she wouldn't stay in the city. Instead, she planned to go further, to a remote town called Willowcrest.

Willowcrest would be her final stop, a quiet place to hide from the chaos, the online noise, and anyone who might recognize her.

It was a popular tourist town, known for its natural beauty, where people came to escape from gossip, business, and political headlines.

She had already rented an apartment with a view of the sea. She planned to stay there until she gave birth and figured out her next steps.

...

By the time Evelyn arrived at her final destination, the sky had already turned dark.

As she dragged her suitcase toward the five-story building, a woman's voice called out, surprising her. 

She turned toward the voice and smiled when she saw a middle-aged woman walking toward her.

"Aunty Martha, thank you for your help." 

Evelyn smiled warmly, feeling grateful to Martha, who had found the place for her and was the only person she knew in the area.

"Oh dear, don't say that..." Martha quickly pulled Evelyn into a hug, then gently let go and added, "You are my savior, and now I'll support you through whatever comes."

"Thank you, Aunty..."

Martha walked her to the door. "Alright, dear, go upstairs and rest. Take this simple dinner and your apartment key. Come by my place," she smiled while patting Evelyn's shoulder gently before she left.

...

Evelyn finally settled into her apartment.

It was a two-bedroom unit with a modern kitchen and a cozy living room. 

The furniture was simple yet modern, the space clean and warm, nothing extravagant, but far more than she had dared to hope for after everything that had happened.

Large windows lined the living room wall, facing the ocean. 

However, since it was already night, the view was cloaked in darkness, the waves hidden beneath a blanket of shadows.

Still, Evelyn stood by the window, her arms folded loosely over her chest as she gazed at the lonely moon hanging above the water.

Its pale glow reflected faintly on the glass, and for the first time in what felt like forever… she breathed.

Not in fear. Not in sorrow. But like looking at the end of the tunnel, and knowing that calm, peace, and a new life to live and thrive awaited her there.

She hadn't expected to feel it so soon. Not here. Not after being thrown out of her home, stripped of everything: her name, her status, her future.

And yet, in this small apartment, in a town no one would think to look for her, Evelyn felt the first stirrings of freedom.

A new name. A new house. A new life.

She closed her eyes, gently pressed her forehead against the glass, and whispered to herself, "Evelyn Taylor, let's start over..."

The moon didn't answer, but it kept her company.

Little Tenant

The next day.

For the first time in forever, Evelyn woke up feeling… free.

No mad dash to get ready for work.

No, her sister, Stella, barges into her room, shaking her awake.

No alarm blaring at ungodly hours.

No endless phone notifications screaming about urgent crises that were never actually urgent.

Just peace. 

Tranquil and beautiful peace.

The sun was already blazing outside, but instead of stressing about being "late," she just stretched like a cat that owned the world.

"Good morning, Eve," she murmured to herself, hugging her pillow like it was her only loyal companion, eyes fixed on the patch of blue sky framed by the window. 

Somewhere in the distance, she could faintly hear waves crashing against the shore, like nature itself was giving her a slow clap for her freedom.

"It's fine to be lazy today, Eve. Take your time. You've been running like a robot for years…" 

She smiled to herself, enjoying the novelty of having no obligations.

Honestly, maybe this was a blessing; No bosses, no deadlines, no fake friends draining her energy.

Just her. 

Completely alone.

However,

Her blissful morning came to a tragic, stomach-rumbling end when her belly growled like an angry lion.

"Oh my God, how could I forget..."

She tossed the blanket aside and scrambled out of bed.

Even if she'd wanted to skip breakfast and bury herself back under the covers, the tiny tenant in her belly had other plans, and this tenant was not shy about filing noise complaints.

Evelyn was beyond grateful that Aunt Martha had stocked her fridge like she was prepping for the apocalypse. 

Seriously, there was enough food in there to survive a zombie outbreak.

She took out a carton of milk and a box of cereal, snatching a fresh banana from the kitchen island.

After throwing together a humble bowl of cereal, she finally glanced outside for the first time. 

She took her breakfast to the tiny dining table with its two lonely chairs, positioned perfectly by the window.

One bite, one glance, and she was hooked. 

The ocean stretched out forever, sparkling like it was auditioning for a travel commercial. 

The beach below was pure white sand, no litter, no screaming kids, not even a stray dog marking its territory.

No tourists, no boats. Just waves slamming the shore in slow, dramatic fashion, like they were trying to seduce her to jump to swim.

"Aunt Martha, you're an absolute queen. How did you even find this place for that price? You deserve a crown," Evelyn said out loud, impressed.

Only a few days ago, after finally locking in her path, she'd called Aunt Martha, asking her to find a place to stay in this town.

The second she heard how ridiculously cheap this apartment was, she didn't hesitate to sign the five-year lease.

She made a wise investment and will raise her child in this peaceful, beautiful place.

When Evelyn finished her bowl of cereal and a banana, another growl from her stomach caught her off guard.

She glanced down at her perfectly flat stomach.

"Little tenant, don't say you're still hungry? Seriously?"

She could only chuckle, pushing back from the table before heading to the fridge. 

Cooking wasn't on today's agenda, but a fresh apple winked at her from the middle shelf.

Biting into the crisp fruit, Evelyn let her eyes wander, and they inevitably landed on the television in the seating area.

Without realizing it, her feet carried her over until she flopped into the cozy sofa.

Maybe she should check the news. 

Just to see if the scandal of her grand exit from the Walters family was still the hot gossip strangling the nation.

Curiosity won, as always. 

She grabbed the remote and hit the power button.

The screen lit up, and her jaw dropped. Her eyes went wide, as if the Grim Reaper himself had just stepped out of the TV to ask for her phone number.

"What the…hell? Why does my personal source of misery pop up the second I turn this thing on?"

Because there he was... Axel Knight, gliding out of his luxury car like some corporate deity on his way to a business banquet.

Evelyn scrambled for the remote to turn it off, but of course, fate had other plans. Axel turned to the camera and gave a casual wave, acknowledging the paparazzi vultures lined up outside.

She hated to admit it, but the man looked sinfully good in his signature black suit and high turtleneck, his sleek black hair framing a face that could stop traffic and quite possibly her breathing.

Axel Knight was the top guy in the business world, the poster child for success, but he had nerves of steel and a stare that could make glass shatter. 

At thirty-three, he'd already built a business empire that could make some of the nation's oldest companies break into a nervous sweat.

Of course, that kind of meteoric success doesn't just attract admiration; it comes with a side order of relentless rumors, scandal bait, and the occasional hit piece in the media.

As for why her ex-father... William Walters loathed the entire Knight bloodline. Especially Axel. 

Evelyn had no idea. She just knew that there was no room for any negotiation with the Knight family!

A bitter laugh escaped her. He looked like he was waving at her, his eyes cold, his lips in that firm, unreadable line as he strode into the building without a pause.

Then, suddenly, her stomach clenched. Her hand instinctively rubbed her flat belly.

"Little tenant, did you just say you recognize him?"

She laughed, short and humorless, which was accompanied by a snort, while switching the channel, only to find herself staring at yet another segment… about her.

Apparently, she was still headline material. Which meant she couldn't exactly stroll around this charming little town without risking being spotted, reported, and dragged back into the media circus.

Peace, it seemed, remained a distant dream for her, at least for the foreseeable future. 

Exhaling deeply, Evelyn pushed all her swirling worries and anxieties into a mental drawer labeled "Not Today."

She headed back to her bedroom, snagged her laptop bag, and returned to the kitchen island. 

The laptop whirred to life, screen glowing in the dim light. 

And then a "ding" sounded, surprising her. 

Her eyes narrowed. An encrypted secure chat window popped up, filling the screen like it owned the place.

One message blinked at her: [ Are you alright there? ]