Chapter 8

Evelyn's POV A miracle arrived by helicopter today: our last shipment of Moonshade Root extract. Not enough for mass production, but enough to keep our trials running. A brief respite. After securing the cargo, I finally left the lab, hanging my coat in my office. The simple act marked my transition from scientist to civilian. Gary appeared, smiling. "Leaving early, Dr. Blackwell? Sky's actually clearing." "Miracles happen," I said, drinking water. "Order dinner for the team. They deserve it." Anya, my Bio-Processing head, peeked in. "Heard we got the delivery! Weekend possible?" I laughed tiredly. "Don't push it. But coffee and pastries tomorrow, my treat." "Deal, boss!" After checking security logs and briefing Gary on night priorities, I added, "Any updates on the drug development or Red Cedar Resort project, call me directly." "Drive safe," he warned. "Roads are still flooded." Leaving Evelink Biosciences's sterile halls, I drove home through wet streets. The moment I pushed open the front door, I saw Calvin holding my daughter, with Mrs. Wilson standing nearby, her face showing tension and apology. Nina and Maria quickly came over to explain what had just happened. After hearing her explanation, I frowned. "Mrs. Wilson, before I left, I specifically asked you to stay by her bedside without fail." I had even paid her extra for this responsibility. Mrs. Wilson had never seen me this cold before; I was usually quite courteous with her. "Look, Evelyn, I saw that Alexis was sleeping soundly. My house is so close, and getting things from the garage wouldn't take much time, that's why I went." "Alexis is fine anyway, isn't she?Plenty of kids her age stay home alone and they turn out just fine. You're treating her like she's made of glass or something. She's just one of your kids, not some precious princess." With that, Mrs. Wilson straightened her back defiantly. "And Alexis's father is making too big a deal out of this! You don't know, he was criticizing me earlier. I've worked in your house for a month and never been treated this way. Evelyn, you need to compensate me for this." Mrs. Wilson would step in to help whenever my housekeeping staff was overwhelmed with maintaining such a large estate. My gaze toward Mrs. Wilson grew icier. "First, he is not Alexis's father. Second, ours is an employment relationship. Nothing happened this time, but what if something had?" Sensing my mood change, Mrs. Wilson grew nervous. She liked this job for two reasons. First, the pay was good. Second, she got extra benefits. I often gave her some of our good food to take home. We usually got expensive food like fresh fish and good meat. These were special foods that she couldn't usually buy herself. "Evelyn, I promise it won't happen again. Give me one more chance." Knowing how much I cherished my daughter, she reached toward Calvin, trying to take Alexis from him. "Come here, sweetie. Let Grandma Wilson hold you." Calvin stepped back, denying her any contact with the child. I noticed the unwashed dirt spots on Mrs. Wilson's hands as she reached for my daughter, and my expression hardened further. I immediately took out my wallet and extracted her wages. "Mrs. Wilson, you're fired, effective immediately. Don't come back again." Mrs. Wilson was stunned. She had only left for a moment, caused no actual harm, and now she was being fired? "Well, Evelyn Blackwell, you heartless witch! Firing me just like that? How ungrateful! No wonder your husband abandoned you!" I instantly pointed to the door. "Get out! And don't ever show your face here again!" When I first moved to Viremont, I was alone and pregnant with Alexis. Of course, the gossip-loving residents had their fair share of whispers and rumors. But I never expected Mrs. Wilson to bring this up in front of Calvin. Having already lost her job, Mrs. Wilson had nothing left to lose. Her true colors finally emerged in all their ugliness. She clung to my gate, refusing to leave, hurling insults. "Evelyn Blackwell, you say this man isn't your daughter's father, so he must be your lover, right?" "I see his two children don't even like you. Did you steal someone else's husband? I knew a beautiful woman like you, raising a daughter alone without a man by your side, couldn't be decent!" "I've seen plenty of women like you before. You act all kind and proper, but you're nothing but shameless! Your daughter will probably grow up to be just as cheap as you!" Slap! Slap! Slap! I delivered three sharp slaps across Mrs. Wilson's face. "Watch your filthy mouth," I warned. Calvin called over two of his warriors, who promptly threw her out. Mrs. Wilson was stunned by the slaps, but when she came to her senses,she sat down on the ground and began making a scene. "Heaven's justice! They've hit me! These adulterers are bullying an old woman!" she screamed. The neighbors came out when they heard the shouting, eager to watch the scene unfold. "Mrs. Wilson," I said firmly, making sure everyone could hear, "I paid you to watch my daughter while I treated patients.Instead, you took my money and abandoned your duties." Looking at the gathering crowd, I made my position clear. "From now on, my daughter stays with me. You're fired, permanently." Word of Mrs. Wilson's negligence spread quickly through the community.Her reputation as a babysitter was ruined, no family would trust their children with her again. Perhaps it was because Calvin had watched over Alexis that day, but my attitude toward him had softened slightly. He prepared meals for our twin sons, and by extension, for all of us. The kitchen was busy and noisy. I could hear the sound of cooking and smell the good food. I stood at the door and watched him cook. He moved very well in the kitchen. He was making pancakes and cooking bacon at the same time. The boys sat at the table, eyes wide with wonder at seeing their father in such a domestic role. Alexis, perched on her chair with her legs swinging, let out delighted giggles as Calvin made a show of tossing pancakes high in the air. Even Rowan, usually so reserved, cracked a smile. "Breakfast is ready," Calvin called out, his eyes meeting mine at the doorway."Join us?" I hesitated for a moment,but the good smell and happy feeling made me want to go in. I sat down at the table quietly. The food was very good. The pancakes were soft and yellow, the bacon was crispy, and the eggs were cooked well. The irony wasn't lost on me. During our mateship, when we shared a home as mates, I never once tasted his cooking.Now, after our separation, I was enjoying meals prepared by his hands. One afternoon,while I was working in the study, I heard Alexis's voice drifting up from the garden below. "Daddy, look at this butterfly!" The word 'daddy' made me freeze. I rushed to the window and saw her reaching for Calvin's hand, her face bright with innocent trust. My heart raced. Without hesitation, I hurried downstairs and brought Alexis back up to the study. From that day on,I restricted our movements to the second floor, only venturing down for meals. I couldn't risk letting them grow any closer. I changed my study room into a play room for Alexis. I put many toys and games there to keep her happy. I tried to stay away from Rowan and Rhys, but they still came to visit every morning. They didn't care that I wasn't friendly to them. They would sit with Alexis and play with her toys. When I saw them, their obvious affection for Clara haunted me. Calvin's Beta couldn't understand how we lived together. It was strange, but we got along well. A few days later, the rain stopped, and the floodwaters receded the following day. Due to the flood, Eryx couldn't return to Viremont on schedule. I needed to take an important call, and seeing that Alexis was safely playing in her gated area in the study with Rowan and Rhys watching over her, I stepped onto the balcony to answer my phone. "Eryx ," I said without preamble, "we absolutely must secure that Red Cedar Resort project." Only the land at Red Cedar Resort was suitable for cultivating the Moonshade Root. Once the large-scale cultivation and experimentation succeeded, many currently fatal werewolves diseases could be alleviated or even cured. "I'll get that land, Evelyn," Eryx promised. "Whatever it takes." "Also, several groups are digging into your identity over Red Cedar Resort. Jackson blocked them." "I heard Wolfe Haven International is bidding?" "Yes, Jackson checked. They're partnering with Summit Industries." "Summit Industries belongs to Calypso Pack," I frowned. "Is Calvin here for Clara's pack?" The irony made me laugh. Our mighty Alpha collapsed from overwork, all for Clara's company. Yet he claims they're just friends. Such devotion for "nothing between them." Pathetic. "I'll monitor both companies closely," Eryx assured me. "Thank you for your diligence," I replied. "Tomorrow is Alexis's medical check-up. I've arranged for a car to pick you up, and everything is prepared at the hospital." After ending the call, I returned from the balcony only to discover my daughter was no longer in the study. I rushed toward the stairs. Just as I reached the landing, I spotted someone who had no business being in my home,Clara Whitmore. Then I saw Clara abusing my daughter.