I stood motionless in the hallway, arms wrapped tightly around myself, watching through the glass as the doctors moved around my mother’s unconscious body. Machines beeped steadily beside her, keeping her alive.
The same woman who had slapped me moments ago. The same woman who had never once believed me. Now, she lay there–fragile, weak, no longer the powerful figure who had dictated my life.”
The doctor stepped out, pulling off his gloves. “She’s stable
stress, and complete peace.”
now” he said. “But her heart is weak. She needs rest, no
I swallowed hard. Peace? In our family? That was a cruel joke. Before I could say anything, Julienne’s voice cut through
the silence.
“This is all your fault.”
I turned slowly. Julienne stood a few feet away, face twisted with rage. Her eyes were red from crying, but her voice still carried the same venom as always. “If you had just shut up, if you hadn’t pushed her, none of this would have happened!“}
I let out a hollow laugh. “You’re still blaming me?”
She stepped closer. “She’s in there because of you, Evelyne!“}]
Cole moved before I could, his arm pressing against Julienne’s shoulder, pushing her back.
“That’s enough,” he said sharply.”
Julienne’s eyes widened, like she had only just noticed him. “Cole-”
“I won’t tolerate anyone hurting Evelyne. Not anymore.” His voice was cold, final. “You should go.”
Julienne trembled, her lips pressing into a thin line. Her gaze darted between us, a flicker of something–maybe realization, maybe fury–crossing her face.
But she didn’t argue. Instead, she spun on her heel and stormed off.”
I let out a slow, shaky breath, but before I could even process the moment, I felt another presence.
Mateo. He stood a few feet away, silent, watching me.
His face was unreadable, but I saw it in his eyes. Regret. For the first time since this nightmare began, he looked guilty.
He took a hesitant step forward, his fingers twitching at his sides, like he wanted to reach for me.”
“Evelyne…” His voice was hoarse.
I stared at him. This was the man I had once loved. The man I had trusted with my heart, my soul–my child. And yet, now, looking at him, all I felt was emptiness.
I shook my head, stepping back. “I never want to see you again.”
His face fell. I turned my back on him, my heart pounding, my voice steady. “Never.“”
And then I walked away–with Cole by my side.
I didn’t visit my mother. The doctors had told me she was recovering, that she was awake and stable, but I couldn’t bring myself to see her. She had spent her entire life making me the villain, blaming me for things I never did, choosing Julienne
over me.
And now, after all that had happened–after learning the truth–did it even matter?”
I wasn’t sure I wanted the answer. So I stayed away.”
Instead, I spent my tire with Cole. And for the first time in a long time, I felt something close to happiness. Cole was relentless in making sure I wasn’t sad, as if he had made it his personal mission to erase every single piece of pain I had ever felt.
He took me to places I had never been. Brought me flowers just because. Surprised me with little things–coffee in the morning, my favorite desserts at night.
One evening, we sat on the balcony of his penthouse, the city lights stretching endlessly before us. A bottle of wine sat between us, half–empty, the air filled with quiet laughter.}
“Remember when you tried to bake me a cake for my birthday?” Cole said, smirking over his glass.”
I groaned, burying my face in my hands. “Don’t remind me.”
“Oh, I will,” he teased. “You almost burned down my entire apartment.“N
I peeked at him through my fingers. “I didn’t think baking powder and baking soda were that different.“”
Cole chuckled, shaking his head. “You were so confident about it too. I swear, I’ve never seen someone set off the
Dean Who Rescued Me tot My Daughter Dia
1/2 52.3%
smoke alarm that fast.“N
I laughed, a genuine, full–hearted laugh I hadn’t heard from myself in years. It felt… good. Natural.”
And I hated how easy it was to let him in again. Because despite everything, despite all the years that had passed…
I was starting to realize that my feelings for him weren’t gone. They had just been buried. And now, slowly, carefully–They were coming back.N
Cole had gone on a business trip. Three days without him. Three days of silence, of waiting, of something I didn’t want to admit felt like missing him.N
Tonight, finally, he was coming back. I had spent the entire day waiting, heart pounding in my chest at the thought of seeing him again.N
I told myself I was being ridiculous. That this wasn’t what I thought it was. That I was just grateful for his presence.}
But then I heard footsteps outside the door. My stomach flipped. I rushed forward, excitement bubbling in my chest, ready to see him again.N
I swung the door open–N
And froze.N
Because it wasn’t Cole.N
It was Mateo.N
22
