Fiona's smile was tinged with bitterness...
She had always known how much Evelyn liked Joseph, and how fiercely she defended him.
But she could also sense something—though Joseph seemed to go along with everything Evelyn said, his heart might not truly be with her. Fiona had been in the entertainment industry long enough to meet all kinds of men. She liked to believe she had a good eye for these things.
"Don't worry. I know what I'm doing."
Evelyn gave her a clear, gentle smile and took a few steps forward. Then, suddenly turning back to glance at the two of them, she offered, "Need a ride? It's on my way."
She was headed to the Tranquil Haven villa, which happened to pass by both their office and their homes.
As soon as she said it, Fiona lit up. "Perfect. Melody, you can drive yourself back—I'll catch a ride with Evelyn."
With that, she hurried to catch up with Evelyn.
Melody didn't have time to say anything. Her expression had already darkened slightly, but when she met Evelyn's calm gaze, she forced a stiff smile. "Sure. Let's catch up another day."
"Drive safe. Call me if anything comes up—my phone's been acting up these past couple of days."
Evelyn added a few words of 'concern' for Melody, a faint glimmer in her eyes.
She still had use for this pawn—it wasn't time to burn bridges just yet.
…
The car sped down the road. Fiona sat quietly in the passenger seat.
Evelyn focused on driving, barely saying a word. Fiona, on the other hand, kept glancing at her. Evelyn knew what was going through her mind, but let her stare.
"Are you... upset about the engagement? You've been so quiet these past few days…"
Fiona's voice was cautious but laced with genuine concern.
Evelyn finally shot her a sideways glance. "I went to the countryside for a bit. I wouldn't let something like that mess with me. The engagement with Joseph is off. After all these years of compromising for someone else, I'm done."
"You… you mean… you're breaking up with Joseph?"
Fiona raised a perfectly shaped brow, her bright eyes reflecting a swirl of emotions—delight, concern, and confusion.
"Something like that."
Evelyn said it casually, unwilling to go into detail.
Fiona was good at reading people. Catching the look on Evelyn's face, she didn't push further. Instead, she smiled. "Whatever you decide, I'll support you—no questions asked."
"Thanks."
Evelyn returned the smile and glanced at her.
"Don't you have any shows or shoots lately?"
Fiona was from the entertainment world. She used to walk the runway but had recently started transitioning into film and TV, gaining decent popularity.
Still, this sunny, cheerful woman had, in her past life, been driven to take her own life with a slit wrist. That thought tightened something in Evelyn's chest as she looked at her.
She wouldn't let that happen again—not this time.
"I've been a bit busy. But work never really ends, right? I've been telling myself—if one day I just can't take it anymore, I'll open a little bakery or café in the city where you used to be stationed. Funny thing is, now you're the one who's come back…"
Her words made Evelyn's eyes burn with unexpected warmth. She smiled but said nothing more.
She knew Fiona meant what she said.
After dropping Fiona off at her company building, Evelyn drove straight to the Tranquil Haven villa complex.
By the time her car pulled into a parking spot outside the gates of Tranquil Haven, it was already midday.
Just as she stepped out of the car, she saw little Glen sitting silently on the front steps of the villa, still dressed in his deep blue pajamas. Diana was beside him, trying to soothe him.
"Mommy… Mommy…"
The moment he spotted Evelyn, Glen sprang to his feet and dashed toward her. Before Evelyn could even react, he had already thrown his arms around her leg, clinging to it tightly like a little koala.
"Not again with the 'Mommy'…"
The moment she heard that word, Evelyn felt a headache coming on.
She was about to correct him when she looked down—and that's when she noticed the dried tear stains on the boy's face. His beautiful eyes were swollen and red from crying, and he was sniffling as he looked up at her with a pitiful expression, as if accusing her of abandoning him.
"Mommy… you don't want me anymore, do you? I'll be good… Please don't leave me…"
As he spoke, tears welled up again in his red-rimmed eyes, falling like little golden drops.
Evelyn sighed helplessly, her heart softening. She reached out to wipe away his tears, then scooped him up in her arms. "Auntie didn't abandon you, okay? Now stop crying. I don't like crybabies."
"Mommy…"
Glen stubbornly corrected her word choice again and wrapped his small arms around her neck. Though his sobs stopped, he still hiccupped now and then.
Evelyn felt like losing it—especially when she saw the amused twinkle in Diana's eyes.
"Have you eaten lunch yet?"
Holding him with one arm, Evelyn gently stroked his soft hair. Her tone softened without her even realizing it.
Glen blinked up at her, then instinctively reached a tiny hand to his flat tummy. Right on cue, it growled audibly. His delicate little face flushed crimson, and he silently buried his head into Evelyn's shoulder.
Evelyn couldn't help but laugh softly and gave his head a gentle rub.
Diana also chuckled, visibly relieved. "You really have a way with him, Miss Evelyn. As soon as he woke up, he ran straight to your room looking for you. When he couldn't find you, he started crying and wouldn't stop, no matter how I tried to comfort him. He wouldn't even touch breakfast or lunch—I really didn't know what to do."
So Glen had gotten attached to her just because she saved him and had a birthmark behind her neck that reminded him of his mother? Was that why he thought she was his mother?
Was that why he was clinging to her?
"No more acting out, alright? Or next time, I really won't come back for you."
"Mommy… I'll be good…"
Glen pouted, looking up at her so miserably that Evelyn's heart melted all over again.
She took a deep breath and told herself, Fine. Just treat it like you picked up a free son.
"Let's go eat."
With that, she carried him back into the villa.
…
"Mommy… I don't want to eat this…"
Glen Norman turned his head to look at her, clearly not interested in the beautifully prepared dishes on the table.
Evelyn frowned slightly. "Then what do you want to eat?"
Everything on the table had been prepared by Diana—delicate, nutritious meals. But honestly, Evelyn wasn't fond of this kind of food either.
Glen Norman shook his head without answering.
Thinking for a moment, Evelyn finally stood up. "Alright, I'll go see what else we've got in the kitchen. You stay right here, okay?"
Glen obediently nodded.