Your Secret’s Safe With Me
92 Your Secret’s Safe With Me
Stella nodded fast. 1
“Yep. I get it. That evil father of ours might kill you if you say that name right before him,” she muttered darkly, then shuddered.
“I know. That’s why I chose that path,” Evelyn admitted, her voice steady but her hand unconsciously curling into a fist. “How could I lose
my son because of him, my own father? No. No. He isn’t my father anymore.”
The bitterness in her tone made Stella’s heart sink. She reached out and gently touched Evelyn’s hand. “Sis, I’m sorry…”
“That’s not your fault…” Evelyn forced her shoulders to relax, a faint but genuine smile returning to her lips.
“But still…
“Well, it’s been a long time, and now I’m happy with my life. Truly.” Evelyn tilted her head, staring closely at her sister. “How about you?
Why did you end up in that restaurant trap, under that bastard’s knee?”
Stella’s expression slowly darkened. She fiddled with her fingers before blurtin‘, “Because I was stupid, okay? I trusted her, Lana… She
said I just needed to come meet that bastard and bring the company contract, but instead…” her voice trembling, “… I ran into that
nightmare.”2
Evelyn’s eyes darkened, but she remained silent, allowing her sister to speak.
Stella gave a shaky laugh, half embarrassed, half furious.
“I should’ve known better the moment I entered that room. That bastard kept smiling like a gentleman, but the moment I sat down, he
turned into a monster.”
She took another long, deep sigh before continuing, “I froze, Eve. I couldn’t even scream. Then, thank God, you came and saved me.
Otherwise…” she stopped, her throat tightening.
Evelyn leaned closer, squeezing her hand. “Don’t blame yourself. Monsters like him… they hide behind fake smiles and power. You’re safe
now?
“Safe, yes. But also humiliated. And of all people, I ran into you right after. Like fate was mocking me. Ugh, but well, I’m happy…”
Stella smiled and took Evelyn’s hand, squeezing it tighter to show how happy she was now. Her anger gradually faded, replaced only by
happiness.
“Or maybe fate was finally being kind to you, silly girl…” Evelyn said, then playfully pulled her hand and pinched her sister’s dainty nose. “You found me again, didn’t you?”
“Ouch! That hurt, sis.”
Stella rubbed her arm dramatically, shooting Evelyn a glare before breaking into laughter.
“Yeah, that’s why I’m not too bothered about that ugly bastard. I buried him deep in my memories. Locked up. Key thrown away.”
“Sounds perfect,” Evelyn said with a smile.
15:19 C
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92 Your Secret’s Safe With Me
“Hah…” Stella let out a long exhale, as if releasing a burden she had been carrying for too long. “Sis, I can finally forget him. What I’ll remember instead is today… meeting you again. And-” her eyes brightened, “-I got a nephew out of it! Oliver is so freaking cute.”
Evelyn’s expression softened instantly. “He is.” Her voice carried warmth.
“And I still can’t believe Axel Knight is my brother–in–law,” Stella continued, half–whining, half–giggling. “Like…seriously? That powerful,
scary, ridiculously handsome man is your hubby? You’re living in some kind of drama, sis.”
Evelyn’s smile faltered at the sound of Axel’s name. He was never far from her mind, and Stella’s teasing only pulled him closer.
“Ough, sis,” Stella drawled, leaning closer with a mischievous grin. “I can totally imagine all the women out there sharpening their claws,
ready to kill you once they find out you’re Axel Knight’s wifey. And also men, your husband’s enemies, now that they know you are his
dearest, most precious person.”
“Stella.” Evelyn’s tone turned serious, her gaze sharp. “Never talk about it to anyone. Ever. Please! I don’t want our marriage revealed to
anyone, let alone the public. I’m not ready to have enemies I don’t even know.”
Stella raised her hand as if taking an oath.
“Promise. Your secret’s safe with me.” Then, tilting her head, curiosity bubbled back up. “But… Why hide it? You should flaunt it! Reveal it
to the world. Heck, rub it in Dad’s face-” She stopped her words far too late.
The air thickened instantly. Silence stretched between them.
Stella bit her lip, guilt flooding her features. She hadn’t meant to drag their ‘father‘ into this again. The name itself was a knife.
But Evelyn wasn’t protesting or angry at Stella. Instead, something crossed her mind.
“Stella, you said Lana sent you to bring that contract?” Evelyn asked.
“Yes!” Stella’s answer came sharply, her lingering anger toward Lana flaring again.
Evelyn’s brows furrowed. “Lana Green, the finance director?” She knew the woman and remembered her face from her days at the
Walters Group.
“Well…” Stella gave a bitter shrug. “She’s not the finance director anymore. She’s the CFO now.”
“What?” Evelyn’s voice shook in disbelief. “She’s the Chief Financial Officer? How is that possible? Where’s the Second Uncle?”
Stella’s lips twisted. “Dad forced him into early retirement. Said he was too old to sit in that position. And put Lana in that position. Well,
that happened not long after you left.”
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