Chapter 28
Chapter Twenty–Eight
Caleb watched Evelyn leave, and an unpleasant mix of emotions settled in his chest, the most prominent one being frustration.
“Evelyn had to be joking, right? There was actually no way she had children for another man while he was still married to her,” he muttered to himself.
Caleb ran his fingers through his hair, his frustration growing.
“Who was the man? Who was the one she was… while married to him?” he questioned angrily.
Caleb felt betrayed and used. Was this why she walked up to him and asked for a divorce? Because she was pregnant for another man and she used Aurelia as a cover–up?
“You have to be kidding me,” Caleb said to himself, laughing bitterly.
He had never suspected that Evelyn was capable of cheating. He knew her to be demure and innocent. His mind raced as he tried to comprehend the possibilities.
“Who could the man be?” he wondered aloud.
As much as he tried, he couldn’t ever recall seeing Evelyn with another man. He tried and tried, but all he came up with were blanks.
Then suddenly, a thought came to his mind. Cole. He had seen Cole flirting with Evelyn.
“Could it be that… could it be that she knew him long before now?” he mused. He recalled her and Cole, dancing and laughing just a day after their divorce. Almost like she was finally happy to be with him.
Caleb felt a spark of anger. He took his phone out and made a call. While waiting for the person to pick up, he made his way out of the house.
“Mr. Winthrop?” the voice on the other line said.
“I have a job for you,” Caleb said simply. “I need you to find everything you can about a certain somebody. And by everything, I mean even the most embarrassing things he did in high school. I want to know his whereabouts, who he’s been with, and if he does have any children.”
“Yes, Mr. Winthrop. What’s his name?”
“Cole Jenkins,” Caleb said. “Call me when it’s ready.”
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Chapter 28
“Affirmative, sir.”
Caleb ended the call and put his phone back into his pocket. He’d decided that he’d had enough. Enough of playing nice guy. It was now time for him to turn cold and ruthless, as he’d always been.
Evelyn wouldn’t know what hit her.
“Now, please, if there is any complication at all, call my private line. This one here,” Evelyn pointed at her card.
Megan nodded. “Yes, ma’am, I will do just that.”
“You’re leaving already?” Malcolm asked, his eyes tired and sleepy.
Evelyn smiled warmly at him and touched his hand. “Yes, for today, my work here is done. Soon, you’ll be back on your feet like nothing ever happened.”
He returned her smile. “Thank you, Evelyn.”
Evelyn nodded slowly. “I’ll be taking my leave now.”
“Won’t you stay for lunch?” Megan asked. “I’ll make your favorite.”
Evelyn shook her head sadly. “I’m afraid not, maybe another time.”
Megan looked sad for a bit but then brightened up. “Alright. I’ll see you to the door.”
It felt like it was days when in fact it had only been a few hours since Evelyn had her fight with Caleb. She was half expecting to see him in the house on her way out, but there was no sign of him anywhere.
Megan walked her to her car and handed her a box. “They’re cookies,” Megan said. “I made them for you.”
Evelyn took the box, the fresh scent of chocolate chip cookies serenading her nose. She smiled. “Oh, thank you, Megan, I’ve missed your sweets.”
Megan beamed. “It’s a little thank you for the work you do for Malcolm.”
Evelyn put the box carefully in her car. “I’ll be leaving now. Please take care, okay.”
“Yes, and you too, ma’am.”
Evelyn got into her car and drove off. She headed to Ashley’s place, eager to confide in someone about the lie she had just told.
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Chapter 28
Evelyn’s apartment was in a quieter part of town. Evelyn got there, and luckily, Ashley was home.
“What is this?” Ashley asked. She stood in the doorway, a cup of yogurt in her hands and still in her pajamas.
“Don’t you have work?” Evelyn asked sarcastically.
“Don’t you have patients?” Ashley shot back.
They glared at each other for two seconds then burst out laughing. “Come in,” Ashley said, stepping aside.
Evelyn walked in. Her apartment was tastefully decorated in lilac and white. Soft classical music was playing from the speakers. Ashley jumped on her couch.
“You want some yogurt?” She asked Evelyn, raising up a second cup.
“Not exactly,” Evelyn replied and joined her on the couch.
“You want booze?”
“No! It’s afternoon!”
Ashley shrugged. “What’s wrong then, something must have happened.”
Evelyn sighed heavily. Ashley’s cat, an orange tabby, jumped in her lap. She stroked the cat’s soft fur as she recounted the experience to Ashley, Ashley’s eyes were wide.
“No way!” She said.
“I know right?!” Evelyn exclaimed. “Perhaps I should have just told him the truth or something and yet I—”
“No,” Ashley interrupted, raising her hand. “You had kids for Caleb?!”
“Yes. That’s what’s surprising you.”
“Heck yeah!” Ashley shouted. This is Caleb Winthrop we’re talking about! He’s powerful! He’s connected! He didn’t want the damn kids!”
“I know that, but don’t curse using my children!” Evelyn exclaimed. “But I can’t… I just can’t hand them over to him! They’re my kids!”
Ashley shook her head sadly. The cat jumped off Evelyn’s lap and went off somewhere.
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Chapter 28
“You do know if he does find out, he’s winning custody.”
Evelyn’s heart skipped. “What?”
“And he’ll probably sue you too, and take your kids. Then you’ll be ruined. Your career, gone.”
“I know—”
“If you really do,” Ashley said and ate some of her yogurt for cinematic pause. “You’ll do everything in your power to make sure he never finds out they are his. And also, the guy never loved you, he never gave, you need to make him realize the gem he missed. Don’t waste your time on him. Who says you need men to raise a kid?”
Evelyn pondered on her words. “True…”
