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I could see her much better now that she wasn’t wearing a veil over her head. Her bleached blond hair sat perfectly around her heavily make-up covered, cosmetically enhanced face. It hadn’t reached the point where it looked overstretched and down right scary, but it was well on its way if she continued. Her huge fake breasts stood out, stretching the material of her blouse to its limits. I wondered how on earth she was able to walk straight without toppling over or how guys found that attractive. My breasts weren’t small but they weren’t ridiculously oversized either.

Connor greeted the room and introduced everyone to each other.

The men politely shook my hand before taking their seats while the
witch
sat there and continued to eye me coldly without so much as a blink. This was going to be a
long
morning.

“I cannot believe how much you resemble your mother, Evangeline. It’s great to finally see you again after all this time and I’m sorry for your great loss. Your father spoke of you often,” the older one named Steve said, evident of the growing tension inside the room.

His statement about my father came to a huge surprise but I was in a professional environment so I couldn’t question him about it. Instead, I turned and was about to say thank you when an icy voice interrupted.

“That’s funny. I don’t ever remember him uttering a single word about you.”

“Angelica, your rudeness will not be tolerated here. If you wish to proceed further and get my father’s legal issues resolved today then I suggest you sit quietly and act like an adult,” Connor warned in a strict but professional tone.

I had never seen anyone’s jaw drop so fast. “How dare you. You have no right to speak to me like that―”

“Angelica, please, let me do the rest of the talking from here,” her lawyer insisted, cutting her off mid sentence.

It struck me as odd to see the way her lawyer placed his hand over Angelica’s arm. It was definitely much more of a personal gesture than a professional one. Maybe they were close? Did everyone always have such personal relationships with their lawyers? Were they seeing one another? The thought made me sick to the stomach. It wasn’t that the guy was unattractive, because he wasn’t and they were a lot closer in age than she had been with my father. But it was just too soon, wasn’t it?

Angelica immediately closed her mouth and looked over at her lawyer. The look they gave each other only heightened my suspicion and I wondered whether anyone else in the room noticed.

To my surprise, Angelica listened to her lawyer. She was quiet the entire time as the men went through my father’s will and all the lengthy, mind-churning, legal documents. Well, she stayed quiet for
most
of the time.

“This is absurd. So, you’re trying to tell me that Rupert left nothing for me and my sons yet, this...” she spat, pointing a long, thin finger at me. “This girl, who hasn’t been apart of Rupert’s life at all, has been left with everything?”

“Calm down. You two were never married, yet father was kind enough to include you in his will. You have been left with the apartment you share with the children and a considerable sum of money. As for the children, they have been left with a great deal of money in a trust fund for when they each turn twenty five,” Connor replied confidently. “And as for your comments regarding my sister, I suggest you keep your mouth closed. You know nothing of what Evangeline and I have been through.”

Angelica narrowed her eyes at Connor. “What of the company?”

“You were never part of the company. Mr. Montgomery strictly advised that his empire be divided into equal halves, between his two surviving heirs, Connor and Evangeline. And since Evangeline has no interest in taking part ownership, her half will be given to Connor as requested by her,” Steve replied.

Angelica’s nostrils flared and her jaw tensed tightly. “How can that be possible? I was with the man for six years!” she shouted. “And what do you mean, ‘his two surviving heirs’? George and Fletcher are his own!”

“According to the medical reports I have here, and the close friendship Steve and I shared with Mr. Montgomery, Rupert had a vasectomy right after the losing his wife and son.”

“
What?!
” Everyone else in the room said in unison, including me.

My eyes flicked over to Connor, who also appeared stunned by this revelation. “So, Mike, what are you trying to say? That they aren’t his children?” Connor asked.

“That’s exactly what I’m saying. Rupert never mentioned the procedure to you, Angelica because he was already aware of your infidelity. Nothing else mattered to him after the accident except his remaining children and the company―”

“This is all one sick joke! Those kids are his, damn it! I’ll prove it!” Angelica yelled, slamming her hand down on the desk. I jumped at the sound.

“Feel free to expose the children to a DNA test, Angelica,” Steve began. “But if I were you, I’d accept the offer Rupert has stated. He has willingly provided the two boys with a future knowing they aren’t his and you are able to keep your current apartment.”

“It’s okay, we’ll fight this,” Angelica’s lawyer cut in. Then he turned towards our side of the table adding, “Gentleman, I will discuss this with my client and get back to you in a matter of days.” He proceeded to stand, quickly followed by Angelica. “Good day to all of you.”

Once they had left the room, the four of us sat there silently until Connor began to chuckle. “Okay, I’m sorry, but did anyone else happen to notice the way they were behaving?”

My eyes widened, stunned that Connor had noticed it too yet blurted it out so casually.

There was a small snort from Steve but Mike was shaking his head. “We all knew that witch was never with your father for love. We aren’t going to give her anymore than proposed.”

“Was that true about her kids?” I asked, wondering why no one had mentioned it already.

Connor shot me a look as if he’d suddenly just remembered and turned back to the two men.

“Yes,” Steve started. “He was a good man, Evangeline. It pained him knowing Angelica mothered two children with another man but to be honest, your father was never the same after the accident. That’s why he went ahead with the operation. He never wanted any more children, just like he refused to get married again. He didn’t want the chance to lose anybody else. I’m sure he loved those two boys like his own but it was you two that kept him going for as long as he did.”

I forced a smile every time Steve looked my way. He had been another close friend of my father but I still didn’t understand why my father left me if he loved me as much as everyone kept saying he did. None of it made sense.

“We must be on our way, Connor,” Mike said as he stood and straightened out his suit.

Connor nodded and preceded to stand, followed by Steve. “Thank you for all your help today, gentlemen. I’m sure we’ll be in touch soon.”

The men shook hands while I waited for my turn. “Thank you,” I said to the both of them.

“Oh, I almost forgot. Here, Evangeline. Your father wished for me to pass this on to you,” Steve said reaching into his opened briefcase and pulling out a creamy envelope.

“What is it?” I took the envelope from his hands and studied my name written on the front in my father’s neat handwriting.

“This letter contains the answers you’ve been searching for.”

My eyes shot up to meet his. My heart was pounding. Could it be? Was this the explanation for my father’s absence or the reasoning behind why I was left with almost everything in the will?

I swallowed the lump in my throat.

CHAPTER
25

Later that afternoon, after lunch with Connor, I managed to find the time to call Derek and fill him in on the rather bizarre morning I’d had.

“That’s great news, Evan! I think we should celebrate! I know you don’t want to celebrate getting your father’s fortunes but realizing the wicked witch isn’t getting any more than she has to is worth throwing a party. I still can’t believe the kids stitch. What a conniving bitch!” Derek said into the phone. “Listen, I have a couple of friends heading to a gig tonight. We should go to dinner first, yeah?”

“Sounds great. I definitely need a drink after the day I had and what that woman put me through. I’m so proud of Connor though, standing up to her like that.”

“Something you will learn to do eventually, Evan.”

His comment stung. But he was right. “Next time, but tonight we just drink, okay?”

“Deal. Pick you up at six-thirty.”

“Done.”

After I hung up, I sent a quick text to Ryan filling him in on my morning. I was yet to open the letter from my father and I was hoping Ryan would be there when I finally did.

Today was extremely unexpected. I have so much to tell you. How did your day go? Derek and I are going to dinner first then a few drinks? Free? I really hope to see you before you leave. Xx

His reply came instantly.
Unexpected, but in your favor I hope? I have news too! I’m taking your advice and seeing my therapist tonight. I’m going to tell her everything. It’s because of you I have this new strength. Although, that means I won’t make tonight and I won’t get to see you for two weeks. I’m sorry, baby. Xx

I frowned at my phone. The rejection hurt, but I was so proud of him for finding the courage to speak to his therapist about his father. I typed a short response back then threw my cell into my handbag.
I understand. You need to do this. I’m so proud of you!! Xxxxxxx

****

“This restaurant is fabulous,” Derek squeaked, giving my hand a tight squeeze.

We’d just arrived at the fine dining, French restaurant named,
Délicieux,
and were being led in by the hostess.

“Right this way,
Madam
and
Mousier
,” she said in a very elegant French accent.

Once she had us seated and went through the list of specials for the evening, she left to fetch a nice, vintage bottle of champagne for us.

“
Merci
,” I responded once the hostess returned with the bottle and filled my glass. I gave her a smile, which quickly dissolved when I saw Ryan over her shoulder, four tables away from us. A rush of heat flooded my body.
What is he doing here?

He was alone, with his head down, texting on his phone, but there were clearly two plates of food at the table, and two glasses of half finished wine. He was on a date after he’d told me he was seeing his therapist? I felt the heat rush to my cheeks. He’d lied to me.
What did you expect Evangeline! Everyone knows the sort of guy he is.

“Cheers.”

I blinked. Derek was waving his full champagne flute at me, somehow the golden liquid managed to stay inside the glass.

I brought my attention back to him and forced a smile, lifting my flute to meet his.

“Cheers, to cleaning out the mess in my closet and to starting new beginnings,” I added, trying to keep my voice from sounding annoyed.

Derek raised an eyebrow. “You’re spring cleaning? Don’t you dare throw anything out until I’ve been through them,” he ordered, pointing at me with his free hand.

“Relax. I would never do that and I wasn’t talking about my closet.”

“But you just―”

My phone beeped loudly from inside my bag, cutting Derek off.

I shot a look in Ryan’s direction, just as a leggy redhead approached his table and took a seat.
Where do I know her?

I watched on as I tried to piece together where I’d seen this woman before.

The redhead, dressed in a short black-laced dress, leaned in for a kiss just has Ryan turned to meet her lips with his. I felt sick to the stomach. I tore my gaze away and searched for my phone.
Unbelievable
. The message was from him.

I wish I were with you. I wish I had you in my arms and I was inside of you. I hope dinner is going well.

I gritted my teeth.

“Shit. What the hell have I missed in the last two minutes, Evan?” Derek questioned, looking at me rather bizarrely. “You look ready to murder someone.”

“Look over there.” I jerked my chin towards Ryan’s table. Derek’s gaze followed my direction.