CHAPTER 43: NAIVE

[Carter Mansion — Evelyn’s Bedroom]

Sunlight streamed through the curtains but Evelyn felt none of it.

She sat on the edge of her bed, still wrapped in Alexander’s blazer.

She had slept in it but not intentionally.

She had simply draped it over her chair last night and sat down for just a minute to think but eventually fell asleep with it pulled against her chest.

Her reflection in the mirror was a sight. Her hair was slightly messy, her makeup was smudged all over face and the blazer was obviously too big around her shoulders.

Her fingers gently caressed the edge of fabric. It felt soft and cozy, and comforting in an unexplainable way.

She should have returned it last night or folded it neatly and placed it aside.

In fact, she should have done a dozen sensible things.

But every time she lifted it from her shoulders, the faint trace of his cologne clung to her skin and she froze.

Her thoughts drifted back, unwillingly, to the sound of his voice on the terrace and what he had said.

’Do you have any idea how much I regret letting Jack take you away that night?’

Her heart squeezed.

She knew exactly which night he was talking about but she was too scared and flustered last night to acknowledge it. In fact, she was too flustered even to say anything.

He had left immediately after the sudden and unexpected confession but she had stood there by herself longer than she should have, replaying each and every sentence he had said in her mind.

Evelyn pressed her palms to her face and groaned.

She didn’t know what scared her more, was it the intensity of his confession or the way something inside her responded to it.

A knock at her door made her head snap in that direction.

"Evie?" her mother called. "Are you awake?"

"Yes," Evelyn said quickly but before she could take off the blazer, her mother poked her head in.

Melissa raised her brows when she saw her daughter standing in front of the mirror wearing an oversized blazer over her pink night dress.

"Is that a man’s blazer?" she asked curiously.

Evelyn groaned softly and tugged it off. "It’s not what it looks like."

Melissa stepped inside. "Why does this feel very scandalous?" She crossed her arms in the front as she closely observed her daughter. "Evelyn Charlotte Carter, did you bring a man over last night from the charity event?"

Evelyn widened her eyes in shock. "W—What? No."

"Then why is there a man’s blazer in your body?"

When she did not say anything, Melissa raised her eyebrows. "I am still waiting for an answer, young lady and I am going nowhere until you tell me."

"Fine—" Evelyn groaned. "It’s Alexander’s, okay? He gave it to me yesterday because I was cold."

"Oh, I see—" Melissa smiled. "Breakfast is ready, honey. Come down whenever you are ready."

Before she could leave, Evelyn stopped her. "Mom—wait."

"What?"

"Aren’t you gonna ask anything else?" Evelyn sat down on the edge of the bed and sighed, "You know what, just forget it."

Melissa sat beside her. "What is it? Is something troubling you?"

"I am just thinking."

"About what? Alexander?" Melissa asked without hesitation.

And Evelyn didn’t deny it.

"Look honey, you are just complicating this when it’s quite simple." Melissa sighed affectionately. "If he makes you feel unsafe, tell me. If he makes you feel confused, tell him and if he makes you feel something you are not ready to feel then take your time."

Evelyn leaned into her mother’s shoulder. "I don’t know what I want."

"That’s alright," Melissa murmured, kissing the top of her head. "Just don’t lie to yourself."

Evelyn exhaled slowly.

How was she supposed to explain her mother telling herself the truth was the hardest part.

.....

[Reid Mansion]

Olivia sat on the velvet sofa in the family lounge with her legs crossed and manicured fingers tapping impatiently against her teacup.

Just then, the person she had been waiting for had finally arrived.

"Jack, you are here." She smiled and quickly got up.

But he barely acknowledged her. "Ask someone to bring a smoothie to my room," he said before heading straight up.

"Of course," Olivia forced a smile, suppressing the rage and frustration.

Upstairs, Jack was sprawled on his bed with one arm thrown over his eyes.

He hadn’t attended the charity gala because his father had ordered him not to.

In fact, Benjamin had forbidden him to attend any social gatherings until further notice.

A soft knock sounded on the door before it opened without waiting for permission.

Olivia stepped inside with a tray in her hands which had a tall glass smoothie, perfectly blended, just the way Jack liked it.

But he didn’t look at her.

She set the tray on his nightstand. "I brought it myself," she said softly.

Jack didn’t move.

Olivia’s smile tightened but she sat on the edge of the bed, smoothing her skirt.

"Are you upset with me too?" she asked carefully. "Or is it just the world today?"

Jack let out a humorless scoff. "I am upset with everyone."

"Of course you are," she murmured, shaking her head sympathetically. "You have been through a lot, darling and the people who should be standing by you are busy playing saints and martyrs."

Jack’s jaw flexed. "If you are talking about Dad—"

"I am talking about all of them," Olivia said as her voice dipped in warm poison. "Your father, your grandmother, Pauline and of course, Alexander."

Jack turned his head slightly at that and Olivia noticed it.

She then lowered her voice. "You know, your father didn’t even blink when Evelyn walked into that gala on Alexander’s arm."

Jack sat up, slowly. "She wasn’t in his arms," he frowned.

Olivia tilted her head. "Didn’t stop people from assuming it."

Jack’s expression flickered.

She leaned closer. "Do you know what people said all night?" She didn’t wait for his answer. "How good they looked together, how ’protective’ Alexander was and how Evelyn seemed so comfortable beside him."

When his eyes darkened, Olivia understood her words had landed exactly how she wanted.

Jack’s mouth thinned and he frowned, "Evelyn wouldn’t—"

"Oh, darling." Olivia sighed dramatically. "Sweet, naive Evelyn? She was glowing last night. Almost like a woman finally getting the attention she wanted."

Jack stiffened. "But she is not like that." One of the many reasons why he dated Evelyn for almost two years was because she was different from other girls he had dated. She didn’t crave for his attention or had any unrealistic demands.

Olivia touched his arm lightly. "Then why did she cling to Alexander the moment he defended her?"

....