Evangeline Montgomery finished washing up and walked back into the bedroom to find Marcellus Alexander propped up on the pillows, a rare, boyish smirk on his face. She hooked a finger under his chin, meeting his gaze. "Marcellus, are you replaying last night?"

Her voice, teasing and soft as a feather, sent a shiver through him.

"You little minx," Marcellus chuckled, tapping her forehead before pulling her into his arms.

"Why not rest a bit longer? Let’s just stay in today. Forget about work," he whispered, burying his face in her hair. It was a rare, needy display from a man usually defined by his cold, calculating ambition.

Their relationship had surged forward overnight. He was still reeling, wanting to keep her trapped in this sanctuary, though he held back, mindful that she was a novice to this level of intimacy. He just wanted her close.

Evangeline placed her hands on his chest, creating a sliver of space between them. Her expression hardened. "I have to move back home today."

The smirk vanished. His jaw tightened, his voice dropping an octave. "So, that was it? You spent the night with me just to buy yourself a ticket out of here?"

"Yes," she whispered, the word barely escaping her throat.

Marcellus’s muscles went rigid. A flash of raw, uncontained fury crossed his eyes before he tossed the duvet aside and swung his legs out of bed.

Evangeline moved faster. She scrambled up, kneeling on the mattress behind him, and wrapped her arms around his waist, pulling him back.

"Marcellus, I’m with you because I want to be. I’m going home to settle things, to make sure you’re safe, and because I love you."

She spoke into the space between his shoulder blades. He froze, but said nothing. He felt the tremor in her words, but the logic—why she *had* to leave to prove it—still escaped him.

"I have something critical to finish at home, something I can’t explain just yet. Marcellus, no matter what rumors you hear or what you see, just remember this: I am yours. I am coming back." She turned him around to face her, her eyes burning with a terrifying intensity.

Looking into her eyes, Marcellus finally conceded.

"If you need help, you call me." He cupped her cheek, his thumb tracing the line of her jaw, eyes heavy with reluctance.

Evangeline reached up, pulling him down to her, her lips finding his in a desperate, bruising kiss. They clung to each other as if they were trying to merge their very bones.

"It won't take long. Wait for me!" She planted a final, firm kiss on his cheek and stepped away.

***

When she returned to the Montgomery estate, the entire family was gathered in the living room. Marilyn Montgomery gestured for her to sit, but Evangeline’s eyes drifted to Cassidy. Her sister sat nearby, face puffy and eyes rimmed with red, looking like she’d been crying for hours.

Evangeline knew exactly what this was. She’d received a call from her mother the night before: the Harrisons were coming to "make amends." Evangeline knew her father’s business collapse was only weeks away. She couldn't afford to be passive. If Cassidy hadn't realized she was pregnant yet, Evangeline would make sure she had the perfect, messy reason to cling to that child as a weapon.

Right on cue, the three Harrisons walked in, weighed down by luxury gift bags—a pathetic attempt at a peace offering.

As soon as Jonah Harrison’s eyes landed on Evangeline, he went slack-jawed, his face a mask of longing and guilt.

"Well, Edward," Anthony Harrison began, laughing nervously. "We’ve heard about what happened with the kids. That damn boy of mine had one too many and lost his head!" He glared at Jonah. "Well? Apologize!"

Edward Montgomery, hindered by decades of family ties, sighed. "Just sit down. Let’s talk."

"Right, yes, of course," Anthony and Angela chimed in, dragging Jonah to the opposite sofa.

"They’re childhood sweethearts, their feelings have always been steady," Angela added, looking at Evangeline with genuine regret. "Breaking off the engagement now... it’s just such a shame."

"He hurt both of my daughters," Edward said, his voice cold. "If we don’t call off the wedding, how are these sisters supposed to look at each other?"

"Evangeline, I’m sorry," Jonah croaked, his voice raw. "I never meant for any of it to happen. I promise I’ll never touch a drop of alcohol again. I really do love you—please, don’t call off the engagement."

Evangeline glanced at Cassidy. Her sister’s jaw was trembling, her face twisted in disbelief.

*Not enough drama,* Evangeline thought. *Time to pour some gasoline.*

"Jonah," Evangeline said, her tone icy. "I think you owe my sister an apology."

Jonah blinked, looking at Cassidy with a mix of revulsion and confusion. He remembered that night—Cassidy had played the part of a lovestruck fool, mimicking Evangeline’s mannerisms until he was drunk enough to slip up. He hated the memory, but with all the parents staring, he had no choice.

"Sorry, Cassidy," he muttered, eyes averted. "It was my fault. I was reckless. If you need compensation, name your price. The Harrisons will pay whatever it takes."

Cassidy bowed her head, weeping softly, playing the victim to perfection.

Edward turned to his eldest. "Evangeline, what do you think?"

"Jonah and I have always been like siblings. Since he and Cassidy have already crossed that line, he needs to take responsibility," Evangeline said, her face a mask of serene indifference.

The Harrisons exchanged panicked glances. They didn't want Cassidy—a girl whose greed was written all over her face—as a daughter-in-law.

"No!" Jonah snapped, his desperation spiking. "I won't marry anyone else!"

Cassidy looked up, stung. "You don't like me? Then why were you so good to me?"

"When was I 'good' to you? You’re imagining things," Jonah spat back, his veneer of a "gentleman" cracking.

"Imagining? The birthday gifts? The way you nursed me when I was sick? The nights you spent comforting me?" Cassidy’s voice rose, desperate for an answer.

"I treat all my friends like that. Did you really think you were special?" Jonah replied, his voice dripping with casual cruelty.

"Right," Evangeline murmured. "No commitment, no rejection, no responsibility. You just love having a string of women orbiting you, don't you?"

Evangeline mentally applauded. Cassidy had hit the nail on the head. Jonah was the classic "nice guy" who treated boundaries like suggestions and used affection as a hook for his ego.

Jonah flushed a deep, humiliated red as the room went dead silent. The meeting ended in total collapse.

As the Harrisons left, Angela tried one last time. "Jonah, Evangeline has made up her mind. Don't push her. The girls have to live together, after all."

"No!" Jonah shouted, his face frantic. "I will only marry Evangeline!"

Back in the living room, once the doors closed, Cassidy vanished into her room, the sound of muffled screaming and throwing pillows echoing down the hallway.

Evangeline leaned into her mother’s arms, sighing with practiced sadness. "I just feel so bad for Cassidy. Jonah won't marry her, and she must be heartbroken."

Marilyn stroked Evangeline’s hair, her heart aching for her daughter’s "selfless" nature. Evangeline let a small, sharp smile touch her lips where her mother couldn't see.

*First battle won.*