Evangeline teased her with a playful glint in her eyes. "Remi, didn’t the head office tell you that you're supposed to be pulling overtime today?"

"Ugh, please! I just got back. How could you expect me to dive straight into the grind? Come on, Evangeline, let me start tomorrow. Pretty please?"

Remi clung to Evangeline’s arm, acting like a spoiled brat—shaking her, cooing, and wheedling until she was breathless. She had completely forgotten that there was a massive, walking pressure cooker of jealousy standing right next to them.

"Ms. Crawford!"

The sharp, sudden command made her jump, snapping her spine straight in an instant.

"You bastard, you scared my wife!" Damian Spencer surged forward, pulling the startled woman into his arms and glaring daggers at his friend.

Meanwhile, Marcellus was already busy with a tissue, meticulously wiping a speck of nothing off Evangeline’s cheek.

"Pfft. Stop wiping. I’ve already kissed every inch of her face while you were gone," Remi said, licking her lips with a mischievous grin intended to set him off. "Mmm, Evangeline tastes like sugar."

Marcellus’s face darkened with the speed of an approaching storm.

"Mommy is definitely sweet," little Aurora chirped, landing a perfectly timed blow to her father's pride.

The atmosphere in the office turned frigid. Evangeline rubbed her temples in defeat. Who was the sadistic author who wrote the script where the best friend and the husband are sworn enemies? Being trapped in the middle was absolute torture. She had to play peacemaker every single time.

*They’re at it again,* she thought. *Honestly, just let the world burn.*

"Let’s go. I’m hungry," Evangeline said, taking Remi’s arm and leading the way out of the office.

Damian raised an eyebrow. "Looks like those two are a match made in heaven."

"Aren't you going to do something about it?"

"Nah. I’m not as petty as you are," Damian replied with a shrug, sauntering after them.

Marcellus was left standing there in the middle of the office, holding Aurora and looking thoroughly frazzled.

"Daddy, come on! I want to go to Mommy," Aurora urged.

"…Fine."

When they arrived at Crestview Villa, Evangeline’s eyes lit up. She looked around in genuine awe. "Remi, this place is entirely designed around your taste, isn't it? It’s absolutely stunning!"

"Auntie’s house is so pretty! Can I stay here tonight, Mommy?"

With the woman and the child both gushing over the house, Marcellus felt a sharp pang of envy.

"Evangeline, if you like this style, we can build another one," he muttered.

"Evangeline, Aurora, if you like it here, just stay! My home is your home," Remi chimed in.

"Absolutely not," Marcellus snapped, his voice cold.

Their eyes met—sharp as blades, ready for a duel.

"Marcellus, let's go prep the food. We’re doing a sunset barbecue tonight. Let’s have a proper drink," Damian said, shooting a wink at Remi.

"Ha! See? Damian is so much more relaxed. Your guy is just too controlling!" Evangeline agreed with Remi in her head, though she dared not say it aloud. If she provoked Marcellus while he was already in a mood, he would be impossible to handle later.

She pretended to sigh with resignation. "Oh, I’ve just spoiled him too much."

"Hmph! Well, that’s your fault for coddling him!"

The two women curled up on the sofa, laughing and chatting, while the two men tended the grill. Little Aurora sat on the rug, playing quietly with her toys. For the first time in a while, Remi felt like she was truly home. The glitz and glam of the outside world had lost its luster; only here, on her own turf, could she finally find peace of mind.

"Aurora, honey, want to see what I brought you?"

Aurora scurried over and dove into Remi’s arms, looking up with wide, expectant eyes. Remi dragged a massive 33-inch suitcase from behind the sofa.

"Ready for the big reveal? Are you ready?"

"Aurora is ready!"

*Click-clack.*

The suitcase popped open, revealing 56 intricately crafted international costume dolls lined up in perfect rows. Aurora gasped, her small hands reaching out to gently touch the delicate porcelain features.

"Wow… they’re so pretty."

Remi ruffled the little girl’s hair. "I’m glad you like them, sweetie."

"Thank you, Auntie! Mwah!"

Aurora planted a soft, sugary kiss on her cheek. Remi wiggled with happiness. "Oh, Evangeline! You have to give me a mini-me like Aurora. I’m obsessed!"

"In your dreams," a deep voice cut in.

Remi looked up to see Marcellus looming over them, his hand possessively draped around Evangeline’s waist as if to mark his territory.

"Pfft," Remi scoffed, stomping off to find Damian. "Damian!"

"What’s with the pout? Your lips are sticking out a mile."

"How are you even friends with Marcellus? He’s seriously unhinged!"

Damian chuckled, pulling her into his arms. "Do you know where I met him? It was in a psychiatric ward. Evangeline isn't just his wife—she's his lifeline."

Remi blinked, stunned. *Oh.* So he really was a bit... unstable. Maybe she should go easy on him next time.

"Oh. Right. Well, fine, I won’t provoke him anymore."

*So he’s not just a cold-blooded corporate shark; he’s just a broken soul.* She decided to be the bigger person and let it go. It was essentially charity work at this point.

The barbecue was ready. The smell of searing meat drifted over, and Aurora couldn't resist. She drooled slightly, staring at the glistening skewers. "That smells so good!"

Remi picked up a skewer that had cooled down and handed it to her. "Here you go, the first bite for our little princess."

Aurora took a cautious bite, nodding happily. "Yummy, yummy!"

"If it’s good, you can have a few more later."

"Okay!"

They gathered around the table. Remi looked at her wine glass with excitement. "Come on, come on! I’ve been craving a glass of this all day."

She took a sip, her face twisting instantly. She smacked her lips, trying to process the flavor, but her brow furrowed. "Why does this wine taste so sour?"

"Does it?" Evangeline took a sip of her own. "I don’t think so. It tastes fine."

Remi tried again, but this time, the revulsion was too much. She spit it out onto the grass. "I can't. It’s gross."

"Try mine, then." Damian held out his glass, but before he could even get it close, Remi covered her mouth, her face turning pale.

"Ugh, the smell—it's awful. Maybe it’s just jet lag or my stomach acting up from the flight. Whatever, I’ll just stick to the meat."

"Suit yourself."

Evangeline, busy putting Aurora to bed, didn't drink either. The three of them hung out for a while longer, chatting away. Before long, Aurora was rubbing her sleepy eyes, burying her face in her mother’s chest.

"Aurora is sleepy."

"Alright, let's go to bed."

"I'm coming too," Remi added.

They said goodnight to the men still nursing their drinks and headed inside. Following their nightly ritual, Evangeline tucked Aurora in, her voice low and soothing as she told a bedtime story. Remi propped her chin on her hand, watching the scene with a mix of envy and warmth.

Once the little one was sound asleep, the two women tiptoed out to the balcony. The quiet of the night brought a rare sense of calm. Evangeline took a deep, steadying breath of the night air.

"The design here is perfect. It’s so relaxing."

If Elysian Estate was a cold, lonely fortress, Crestview Villa felt like a sanctuary.

"Then move in! We can be together every single day."

Evangeline laughed. "Haha, I can't do that. I don't want to spend my life jumping back and forth between you and Marcellus."