Eva sat in her apartment that evening, the glow from her laptop casting soft light across the room. She'd spent hours combing through details for the gala—seating arrangements, RSVPs, and catering options—but her focus was fractured. Her mother's text lingered in her mind like an unanswered question.
She closed her laptop with a sigh and leaned back on the couch, staring at the ceiling. For three years, she'd kept her distance from her parents, burying herself in her grief and refusing to let anyone see how broken she felt. And now, they wanted to talk.
Her phone buzzed on the coffee table. For a brief moment, she thought it might be her mom again, but the name on the screen read "Melanie."
Melanie: Drinks tomorrow? You deserve a break.
Eva smiled faintly, typing back a quick response.
Eva: Sure. Sounds like a plan.
Setting her phone aside, she decided to push her thoughts about her mom to the back of her mind. She needed to stay focused—on her work, on her arrangement with Nathan, on keeping everything under control.
But as she curled up under her blanket, sleep felt distant, and memories of Adam crept in like unwelcome guests.
Nathan, meanwhile, was in his penthouse, nursing a glass of whiskey and staring out at the city lights. His conversation with Eva earlier that day lingered in his mind.
"Why did you take this job?"
"I needed a change. A fresh start."
He knew there was more to her story. People didn't just upend their lives for no reason.
Nathan drained his glass and set it down on the bar, his thoughts shifting to his family. The gala was days away, and he could already feel the pressure mounting. His grandfather would be watching his every move, and his mother would undoubtedly use the opportunity to nudge him closer to the altar—figuratively, if not literally.
And then there was his father.
Nathan's jaw tightened at the thought of him. They hadn't spoken in months, and he liked it that way. His father had a way of worming his way back into Nathan's life just to tear him down.
But this time would be different. This time, Nathan had Eva.
Or at least, the illusion of her.
The next morning, Eva arrived at the office early, as usual. She had stopped by her favorite café for coffee and a bagel, hoping a good breakfast might ease the lingering tension in her chest.
When she stepped into Nathan's office to deliver his coffee, she was surprised to find him already there, seated at his desk and staring at his laptop.
"Good morning," she said, setting the coffee down.
Nathan looked up, his expression unreadable. "Morning."
Eva hesitated, sensing a shift in his mood. "Is everything okay?"
He leaned back in his chair, running a hand through his hair. "Just preparing for the inevitable disaster that is the gala."
Eva smiled faintly. "I doubt it'll be a disaster. You've survived these events before, haven't you?"
"Survived, yes. Enjoyed? Not so much."
She sat down in the chair across from him, her curiosity getting the better of her. "Why do you hate them so much?"
Nathan gave a humorless laugh. "Where do I start? The fake smiles, the backhanded compliments, the endless scrutiny… And then there's my family."
Eva tilted her head, intrigued. "What about your family?"
He hesitated, his eyes darkening. "My mother will be watching my every move, my grandfather will be silently judging me, and my father…" He trailed off, his jaw tightening.
Eva waited, sensing that he was debating whether to say more.
"My father's a parasite," Nathan finally said, his voice low. "He shows up when it's convenient for him, makes a mess of things, and disappears again. He doesn't care about me or the family. He only cares about himself."
Eva's heart twisted at the bitterness in his tone. She didn't know the details of Nathan's relationship with his father, but it was clear that it had left deep scars.
"I'm sorry," she said softly.
Nathan looked at her, surprised by the sincerity in her voice. "It's fine. I've learned to deal with it."
They sat in silence for a moment before Eva spoke again. "For what it's worth, I think you're doing a great job. The company, the way you handle yourself… It's impressive."
Nathan's lips quirked into a faint smile. "Thanks. That's the first compliment I've gotten all week."
Eva laughed, the tension in the room easing slightly. "Well, don't get used to it."
Nathan chuckled, shaking his head. "Noted."
Later that afternoon, Eva was in her office when her phone buzzed again. This time, it was a call from her mom.
She stared at the screen, her pulse quickening. After a moment of hesitation, she answered.
"Hi, Mom."
"Eva! Finally," her mom's voice came through, equal parts relief and exasperation. "I was starting to think you were avoiding me."
"I've been busy," Eva said, keeping her tone neutral.
"Well, I just wanted to check in. You haven't been home in months, and your dad and I are worried about you."
"I'm fine," Eva said quickly.
"Are you? Because the last time we talked, you were…" Her mom trailed off, leaving the sentence unfinished.
Eva closed her eyes, gripping the phone tightly. "I'm fine, Mom. Really."
There was a pause on the other end of the line. "Eva, if you ever need to talk, you know we're here for you, right?"
"I know," Eva said softly. "Thanks."
As they ended the call, Eva felt a mix of relief and guilt. She knew her parents meant well, but she wasn't ready to let them back into her life—not yet.
She set her phone aside and took a deep breath, focusing on the work in front of her. She couldn't change the past, but she could control what came next.
And for now, that was enough.