Chapter 5
Sunlight streamed through the massive floor-to-ceiling windows, bathing the room in a peaceful, golden glow.
Everything felt calm and perfect until the front door was violently thrown open.
Harry stormed in. He'd spent a month living it up overseas. He was tanned and had lost some weight. But that rebellious, untamed vibe of his was still as strong as ever.
Two expressionless bodyguards in black suits trailed behind him.
"Dad!" Harry shouted as soon as he burst through the door, his voice fierce and wild.
He continued, "Why did you freeze my cards? Why are you snatching away my inheritance? Is it all because of that woman?"
His eyes were sharp and venomous, shooting straight at me.
But as soon as he really saw me, his voice cut off abruptly. Bet he never thought I'd show up like this.
I was not the broken, bitter woman he imagined. I was glowing and more stunning than ever.
What really shook him was that the man standing next to me was his own father.
The atmosphere between us was so close, it felt like nobody else in the world could even step in.
I closed my book and smiled at Harry, lips slightly parted.
"Harry, you're back?" I said softly, but my words struck him like a thunderclap.
"Don't you know how to greet people?" I said calmly.
Harry blinked. His face went pale as a sheet. He looked at me, then at his father, lips quivering. He wanted to say something, but not a single word came out.
The fury in Harry's eyes vanished, replaced by pure shock and the absurdity of it all.
"You... you two..." Harry sputtered, his hand shaking as he pointed at us.
He snapped, "Evelyn, you gold-digging bitch! I didn't want you, and now you actually... you actually went after my dad!"
Suddenly, the sound of a slap rang out.
I didn't hit him. Robert did.
He moved so fast, I barely caught it.
A bright red handprint bloomed on Harry's cheek.
Harry was left dumbfounded, holding his cheek and staring at his father in disbelief.
"Dad... you hit me?" Harry stammered.
"I hit you to teach you a lesson," Robert said, his tone cold as ice.
Robert added, "Let me introduce you." He slipped his arm around my shoulders, pulling me close into his embrace.
"This is your stepmother, Evelyn. The new lady of the Sutton family. From now on, when you see her, you address her properly," Robert said.
Robert's words were like a double shot to Harry's heart, hitting him dead center.
Harry swayed, his face turning pale.
He stared at me, at me leaning into Robert's arms, at the possessive, protective look in Robert's eyes.
In that moment, Harry's whole world shattered into pieces.
"No... impossible..." Harry muttered.
He kept backing away, step by step.
"This is all fake... you're just acting... Evelyn, tell me this isn't real!" Harry said.
He looked at me, and for the first time, the contempt and rebellion in his eyes gave way to pleading.
He was hoping I'd tell him it was all just a cruel joke to get back at him.
I leaned into Robert's warm chest, settling into a more comfortable position.
Then, I lifted my hand and fed him a grape, bringing it right to his lips.
"Honey, try this. It's really sweet," I said.
Robert opened his mouth and took the fruit, then he pressed a gentle kiss to my fingertips.
"It's sweet," he murmured.
That simple gesture completely broke the last barrier in Harry's mind.
He let out a desperate, broken howl, like a wounded beast.
He spun around, trying to make a run for it, but the bodyguards at the door grabbed him tight, refusing to let him go.
Harry struggled like crazy, ranting and cursing, barely making any sense.
He snapped, "You're all nuts. Evelyn, you wicked woman. Dad, how could you treat me like this? I'm your son!"
Robert shot him a cold, uninterested glance, his eyes completely devoid of emotion.
"You don't know the rules anymore. Clearly, life abroad was a little too easy for you," he said.
He grabbed a damp towel from the table and gently wiped my fingers clean.
Then, he handed down his judgment.
Robert ordered, "Send him to the mines in Osmar for a few years. Let him toughen up. He doesn't come back until he learns how to respect people."
'Osmar? The mines?' Harry thought. His struggles ceased instantly, his eyes wide with terror as reality sank in.
"No. Dad, please. Don't do this. I messed up, I really messed up!" Harry cried.
That was when the fear finally kicked in. He started begging, all dignity gone, desperate for mercy.
He pleaded, "I was wrong. I shouldn't have ditched the wedding. I shouldn't have run off with Ophelia. Dad, please, give me another chance!
"Evelyn, please. plead for me. I know I messed up. I'm begging you, please!"