Chapter 9
Beverly blanched and clenched a fist when she saw Evan. Had he heard her?
To her surprise, he looked unfazed. Only then did she remember that he’d personally designed her office-it had been built with the same materials used for the CEO’s office, so the soundproofing was top-notch. Usually, when she was inside, she couldn’t hear anything that happened outside.
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That calmed her, but Camelia suddenly flew off the handle. “What the hell is going on between you and Cindy Beech, Evan?”
Beverly was so startled that she paled. Meanwhile, Evan frowned, looking confused. “Cindy? And me?”
Beverly grabbed Camelia’s hand and hurriedly said, “C-Cammy heard about whatever’s going on between Cindy and Calvin. You’re supposed to be her distant relative. Why didn’t you do anything to restrain her?”
Camelia looked at her in surprise. She only realized what was happening when she saw Beverly clenching her jaw anxiously. It was clear the latter didn’t want Evan to know that she’d already discovered his affair. Naturally, as Beverly’s best friend, she had to help cover up the situation.
“We’re thick as thieves, and we grew up together. Whose side are you on?” Camelia feigned anger as she glared at Evan. She also gave Beverly a knowing look.
Beverly sighed in relief. Before she knew it, Evan had wrapped an arm around her and leaned in to say tenderly, “I’m on your side, honey. That’s a given. You can punish Calvin however you want-I promise I won’t object. Don’t be mad at me anymore, okay?”
He held her tightly and spoke to her cajolingly, all so she would be appeased. That was how he’d been for years and years-he’d treated her this well since they’d first met and even to this day.
He’d been the light of her youth, and he’d pulled her out of the devastation of her family falling apart. He’d also been by her side as she’d struggled to move past the sorrow of losing Elaine.
Yet, he was also the one who’d betrayed her. He’d turned his back on the lifetime they’d promised each other.
Beverly still couldn’t bring herself to accept the fact that he’d fallen in love with someone else. Anguish spread through her, and she clutched her chest tightly.
Her voice was cold as she almost screamed, “Cut things off with her and make her leave! Never see her again, and forget about
her!”
She fixed her bloodshot eyes on Evan’s. The helplessness and resignation in them pierced his heart. Why was she so upset? Why did it seem like her words were targeted at him?
A hint of panic flickered in his eyes. He felt like something was breaking away from him.
Beverly looked away from his anxious gaze. “Can Calvin do that?”
“Yeah! Throw Cindy out of Alterra! There’s no way I’ll forgive Calvin if I see her again. In fact, I’ll hit her every time I see her!” Camelia snapped, cutting through the odd atmosphere between Evan and Beverly.
“I guarantee Calvin won’t have anything to do with her anymore, and I’ll make sure she leaves Alterra,” Evan said seriously. He turned to Beverly and whispered, “I’ll do whatever it takes to make you happy, honey.”
She gave a noncommittal hum. He’d always kept his promises. At least this would ensure that she could spend the rest of her time here in peace.
Evan had come to ask Beverly out for lunch. Since Camelia was also around, he asked Calvin to join them.
When they took their seats at a fancy restaurant, Calvin pleaded with Camelia for a long time. She only forgave him when Evan
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put in a good word for him.
Beverly wasn’t in the mood to watch their act, so she excused herself to the restroom. Camelia followed her.
“Bev, are you sure Evan got together with that bitch? He actually betrayed you? How’s that possible? Are you sure this isn’t some misunderstanding?” she asked.
Camelia wasn’t the only one who found it hard to believe. It was likely that no one in Alterra would believe that Evan had cheated on Beverly, unless they saw it themselves.
Beverly washed her face to calm herself down. However, the moment she opened her mouth to speak, she became choked up.
Camelia panicked at the sight of Beverly so anguished and grabbed a tissue to dry her tears.
“I saw it myself.” Beverly couldn’t recount the details-that would only put her in more pain. Just saying that simple sentence had taken up all her courage.
Camelia cried, “How could he do this to you? Why didn’t you let me teach him a lesson earlier? Once someone cheats, they’ll never stop! Don’t be a fool!”
Beverly wiped her tears. “Thanks for being on my side, Cammy.”
“What are you talking about? You’re my best friend!” Camelia tucked Beverly’s hair behind her ear, looking sympathetic. “What are your plans? Do you need my help?”
Camelia had known Evan longer than she’d known Beverly and had a stronger bond with Evan. Yet, she treated Beverly better than she did Evan and was more affectionate with her.
Beverly knew what Evan was like. If he learned that Camelia had known about her leaving all along, he wouldn’t let her off the hook. She couldn’t put her best friend in danger.
So, she shook her head. “I can deal with it. I’ll divorce him and leave him; I’ll go somewhere he’ll never find me.”
“Somewhere he’ll never find you?” Camelia asked in surprise.
“You’ll know what I mean soon enough. Before that day comes, you have to keep this a secret. I’ll be gone soon.”
Camelia agreed. Then, she became crestfallen. “Does this mean that even I won’t get to see you anymore?”
“Of course not. I’ll contact you,” Beverly said. Since her parents’ divorce, she’d lived with Elaine and had left all her old friends behind. Camelia was the first real friend she’d made since then. She was reluctant to part with Camelia too.
Camelia felt better at Beverly’s reassurance. Then, she grew angry again. “If you ask me, Cindy can’t compare to you at all. Is Evan blind?”
Beverly shook her head with a bitter smile. She knew that regardless of what had caused this situation, it would all soon be behind her.
At the same time, she couldn’t help being reminded of Cindy’s words. Who wouldn’t prefer someone younger and more vibrant? Harold preferred Cindy over her, and Evan most likely did too.
After lunch, Beverly and Camelia walked out of the restaurant. A flashy Ferrari pulled up before them, and Evan got out. He held out the keys to Beverly. “Honey, do you like it?”
It was lunch break, and the restaurant wasn’t far from Gray Corporation. Many of Gray Corporation’s employees stopped to join in the excitement.
“Whoa! The cream of the crop humbles himself for love.”
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“Mr. Gray really adores his wife.”
“Mrs. Gray must’ve saved the world in a past lifetime.”
“When will I meet a man as wonderful as Mr. Gray?”
“He’s rich, handsome, and most importantly, he’s so devoted!”
In the past, hearing these envious comments and gazing into Evan’s love-filled eyes would have overwhelmed Beverly with joy. She would’ve shyly thrown herself into his arms and complained about him being so high-profile. At the same time, she would’ve thanked him for his thoughtfulness.
Now, however, she merely took the keys indifferently without a word of thanks. She brushed past him.
She hadn’t fallen for anyone else or gotten involved with a younger, more spirited man. Her heart remained steadfast in its love for Evan even now, after all the pain he’d brought her. His presence still made her heart race.
The only problem was that the racing brought with it a stabbing pain. It coursed through her veins and spread throughout her
body.
She loved him so much, yet he’d chosen to lie to her and break her heart. Evan wasn’t worth her being so upset.
“Wait, Mrs. Gray doesn’t look too happy.”
“When women are upset, it’s either over money or love. Mrs. Gray sure isn’t short on money!”
“Could Mr. Gray have done her wrong in some way?” an employee asked.
The others gave that employee scornful looks.
“How’s that possible?”
“The whole world knows how deep Mr. Gray’s love for Mrs. Gray is.”
“Don’t you know how many times Mr. Gray has risked his life to save Mrs. Gray? She was abducted once, and he persuaded the abductors to take him hostage in exchange for her.”
The employees gave Evan starry-eyed looks again, and their envy for Beverly surged.
Someone exclaimed, “I’ll be Mr. Gray’s diehard fan solely because he loves Mrs. Gray so much! I’ll work at Gray Corporation for life!”
Unfortunately for them, Beverly now only wanted to leave Evan. She didn’t want to love him anymore; she just wanted to forget
him.
She only had 28 days to go!
She got into the car. Suddenly, someone pulled open the door and grabbed her hand. Evan leaned in to kiss her forehead, but she shoved him away roughly. She looked into his bewildered eyes and snapped, “Don’t kiss me!”
