The Billionaire's Rental Wife Is A Hot Shot

"It’s Katherine’s death anniversary."

Evelyn regretted mentioning the date, cursing herself for forgetting such an important detail. It also was slightly understandable why Sabrina had been going crazy for the past few weeks, picking on Zevian whenever she had the chance since her daughter’s fifth anniversary was just around the corner.

Zevian sighed again and looked at the setting sun, his heart tightening with mixed emotions. For the first time in these suffocating five years, he wasn’t feeling worse or blaming himself for whatever happened that day. And he was not sure if this was the right thing to do if he even deserved to think this way.

Evelyn held onto his hand with both her hands, her touch, her mere presence calming the storm swirling within him. She gently caressed his hand and murmured, "Let’s bid final goodbye to her."

Zevian didn’t understand what he meant and turned to look at her. Did she mean to completely cut Katherine off from their lives? It was impossible because Kiana was still her daughter and he would at least take her once to meet her.

Evelyn met his eyes and continued, "Let’s bid goodbye to the thoughts that are still haunting you. It’s about time you should stop blaming yourself. For everything you did to her and for taking care of Kiana all these years so well, I think Katherine would also be wanting the same." Pressing onto his hand, she added, "She might be wishing for you to have just good memories about her."

Zevian sighed softly, her words acting like a balm he had been searching for years. Many had told him, consoled him, and tried to convince him that it wasn’t his fault, that Katherine would be unhappy to see him suffering so much. But none succeeded in making him slightly believe it like Evelyn just did.

"And we should take Kiana every year a few times. On Kia’s birthday, on Katherine’s birthday, and other special days." Evelyn added, taking note of the other thing he was most worried about.

Zevian’s worst fear of not marrying again was for Kiana to be completely cut off from Katherine. Though Katherine was selfish, cruel to him, and had been nothing less than a bitch, her love for Kiana was just like every mother’s for their daughter. Her last wish was also about her precious daughter, and he felt like she deserved to see her every once in a while. And Evelyn seemed to share the same intention, decreasing the burdens that heavily weighed his mind.

"Thank you," Zevian murmured, a small smile tugging his lips.

Evelyn blinked in confusion before a silly spread across her face. Leaning closer, she replied, "Thank you don’t sound sincere without a kiss, Mr. Reign."

Zevian smiled brightly, his heart swelling with warmth at her goofiness. She always had a way of getting a kiss or a hug from him when they dated and he was lucky to be able to live those moments again with her. Leaning closer, he gave a small peck on her lips.

"Is that enough, Mrs. Reign?" Zevian asked with a smile, adjusting her hair.

Evelyn pursed her lips and nodded, the slight blush on her cheeks quite noticeable. Leaning on his shoulder, she replied, "Yep, for now."

Zevian chuckled and leaned his head over hers, both enjoying the beautiful view. Nothing felt better than being with each other even if it was a place like a hospital, and Evelyn swore in her heart to be always with him, right beside him in every situation.

———

[A few days later.]

As much as everyone hoped for this day to never arrive, it came sooner than they had anticipated for it. Yes, it was Katherine’s Anniversary and the entire Reign Mansion had been somber, sad, and silent ever since the sun rose.

"Are the cars prepared?" Jonathan asked his butler who nodded, detailing the family’s schedule for today.

Rosalind took care of the flowers and other things that needed to be delivered to the cemetery from both her family and the Greys though no one was in a state to fill the spot. She called the staff to arrange the gifts, and donations they would be giving to many charities today in Katherine’s name.

"Grandma!" Just then, Kiana’s voice echoed through the entrance. The little girl jumped down from her mother’s arms and ran to her grandmother.

Rosalind softly smiled and hugged Kiana tightly. "Oh, I missed you so much." She murmured, kissing her forehead and making her sit beside her on the couch.

Evelyn and Avery joined them, taking seats on the adjacent couch. Though Jonathan and Rosalind had pressured Evelyn to stay here when they were discharged two days ago, she and Zevian had opted to rest in their house, finding it more comfortable. And returning on such a day made it a little edgy for Evelyn.

"Who dressed you today?" Rosalind asked with a small frown, finding the little girl’s baby pink frock out of the tradition. They all needed to wear white to pay respect to Katherine and since Kiana was her only blood relative today, the girl needed to do all the rituals in her grandmother’s place.

Evelyn exchanged a worried glance with Avery before she spoke, "I did it." When Rosalind looked in her direction, she added, "That was Katherine’s last gift to her. She wanted to give it to her on Kiana’s first birthday but..." 𝒇𝒓𝙚𝒆𝔀𝓮𝓫𝒏𝓸𝙫𝓮𝓵.𝓬𝙤𝙢

When Agatha showed her the little dress for a one-year-old kid, Evelyn felt like redesigning the same outfit for Kiana. So they called the designer and prepared the exact dress for the older Kiana now. She didn’t know if that would make any sense, but something strong inside her urged her to do it and she did it without the elder’s permission.

"We can change her quickly if you don’t like it," Avery quickly added as her Aunt turned completely silent after Evelyn’s explanation.

Rosalind gently shook her head and looked away to wipe her tears. Turning to Evelyn, she smiled, "Thank you."

Evelyn inwardly sighed in relief and nodded with a small smile. Avery held her hand and praised her for her thoughts that seemed to have even touched Jonathan who had been silently hearing from the other corner. She exchanged a small smile with her uncle before looking out for Natalie.

"Where’s Nat?"

Rosalind sighed at the question. Ever since she had decided to go with Dominic, Natalie had been spending less and less time in the house which was making her worry. Taking a deep breath, she answered, "She will be joining with Fredrick. If the doctor allows, she is planning to bring Dominic too."

Avery and Evelyn nodded in understanding. Looking at the time, Evelyn looked at the entrance, impatiently waiting for Zevian. He had left early in the morning for the office and though she had made sure he was fine, her heart wasn’t able to keep calm when she saw him.

Jonathan walked to them after finalizing all the arrangements. Reading her expression, he said, "Zevian would join us directly after finishing the meeting."

"Oh." Avery mused in response. Looking at her Aunt, she asked, "Should we leave then? It’s a long ride from here."

"Yeah, let’s go!" Rosalind agreed with a nod.

With that, they all left the mansion, each of them lost in their thoughts. Kiana who had been happy couldn’t hold back her tears as they sat inside the car. This day had always been like a rainstorm for her, filled with dark clouds and scary thunder. But having Evelyn made it feel a little less sad as if suddenly the dark clouds were accompanied by a rainbow, one that promised it would be fine.

"Mommy is right here, okay?" Evelyn murmured, patting Kiana’s pack who had settled on her lap. The little girl nodded in response, resting her head on Evelyn’s chest as the ride continued toward her real Mommy.

Rosalind who was sitting with them couldn’t help but smile, feeling her responsibilities had been shifted to Evelyn. Jonathan and Avery were coming in a different car and she regretted for husband to not witnessed this scene, one that would have made him less worried on this ride.

After almost two hours of long drive, they finally reached the old church beside which was also the cemetery. Zevian was already waiting for them at the entrance, with Natalie and Fredrick right beside him. Damien for some reason was also here, talking over the phone that he ended at their arrival.

Evelyn finally sighed in relief to see Zevian. She quickly walked to him and Kiana slowly murmured, "Daddy."

Zevian picked Kiana into his arms and patted her head. He then turned to Evelyn and held out his hand. Evelyn held onto it tightly and they all walked inside the large black gates.

Rosalind and Avery halted as they reached Katherine’s grave, her bright smile on the small portrait attached to the headstone greeting them. One by one, everyone finished keeping flowers and paying their respects.

When it was finally Kiana’s turn, she slowly released Zevian’s hands, surprising everyone. They usually paid respects together, with Kiana just placing the flower and returning back silently. But this time, it seemed like the little girl had intentions of speaking to her real mother finally.

Turning to Evelyn, Kiana asked, "Can you come with me, Mommy?"