The Billionaire's Rental Wife Is A Hot Shot

Evelyn looked up at William in shock, her words causing more tears to trickle down her cheeks. She slowly turned and faced Gracia, her smiling, happy face appearing in her mind. It warmed Evelyn’s heart to know her backstory, her past so beautifully connected with Gracia.

But it also ached, clenching her heart with sadness as she missed her so dearly. If only she were still alive. If only she were somewhere here, so Evelyn could pounce into her arms again...

Elias, who had been patiently waiting in the dark, just as shocked as Evelyn at the revelation, decided to break the silence. "Erm, it’s getting cold," he said, stepping closer to them.

Zevian was relieved Elias had intervened before he could, as he felt Evelyn couldn’t handle any more tonight. She had already been missing Gracia so much, and this confrontation had deepened her longing. It was a wish he could never fulfill, as Gracia was gone. He could only offer her some comfort.

William sighed and nodded in response. He looked at Evelyn for a brief moment, hoping she would say something, but her eyes were fixed on Gracia. "You must be tired. Rest well," he said, deciding to leave.

"I’ll bring Kiana next weekend. I’ll be busy this week," Evelyn said, causing William to pause. He turned around, and their eyes met briefly, awkwardness swirled in her gaze, but it was enough for him.

"Great! Call Elias, he’ll come pick you up," William replied with a small smile. When Evelyn nodded, eyes lowered to the ground, he left with Elias.

Once they were gone, Zevian walked up to his wife and pulled her into a tight hug. Evelyn wrapped her arms around him and burst into tears, unable to hold back her emotions any longer. He gently patted her back, letting her cry as much as she needed.

Gracia had been a major part of her life; blood-related or not, they shared a bond beyond anyone’s understanding. But it was heartbreaking that fate decided to break their bond quite too soon by taking Gracia away.

After a few minutes, Zevian caressed Evelyn’s head and murmured, "You’ll catch a cold. We should leave too." The weather didn’t look good, and he worried it might take a toll on her.

Evelyn sniffled against his chest and slowly nodded. Her sobs began to subside, and Zevian wiped her tears away before pulling her closer again. He wanted to talk about it but knew she wasn’t ready. Kissing the top of her head, he wrapped his arm around her shoulder and murmured, "Let’s go."

Evelyn leaned on his shoulder, her eyes softly gazing at Gracia’s tombstone. They stayed there for a moment before she nodded, allowing him to escort her toward the car.

The drive back home was long and filled with silence. Evelyn rested on Zevian’s shoulder, lost in her thoughts, but her heart was at peace. Many things had ended on a good note for her, with the Happy Homes project bubbling with excitement inside her. She couldn’t wait to work with Zevian, to be his partner, and to make this project a huge success. It was a dream of hers, one where they would work together, and now that it was coming true, her heart swelled with joy.

"Evy, my love!" Avery greeted them at home, wrapping Evelyn in a tight hug.

Zevian frowned and glanced at the beer cans on the table in front of the couch. Shaking his head, he sighed softly as Agatha informed him that Avery had been drinking alone for nearly an hour.

"Are you happy?" Avery asked her friend, her face flushed beet-red. The party’s success had satisfied her so much that she drank more than she could handle, Sophia’s shocked face and insult adding a few more cans to the list.

Evelyn smiled and nodded, holding her friend in her arms. "Very happy."

Avery giggled like a child, resting her head on Evelyn’s shoulder. Zevian tried to separate them, as she was too heavy for his wife, but Evelyn stopped him, saying it was fine. There were times when she had carried this drunken baby elephant on her back—this was nothing.

"Do you love me?" Avery asked again, looking up at Evelyn with a pout.

Evelyn chuckled softly and nodded. "Yes, I love you very much." Wrapping her arm around Avery, she slowly guided her upstairs. This should have been a celebration for them, but her best friend had been enticed by the bottles at the bar.

"More than your dumbass husband?" Avery continued her interrogation as they climbed the stairs.

Zevian’s brows creased at the question. He didn’t mind being called a dumbass, but no one should ask his wife such things! She wouldn’t love anyone more than him, except for Kiana maybe. But his confidence was shattered into pieces when Evelyn agreed.

"Yes, I love you more. Come on, let’s be good and get to your room."

Avery felt a dark, ominous glare on her, it was so intense she almost felt it piercing through her skull. But she ignored it, comforted by Evelyn’s words. With a smile, she obediently allowed her bestie to escort her to the guest room.

After tucking her baby elephant into bed, Evelyn walked to their room and quickly took a bath. Changing into her nightclothes, she approached Kiana, who was sound asleep. Walking closer, she kissed her forehead and tucked her in properly. It was beautifully odd how they both shared a similar childhood. She had come to love and cherish Kiana just as Gracia had loved her.

"So, you love her more?" a jealous voice asked, bringing a smile to Evelyn’s face. Turning around, she saw Zevian leaning against the door frame with two cups of hot coffee in his hands.

With a cheeky smile, Evelyn got up from the bed and walked to him. She wrapped her arms around him and hugged him tightly. "Nope. I was lying. How could I love anyone more than you?"

Zevian smiled, satisfied. "Prove it then," he demanded, causing Evelyn to chuckle.

Breaking the hug, she tiptoed and placed a small peck on his lips. "Is this enough, Mr. Reign?"

"For now," Zevian replied with a nod. He passed her one of the mugs, and they walked to the couch, settling beside each other.

Evelyn enjoyed the coffee, the peace in the room, and Zevian’s presence making it feel even more intimate. Once they were done, she moved closer, hugging him and resting on his chest. Zevian wrapped his arm around her back and looked at her, sensing she had something to say.

"You didn’t have to do it," Evelyn said sincerely. Managing the Reign empire every day was already a stressful responsibility, and she worried it would burden him further.

Zevian shook his head. Tucking a strand of her hair behind her ear, he replied, "Your dreams are mine too. I’ll do anything to make them come true."

Evelyn smiled, her heart melting at his sweet confession. The more time she spent with him, the more she loved him every day. "And yours are mine." Her declaration brought a smile to his face.

"So, tell me, what is your dream, Mr. Reign? I’ll make it come true," Evelyn continued, her confidence making Zevian chuckle softly.

Kissing the tip of her nose, Zevian replied, "It’s going on a date with you for now."

Evelyn chuckled and nodded. He had been silently frustrated that they hadn’t been able to spend time together lately. And they truly deserved a date!

"Okay, boss! We’ll spend the entire day together tomorrow," Evelyn declared, excitement lighting up her eyes.

Zevian glanced at the bed, at his daughter, who could potentially become a third wheel. Looking back at his wife, he declared, "Just the two of us."

Evelyn followed his gaze and laughed. "Yes, just the two of us," she agreed, bringing a smile to his face.