The Billionaire's Rental Wife Is A Hot Shot

The next day, Evelyn woke up earlier than usual. Making sure to check on Gracia to her right, she got out of bed to get ready. Since Zevian seemed to have attended meetings last night, she didn’t disturb him or Kiana and walked over to the kitchen. Picking up the ingredients, she started preparing breakfast for her mother while the chefs made for everyone else.

Once Evelyn was done, she took the tray to Gracia’s room. She was already up and was standing in front of the dressing table, getting ready.

"You should have slept more," Evelyn chided with a pout. Placing down the tray on the coffee table, she walked over and Gracia wrapped in a hug.

"I have rested well enough, don’t worry," Gracia replied with a smile. She patted her daughter’s head, both enjoying the moment for a while.

Evelyn brokea hug and turning to the table, she said with a smile, "I made breakfast for you."

Gracia’ssmiled widened, her face beaming in excitement. The little rabbit who used to run around her in the kitchen was now making meals for her. It brought tears to her eyes, a mix of happiness and bitterness gripping her heart.

"Come. It will get cold," Evelyn murmured and took Gracia to the couch.

She gently helped her settle down, before bringing the tray closer. The tray was carefully arranged with a bowl of oatmeal topped with fresh berries, a fluffy vegetable omelet, and a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice.

Gracia picked up the spoon and tasted the oatmeal first. She nodded in approval before cutting the omelet and taking a bite of it. "Hmm, it’s good!" she said, bringing a smile to Evelyn’s face.

Evelyn watched her mother’s eyes sparkle with joy as she enjoyed the breakfast, her heart full with joy. Both enjoyed the moment in silence, their mind swirling with last night’s conversation.

A few minutes later, a maid walked in, carrying a set of freshly brewed coffee and a pot of herbal tea.

"Thank you," Evelyn accepted the coffee before the maid filled in a cup of tea for Gracia.

Once the maid left, Gracia looked at her daughter, hoping she would start it but Evelyn was silent. Both sipped their drinks, no one daring to speak first.

Taking a deep breath, Gracia placed down the cup and turned to Evelyn. "Tell me everything, sweetie."

Evelyn looked troubled, a sigh escaping her lips. Tracing the edges of the coffee cup, she replied, "Let’s talk once you are better."

But Gracia shook her head stubbornly. "Please, sweetie. I’ll be restless until I know everything."

Gracia could understand her anxiety, and considering how she had reacted last night, Evelyn must be scared to even bring anything from the past. But she had steeled her heart and needed to know what happened in their lives in her absence. The more she thought, an unsettling feeling screamed her daughter had gone through worse.

Evelyn hesitated, her mind racing. She looked at the nurse still standing by the door who had just entered to check on Gracia. Rita had followed too and understanding her, she nodded before stepping out to give them privacy.

Reluctantly, Evelyn placed the cup down and turned to her mother, the weight of the conversation ahead pressing down on her.

Gracia held Evelyn’s hand tightly, bracing herself for whatever was to come. Gracia scooted closer, her expression soft but insistent. "Start from the day after my death," she said quietly. "I deserve to know everything."

Evelyn took a deep breath, her chest tightening at the memories. The emotions she had tried to suppress for years threatened to overwhelm her. But her mother’s determined eyes gave her the strength to speak.

Evelyn inhaled deeply and looked at her. "He didn’t want you sent away from the funeral hall, so your fake body was brought back to the mansion for the final farewell." she began, her voice barely above a whisper. "Damien’s team discovered Sophia had made a double that was identical to you. Every detail, your tattoo, your birthmarks and scars everything was the same that no one suspected. We later buried it in the old estate."

Gracia’s lips pressed into a thin line, her eyes reflecting pain and anger. She had suspected as much over the years, sure her captive had planned it thoroughly but hearing it confirmed was a fresh wound.

"After that, Sophia began managing the company...." Evelyn continued hesitantly, "He wasn’t in the right state to take charge, and even Nana entrusted her with everything. He started resenting me, distancing himself from me. Nana was the only one who looked after me..."

Gracia’s chest tightened at the way Evelyn referred to William as him. The damage to their relationship was evident, suggesting it was ruined beyond repair. It shattered her heart.

"When I turned twelve, Nana passed away too," Evelyn said, her voice trembling. "Sophia fully took control. She began openly targeting me, and Dad..." Her voice faltered. "...he only resented me more. He thought I was becoming a brat."

Gracia’s eyes burned with unshed tears, but she listened silently, her hand gripping Evelyn’s tightly.

"A few years later, Sophia announced she was pregnant with his child." Evelyn’s voice broke, and she paused, giving Gracia time to process the revelation.

"Wh- what?" Gracia gasped, her disbelief mingling with a surge of anger. That woman—her one-time friend—had destroyed her family in the cruelest way possible.

"And they got married," Evelyn continued, her voice thick with emotion. "Elias was born, and things only got worse."

Gracia’s heart ached, torn between sadness and rage. "How could he..." she whispered, her voice trailing off.

"It didn’t stop there," Evelyn said, her tone growing harder. "Sophia brought in an actor and claimed I wasn’t your real daughter and had been switched at birth."

Gracia’s breath hitched. "And he believed it?" Evelyn’s silence was her answer.

"He thought Annabelle was his real daughter—the one you lost in the accident before you adopted me." Evelyn’s voice cracked under the weight of the memories. "He thought you’d replaced her with me."

Gracia couldn’t hold back her tears any longer, the betrayal cutting deeper than she thought possible.

"And what happened after that?" Gracia finally asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Evelyn pressed on, her tone steady despite the anguish in her eyes. "Sophia kept manipulating everything. She ruined my engagement, forcing me into a marriage with my ex-fiancé’s uncle. But Zevian saved me."

Gracia nodded, grateful for the young man who had protected her daughter. But the rest of Evelyn’s tale was a blur of pain and schemes.

"And now?" Gracia asked her voice firm despite her exhaustion. "What’s your plan?"

Evelyn’s lips curved into a faint, determined smile. "Elias’s birthday is next month. It’s the day he’ll be officially declared CEO. What better time to bring Sophia down?"

Gracia’s eyes lit up, the first spark of excitement she’d felt in years. "Yes," she said, gripping Evelyn’s hand tightly. "Let’s do it."

Both mother and daughter shared a silent exchange, their resolve clear in their smiles. Together, they would dismantle the lies and reclaim what had been taken from them.

———

A week passed in a blur and it was finally time to return to their home. Considering Gracia’s safety and health, they had only traveled a few places and had a great time.

Zevian and Kiana had already returned the next day from their sightseeing, so it was just Gracia and Evelyn on the plane. Damien had returned to Aracemia, promising to return soon, and left them under his team’s safety. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺

"We have arrived!" Rita announced excitedly as they landed on Vespera’s land.

Gracia looked out of the window, a thrill spreading through her body. She had missed her home dearly, and returning after so many years, it was nostalgic yet painful.

"Please wear the mask and cap, Madam." Rita urged, eyeing the things on Gracia’s table. Though Gracia was dressed like a man and they would be moving through a private gate, it was still better to be precarious.

Gracia nodded with a smile and Evelyn helped her with the cap. Since she had a bob-cut and fragile body, no one would be able to guess it was her. Unless Sophia had seen her pictures from the asylum, it was still unrecognizable.

"Let’s move quickly!" Their main bouncer urged, having been ordered to get done with the exit swiftly. Evelyn nodded and helped Gracia out, with Rita and other guards following closely behind.

Lucius was already waiting for them outside and he walked closer as they got off the plane.

"Lucius!" Evelyn beamed in a bright smile. They exchanged a hug before she turned to introduce Gracia.

"Oh, this must be your client, right?" Lucius piqued in, covering up the story smoothly.

Evelyn nodded with a grin. "Yes. Meet our newest client, Rodrick Igor." she lied, making even Ritastiflee laugh.

Lucius smirked and guiding outside, he murmured, "Let’s move quickly."

Evelyn nodded and holding Gracia’s hand, she followed him with a smile. But just as they were about to exit the airport, someone caught her.

"Evelyn?"

Evelyn heard a familiar voice and turned to her left in confusion. Her eyes widened in horror, and she instinctively stood in front of Gracia.

"What the heck is she doing here?" Rita grumbled, gritting her teeth as Sophia rushed in their direction.

"Oh my god! What a coincidence!" Sophia murmured, panting out loud.

Evelyn squinted her eyes, realizing she was going somewhere. Sophia smiled warmly at her, but when her eyes caught someone behind her daughter, it faltered.

"W-who is she?" Sophia asked, her voice cracking slightly.