The Billionaire's Rental Wife Is A Hot Shot

Evelyn’s mouth opened, wondering if Avery was concocting a story again just to bring them closer. But when her eyes met Natalie’s, silent and guilt-ridden, she knew it was true.

Avery recalled the day she called Zevian for marketing suggestions, only to hear he was returning from a week-long trip. It was the first time she had heard the usually stoic tycoon drop things midway and eager to rush home, to find Katherine with another man in their house. Investigations revealed this man had been sneaking in whenever Zevian was away, with Katherine threatening the staff to keep silent.

Katherine smartly used their daughter, Kiana, to keep their marriage intact, promising never to see her secret lover but failing within a month. Unable to take any of her excuses, Zevian ended the marriage. But just as they were finalizing the divorce, they got eternally parted away in that accident. Avery believed it wasn’t truly accidental, and Zevian knew it too but never spoke about it, forcing her to stay silent.

"And you know what’s crazier?" Avery’s voice tightened with frustration. "When Sabrina learned her daughter was cheating, she defended Katherine, blaming Zevian for not giving her enough time and love. This guy, handling such an empire, did everything to be with his wife during her last month of pregnancy, and still got accused?"

Evelyn felt her skin prickle, her fists clenching with irritation, and a pang of guilt for avoiding any mention of Zevian in the past. Avery had tried to talk about him many times, but Evelyn had always shut her down, not wanting to reopen old wounds. Who knew behind the perfect facade, he was trapped in such a toxic marriage?

"Go to your room, Avery," Penelope warned, sensing her daughter’s words were worsening Natalie’s pain.

Sensing her intention Evelyn nodded and ushered Avery upstairs. "Where’s your room?" she asked. When Avery pointed to the right, she glanced at Zevian’s room before dragging her best friend away.

Inside Zevian’s room, Kiana clung to her father, a part of her wanting Evelyn there too. But she realized her daddy didn’t like to talk to anyone after fighting with her Nana, and didn’t complain about it.

"Are you okay?" the little girl asked, looking up at Zevian. He nodded, and she hugged him tight, hoping all his sadness would disappear by morning.

Kiana fell asleep within minutes, and Zevian carefully placed her on the pillow, tucking her in. He kissed her forehead and whispered, "I’m not gonna let anyone take you away." Despite the darkness Katherine had brought into his life, Kiana had been his light for the past three years, and he wasn’t ready to part from her.

Once Kiana’s nanny, Agatha, arrived, Zevian ensured Kiana was fully asleep before heading downstairs. Seeing the hall empty, he sighed in relief and slumped on the brown leather sofa.

Evelyn, who had come downstairs to fetch some water, saw Zevian in the hall and stopped. As if sensing someone’s presence, Zevian opened his eyes and locked gazes with her. They stared at each other for a few long seconds before Zevian stood to leave, wanting to be alone. He mastered bottling up his emotions but was sure Evelyn might break through them, and he didn’t wish to burden her.

"Wait!" Evelyn’s voice echoed through the hall, and she quickly grabbed his hand. When he turned, she clutched the jar in her other hand close to her chest, unsure how to ask if he was okay. "Wait for me here. I’ll be back in a minute," she mumbled, then rushed back to the kitchen.

As much as Zevian wanted to leave, he obeyed her and sat back on the sofa. A few minutes later, Evelyn returned with an ice pack.

She took a seat beside him and gently placed the ice pack on his cheek. The red marks from the slaps had slightly swollen, frustrating her even more. Despite understanding Sabrina’s pain, she couldn’t justify treating Zevian this way. He had no control over anyone’s fate, and she had no right to take it out on him! 𝕗𝐫𝚎𝗲𝘄𝐞𝕓𝐧𝕠𝘃𝕖𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝚖

Silence enveloped them, and after much internal struggle, Evelyn spoke, "I know the more people say it’s not your fault, the more you’ll feel it is."

After a moment, she continued, "You will feel suffocated, frustrated, and sometimes even lose hope to live. You’ll never stop blaming yourself, even after knowing it was never in your control. But over the years, you will start living through it and maybe, one day slowly overcome it. So just give it time and try to endure it."

Evelyn placed the ice pack down and sighed, unsure if he was even listening. Summoning her courage, she concluded, "And... If you ever feel like you can’t take it anymore and want to open up to someone, you can count on me. Even if I can’t understand completely, I’ll try my best."

Zevian didn’t know if it was her words or her presence, but he felt an urge to pull her in a tight hug. When she got up, he instinctively grabbed her wrist and pulled her back, causing Evelyn to end up on his lap.

Evelyn’s heart skipped a beat, her eyes widening in shock. Butterflies fluttered in her stomach as Zevian embraced her, his head burying close to her racing heart.

When she tried to pull away, Zevian murmured, "Just a moment, please."

His plea blocked all her thoughts, and Evelyn found herself gently patting his back. His heavy sigh further loosened the chains around her heart, and she held him tightly, hoping to take away his pain.

Having been blamed for her mother’s death for over twenty years, Evelyn could understand his turmoil completely. She knew how torturous it was to come out of the guilt-filled omniscient tunnel and didn’t want him to go through it alone.

A brilliant idea flashed in her mind. Breaking the hug, she smiled at him and asked, "Wanna go grab some beer?"

Zevian stared at her, surprised by the offer. As much as he was tempted, he knew her low alcohol tolerance well and wasn’t ready to risk anything they might regret later. He couldn’t help but recall how she had confessed her feelings and kissed him when they drank alone for the first time, only to forget everything by morning. It would be a nightmare if it occurred again!

Before he could say no, Evelyn got up from his lap and declared, "Get ready in ten minutes. I’ll book the best spot for us." With that, she ran upstairs.

Feeling she had missed something, Evelyn turned and added, "Wear something warm. We are going on a long drive."

"Long ride?" Zevian’s mouth parted in surprise. No, he wasn’t ready for this hell of a night date.