Chapter 6

The grand, opulent halls of the Silverwood estate echoed with the heated exchange between Earl and his parents. Earl stood in the center of the room, his posture rigid with frustration as he confronted his mother, Camilla. His eyes, usually calm and collected, now held a stormy intensity.

"Mom, you're going too far with this," Earl said coldly. "Everything is happening way too fast. I can't just rush into a marriage without a moment to breathe and think. This isn't just some transaction."

Camilla's eyes widened in surprise, a mixture of hurt and indignation crossing her features. "Earl, this is a crucial opportunity for both families. We've planned this engagement meticulously. It's not just about your feelings. It's about our future and the future of the Silverwood name."

Martin, Earl's father, stepped in, his voice firm and unwavering. "Camilla is right. We need to move forward with this. It's not the time for second-guessing. We've made commitments and we need to honor them."

Earl's frustration was palpable. "This is not just about family commitments. This is about my life! You're treating it like a business deal, something to be checked off a list. I need more time to process this, to understand what it means for me."

Florentina, Earl's grandmother, entered the room as the argument escalated. Her presence was a calm, soothing counterpoint to the tension. "Earl, dear," she said softly, placing a gentle hand on his arm. "I understand you're upset. Sometimes, things don't turn out the way we plan, but we must trust that they will work out in the end. This marriage might not be what you envisioned, but it could still lead to something meaningful."

Earl took a deep breath, trying to steady his emotions. "I appreciate your support, Grandma. I just need to step away and clear my head. I'll go home and focus on work."

With that, Earl excused himself from the tense atmosphere and retreated to his private villa. The villa, with its understated luxury, was a refuge from the chaos of the day. Earl sank into a leather armchair in his study, the weight of the day pressing heavily upon him.

As he stared out the window at the moonlit night, his thoughts drifted back to Nathalie. The memories of her were still raw, like fresh wounds that refused to heal. He missed her touch, the way her kisses had lingered on his skin, the passion that had defined their nights together. The nights had been filled with a deep, consuming connection, a bond that now seemed irretrievably broken.

Earl wondered if Nathalie still thought about those moments. Was she now with someone else, sharing the intimacy they once had? The thought was a bitter pill to swallow. He would soon be expected to embrace someone new—someone he barely knew. He questioned how his life with Evelyn would unfold. The future he had once dreamed of, filled with Nathalie, was now being realized with a different person entirely.

Stepping out onto the terrace in his bathrobe, Earl took in the full moon's silvery light. The peaceful night seemed to mock the turmoil within him. He wished for a moment of clarity, a sign that things would eventually settle into place.

Back at Evelyn's home, the atmosphere was tense in a different way. Evelyn was in her room when Erin knocked forcefully on the door. Her voice was sharp and accusing. "Evelyn, we need to talk. This is ridiculous."

Evelyn opened the door, her expression calm but guarded. "What's going on, Erin?"

Erin barged in, her face flushed with frustration. "You're about to marry Earl Silverwood, and you're just going along with it. You don't care about anything—about the family, about me. You're just here, taking everything for granted."

Evelyn's patience wore thin. "I'm doing my best with the situation I've been given. I didn't ask for this, but I'm trying to make the most of it."

Erin's anger flared. "You don't deserve any of this. You're just a fake daughter who's getting everything handed to her. I've worked hard to be here, and you think you can just waltz in and take my place?"

The words cut deeply. Evelyn's calm demeanor cracked, and without a moment's hesitation, she grabbed Erin by the hair, yanking her down. Erin cried out, struggling ineffectually against Evelyn's grip. "How dare you talk to me like that!" Evelyn's voice was icy with rage. "You think you're so superior, but you're just a spoiled brat who can't see beyond her own privilege."

Erin whimpered, tears streaming down her cheeks. "Stop it! You're hurting me!"

Evelyn's voice was harsh and unrelenting. "You have no idea what it's like to be constantly judged and belittled. You think you're better than everyone, but you're the one who's entitled. You don't get to treat me like this."

The commotion attracted the attention of a maid, who rushed to the room. Her eyes widened in shock as she saw the scene unfolding. "Miss Evangeline! Miss Evangeline!" she called out, her voice trembling with urgency.

Evangeline arrived swiftly, her face a mixture of shock and anger. "Evelyn! What on earth is happening?"

She moved to separate Evelyn from Erin, her face set in a stern expression. "Stop this immediately!"

Evelyn was forcibly removed from Erin, who was now sobbing uncontrollably. Evangeline's face was filled with a mixture of anger and disappointment. "You're supposed to be part of this family. If you can't control your temper, you don't belong here."

Without warning, Evangeline slapped Evelyn across the face, her eyes flashing with anger. "You're a disgrace. I'm ashamed of you."

Evelyn's eyes widened in shock, but she didn't back down. "You think you're so high and mighty. You only see me as a tool to further your own ambitions. You don't care about me as a person."

Evangeline was momentarily speechless. Her husband, Mark, who had just arrived, joined the fray with a scowl on his face. "You're being disrespectful and ungrateful. You've been living off our resources, and you have no right to act out like this. You're nothing but a freeloader."

He slapped Evelyn hard, causing her to stagger. "You don't deserve anything we've given you."

Mark then took Evangeline and Erin out of the room, leaving Evelyn alone with her emotions. Evelyn, her face flushed with anger and humiliation, muttered under her breath, "And you're just a spoiled brat."

The days leading up to the wedding were a whirlwind of activity. Evelyn and Evangeline were consumed with preparations, from choosing the perfect dresses to coordinating the venue and guest list. The wedding was to be a grand affair, a statement of the combined status of the Evergreen and Silverwood families.

Evangeline's excitement was palpable as she reviewed the plans. "This wedding has to be perfect," she said to the stylist and beauty consultants. "It's not just about the ceremony; it's about showcasing our wealth and taste. We need to make sure everything is flawless."

The renowned fashion stylist worked tirelessly to find the most stunning wedding dress for Evelyn. Every detail was scrutinized to ensure that Evelyn would not only look beautiful but also uphold the family's reputation. Similarly, the top beauty stylist was tasked with ensuring that Evelyn's appearance would be nothing short of extraordinary.

Evangeline beamed with satisfaction as she imagined the high-class ladies complimenting their choices. "I can't wait to see the reactions. This wedding will set the standard for elegance and wealth."

As Evelyn navigated the whirlwind of preparations, she felt increasingly alienated from the person she had hoped to become. The grandeur of the event felt like a gilded cage, trapping her in a role she never sought but was now compelled to embrace.

The moonlight outside Earl's villa seemed to mirror Evelyn's internal struggle. Both were dealing with the weight of expectations and the uncertainty of a future that felt far from their original dreams. As the full moon cast its serene light over the world, Earl and Evelyn grappled with their own personal challenges, trying to make sense of a future that seemed to be unfolding in ways they had never anticipated.