Billionaire’s

made her way to the exit and headed home

Evelyn’s thoughts were a tangled mess, a mix of fear, anger, and sadness as she ma

She had nothing left to do at work as she awaited the verdict from her superiors, and the wright of it all was crushing.

The day had been a blur of emotions, and her heart felt heavy with the uncertainty that loomed over her

Although the distance between her office to her apartment was a ten–minute drive, she decided to walk, needing to clear her head

Each step felt laboreil as if she was dragging her feet through the swamp of her thoughts.

Evelyn’s mind kept replaying all that happened since Sunday morning and now, with the added threat of loung her job, she felt as though her world was crumbling around her.

When she finally arrived at her modest apartment, Evelyn unlocked the door and stepped inside, her shoulders slumping with exhaustion.

She closed the door behind her with a soft click, the sound resonating in the quiet space

“Mama“” a small voice called out, full of excitement and warmth.

Evelyn barely had time to set down her bag before a blur of movement raced toward her. Samantha threw herself into her mother’s arms, her giggles filling the room with life.

“You’re back so early Samantha exclaimed, her arms wrapping tightly around Evelyn’s neck.

Samantha’s enthusiasm was contagious, and for a moment, the weight on Evelyn’s chest lightened as she held her daughter close.

as

Evelyn hugged Samantha tightly, her face buried in her daughter’s sofi curls. She inhaled deeply, the scent of innocence and love surrounding her. The tears she had been holding back since she left the office threatened to spill over, but she blinked them away, not wanting to alarm her daughter “Are you sick, Mommy?” Samantha asked, her voice laced with concern as she pulled back slightly to look at Evelyn’s face

Evelyn forced a smile, her heart aching at the sight of her daughter’s worried expression. “No sweetheart. Im just a little tired,” she lied, brushing a hand through Samantha’s hair.

Samantha’s big blue eyes searched her mother’s face for any sign of illness, but she didn’t seem convinced. Still, she didn’t p she took her mother’s hand, tugging gently. “Come on. Mommy. Let’s go to your room. You can rest and I will keep you company.”

t press further. Instead.

“You’re welcome, ma’am, Maya greeted from the side, and Evelyn gave her a nod as she let herself be led by Samantha, their footsteps quiet against the floors as they walked down the hallway.

Inside her room, Evelyn sat on the edge of the bed with her back resting on the headboard, and Samantha immediately climbed up beside her. snuggling close.

The warmth of her daughter’s body next to hers brought a small measure of comfort, but it wasn’t enough to dispel the storm of emotions swirling within her.

Samantha nestled into her mother’s side, resting her head on Evelyn’s shoulder. The child’s presence was a balm to Evelyn’s frayed nerves, and she found herself holding her daughter a little tighter, drawing strength from the connection they shared

As she lay on the bed, Evelyn’s mind raced with thoughts of the future. How would she provide for Samantha if she lost her job? The prospect of starting anew was daunting, especially with her daughter set to start school the following week. She had moved back to Ludus with the hope of rebuilding her life, but now, everything seemed uncertain

The question gnawed at her: had she made a mistake by leaving Husla‘ Maybe she should have remained in Husta, where she had friends who offered some semblance of security and were far away from people like Sandra and Michael

She sighed as she remanded herself that there was no need to look back now since that chapter of her life was over, and she had made her choser. Now, she had to live with the consequences.

East in thought. Evelyn didn’t notice the time passing until the sharp trill of her phone broke through her reverie. She sat up abruptly, her heart potinding as she reached for her phone on the nightstand

When she saw Susan’s name flashing on the screen, her breath hitched and her pulse quickened with anticipation. Samantha, who had doard at, forded upammiously as Evelyn stood.

ccan you go play in the living room for a big Evelyn kel, her voice slightly strained.

Samantha hesitated but then nodded, slipping off the bed and padding out of the room with a concerned glance over her shoulder. Evelyn waited until she heard the door click shut before she answered the call, her hand trembling slightly.

“Hello. Susan,” she greeted, trying to keep her voice steady.

“Evelyn, I just spoke with the board Susan began, her tone careful, as though she was measuring each word. Evelyn’s heart sank at the ominous pause that followed. They decided to let you go.”

Evelyn’s world seemed to tilt on its axis, and for a moment, she couldn’t breathe. The words hit her like a physical blow, and she gripped the edge of the nightstand to steady herself.

“But. Susan continued, “Mr. Stone intervened. He convinced the board to reconsider, and you’re not being let go after all. I thought you should

know.

Relief washed over Evelyn in a wave, so intense that her knees nearly buckled. She closed her eyes, a shaky breath escaping her as the tension in her body eased slightly. “Thank you, Susan. I–I don’t know what to say, she stammered, her voice thick with emotion

“You should thank Mr. Stone, Susan added before ending the call.

Evelyn stared at her phone, the relief slowly giving way to a mix of gratitude and frustration. She was grateful that she still had her job, but the thought of Derek stepping in to save her left her with conflicting emotions. She wasn’t sure how to feel about it, considering everything that had happened between them.

She was still very mad and disappointed in him, and at the same time, she was too

she was too embarrassed to face him.

Just as she was about to sit down again, her phone rang once more. This time, when she saw Derek’s name on the screen, her heart skipped a beat. Her fingers hovered over the screen, hesitant to answer, but after a few moments of indecision, she swiped to accept the call.

“Evelyn, Derek’s voice came through the line,

calm yet i

yet insistent, “I’m outside your house. I need to see you.