Chapter 6 Evangeline #2
The voice that cuts through our argument is low, dangerous, and absolutely unmistakable. I look up to see Hades approaching, his expression deadly calm but his eyes burning with barely leashed violence.
Ethan's grip on my arm tightens reflexively. "This is a private conversation."
"Doesn't look private to me." Hades stops just close enough to be a threat, his presence filling the space between us. "Looks like you're hurting her."
"I'm trying to talk sense into her."
"By grabbing her? By calling her names?" Hades' voice drops to something that makes the hair on my arms stand up. "That your idea of talking sense?"
Ethan finally releases my arm, but he doesn't back down. "She's making the biggest mistake of her life, and someone needs to tell her the truth."
"The truth? Or your version of it?"
"My version?" Ethan laughs, the sound sharp and ugly. "Fine. You want the truth? She's using you. Using those kids. This whole thing is just her way of acting out because she's scared of commitment."
"That right?" Hades' gaze flicks to me, and I see something in his eyes that makes my pulse quicken. Not doubt, not suspicion. Just steady, unwavering support.
"She'll realize her mistake soon enough," Ethan continues. "And when she does, when she comes crawling back, begging for forgiveness, I want you to remember this moment. Remember that I warned you."
"I'll keep that in mind," Hades says quietly. "But right now, I think you should leave."
"I'll leave when she asks me to."
"I'm asking," I say, finding my voice again. "Please go, Ethan. There's nothing left to say."
Ethan's face cycles through a series of emotions; shock, anger, calculation, and finally cold fury. "Fine. Have your little fantasy. But when it falls apart, when you realize what you've thrown away, don't come crying to me."
He straightens his expensive tie, a gesture meant to restore some semblance of dignity. "You had everything with me, Evangeline. Stability, security, a future. And you're throwing it all away for what? A criminal and five broken children?"
"I'm not throwing anything away," I say, my voice stronger now with Hades beside me. "I'm finally choosing what I want."
"You'll regret it."
"Maybe. But it'll still be better than the prison you built for me."
Ethan stares at me for another long moment, and I can see him realizing that he's lost. That all his manipulation and threats and attempts to make me doubt myself have failed.
"This isn't over," he says finally, but there's defeat in his voice now.
"Yes," I say quietly. "It is."
He straightens, his mask of civilized concern slipping to reveal something ugly underneath.
"This isn't over, Evangeline. Not by a long shot."
Then he's gone, striding out of the clubhouse like he owns the place, Hades following him, making sure that he leaves. Now I’m standing alone in the middle of my brother's memorial service.
But I don't feel alone.
I feel free.
"You okay?" a voice asks, and I turn to find Tempest watching me with concerned eyes.
"Yeah. I think I am."
"Good. Because those kids need you to be okay."
He's right. The children are my priority now. Everything else, every confused feeling and inappropriate attraction and moment of weakness, has to take a backseat to giving them the stability they need.
But even as I tell myself that, my eyes find Hades across the room. He's sitting on the floor now, all five kids arranged around him in a loose circle while he shows them something on his phone. Probably pictures of the house he mentioned, or maybe just cat videos to make them smile.
Either way, the sight of him surrounded by children who already love him makes my chest tight with longing.
I shouldn't want this. I shouldn't be imagining what it would be like to build a life with him, to wake up every morning in a house full of laughter and chaos and love.
I shouldn't be picturing him holding our babies, teaching our children to ride bikes and stand up to bullies and believe in themselves.
But I am.
The guilt coils low in my stomach like I’ve just lied to a priest.
"He's good for them," Tempest says quietly, following my gaze.
"Yes. He is."
"Good for you too, I think."
The observation makes my cheeks burn. "I don't know what you mean."
Tempest's smile is knowing but not unkind. "Sure you don't."
Before I can figure out how to respond, Lily breaks away from the group and runs over to me.
"Aunt Evie! Uncle Hades says we can go see the house tomorrow. He says it has a big backyard and a swing set!"
"Does he?"
"And he says I can have the room with the window seat, because little princesses need special places to read their books."
My heart clenches at the thoughtfulness of it. Of course he would remember that Lily loves to read. Of course he would think about what each child needs to feel special and valued.
"That sounds perfect, sweetheart."
Lily beams and runs back to rejoin her siblings, leaving me standing with Tempest and trying not to let my feelings show on my face.
"Like I said," Tempest murmurs. "Good for all of you."
Across the room, Hades looks up and catches my eye. The intensity of his gaze makes my pulse quicken, makes me remember the feeling of his thumbs brushing away my tears, the way he looked at me like I was something precious.
The way he makes me feel alive in a way I'd forgotten was possible.
I should look away. I should focus on practical matters like custody arrangements and school transfers and all the mundane details of building a new life for five children.
Instead, I find myself drowning in his dark eyes, wondering what it would feel like to stop fighting this pull between us. To give in to the connection that's been simmering beneath the surface for years.
To let myself want him.
The thought should terrify me. I've just walked away from one relationship, and jumping into another one, especially one this complicated, is probably the worst possible decision I could make.
But as I watch him with the children, as I see the gentleness in his hands and the love in his eyes, I can't bring myself to care about what's smart or practical or appropriate.
For the first time in years, I'm listening to my heart instead of my head.
And my heart is telling me that this man might just be exactly what I've been looking for my entire life.