24.The Re and brotherhood
"Tomorrow," he said at last, leaning back in his chair, "Callum walks out. I don't care who I have to pay, silence, or ruin-he's coming back where he belongs."
The room stilled. His plan was complete. Callum was finally returning.
But the way Mr. Morris's lips curled into that thin, dangerous smile-it didn't feel like a victory. It felt like the start of something far darker.
The first rays of sunlight slipped through the tall windows, turning the marble floor golden.
Eva stretched as she walked into the kitchen, her lips curling into an unbothered smile.
Yesterday had been unexpectedly warm-between the banter, the food, and even the garden-it was the first time in a long while that she'd gone to bed lighthearted.
The rich aroma of espresso lingered in the air, strong enough to wake anyone from slumber. Curious, she followed toward the balcony.
The moment she stepped out with her coffee, her breath caught.
The garden looked different. Alive. The balcony was flooded with sunshine, every leaf glowing a brighter green, drops of water still clinging to petals.
Potted plants lined the railings in neat, purposeful clusters, and even the air felt fresher, softer.
From this height of the apartment, the city stretched far below, but all she could see was the quiet patch of color in front of her-a small oasis born overnight.
Her lips twitched. Of course. The perfectionist machine himself did this? Neil Morris-the man who schedules his own breaths-did gardening? To impress me? No. Definitely not. He probably just hated the chaos of misplaced pots. Typical.
She shook her head at her own wandering thoughts.
"Should I wake him up? Hmm... No, Eva, that's a dumb move," she muttered under her breath, tapping her chin. "Wait. Maybe... I could bring him coffee. That's more polite."
Grinning at her plan, she returned to the kitchen. The espresso machine hummed like a loyal soldier, and soon she poured a steaming mug, carefully balancing it in her hands.
Her eyes drifted briefly to his bedroom door, shut neatly as always, almost intimidating in its precision. Still, she smiled softly, gathered her courage, and knocked-gentle, respectful.
Silence.
She tried again. Nothing.
Frowning, she noticed the door wasn't locked. With hesitation, she nudged it open.
The room inside was a portrait of control-everything meticulously placed.
Books stacked like soldiers, pens aligned, and not a single wrinkle in sight.
His closet stood ajar, rows of dark, ironed shirts and blazers lined up in perfect order.
Always black, navy, grey... does this man not know lighter shades even exist?
she thought, rolling her eyes but with a small smile tugging her lips.
But the man himself? Nowhere.
Her brows furrowed. She checked the washroom. Empty.
The faint scent of coffee lingered here too, as though he'd already been up, moving, thinking, planning-just as always. She stood there, coffee mug in hand, the steam swirling up, the letters on the ceramic cheekily reading
CAF.... FINE.
Her heart squeezed strangely.
"Where is he now?" she whispered, her eyes lingering on the perfect but empty space.
Eva's eyes scanned the room one last time before leaving. That's when something caught her attention.
A guitar leaned against the far corner, polished and well-kept, but with faint scratches along the edge that hinted at use.
Her lips curved, amusement sparking.
"Wow.
Dr. Neil Morris plays the guitar? What's next-does he secretly paint sunsets and write poetry too?
" she whispered, her sarcasm rolling easily in the silence.
She turned away, only for her gaze to fall on the nightstand beside his bed. A paper peeked from beneath a neatly stacked book. Curious, she stepped closer and slid it free.
The contract.
Their ridiculous, awkward, rule-filled bond paper. She couldn't help but smile, tracing her own messy scribbles-the rules she had insisted on, and the annoyingly neat clauses he had added. But her smile faltered when one particular line stood out, clean and sharp in his handwriting:
"No dating or loving anyone until the contract ends."
Her brows knitted together.
"I didn't know this was in it... Okay..." she muttered, half-annoyed, half-confused. With a sigh, she placed the paper back where it belonged and turned to leave.
But then-something else pulled her attention.
On the very bottom shelf of the nightstand, half-hidden beneath a box. Something personal, out of place in this pristine, clinical room. She bent down instinctively, reaching out-then stopped.
Her chest tightened. Whatever it was, it didn't belong to the Neil Morris she thought she knew. It was too... human. Too raw.
A flicker of curiosity burned in her eyes, but before she could touch it, she pulled her hand back.
"Nope, not my business," she whispered to herself, shaking her head. Still, as she straightened and walked out, her mind betrayed her-what was it doing there?
And though she didn't know why, something told her she'd eventually find out.
The Morris estate had been this alive today. The staff bustled with quiet excitement, Mr. Morris stood tall with a rare smile, and even Denver's usually serious face softened. Ryle practically bounced around the hall, like a kid who couldn't sit still.
Callum stepped inside, tall and steady despite the a whole year he had spent away. His eyes scanned the familiar space, drinking in the scent of home. His voice trembled, but his tone carried the old Morris pride.
Callum (softly): "Where is Neil?"
Ryle smirked, already teasing.
Ryle: "On his way, of course. Always fashionably late-our Machine."
Before the words fully left his mouth, the heavy oak doors opened.
And there he was. Neil Morris. Perfect posture, dark suit, unreadable face... but beside him stood a woman-calm, graceful, carrying an aura of warmth.
Callum's eyes froze on her. His heart skipped-then his expression softened into something unguarded, almost boyish.
Neil met his brother's gaze, and for the first time in a long while, there was no wall between them. His lips curved in the faintest smile.
Neil: "Was I late, brother?"
The air shifted. Callum's sternness broke-he stepped forward and pulled Cynthia into his arms.
Callum (whispering): "Love."
Tears slipped down Cynthia's cheeks as she clutched him tighter.
Cynthia: "You're back... finally, you're back."
For a moment, the estate melted away. It was just the two of them, breathing each other in after years of separation.
Callum pulled back slightly, brushing her cheek with his thumb.
Callum: "You held on. For us. I don't deserve you."
Cynthia shook her head quickly.
Cynthia: "Don't you ever say that again. I survived because I believed you'd come home."
The room had gone silent, everyone watching the reunion. It was raw. Unrehearsed. Healing.
A pointed cough broke the moment.
Neil: "Uh-hum. Guys. I am here, you know..."
The brothers turned. Callum laughed for the first time in years, pulling Neil into a firm embrace. His hand tapped Neil's shoulder with unspoken gratitude.
Callum: "Thank you, Neil."
Neil didn't reply in words. His eyes, however, softened-something only his brother would notice.
The fire crackled low, laughter echoing off the high ceilings.
Callum sat with Cynthia tucked under his arm, her smile finally soft after years of distance.
Ryle sprawled dramatically across an armchair, Denver flipping through a file, and Neil.
.. as always, leaned coolly against the mantle, glass in hand.
Ryle (mock-dramatic sigh):
"You know what sucks?
I get no love from the men in this family.From my own brothers.Not a single hug, no 'we missed you, Ryle,' nothing.
But-" he grinned wickedly, turning to Cynthia, "I do get the praises from the women instead, and honestly?
I love it. Cynthia, you're back again. I missed you! "
Cynthia chuckled, shaking her head.
Cynthia: "Still the same charmer, aren't you? Careful, or Callum might get jealous."
Callum rolled his eyes but pulled her closer.
Callum: "He's always been like this. Needs constant attention."
Ryle (mock offense): "And you? You just waltz back into the picture, steal all the hugs, all the tears, all the family glory."
The hall warmed with laughter.
But then Ryle, with his usual lack of filter, blurted out:
Ryle: "But... one person is missing."
The laughter dipped. Denver raised a brow.
Neil's hand stilled around his glass.
Callum (frowning): "...Missing? Who?"
Ryle (casually): "Eva."
The word dropped heavy in the hall. Callum blinked.
Callum (slowly, voice sharpening): "Eva who?"
Silence. Cynthia glanced at Neil, sensing the sudden tension. Denver shifted uncomfortably, while Ryle-realizing too late what he'd stirred-scratched his head.
Neil finally straightened, his voice even but carrying weight.
Neil: "...She's my wife."
The room froze.
Callum's eyes darted to Cynthia, then back to Neil-sharp, searching.
Callum: "...You married? And no one thought to tell me?"
The warmth of a few minutes ago evaporated, replaced by a charged silence.
The hospital buzzed with the usual chaos of monitors beeping, nurses rushing with files, and residents whispering their case notes.
Eva walked into the ward, her scrubs crisp, hair neatly tied, but her usual sunshine aura was dimmed. Her smile was missing. Even the way she carried her chart looked heavy.
Trent spotted her first, quick to beam.
Trent: "Eva! Morning, sunshine-"
But Eva barely glanced up, muttering in a flat tone:
Eva: "Hi... bye."
Before he could even react, she brushed past, her ponytail swaying as she disappeared down the corridor.
Trent blinked, stunned.
Trent (muttering): "...Did she just say hi and bye at the same time? What the-"
He stood frozen for a second, then shook his head and walked toward his patient's room, still frowning. Just as he reached the door, Lexi came into view, juggling her notes and coffee cup.
Trent: "Lex! Just the person I needed. What's up with Eva today? Did I miss something? She looked like I stole her lunch."
Lexi raised a brow, blowing at her hot coffee.
Lexi: "Don't ask me, Trent. She was like a storm cloud since morning. Didn't crack a single joke. Not even a sarcastic one. Just pure moody silence."
Trent (dramatic gasp): "Wait. No sarcasm? That's... alarming."
Lexi smirked.
Lexi: "Yup. Brace yourself. Something's up with her, but she won't say."
Trent sighed, glancing down the hallway where Eva disappeared.
Trent (softly): "Guess sunshine's hiding behind the clouds today."
Hospital Cafeteria, Break Time:
Eva sat at her usual corner table, tray filled with more food than she usually touched. A steaming plate of her favorite seafood sat in front of her, and she was already halfway through it, stabbing at the prawns like they'd personally offended her.
She wasn't smiling. Not today.
Every bite was heavy, rushed. When Eva was upset, she ate like this-stuffing herself until the knot in her chest loosened. But no matter how much she chewed, the image replayed in her head.
Neil.
Behind the wheel.
And that woman beside him.
She hadn't even seen the lady's face-just the soft wave of her hair, the casual way she sat next to him, too at ease for someone who was just a stranger.He leaves randomly to meet her?
Eva shoved another spoonful into her mouth, trying to drown the thought.
Why should it even matter to me? He's just a fake husband. And... nothing. Absolutely nothing.
Just then, Trent and Lexi walked into the cafeteria. They spotted her immediately-the way she was sulking over her mountain of food.
Trent (raising a brow): "Whoa, sunshine. That plate looks like a seafood massacre. What did the prawns ever do to you?"
Eva didn't even look up, just popped another bite.
Lexi slid into the chair opposite her, resting her chin on her palm.
Lexi: "She's been like this since morning. Moody, silent... and now attacking lunch like it's therapy."
Trent leaned closer, squinting.
Trent: "Did someone die, or did your crush finally text you back with a 'k'?"
Eva shot him a glare but kept chewing.
The road stretched quiet under the evening sky, the hum of the engine the only sound inside the car. Neil's grip on the wheel was steady, eyes fixed forward, but his thoughts were anything but calm.
Callum is finally back...
He let out a breath, long and heavy. The sight of his elder brother walking free again had loosened something inside him, something he didn't even realize had been clenched for years. For once, his father's influence had done what he couldn't.
But relief didn't come without its weight.
Tomorrow. Family dinner. And I promised I'd bring Eva.
He almost laughed under his breath. The thought of her sitting at that long Morris table, among people who thrived on secrets, made his chest tighten. She didn't belong in that storm.And more over will she accept.
Yet-she had to be there. His wife on paper, his partner in this fragile arrangement. Their contract had dragged her into this, whether he liked it or not.He can't tell the actual truth about the marriage with Callum and cynthia.
Neil's jaw clenched. His mind flickered back to the look on Callum's face, the way it had softened the second his eyes found Cynthia. That kind of love, unshaken. Neil had almost forgotten what that looked like. Almost.
He ran a hand over his face, frustrated.
Eva's bright energy... he could already feel it dimming in his memory of her. This morning again he left. And she'd notice, of course she would. She always noticed.
The city lights began to glow as he drove further, but inside his chest, everything felt darker.
Eva dragged her small overnight bag up the familiar stone steps, the worn wooden door already decorated with her grandmother's new floral wreath. The moment she rang the bell, the door burst open.
"Evaa!" Ria squealed, throwing her arms around her sister. "Finally! Do you even remember this is your house too?"
Eva laughed, hugging her tightly. "I do! I just got... occupied."
"Occupied with work or occupied with Doctor Grumpy?" Ria teased with a smirk.
Eva's cheeks flushed instantly. "Shut up, Ria."
Behind them, their grandfather shuffled in with his walking stick, his warm smile enough to melt away any heaviness Eva carried. "My sunshine is home," he said, cupping her cheek.
"Grandpa," Eva whispered softly, her eyes shining. She bent down to hug him.
From the kitchen, her grandmother's voice rang out: "Eva Walter, if you don't get in here right now, I'll eat all the food myself!"
"Coming!" Eva laughed, slipping off her shoes and rushing in.
Her grandparents insisted she should've come with her husband. "Where is Neil, he promised us he will visit us soon."
"Already breaking the promises ." Grandpa spoke.
Eva forced a smile, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "He's really busy, you know how doctors are. Maybe next time."
Ria folded her arms dramatically. "Busy, huh? Or avoiding us? I don't blame him though-he probably heard about how terrifying I am."
They all burst into laughter.
Eva sat down, feeling her shoulders ease. Here, she wasn't Dr. Walter, or Mrs. Morris, or someone bound by rules on paper. She was just Eva.
Vote and comment
Hie beautiful people,
Here is the next one ....More Cuteness on its way.