Chapter Thirty-One
EVELYN
Logan and Michael refused to leave their brother alone that night, so after talking, we decided it was best for them to stay at Sebastian's. I told Logan I would take care of the twins, and Camila and Alice would join us for a sleepover at his apartment.
After we got all three children settled and to bed, Camila and I collapsed onto the living room sofa. She didn’t waste a moment. “Okay, tell me everything.”
So I did. I recounted it all, from Peter’s first phone call to the chilling confrontation at the cemetery.
“I can’t believe you gave him money, Evy,” she said as soon I finished.
“What else was I supposed to do?”
“Is the truth really so terrible? You’re not their mother; that will come out eventually.”
“Yes, but on our terms. You weren't there at that hotel when the press descended. Do you know how I found Aurora?”
“No, you never told me.”
“She was terrified, hiding under a luggage cart. And when those reporters saw Logan with Anna, they swarmed them, shoving microphones in a five-year-old’s face. I never want them to go through that again.”
“The only way to prevent that is with a controlled press release, and you need answers for that. Answers you’ll only get when you find their mother.”
“Logan has a detective on it. I want to believe the holidays have just slowed things down… but it can’t be that hard to find someone, can it?”
“People don’t vanish like that unless they want to, Evy. Maybe this Eleanor doesn’t want to be found.”
“I’m not a naive person, Cami. But something in my gut tells me she didn’t leave by choice. She loved her daughters. I know it.”
“How can you be so sure?”
“Children know when they’re loved. Anna and Rory are absolutely certain their mother adored them. Just as they’re certain their grandmother despises them.”
“Okay, I’ll trust your instinct. But until this woman shows up, are you just going to keep funding Peter’s… whatever?”
“I’ll ask again, Cami: what’s my alternative?”
“Telling Logan would be a fantastic start.”
“I will. When things settle down.”
“And until then, you’re not actually giving that bastard half a million dollars, are you?”
“What if he talks?”
“You called his bluff today, didn’t you? He won’t get another opportunity that easy.”
“Maybe you’re right.”
“You’ve always been the rational one, Evy. What is going on with you?”
I didn’t have an answer. Camila and I were living proof that opposites attract.
In school, she was the studious nerd, graduating early while I took my time.
I was never wild, but I enjoyed parties and dating, while she was always buried in her books.
Yet, I was the pragmatic one, the planner.
She was the soft-hearted idealist, more impulsive and prone to seeing the good in people.
So how had I folded so easily to blackmail?
The answer surfaced, quiet and undeniable. “I was so scared he would ruin everything. That I’d lose my reason to be with Logan and the girls.” My voice broke. “Damn it, Cami… I love those two so much already.”
Tears welled in my eyes, and I fought to hold them back. Camila gently placed her hand over mine.
“Oh, Evy…”
“It’s insane, isn’t it? I’m not their mother. And I’ve known them for such a short time.”
“It’s not insane. I forget Alice didn’t come from my womb, I love her so deeply. And being pregnant now, I can tell you the love I have for this baby feels just as immense as the love I have for her.”
“I know. But it’s different. You and Michael are a family. Logan and I… God, he doesn’t say anything… Sometimes I think he feels something, but…”
“Whoa. Wait. Stop everything.” Camila leaned forward, her eyes wide. “What chapter did I miss?”
With everything happening with Bonnie, we’d barely spoken. Our texts had been short and infrequent.
“We’ve… kind of been having sex,” I confessed.
“Having sex? You mean… more than once? Regularly?”
“Basically every night since Christmas.”
“Since Christmas? That was over two weeks ago!”
“I know. On one hand, it feels like a long time to keep from you. On the other… it’s far too short a time to expect any real feelings from him.”
“And what about from you?”
“I think…” I paused, the admission feeling both terrifying and liberating. “I’m in love.”
“Oh, my God, Evy. This changes everything.”
“Yeah. It’s going to make everything so much harder.
Maybe I gave in to Peter’s blackmail not just for the girls.
I mean, they came first, but they weren’t the only reason.
I didn’t want anything to jeopardize Logan getting that job.
His obsession with it used to irritate me, but now that he’s finally got his priorities straight, I want him to have it. Because it’s his dream.”
“Oh, honey… And you still think you’re in love? It’s written all over you. I didn’t see it before, but now, hearing you talk about him…”
“I’m such a fool. I’m in love with a man whose feelings are probably purely physical, and I have unconditional love for two little girls I’m going to have to walk away from soon.”
“You don’t have to walk away from them, no matter what happens with Logan. And as for him… I think he’s the type who shows his feelings through actions, not words. Maybe you’ll only know for sure if you ask him.”
My phone, which I’d left on the coffee table, lit up with an incoming call. A jolt of fear shot through me—Peter. But I relaxed when I saw Logan’s name on the screen.
Seeing that, Camila kissed my cheek and stood. “And maybe this is your sign to talk to him.”
“About which part?” I asked, picking up my phone. “Peter or my feelings?”
“Start with one. I’m going to bed; today was too much. Goodnight, bestie.”
“Goodnight, Cami.”
I answered the call as she headed down the hall. “Hi, Logan.”
“Hi. I just called to check on the girls. Are they giving you much trouble?”
Of course, I thought. What else would he call about?
“They were a little confused by the funeral. I’m not sure I explained death in a way they could fully grasp, but they’re okay. They’re already in bed, all three of them in the guest room.”
“Thank you. Again.”
“It’s part of my job, isn’t it?”
“Well, you were right all along. Our agreement doesn’t actually specify babysitting duties.”
“True,” I said, trying to sound light. “But I doubt any other babysitting gig would pay me three million for two months.”
I tried to joke, but the words tasted bitter. That’s all this was, wasn’t it? A very well-paid job. Nothing more.
“How is Sebastian?” I asked, quickly changing the subject.
“He finally fell asleep. Michael and I practically had to force a sedative on him.”
“Do you think he’ll be okay?”
“Honestly? I believe so, eventually. But it’s going to take time.”
“I’m so sorry, Logan. This is just so sad.”
“Yeah… Well, I don’t know if it’s appropriate to find any good news right now, but… Carol Holloway contacted me.”
“Seriously? About the interview?”
“Yes. They spoke with the board and managed to convince them to give me another chance.”
“Oh, Logan… that’s wonderful.”
“Yeah. I want to feel happy about it, but… I just can’t, seeing my brother like this.”
“I understand.”
“Anyway, the new interview is in ten days. It means I can stay here with my family a little longer to help out before we head back to New York.”
“So now everything will work out, and you’ll get your dream job.”
“But first,” he said, his voice softening, “I need to know, Evy… if you’ll agree to come back with me.”
The question caught me completely off guard. “Why are you asking? We still have a month left on our agreement.”
“I don’t want you to come just because of an agreement. I want you to come because you want to. Our deal was for a few days in New York, not the extended stay you’ve already done.”
“I’ll go with you, Logan. I’ve… found the atmosphere in New York interesting.”
He let out a soft, knowing laugh. “What a liar. You’re LA-born and you hate the cold.”
How could I argue? He was absolutely right.
“If we’re staying somewhere with a heating system as good as the Holloways’ apartment, I’ll survive.”
“I’ll make sure of it. Well, that’s all I wanted to tell you.”
“Logan…” I said, before he could say goodbye. “There’s something I need to tell you.”
“Of course. What is it? Is it about the girls?”
“No. Well, indirectly, yes. Peter, my ex… he’s been calling me.”
“Your ex? The one who was a complete jerk to you?” I sensed an immediate shift in his tone. Even through the phone, his irritation was palpable.
And I hadn’t even told him the worst part. The fact that he was reacting this way had to mean something—jealousy, concern, or maybe I was just imagining it.
The words tumbled out in a rush. “He’s blackmailing me. He threatened to tell the press I’m not the girls’ mother. He demanded money to stay quiet, and I was stupid enough to pay him. Now he’s back, asking for more. And… I think he’s involved with drugs.”
Logan was silent for a long moment, processing.
Finally, he spoke, his voice calm and decisive. “Text me his number. Better yet, give me his address.”
“I don’t have his address; he moved recently,” I lied. The last thing I wanted was for Logan to confront him. If Peter was mixed up with dangerous people, he might have a gun.
“Then send me the number. I’ll handle it. But I can tell you right now, he won’t get a single cent.”
“Logan, he could tell everyone—”
“Don’t worry about that, Evy. I’ll sort it. You have no reason to apologize. But for tonight, let’s rest. You must be exhausted from the trip and looking after the girls alone.”
“Okay. You get some rest, too.”
“Goodnight. And… Evy?”
“Yes?”
“You’re so much more than just a nanny to the girls. And to me, too.”
After he hung up, I held the phone to my ear for a long time, his final words echoing in my mind, sending a wave of warmth through my heart—even as I hated the possibility that I might just be fooling myself.