Download App
4.22% The Billionaire's Rental Wife Is A Hot Shot / Chapter 9: Bitter Yet Sweet

Chapter 9: Bitter Yet Sweet

Evelyn's cheeks flushed red, butterflies fluttering in her stomach as their eyes locked in the mirror. Zevian's familiar teasing smirk and his almost pitch-black eyes twinkling with a mixture of admiration and something deeper made her heart beat erratically. Memories of their shared passion and love flooded back, overwhelming her senses.

Quickly, Evelyn averted her gaze, cursing herself and her treacherous heart that still seemed to hold a corner for him. She had thought she had completely moved on, that he wouldn't affect her anymore, yet one glance from him stirred emotions in her that even her ex-fiancé hadn't managed to evoke in the past few years.

She rapidly applied the ointment with as much care as she could muster, trying to ignore the electric tension between them and his eyes that seemed to be constantly on her.

"It-it's done," Evelyn stammered, quickly placing the cream tube back into the box and closing it. Without daring to look back at him, she rushed toward the large front doors.

A chuckle escaped Zevian's lips as he watched her flee like a startled rabbit. He missed this, and it made him realize how much he had missed her, despite acting like he had moved on. If only he hadn't made that mistake six years ago, they wouldn't be here, feeling awkward like strangers. And, she would have been safe, away from these schemes and sacrifices.

Avery, who was having tea with the manager, smiled as she saw Evelyn emerge from the room. Her flustered expression was all Avery needed to know her mission was successful. Considering the devil her cousin was, he had probably melted Evelyn's walls a little.

Walking over to Evelyn, Avery spoke as if unaware of what might have happened inside. "What should we have for lunch? Let's go to my favorite sushi restaurant!" she added excitedly, having missed eating there for more than two weeks because of her business trip.

Evelyn nodded with a smile, thinking it would be the perfect way to escape and also to discuss Mr. Igor's future projects.

"Drop us off at Nexus Street," Avery instructed her cousin as he walked out of the room. Zevian nodded, but his sulking expression didn't go unnoticed by Avery. It seemed he was a little sad about not spending more time with Evelyn, and she sighed aloud.

"God, do you always have to make me their cupid?!" Avery grumbled inwardly, walking out of the boutique recalling the good old college days when she had pulled crazy stunts to send them on dates. 

"Oh shit! I had a very important meeting scheduled with Mr. Igor, and I forgot about it!" Avery murmured as they walked toward the gates. John, who had finished dealing with Nicholas and was waiting for his boss, quickly pulled the car in front of them seeing them exit the boutique.

"Let's go to the company then," Evelyn suggested, seeing it as a good opportunity to apologize to Mr. Igor for her absence during the trip.

"No, you can't!" Avery freaked, and when Evelyn frowned, she quickly added, "I mean, you must be tired from all the trials. You should rest up! Leave Mr. Igor to me, I'll take care of him."

"But—"

"I will use your car since it's urgent," Avery said to Zevian, cutting off her best friend. "Get another car and drop her off at my apartment. It's on the way to your company, anyway," she added, getting into his car.

Evelyn looked troubled, clearly not yet ready to be alone with him, but Avery didn't leave her a chance to even speak, demanding John to drive. John looked at his boss, and at Zevian's nod, he reluctantly started the engine.

"Make sure to have lunch together first," the cupid said, waving at them with a cheeky smile.

Zevian nodded in delight, making a mental note to give her a bonus later as the car rode away, leaving them alone on the street.

But his happiness was short-lived as Evelyn turned to him and said, "I'm going to take the subway. It's not far from here."

"Have a good day, Mr. Reign." Slightly bowing to him, Evelyn turned on her heels and walked in the opposite direction. As she took a curvy turn, she heaved a sigh of relief, thinking Zevian hadn't followed her.

But as if even the heavens were disappointed by her decision, they thundered loudly and it suddenly started to rain, the slow drizzle quickly turning into a heavy downpour.

"Shit!" Evelyn cursed under her breath for not bringing an umbrella, despite the weather forecast's warnings. Placing her hands over her head, she frantically looked around for some shelter, shivering as her white cotton shirt clung to her skin, offering little protection from the cold rain.

Suddenly, like a scene straight out of a romantic movie, a thick black coat appeared above her head. She turned to her right to see Zevian bending down to her height, covering both their heads with the coat, leaving just an inch of space between their faces.

He turned to her, their eyes locking once again, and it still had the same impact on her heart and mind, even though they had done it countless times today.

"There," Zevian pointed to a nearby building, pulling her back to reality. "Let's go." He ushered her forward, and they crossed the road to the other side of the street. Evelyn's cheeks almost turned red as their bodies brushed against each other, their faces so close she could hear his breathing.

Reaching the building, they stepped onto the tiles, sheltering under the small covered roofing. Zevian flicked his coat, shaking off the raindrops, and instead of taking it back, he placed it over her shoulders.

Evelyn's eyes widened, heat rising to her cheeks as he made sure she was properly covered. Once satisfied, he stood beside her and leaned against the wall, leaving her heart racing again.

But it didn't end just there. Zevian noticed that the roof wasn't big enough to completely shelter her, leaving half of her body exposed. He tentatively stepped in front of her, causing her breath to hitch again. She lowered her head and quickly moved back, her back pressing against the cold wall with only a few inches separating them.

Badam! Badam!

Evelyn could hear her heartbeat in her ears, the urge to run away intensifying. As she stood there, lost and troubled, her eyes noticed the raindrops soaking his white shirt, wetting the back she had just treated. Subconsciously, she clutched his shirt and pulled him closer, her action catching Zevian off guard. He placed his left hand on the wall for support, leaning into her gentle pull. A small smile spread across his lips as he saw her glancing at his back, concern evident in her eyes as she made sure it wasn't getting soaked.

Evelyn's gaze returned to his, her eyes slightly widened as she realized her own actions. She instantly let go of his shirt, her hands clenching into fists as they fell beside her. Her heartbeat only grew wilder as his gentle gaze remained fixed on her, their close proximity and that damn familiar intimacy flooding her with memories of their bittersweet past.

It was these little gestures that had brought them closer in the past, the very reasons they had madly liked each other, even though they had barely dated for over a year. Never in her wildest dreams did she imagine reliving these moments, in the same rain that had witnessed both their joy and their heartbreak.

"Didn't you love playing in the rain?" Zevian broke the electric silence between them, glancing at the downpour that once brought out the inner child in her. Evelyn used to jump into the streets, pulling him along and forcing him to dance with her.

"I don't like it anymore," Evelyn replied, a small pout gracing her lips, but she didn't dare to look up at him. The rain reminded her too much of him, so she had given up on it completely.

A small smile tugged at Zevian's lips, and he bent down so they were face to face. "Aww, seems like you have finally grown up." He teased, ruffling her hair like he did in the past.

Evelyn felt her entire body heating up as she looked at him, their faces so close that if she leaned in any closer, they would almost kiss. But along with the embarrassment, a kind of rage mixed in her veins.

The urge to pull him closer and bite his cheek the way she did whenever he teased her overtook all the awkwardness she had felt around him until now. But she held herself back, making a mental note to deal with him after their marriage. She would get many such opportunities to pay back, wouldn't she?


CREATORS' THOUGHTS
Zelra Zelra

Yes, Eva! I will make sure to help you tease him in the future \^o^/ Please throw some gifts, golden tickets, etc if you like the progress. It will boast me to write steamy scenes in the future hehe~

Chapter 10: Unexpected Guest

The next two days flew by in a whirlwind, setting the stage for the most scandalous wedding the city had ever seen. Despite the short notice, guests eagerly arrived at the beachfront resort, drawn by the prospect of witnessing the downfall of the most notorious fake heiress in their society.

The ceremony was set against a magnificent ocean backdrop, with waves gently lapping at the pristine sandy beach. Neatly arranged chairs and tables lined the balcony, offering a perfect sunset view. A heart-shaped wooden frame adorned with vibrant blooms served as the picturesque stage for the couple. Lanterns hung from palm trees, casting a warm glow as the soft hum of waves provided a serene soundtrack.

Sophia dressed in a sleek red dress that exuded authority and malice, roamed around the venue, acting as if she had arranged everything herself, though the Wrights hadn't spent a penny for this wedding. She couldn't help but smile at the setup for the chaos she had orchestrated.

"Seriously, Annabelle?" Sophia grumbled as Annabelle approached her, walking steadily. "This is an important day. Don't cause any trouble!" Sophia glared at her sweet daughter, adjusting the splint on her right wrist. She wanted nothing to spoil the fun of finally throwing Evelyn out of the Wright family. Not her own puppets at least!

"Isn't it suspicious that she agreed to the marriage so easily?" Annabelle asked for the umpteenth time, her brows furrowed. She couldn't shake off the odd feeling, especially after seeing that handsome man, the richest tycoon according to Vincent, save Evelyn at the boutique. It added more pieces to the puzzle.

"She realized there's no escape and accepted her fate," Sophia replied smugly, her overconfident smirk dismissing any concerns.

"But—"

"Quit ruining my mood. Go find your lover boy; he's our main actor today," Sophia snapped, pushing Annabelle toward the entrance. This day would become a nightmare for Evelyn, and for the first time in decades, Sophia missed Evelyn's real mother. 

"Only if you were here, Mrs. Margaret Wright," she mumbled, looking up at the sky with a smirk before walking downstairs to welcome the guests.

———

In the bride's room, Evelyn stared at her reflection in the mirror, her expression betraying her nervousness. Avery had called to inform her they had left the city and would be there before the vows, but Evelyn's heart still pounded erratically.

Felicia walked in, wearing a royal blue dress. She couldn't help but admire Evelyn in her wedding gown. If only Evelyn hadn't turned out to be the fake daughter, Felicia would have been the proudest mother-in-law today.

Clicking her tongue, she commented, "If you had been a little patient, you would have been marrying my son, Evelyn."

"Stop rubbing salt in her wounds, Felicia," came a hoarse voice from the door. They turned to see a 70-year-old man standing in a brown suit.

"Father-in-law," Felicia quickly bowed, not expecting Edmund Blake to attend the wedding. As he gestured for her to leave with his eyes, she gritted her teeth and walked out.

"Grandpa Edmund," Evelyn greeted him with a small smile. The old man smiled back, his expression one of guilt and pain.

"I'm sorry I couldn't help you more," Edmund said, gently patting Evelyn's head. She was the spitting image of her mother, Margaret. How could William ignore the resemblance and blindly believe those fake reports?

"Rest assured, Grandpa," Evelyn mumbled, holding his hand. She leaned closer and whispered with a smirk, "It's finally my turn to pay them back."

Edmund blinked, looking at her in confusion. "Whoever tried to dig dirt on me will regret it today," Evelyn added in a low voice, her determined eyes intriguing the old man. Oh, how he would love to see her in her villain era!

"I'll go grab the best spot for the show then," Edmund joked, causing Evelyn to chuckle and nod. As he walked out, she turned back to the mirror, taking a deep breath and hoping everything would go according to plan.

———

[An hour later] 

The guests gasped as Evelyn stood beside William at the end of the makeshift aisle. She looked stunning from every angle, and even Vincent, catering to Annabelle, couldn't take his eyes off her.

William reluctantly held out his hand, and Evelyn took his arm like every daughter should on her wedding day. Cameras clicked as they started walking down the aisle, with Nicholas clad in a black suit standing on the stage.

Evelyn looked at each face relishing her suffering: her scheming stepmother, the so-called real heiress, her ex and his family, and everyone else who had once praised her to the skies when she was still the pampered princess of the Wrights. She couldn't wait to slap them with the biggest shock of their lives.

"Don't try anything funny. This wedding will take place at all costs," William warned, his voice low but full of hatred. His fatherly instincts told him Evelyn was up to something again.

Evelyn scoffed softly at his words, trying to remain unaffected. "We are strangers after this marriage, Mr. Wright. And… I hope you will stop resenting me for your wife's death," she said, trying to sound as mean as she could.

William glanced at her, his brows furrowing deeply, but he quickly changed it into a smile as the photographer snapped a picture. They reached the end of the aisle, and he stepped back, allowing Evelyn to face Nicholas.

Evelyn's nose wrinkled as Nicholas came forward, extending his right hand. He reeked of alcohol, but the bandage around his left hand, particularly his fingers, brought a small smile to her lips. It must have been John, she thought. Ignoring his extended palm, she stood beside the pastor.

Nicholas scorned her attitude, but an evil grin quickly replaced it. He would make sure to bend her to his will after this marriage. Standing in front of her, he waited for the pastor to begin the ceremony.

"We all have—"

"Cut the crap and get to the point," Nicholas grumbled, cutting off the old man. Everyone in the room could understand his impatience to marry such a stunning woman and claim her. Many men couldn't help but envy this insolent drunkard.

The pastor frowned, holding back his irritation as the groom glared at him. Rubbing his nose, he moved to the main vows. "Do you, Nicholas Blake, take Evelyn Wright to be your lawfully wedded wife? To—"

"I do!" Nicholas cut off the pastor again, causing the guests to snicker and shake their heads.

Evelyn's heart raced, not expecting things to move so rapidly. This was not how they had planned it! The fact that Zevian hadn't shown up yet raised her blood pressure. She clutched her gown tightly, ready to go with Plan B.

"Do you, Evelyn Wright—"

Before the pastor could continue, William's voice boomed through the venue. "Mr. Reign!" he exclaimed, getting up from his front seat and running toward the entrance.

Even a few guests stood up, surprised to see Zevian and Avery attending this marriage. Evelyn heaved a sigh of relief, her eyes locking with Zevian's before a small smile spread across her face.

Just his arrival was enough to halt this one heck of a wedding, and she couldn't wait to see everyone's reaction to his next surprise.

"I wasn't expecting you to attend on such short notice, Mr. Reign," William murmured excitedly, thinking Zevian was here to respect their recent collaboration. He then acknowledged Avery beside him with a nod, believing her to be there at Evelyn's invitation.

"Please, come have a seat. The wedding has just started."

"I am not here as a guest, Mr. Wright," Zevian declared curtly, his eyes shifting to Evelyn on the stage.

William's smile faltered. "I'm sorry, what do you—"

With a small, confident smile, Zevian cut him off. "I am here to replace the groom and marry your daughter."


Load failed, please RETRY

Gifts

Gift -- Gift received

    Weekly Power Status

    Batch unlock chapters

    Table of Contents

    Display Options

    Background

    Font

    Size

    Chapter comments

    Write a review Reading Status: C9
    Fail to post. Please try again
    • Writing Quality
    • Stability of Updates
    • Story Development
    • Character Design
    • World Background

    The total score 0.0

    Review posted successfully! Read more reviews
    Vote with Power Stone
    Rank 200+ Power Ranking
    Stone 55 Power Stone
    Report inappropriate content
    error Tip

    Report abuse

    Paragraph comments

    Login

    tip Paragraph comment

    Paragraph comment feature is now on the Web! Move mouse over any paragraph and click the icon to add your comment.

    Also, you can always turn it off/on in Settings.

    GOT IT