CHAPTER 2

The drive to the place was so long. Evangeline wondered if the building was this far from the mall. In the few months since they started dating, she had built a routine around them. They were both so busy. It seemed fair to find a way to keep their relationship afloat. She was left to find a balance as Logan always wanted her around despite his own insane schedule.

So, she would drive down here to get the groceries from this particular mall, as it seemed closer to his place. Today, however, she wondered if she had misjudged the distance like she had misjudged the man, apparently. She ignored her sister who kept calling repeatedly. "I can handle this sis." She sighed. The driver turned to ask if he was being spoken to.

"Oh, ignore that. Can you please step on it though? Thank you."

"Okay ma'am."

The driver wade in and out of the traffic and was soon at Logan's. She tipped him extra and stepped out. The security man recognizing her as his boss' woman smiled and immediately opened the gate. Evangeline smiled and walked through the insanely huge barricade. She had often teased Logan about the huge doors.

The sight that greeted her left her stomach whirling. "Mary?" She called her friend who was shamelessly clinging to her man.

"Mary?" The two quickly let go of each other's hands. "What's going on here?" She asked perplexed. The image of the two on the internet and the sight she had just met were flashing through her mind in a slow mo. She stilled herself as Logan walked towards her. Something in her expression made him stop mid stride. Good!

"Evan, it's not what you think." Logan said. He stood a few feet away, gauging her mood. He realized what this must have looked like: caught red handed. Just yesterday his picture had surfaced the internet and they were not good ones. Now, the lady with whom the pictures concerned was wrapped in his arms. He took another step, "It was...."

"Fine." Evangeline said and turned to leave. What had she come here to do anyway? There was nothing left to be done. If proof was what she needed, she had it. She blamed herself for being so gullible. How had she let this happen? And right under her nose!

Sad and disappointed, she hailed a cab and left home with both betrayals helplessly looking on.

"Take me to the airport please." She suddenly told the man.

The driver stopped the car. "I'm heading to the airport, please take me there." She repeated. There wasn't any point going home. It was the last place she wanted to be right now. She will probably need a few clothes as she wasn't sure she was coming back soon. But she could shop for those later. Right now, all she needed was a distance from this city and the memory it holds. She dialled her PA's number.

"Hey, Audrey. Please come to the airport now with my passport and wallet. It should be in the lower cabinet."

Once at the airport, she waited impatiently for Audrey to arrive. She picked her phone and dialled her number. A phone ringing beside her made her raise her head. Audrey was a few feet away. The young lady hurried to meet her.

"Did you get everything?" Evangeline asked her PA who handed her the passport and wallet.

"I did ma'am." Audrey replied calmly even though she was worried about this sudden journey. Her boss had packed nothing. She was travelling without a single clothe other than the lovely red gown she had on. She would probably shop for some anyway.

"Here's my car keys. I left it on Madison-Square Park. Please take it home for me. I'll be gone awhile. You must be available whenever I need you."

"Okay boss."

"Anything happens, call me immediately, alright?"

"Yes ma'am."

"And if any of my friends. Well, maybe just Zoe. If she comes over, tell her to call. I should be back soon." She handed him the car keys and walked towards the bookings counter.

"What about the Harrisons? You were supposed to meet today and finalize the matching glow deal over lunch." Audrey said calling after her boss.

Evangeline sighed and turned back to face her. "You are my freaking PA. Do your job. Reschedule the meeting with one excuse or anything. I've got to go." She stormed off and the look on her face didn't decimate even as she spoke with the flight attendant who kept glancing at her nervously. She handed over her passport and booked her flight.

The attendant smiled uneasily. Evangeline Nelson wasn't a strange face here. She uses her their plane every time she travels. She already have a spot too. He checked to be sure she could have her privacy considering she was in no mood for petty talks. And he got her booked on the next flight. Handling her the passport and other documents, he told her to enjoy her trip.

Wordlessly, Evangeline collected her documents and started to walk away. Her phone vibrated again. It was her sister again. She picked the call.

"Oh, thank God. I've been worried." Adriana said breathlessly.

"Adriana, I'm on my way to you. I'll be there by evening."

"Alright. Have a safe trip." She said.

Evangeline disconnected the call as she made her way to the private room she had reserved. It wasn't empty. She didn't like that. Dropping her bag on the couch, she turned around to get the hostess just as she heard the pilot announce over the speaker that due to an emergency their flight would be leaving now.

At a loss, she sat back down hoping that whoever would be sharing the space with her for the couple hours would be kind enough to let her be. Sighing in irritation, she laid on the couch and soon dozed off totally exhausted.

The nap all but lasted an hour. An annoyingly loud sound woke her up. Evangeline stretched and yawned wondering what had awaken. She looked at her strange surrounding. It took a while before she could pick out that she was still on the plane. The place reeked of drugs. Not one for drug smell, she flared her nostrils in irritation. What's going on here? A few steps across from her were a couple all curled up in an awkward position. She sat right to have a good view. The man, probably the husband was bent across the wife, kissing her. Were they? As she was about changing position, the man stood up. He had obviously not being kissing her. He held her head up then went to sit on the spot so she could rest her head in her lap.

The obvious display of affection only pissed her off. Not that she could say anything about it. But she was about to sigh loudly so they could feel her presence when she noticed the machines.

They beeped loudly, obviously timed. The sound that woke her must have been from those. They were about six, each connected to a main, and bigger one that runs through the woman's stomach. She instantly felt bad for her. She must have been glaring for ages before realizing the woman was saying something to her.

"What?" She asked, quickly composing herself.

"Don't look at me so guiltily." Her eyes pleaded but her thin lips smiled at the younger blonde woman.

Evangeline was at a loss. The words were spoken so weakly she had to strain her ears to catch each word. "I'm sorry." She answered while looking at the husband apologetically. He was glaring at her. She didn't understand the sour look. Had she done anything to annoy the man? She frowned and turned away.

"It's okay." The woman said and beaconed her closer. Evangeline reluctantly walked towards them fully aware the man's eyes were digging holes into her. She perched on the corner of the bed that the woman patted, implying she should sit there and then held the woman's outstretched hand.

"Such a beauty." She smiled at her. "I'm sure Jason would be glaring at you right now." Ellen Valdez said knowing her husband so well.

Oh! So he's Jason. The name sounded awfully familiar. Smiling at the woman, she said nothing.

"Ignore him. He's been tensed all day." The woman said and started rubbing Evan's hand. "You were muttering in your sleep." She continued. "It wasn't a good sound. Betrayal?"

Evan tried to withdraw her hand but the woman held her tightly. She didn't like this line of conversation. For a couple minutes since she woke up, she had not remembered Logan and her friend tangled in bed on the internet and the sore sight that had greeted her at his home this afternoon. But this woman was making her remember every horrid detail.

"Long story." She replied hoping she would drop it. The words had barely been out of her mouth that the woman went into a rigorous convulsion. The man stood up instantly and pressed a button. Doctors started to troop in. She stood up and walked some few feet away to make room for them and watched as they struggled to keep the woman alive.

As the doctors worked on the woman, Jason started pacing back and forth. His anger filled the room. Evangeline stepped away from his path into her side of the room. She slumped into the little bed she had been lying on earlier.

"Why the hell are we still on air?" Jason bellowed at a man who could only be his PA. "Find out, now." The man scurried away. "And you..." He glared at Evans.

"Next time you feel sorry for someone, make sure to wipe the smug look off your face. You don't have to show it."

So that was why he had been mad at her. Normally, she would have ignored him and excused it has been under duress. But not today. She had gotten enough of shits today to last a lifetime.

"It's my freaking face. My face, my freaking expression. What you gonna do about it?" She yelled back at him. The two glared at each other.

They were still glaring at each other when the PA came back in. He watched the two, perplexed. They were oblivious of the scene they were creating. Some of the doctors were looking at them with interest already. Coughing loudly, he announced that they would be landing soon.

Jason ignored Evan and was at his wife's bedside immediately. The doctors had stabilized her and she was in a deep sleep. Some of the staff finished packing all their instruments and two men wheeled the woman out. At the door, Evangeline held the woman's hand. It was so cold. Scared, she prayed that the woman be okay. The men wheeled her out then. Jason walked right out the door without a glance at her.

On her path, Evangeline smirked and turned away. She heard nothing about the couple when she highlighted from the plane. She would have loved to bid the woman she had known all for five minutes a farewell before leaving. The woman was induced and might still be. Probably wouldn't even know she had been there.

A private jet had been waiting standby to fly the couple to their final destination. She stepped down from the plane only to see the twins running towards her. All thought of the couple was forgotten as she hopped the distance half way to her niece and nephew. "Hey you!" She beamed as she was being swept into a tight hug. She rubbed their chestnut hair happily.

"How are you Linne?" Elizabeth asked pulling away from the threesome hug. It was only Elizabeth who called her Linne. She smiled at the little girl with wide eyes. Before she could reply, her brother; Ethan asked, "How is Audrey? Did you bring her?"

"I'm fine, Liz," She replied the first twin and turned to the other. "And why would I bring Audrey? Aren't you happy to have me by your side?"

Last summer, she had forced Audrey to spend Christmas with her family in Miami. Audrey had no family herself and spends most holidays doing nothing. Out of pity and a sense of responsibility, she had asked the PA to come with. Ethan had bonded with her the moment he saw her. Their friendship had gone on even after their two weeks break. He had insisted Audrey call to check on him every now and then. Sometimes, he cries until his mom calls Audrey and have him speak with her. Lately, he had stopped bothering with the calls but that didn't mean he has forgotten the pretty Lady.

Elizabeth was another story. While Ethan had clicked with Audrey instantly, she had avoided the lady all through the holiday. She made sure Audrey's and her path didn't cross. She cried when left alone with her and wouldn't even collect anything from her. This must have endeared Ethan more to her PA. Like they say, though twins, they had nothing in common. Their connection ended the moment both were delivered. Ethan loved his toys as well as meeting people while Elizabeth prefers playing by herself and hated being left alone with strangers. It wasn't a surprise she had no friends while her twin had tones both kids and adults. Surprisingly, Elizabeth was the chatter box. She was inquisitive.

"It's the scores she bought for him." Elizabeth tongues out at him.

"Don't you dare!" Ethan threatened and they were both going to stop arguing and running around when Evan cautioned them.

"Well." Ethan shrugged and started to pull her towards the exit. "Mom's waiting there," He explained.

"Where's your bag?" Elizabeth asked looking around.

Realizing now that she had forgotten to get her seven-year-old relatives something along the way, she started to think of something they'd love to have.

"Oh, it's just me and my wallet this time."

"It's a short visit then." The little girl replied, disappointment written all over her face.

Evangeline knew that look, "I miss you too, Liz. I'm staying awhile. The visit was impromptu. We can both just go shop for some." That seem to brighten up her niece's face.

Ethan suddenly stopped and stood across her path, "And did you even buy anything for me? Us?" He corrected as his sister glared at him.

"Wait and see, baby." Evangeline replied smartly. They got to Adriana who looked at her with poppy eyes. She suddenly remembered Jason accusing her of wearing her heart on her face. She must have had this look on when she looked at his wife.

"Please don't look at me that way." She accused and opened the car.

"No hugs?" Adriana said as she settled in. the twins scooted into the car too and closed the door.

"Not when you have that look?" Evangeline replied, bringing out her phone. She went online and made a quick order for the twins. She paid extra to have the delivery ready before they were home. Satisfied, she smiled at her sister proudly. Adriana shook her head. She had expected to see a distraught sister walking out the plane. Whoever this was, wasn't distraught. She had a smile plastered on her face. Perhaps she was taking it so hard and this was some sort of psychological breakdown. Whatever it was, she hopes Evan was alright. Her sister had been through series of heartbreaks. And this time her best friend?

"I'm okay, really." Evangeline said cutting into her sister's worried thoughts. She turned towards the window as an ambulance sped past them. Her heart reached out to the woman from the plane. Suddenly feeling overwhelmed, she let her head rest on the car seat and sighed heavily.

CHAPTER 3

It wasn't until midnight that she had the room to herself. Immediately after dinner, she had excused herself and gone to the room she usually stayed in whenever she visited Adriana. The twins had followed her, playing around and bombarding her with questions.

She remembered the look on their faces when they saw the deliveryman waiting by their gate. They had both jumped out of the car and ran to inspect their present. Ethan got a big bicycle while Elizabeth had a car with a full-grown toy.

"I can make her hair." She screamed as she unwrapped her gift. She had given her aunt a big warm and ran to join Ethan who had rode the bicycle away then. Moments like those were ecstatic. She treasured moments like these. The twins were a gift both to her and their mom.

They had come at a time when Adriana desperately needed a miracle. She had been married close to five years before they came along. And those five years had been pretty rough. She had watched her sister go from cheerful to something sour. Gone was the Adriana that was fun to be with.

In her place was an irritating, easily provoked sister. She stopped dressing up and stayed indoor most of the time. She was always moody. Evangeline had flown in almost every weekend and every other day she was free to get her to be cheery.

Whenever she wasn't around, Noah her husband stayed close. Like everyone, he was scared she might end up hurting herself. Doctors had been concerned about their childlessness. Medically, both couple had been certified okay. No one could understand the delay.

When eventually Adriana took in, she regained her vigor. Having her back to her old self was a blessing again. The twins had given their family a new start. And nothing was too much to hand over to those lovely kids. Both kids had been chatty all day. Several times she tried to get them out of her room so she could rest, but they wouldn't leave. They were either running around, chasing each other or throwing pillows. She let them be while getting ready for bed. She changed in the bathroom and came back to see they had climbed into the bed and waiting for her to get in. She understood what that implied. Only she would have to disappoint them this one time.

"Bed time story?" Elizabeth asked, looking bright eyed.

"Not tonight." She replied stifling a yawn.

"You must be really exhausted. Mom said to let you rest." Elizabeth added and Ethan got up to leave.

Evangeline smiled. If she had known the yawn was all it needed to get them out, she had have done it hours ago. The two gave her a warm hug, thanked her again for their gifts and left her room. She smiled at their poise. Adriana was raising them to be great elites.

Finally, alone in the room, Evan realized she wasn't even tired enough to sleep. She turned on the TV after closing the door quietly and mute the volume. Then she went to lay down on the bed. Flipping through then channels, she couldn't find something fun to watch.

She turned it off and took her phone. Audrey had left her a message. She replied and was about dropping it when she saw Logan's picture in her gallery. Angrily, she went to the gallery and deleted every picture.

The last one was a picture they had taken with Mary at the picnic Zoe had organized. The picture brought back memories. She sat up remembering how she had caught Mary smiling down at Logan that day. It wasn't strange to see her light up every time he entered the room. They had been childhood friends just like she had been friends since with Mary since college days. But those two had grown up together. They were almost inseparable. It was Mary who introduced Logan to her and they had clicked instantly. Logan was charming and cool headed. It didn't take him a week to sweep her off her feet. The two had started dating a month after. But somehow, she could sense Mary wasn't too happy about it.

"I can't believe you're seeing Logan." Mary voiced one evening unable to hold it anymore. The tri had gone for their weekend spa treatment as usual. They were now being massaged in the same room by three experts.

"Didn't you introduced them?" Zoe asked, raising her head from the bed to stare down Mary. The lady working on her back paused to let her turn around.

"My words exactly." Evangeline mocked sighing contentedly while her neck was being rubbed.

"I like him. He's cool headed." She added, then looking at her friend she asked, "Is seeing Logan such a bad idea?"

"I don't want you getting hurt. He might be my friend but Logan is a playboy." Mary said seriously.

"Well, I don't know about that. We will ride along and see, won't we now?"

"But---"

Zoe waved off whatever Mary had been about to say, "She can take care of herself Mary. Besides, I see why she likes him. He must be a beast in bed."

When Evan chuckled and used her hand to zip her mouth, Zoe laughed "See? If Logan is a player, then he wouldn't mind getting played too."

It had been a rule with the friends never to get emotionally attached to any guy. The pact had been made when Zoe got played by her boyfriend. All three had had their shares of guys. Most had been cut off by them while some had blown them away resulting in devastating heartbreak. They were all from wealthy homes, had money to lavish around and were doing well for themselves. No man deserve so much to break them. "I just don't want you to get hurt." Mary had said with a note of finality.

"I won't." She had said casually. She hadn't planned on having feelings for Logan. He was sweet and all but she didn't want anything messed up. It was supposed to be that way until things changed.

She didn't know when exactly it happened. All she knew was she was falling for the man in a way that she had never before. Ashamed, she had kept this a secret, making sure not to give herself away. She could only tell Adriana about it. Which was why the day Zoe accused Mary of clinging to Logan too much, she had let her senses be at alert.

It didn't take long to find out Zoe was right. Mary might be his friend, but she was the woman in his life and Mary wasn't giving the man a breathing space. She was always around him, trying to get his opinion on something or get him to do something for her. "Do you like Mary?" She had asked him one evening. Logan Thames had been about to kiss her when she turned away then ask the question weighing his reaction.

"Where did that come from?" He had asked looking worried. Undeterred, she had asked again.

Logan had sat up straight, seeing that she meant it. "I don't, she's just my childhood friend. I have no feelings for her and never will. And I'm sure it's mutual," He declared sincerely. Evangeline wasn't so sure about that.

"You know her boyfriends. I've met some too." Logan said, laughing hard at the idea of being with Mary. "She's one crazy gal." He busted in another bout of laugh that made Evan lose her cool. She started laughing with too.

"Oh, so I'm amusing now?" She threw a pillow at him.

"It's ridiculous," He grabbed her and she had wriggled out of his grasp and ran outside the room. Whatever preposterous idea she had had of both friends having had dissipated then.

At least that was what she had thought at the time. If Logan didn't like her, then all was okay. She had assumed. If Mary did have feelings for him, she didn't say. But somehow, the two had found themselves tangled in a hotel room naked. Her vibrating phone brought her back to the moment.

It was Logan again. She ignored it and read the message out loud instead. "It's not what I think? Yet there are naked pictures of you both everywhere," she said, amused at the old line he was using on her.

Then she told Siri to check the internet. Someone had tried deleting the pictures. That wasn't a surprise. Logan had the resources to pull that off. Thinking of resources, how had the pictures surfaced on the internet anyway? Logan's media team tackled every negative comments and image of him online.

Bad press wasn't good for the company so they handled that well. But somehow this had managed to pass their sniffing nose. It could only mean that it was done by someone who could bypass them. Someone who had access and knew how to get him alone. She found the pictures on a blog and started looking. She had no idea what she was looking for until she saw a picture. Evan stared at it again.

In the picture, Logan's face was turned slightly away from the camera but he was sleeping. Mary on the other hand had on a thoroughly-fucked and exhausted look to indicate what had been going on before the picture was taken. She had been aware of the camera, Evangeline noted with disdain.

This was it then. "So funny." She laughed and stretched tiredly then stood up from the bed. The view from this room had always been lovely. She parted the curtain and pulled a chair towards the window. The flashy lights everywhere made the whole place look spectacular. A soft knock on her door made her turn towards the entrance. "Come in, Ad." Her sister walked in quietly and closed the door.

"They finally slept." She announced, implying the twins had turned in for the night "So, it's just us girls now," pulling a chair towards the window, she sat down and both women stared at the light. "You've always loved Miami."

"I do." Evangeline smiled. This was the city that raised her. They had schooled here and started life right here. Her first kiss, first boyfriend and everything firsts had happened right here in this City.

The Swiss family was a well-known name. Evangeline and Adriana had grown up to know they were princesses here. There's was old wealth. But everything had changed after her parents divorced. Though their dad left, her mother had stayed with the girls. That had somehow tainted the good memories she had of Miami. Places that one's held good memories became filled with sadness and it was pointless staying on. "I just couldn't stand it anymore after dad".

"He did a number on us all. Didn't he?" Adriana put in sadly. Recalling those days were a torture. Her family had been perfect; having an Attorney dad and mom with the other companies to run. Both parents loved them just as the kids had assumed they loved each other. But it had all been a front they put up so the kids wouldn't know. Indoors, their discreet fights and accusations.

"I was crushed when he left." She continued while Evan stared out the window intensely. "But mom must have been so shocked. She was ill weeks after, though she kept claiming it had nothing to do with dad leaving."

The two sisters chuckled. "But you were pretty upset. You cried a lot."

Evangeline smiled sadly, "I was devastated. I started to hate everyone you know." She sighed.

"Miami was no longer what it used to be. I couldn't stay." She said apologetically.

"You shut everyone out." Adriana told her sister sadly. "And left to start Madison."

"Which is raking in millions now by the way." Evangeline told her proudly.

"Cheers to that." She hugged her and whispered, "Not like you needed the millions. Dad left us heaps of that."

Evangeline shrugged, nothing as best as having your own hard earned money. Her sister had taken her share of the family wealth and was doing well. She was also managing the law firm with their mother and so far, they were doing okay.

Noah was seeing to the running of the cotton manufacturing company as well as coffee shops and every other family extension business. The controlling power however remained in the family. Apparently love didn't clear doubts of betrayal it would seem. Even though her sister loved her husband dearly, she didn't let him get the controlling power. She had a feeling the twins would be getting those and her own kids, should she ever get some.

Smiling at her sister, she replied "I love making my own money more."

"And shutting the world out while you do." Her sister retorted darkly, hating that she wouldn't pick her calls or even bother checking on the family whenever she had a business deal to close.

Evan was ruthless when it came to sealing deal. She could have used that power and be a prolific lawyer, instead she had chosen technology over family tradition. If she had wanted to be a lawyer, their father walking out on them had quenched that.

Evangeline sighed, and muttered under her breathe. "I must have gotten that from dad." She smirked. "I didn't hear Noah come in. Is he home?"

"He travelled and should be back this weekend. Business."

"Okay." She pulled her robe tighter and pulled down the blinds. It was getting chilly already.

"So, how are you holding up?" Adriana asked seriously.

Evangeline thought about it awhile. "That I'm disappointed is an understatement. But other than that, I'm okay." It felt strange to be. But she realised it was the honest truth.

"Sure? Mary in bed with Logan? It must have been shocking."

"I think in a way I knew she liked him. I just didn't expect Logan to fall into this crap."

Adriana tensed, "You knew and didn't see why it could be a problem later? You're smarter than that."

"He doesn't have feelings for her." Evan defended, knowing she was right about that. Her sister's wide eyed expression made her add, "But she does..."

"Yes."

"Honestly, it had been a shock at first seeing those pictures, you know. I felt betrayed." she turned back to the view.

"Then tonight I saw the pictures. Really looked at them objectively, like when you are try finding to find the loophole in a business deal." She sighed.

"It was funny seeing me analyse my relationship that way." She shrugged.

Adriana patted her hand, Evan reached over to rub the hand. "Then I found it." She stood up to pick her phone from the bed so she could show her sister the picture. "Look at it very well, the angle of the camera" she pointed out.

"Where do you think it was?"

Adriana studied the picture, "Under the pillow?" She asked.

"Bingo!" Evangeline announced excitedly. When her sister stared at her with confusion, she explained, "It wasn't paparazzi or hotel staff trying to buy spotlight with their pictures, it was someone in the room. It couldn't have been his PA or anyone that could lose their job... It can only be---"

"It's Mary." Adriana finished off.

"Yes."

"But what has she got to get from it all?"

"Everything. She wanted me and Logan done. And she got it."

Adriana was in shock. She kept staring at the picture. "Does Logan know this?"

"I don't care if he does, sis. He was in that room with her. That's all that matters. We're done."

"This changes everything Evan. Don't you think so?" Adriana pointed out.

"I don't think so. Can we stop talking about this now? I'm exhausted already."

"Fine." She stood up and patted her sister, then walked out of the door. Stopping at the door way, Adriana peered at her. "I'm seeing mom tomorrow with the twins. Should I let her know you're coming? Dinner with her would be good."

Her sister and mom were hardly on good terms.

"Sure," Evangeline replied stiffly.

CHAPTER 4

Jason rushed in after his wife ignoring the doctor's plea to stay outside the room. The instant they had landed; she had been taken to the ICU. Their personal doctor, Doctor Tom alongside other doctors all over the world had been flown in to attend to her. She had been operated on severally but it was futile. Her cancer had eaten too deeply before it was discovered. It was inevitable but he had the money to delay her death as long as possible and he'd be damned if he let her die without fighting hard. Jason Valdez started pacing the big private hospital room, flinching as the doctors opened up his wife. He stood then trying to think if another option was available. His personal doctor watched in despair. "Please, wait outside."

Jason stared at the man, lost. "Can't you try evacuation?" He asked.

The doctor walked him out trying to explain the situation to him. The other doctors were relieved to see him out. Jason's restlessness and cold demeanour was a distraction. "There is nothing to remove, Jason." Doctor Tom explained.

"What do you mean nothing to remove?"

"The cancer has eaten deep. The said womb is no longer visible. It's been integrated into her body." The loud sound of the machine distracted them. Both men looked up and were in the room immediately. The doctors were running everywhere "What's going on?"

"She's losing blood. Her pressure is high. I need a hand here." Announced the lead doctor. "Please walk Mr Valdez out." He ordered.

Jason left calmly but remained just behind the closed door. The doctors worked tirelessly for hours and finally got her stabilized. As they trouped out, he grabbed the lead doctor. "How's she? Can I see her now?"

"She's alright, for now. She is tired and would be asleep in the next...." He checked his time, "Five minutes. See her now and make it short, please." He told him and walked away.

Jason walked into the room quietly. Is wife turned weakly to look at him "I knew you'd be here the minute they left." She offered him a weak smile.

"Hey!" Jason was instantly by her side. The two held hands and remained in that position till she slept off. There was nothing to say. They were both thankful she had made it yet again. He continued rubbing her hair until she slept. Then some doctors came in to check her condition and he asked how long she's be asleep. Then he left.

****

The hot afternoon sun was so intense, Evangeline blamed herself for lazing around all morning. She was beginning to hate the idea of dinner with their mother. That woman had turned Judge Judith on her over the years, always seeing faults in every of her choices. She was sure she would have something sour to say to her today again. But then again, she was used to her pathetic talks. She was going to look her best and ignore her tonight. Driving the old Camry to the boutique, she stepped out and walked into the place. The shop attendant greeted her warmly and took her to the common room. "I want the upper class." She explained and the lady apologized then walked her to the upper room. She sighted the cloth she wanted instantly.

A black velvet gown was on display. It was well sequined and lovely enough for her. "Give me that and two other." She said pointing at the gown. She went to their shoe section and also made a few purchase. Satisfied she was okay for now, she gave the lady her card and had it packed. As she stepped out, Jason who had come to get his wife some toiletries and clothing met her by the door. The two stared at each other.

"It's you." He said.

"Oh." Evangeline replied then remembered his wife "How's she?"

"She's okay. Stable now. Thank you." He made to leave but Evangeline stayed on his path, raising his brow, he asked "Anything?"

"Can you take me to her?" She asked.

"Not right now, she's induced and would be out for hours." He told her and he started to walk away.

Evangeline stepped out of his way and shrugged, he must be hurting. Then she followed him, "I'd really like to say hello." She insisted.

"Okay." was all he said to her and went about picking things. She didn't volunteer to help. It was obvious he felt obliged to do this himself. He was probably trying to punish himself for something he had done to his wife. Heavens know what. When he was done, he paid and wordlessly stepped out. She followed him to his car and was driven to the hospital. "She's very exhausted. Just say what you have to say and leave."

"So hostile." She breathed in hush tone so he wouldn't hear her and stepped into the room.

The woman smiled at her husband and looked at her with interest, "Oh, you came."

"Yes, I did. How are you?" Evangeline asked sitting close to her.

"I've been better," She said. "What's your name? I've been trying to put a name to the face."

"Evangeline."

"Nice." When she yawned, her eyes began to close.

"I'm sorry, the drugs are making me..." She was asleep before she could complete the sentence. Evangeline smiled at Jason and walked out of the room. She wasn't about to let him see her pain again. Tearfully she told her sister she would be joining them late for dinner. Adriana who was picking the twins up would be headed to their mother's apartment from there. She went to get her car and made a quick drive to the house for a cold shower.

Dressing up took longer. Evangeline knew this was needed. Her mother had a habit of licking him irrelevant things about how she looked. It didn't matter that twice now she had been named 'Best dressed woman in technology' twice by City magazine. An article she was sure her mother had seen. At the door, she tucked in an escaped hair then press the doorbell.

"Hello mother." She tried not to sound as trite as her mother who welcomed her with no enthusiasm.

"Late as always." Mrs Swiss accused as they both hug each other stiffly and exchanged brief pecks on their cheeks.

Evan left the statement hanging but offered the champagne she had brought and shrugged out of her coat. The hanger already held her sisters' and the kids' coat. She took her time hanging hers before joining the other.

"You look curvy." Her sister blurted out as the twins ran to hug her.

"Hey you. How was school today?"

"I wanted you to come pick us. It was a disappointment to see mom..." Ethan was saying then stopped.

"Disappointment to see your mother?" Mrs Swiss said joining the whole family at the dinning.

"Grandma, that's not what I meant. Mom?' he turned to his mother for some sort of help.

Adriana turned away, trying to look like she was angry, "I disappoint you?" She teased wickedly. The boy started to stutter.

"I... no. I didn't ...."

"That's because he had bragged about his rich bad ass aunt coming to pick us all day in school." Elizabeth explained.

"You did? I would have come had you said so." Evangeline smiled at him, "Tomorrow?"

"Deal." Ethan said, gave his aunt high-five then ran to hug his mother. "I love you mother." He threw himself at her.

"I know baby."

"Now, can we eat?" Mrs Swiss said, ringing the bell. The maids came to start dishing the food. Evangeline rolled her eyes at the old tradition. Her mother was still as stiff as she had known. Always following custom. Mrs Swiss noticed and waited calmly for the maids to leave. "And do you have something to say to me?"

Evangeline smiled brightly, "No mother."

The twins were about digging in to their food when Mrs Swiss busted out, "Not in my house you both."

They dropped their spoons hastily. "Let's pray. Dear Lord, bless this food and everyone who has graciously graced our table tonight." She said, looking pointedly at Evan.

"Amen." Everyone chorused and began to eat.

After a swallow, Mrs Swiss asked her youngest daughter, "And why are you in town, pray tell?"

"Mother?" Adriana cautioned. "Can we just eat and be grateful we are all here together now?"

"What's wrong in asking my daughter why she's home?"

Nobody replied and everyone ate quietly. Even the twins could sense the tension. They talked only in hushed tones.

The table was cleared and desert was being set up when Mrs Swiss asked again. "How's your company doing these days? I heard the Technological Company is quite the deal."

"Fine mother."

"And your man?"

"None mother."

"Why?"

"Nothing mother." Evangeline pushed back her seat, a clear warning she would be leaving soon. Her mother smiled sarcastically but changed topic. Turning to her oldest child, "When is Noah coming again?"

"He should be here by weekend. He met the client yesterday. They would be having the meeting during lunch today. So, all goes well and we can have him home soon."

"Yay!" the twins yelled excitedly.

From the corner of her eyes, Mrs Swiss saw her youngest daughter pull the red wine and poured herself a full glass, she gulped it down. Her mother pretended not to see that but was clearly annoyed. When she poured herself another cup, Mrs Swiss had had enough. "Is being home so bad you have to get drunk to see it through?"

"The wine was there mom. Didn't you want us to have it? Why bring it out then?" Evans retorted angrily, whatever calmness she had been determined to act flew out the window that minute.

"I don't know why you have to leave without a backward glance. You wouldn't call, wouldn't pick my call."

"I needed to breathe. Was that so hard to understand too?" She yelled.

"Ladies, the kids. Can we calm down please?" Adriana cut in but no one listened to her.

"It's not my fault you know." Mrs Swiss said quietly.

"And I don't blame you that dad left us either. I never did."

"You did...deep down, you must have blamed me."

"Why would you come to that conclusion when I never said anything?" Evangeline blurted out angrily.

"You didn't have to, you acted it."

"Wow, way to go mother." She stood up, "Thanks for dinner. I'll see myself out." Evangeline stormed out of the house without listening to Adriana's plead.

"Why can't you just let the past be?" Adriana said sadly to her mother.

"You think it's past when she wouldn't even stay a week here." Her mother glared.

"That's because she has a business and a life back in Los Angeles. And right now, she's going through a lot. I wish you'll cut her some slack. I begged you on the phone to be nice to her."

"Why walk around edges around my own child?"

"Because she's hurt, Mother." Adriana said. She stood up to leave too. "Thanks for dinner, mom." The twins hugged their grandmother and followed their mother out.