Chapter 3 The Serpent in the Garden

Just when Eva and Lucian's arranged marriage was starting to feel less cold, trouble showed up at the worst possible moment.

The Thorne charity gala was a big event a night full of rich people and fancy speeches. For Lucian, it was a way to show off his power and prove he was happily married. For Eva, it was just another night she had to pretend to be the perfect wife.

She wore a beautiful dress that Lucian's stylist picked out, and her smile was perfect but it didn't reach her eyes.

The ballroom sparkled with light from giant chandeliers. Guests in expensive clothes chatted quietly, glasses clinked, and a string quartet played soft music. Eva stood next to Lucian, smiling as she shook hands and greeted people. She tried to act like everything was perfect.

Then she saw her.

Zadie Monroe.

Zadie wore a tight emerald green dress that caught everyone's attention. She moved through the crowd like she owned the room, her smile sweet but sharp. Eva's heart sank when she saw who was with her Derek Chad.

Derek was Lucian's enemy and the biological father of Ari, a secret Eva kept close. Seeing them together sent a chill through Eva's body.

People started whispering. Zadie was Eva's cousin, and everyone knew she wanted Lucian for herself. Eva had thought it was just childish jealousy, but now she knew it was serious.

Zadie walked up to them with a fake sweet smile.

"Eva, darling! And Lucian," she said, her voice smooth and fake. "What a surprise to see you two together. You make such a lovely couple."

Eva forced a smile. Zadie leaned in and kissed her cheek, but her eyes quickly flicked to Lucian, holding his gaze a little too long.

Lucian's arm tightened around Eva's. His voice was cold and calm. "Zadie."

He looked at Derek and nodded sharply.

Derek smirked. "Lucian. Always a pleasure. And Eva, congratulations on the marriage."

Eva felt the sarcasm in his voice. This was no friendly greeting.

Zadie acted like the sweet cousin who cared about Eva and Lucian. She asked Eva about moving back to San Francisco and pretended to sympathize. But Eva saw through it. Zadie's smile was a mask hiding something dangerous.

In the days after the gala, Zadie seemed to be everywhere. At social events, family dinners even the coffee shops Eva went to. Every time, Zadie's words were carefully chosen to cause trouble.

One day, Eva learned Zadie had been talking to her father, Henry.

Zadie had offered "private investors" to save Henry's failing company. Henry, desperate for help, listened closely. But Eva didn't trust it.

She secretly checked the investors and found they were linked to fake companies controlled by Derek Chad. Zadie was tricking her father and pulling him deeper into Derek's trap.

Zadie didn't stop there.

She spread rumors that Eva was still in love with Miles Rourke, her old colleague, hoping Lucian would hear and doubt Eva's loyalty.

One night, Eva confronted Lucian.

"Did Zadie tell you about me and Miles?" she asked.

Lucian's eyes were cold. "She said many things, but none are true."

"I'm not hiding anything."

"Then why didn't you tell me?"

Before Eva could answer, Lucian's phone beeped.

"Zadie is causing trouble with your father's company," Lucian said. "Fake investors. It's a setup."

Later, Eva was reviewing her father's financial records when Zadie appeared again.

"Eva, be careful," Zadie warned, her voice light but serious. "Some secrets are better left buried. Dig too deep, and you could hurt everyone you love."

Eva stood up, anger rising. "Why are you doing this? What do you want?"

Zadie smiled coldly. "To protect my family. Even if that means keeping secrets and breaking a few things."

Eva watched as Zadie walked away. She knew the fight had just begun.