Chapter 5

With only a day left before my departure, I went to the department store to buy a new notebook and some pens for school.

"Excuse me," I said to the salesman behind the counter. "Could I get that fountain pen, please?"

"Hold on." A sharp voice cut in. A young man pushed the salesman aside. "I' ll handle this one."

I recognized him immediately. It was Kian, Kennedy' s younger brother. I' d heard he was a spoiled brat who never held a job.

What was he doing working here?

"You got a job?" I asked, genuinely surprised.

He smirked, a nasty, mocking glint in his eyes. "Aubrey got it for me. He's going to be my brother-in-law soon, after all."

He leaned closer, his voice a conspiratorial whisper. "Funny, isn' t it? You' re his fiancée, but you didn' t even know. Shows how much he thinks of you."

A sour feeling churned in my stomach.

I remembered my own cousin, a good, hardworking woman who had lost her farm. I had swallowed my pride and asked Aubrey if he could help her find a simple job, anything to support her family.

He had refused, his voice cold and righteous. "I do not use my position for personal favors, Eva. It' s a matter of principle."

Principle. The word was a joke. He had no principles when it came to Kennedy and her family.

I pushed the feeling down and tried again. "I' d like to buy the pen."

Kian leaned back, his arms crossed. "Sorry. We' re sold out."

"It' s right there," I said, pointing to the pen in the display case.

"That' s reserved for a government office," he said smoothly. "Not for sale to individuals."

I took a deep breath. "Fine. How about that notebook?"

"Reserved."

"The ink?"

"Also reserved."

I finally understood. He was doing this on purpose.

"Why are you making this difficult for me?" I asked, my voice low.

He sneered. "Because you' re in the way. You' re standing between my sister and Aubrey."

He gestured around the store. "Go ahead. Tell Aubrey. See who he believes."

I knew he was right. Aubrey would take his side without a second thought. There was no point in fighting.

I turned and walked out of the store, Kian's mocking laughter following me.

When I pushed open the door to the apartment, the air was heavy with tension.

Aubrey's parents were sitting on the sofa, their faces grim. Aubrey and Kennedy stood nearby, looking equally sullen.

Mrs. Gregory saw me and her face broke into a warm smile.

"Eva! Come, sit down."

I greeted them politely. "General Gregory, Mrs. Gregory."

"None of that," she insisted, her tone warm. "You should be calling us Mom and Dad."

I forced a smile and complied, my heart aching. I couldn' t bear to disappoint them. They had always been kind to me.

Mrs. Gregory' s smile faded as she turned to her son. Her voice became stern.

"Aubrey, what is the meaning of this? You are an engaged man. What is this woman doing in your home?"

"She's not just 'some woman,' Mother," Aubrey retorted, his voice sharp. "She's my paralegal, and she's recovering from an injury. It' s my responsibility to take care of her."