The Ex and Her Riches

Evelyn excitedly showed Gwendolyn several evening gowns she had chosen off the costume rack.

She said, “I think all these look great, Gwendolyn. Which one do you think suits me more?”

Gwendolyn’s lips curled into the ghost of a smile while she replied, “Well, you have to try them on to see if they suit you.”

“Oh yes, you’re right.” Evelyn immediately turned to a female sales attendant and instructed, “Please send these gowns to the dressing room. I’d like to try all of them.”

“Of course.” The sales attendant carefully gathered the gowns Evelyn had picked out and headed to the dressing room.

Once the sales attendant left, Evelyn hooked her arm through the crook of Gwendolyn’s elbow affectionately and beamed at the latter. “It’ll be difficult for me to put on the gowns on my own. Can you come to the dressing room and help me?”

Gwendolyn did not accept or reject Evelyn’s request.

Evelyn took her silence for consent and dragged Gwendolyn into the dressing room.

She had no qualms about undressing before Gwendolyn at all, making it seem as though the two had been bosom friends for years.

Gwendolyn leaned against a wall and stared coolly at Evelyn. She demanded, “You didn’t summon me here just to select a gown for you. I don’t like to beat around the bush, and since we’re alone now, why don’t you get straight to the point?”

Evelyn’s hand froze momentarily in the middle of picking up a gown, though she quickly composed herself and continued to dress herself elegantly.

“Gwendolyn, I bet you’ve been dying to know about the patron who has supported my meteoric rise in the entertainment industry since my debut at nineteen years old.”

Evelyn continued cryptically, “Actually, two patrons have been helping me at the same time. That gave me a tremendous amount of power in the industry.”

Gwendolyn remained silent.

forgotten this, but I remember our first encounter. You were fifteen. We met in an alley, and you decided to care for me because you took pity on me. I liked you a lot too, but it didn’t stop there. I liked your father and your brothers, and my greed filled my head with a single thought—if you disappeared, I would be the precious princess, the center of attention

recognition; she had heard the exact same

stimulant medication and invited you out alone. When you let your guard down, I stabbed the syringe in the back of your neck and pushed you into the ocean. I failed to anticipate how lucky you

I snuck a recording device here?” Gwendolyn asked as she

or I would never have told you all of that! Think about it. Would Dad and our brothers have taken so long to

the final blow by adding, “In fact, our dear brother knew all about it from the beginning, and he quietly consented to

her

into Gwendolyn’s ear, “Maybe all three had

appeared on Gwendolyn’s

and made several poses, admiring her

of your beloved brothers, hmm? But what can you do? They’ve wholly accepted me into the family. Asher

was absolutely bursting

a cold glare. “Are you deliberately saying these things to

suddenly stalked ahead and yanked Evelyn’s hair with her left hand, angling her head

Slap!

utterly dumbfounded. Her cheek throbbed

industry to manage her weight. Her frail

me well enough, Evelyn. Did you think agitating me would cause me to lose control and affect the well-being of my baby? Hmph! You’re way off-mark. I’m not one to swallow all these indignities quietly. Who cares if you’re some precious princess? If you piss me off, I will treat you

couple more slaps

pain but could not escape Gwendolyn’s grasp. Eventually,

head further back and spat sneeringly, “That man outside is the brother who has doted on me for over twenty years, Evelyn. Let’s see who he’ll fuss over first when he barges

challenge suddenly filled Evelyn

Treyton charged into the

room curtain, Gwendolyn shoved Evelyn away and fell back

“Kiddo!”

Evelyn as he flew to Gwendolyn’s side and