Until Betrayal Do Us Part

Breakfast And Insults

THE NEXT MORNING…

As planned, Mrs. Hayes arrived at the Reeds' mansion for breakfast. Though the family was surprised by her unannounced visit, they still welcomed her politely.

Her excuse? She wanted to check on them, now that her daughter was their daughter-in-law, and, of course, to see her ‘dear’ stepdaughter, Evelyn—whom she had supposedly ‘missed’ so much.

Now seated around the grand dining table were Mr. and Mrs. Reeds, Mrs. Hayes, Caleb and his wife, Tessa, as well as Ethan and his fiancée, Evelyn. The table was lavishly set with scrambled eggs, various salads, freshly squeezed juices, and golden-brown toast.

The family dined in silence. The only sounds were the soft clinks of silverware against porcelain. Speaking while eating was strictly against the Reeds’ household etiquette.

But Mrs. Hayes wasn’t here for the food. Her real purpose—the very reason she came—was sitting just across from her. Evelyn.

With a menacing glare, Mrs. Hayes studied the young woman, but instead of looking away in intimidation, Evelyn met her gaze with a small, knowing smile. That smile. It was enough to make Mrs. Hayes' blood boil.

After breakfast, the family dispersed. Ethan and Caleb joined their father in the study, Tessa retreated upstairs to rest, and Mrs. Reeds went to the kitchen to instruct the staff. Evelyn, on the other hand, went up to Ethan’s room, and Mrs. Hayes was left alone.

Perfect.

With no one to stop her, Mrs. Hayes made her way upstairs in search of Evelyn. When she reached Ethan’s room, she didn’t bother knocking. Instead, she barged in, shutting the door behind her with a sharp click.

She wanted no interruptions.

Her sharp eyes scanned the luxurious bedroom, quickly finding Evelyn seated on the king-sized bed, a floral-print gown draping her figure as she leisurely flipped through the pages of a book. Even after Mrs. Hayes' dramatic entrance, Evelyn didn’t so much as lift her gaze from the pages.

Then, without looking up, Evelyn spoke.

“I've been waiting for you, ‘Mother’.”

Her voice dripped with sarcasm.

Mrs. Hayes scoffed. “I’ve told you not to call me that,” she spat, striding forward and snatching the book from Evelyn’s hands before tossing it to the floor. “I am not your mother!”

At last, Evelyn lifted her head, her dark eyes locking onto Mrs. Hayes.

She took in the woman before her—the perfectly styled hair, the flawless designer outfit, the ever-present air of superiority. On the surface, Mrs. Hayes appeared as confident and untouchable as always.

But Evelyn saw it.

Beneath the composure, she saw something she never imagined she’d see in her stepmother.

Fear.

Panic.

Rage.

These three emotions were plastered all over her stepmother's face and she knew the reason why.

Mrs. Hayes was terrified of her return.

Evelyn stood, slowly closing the space between them. “Alright then, ‘Mrs. Hayes’,” she said, her voice cool. “Let’s skip the pleasantries. Why are you here? We both know it’s not because you ‘missed’ me.”

Mrs. Hayes let out a wicked smile. “I came to see you, of course. I heard you’re getting married to Caleb’s brother.” Her tone turned mocking. “Tell me, how exactly did you seduce Ethan?”

Evelyn chuckled. “Who told you that? Tessa? Of course, it was. You know, I spoke with her the day I returned and explained things to her but, understanding has never been her strong suit. Even back in school, she was never among the top five in her class because she failed to understand what she was being taught” She sighed dramatically. “Such a shame.”

Mrs. Hayes' nostrils flared. “Don’t you dare speak ill of my daughter.”

“But your daughter can speak ill of me?” Evelyn countered smoothly. “And it’s not like I’m lying. Tessa has always been an i***t. That’s why she got pregnant before marriage.”

Mrs. Hayes’ mouth fell open in shock. “How dare you—”

Evelyn raised a brow. “Oh, I dare, Mrs. Hayes. I always speak the truth. You just don’t want to hear it.”

Mrs. Hayes inhaled sharply, forcing herself to regain control. She wasn’t here to argue with Evelyn—she was here to eliminate her.

Wordlessly, she unzipped her expensive handbag and began pulling out stacks of cash.

Bundles of crisp dollar bills tumbled onto the floor, spilling across the carpet as Evelyn watched with amusement. Mrs. Hayes continued until her bag was empty.

Then, she exhaled and straightened her posture.

“Six million dollars,” she said coldly. “Take it and leave. I want you out of this country by tomorrow. Stay away from my daughter and this family.”

For the first time since the conversation started, Evelyn's smile disappeared.

Then, she smirked. “And what if I don’t?”

Mrs. Hayes’ eyes darkened. “You know better than to disobey me.”

Evelyn stepped closer, their faces now inches apart. “Oh, please,” she scoffed. “Enough with the empty threats. I’m not a child anymore, and you can’t force me to do something I don’t want to.”

“You dare defy me?” Mrs. Hayes hissed.

Evelyn’s smirk widened. “And what will you do if I do, hmm? What exactly can you do? You’re underestimating me, ‘Mother’, and I assure you, that’s a very dangerous mistake.”

Mrs. Hayes clenched her fists. “I said don’t call me that!”

“Stop shouting,” Evelyn snapped, rolling her eyes. “Are you the only one with a voice?”

She continued, “And I'm really sorry to disappoint you, Mrs. Hayes, but, I'm not leaving. Not now, not ever.”

Mrs. Hayes inhaled deeply, forcing herself to stay calm. “It seems the money is not enough. Fine. I'll increase the offer. Eight million.”

Evelyn tilted her head. “Are we bidding now? A bid to get me to leave?”

But Mrs. Hayes' patience was getting thinner. “Ten million.”

Evelyn mused. “Ladies and Gentlemen! Welcome to the bid for getting Evelyn to leave. I hear a ten million but can I get a twelve million? Twelve million, anyone? Twelve?”

Mrs. Hayes’ patience snapped. “Twelve million, then. If that's what will make you leave.”

Evelyn gasped dramatically. “Oh! We have twelve million! Anyone want to go higher? No one? Going once… going twice… and… not sold!”

Mrs. Hayes’ face turned red. “What stupid games are you playing, Evelyn?!”

Evelyn dropped the act. “I already told you—I’m not leaving.” She smirked. “I’m going to marry Ethan. We’ll have children. We’ll live happily ever after. And you? You’ll just have to watch.”

Mrs. Hayes’ expression twisted with fury. “That is not what’s going to happen!”

Evelyn shrugged. “Says who? And you know what, I beginning to feel offended. You keep throwing money at me. Do you think you're the only one who's rich?”

She turned and walked to her bedside drawer, pulling out a sleek black credit card. She held it up with a smirk.

“This?” she said. “This is an unlimited black card Ethan gave me when we were in Paris. I never used it because Ethan always paid for everything I wanted. But do you know what that means?” She leaned in, voice lowering. “It means the money is still there. And trust me, Mrs. Hayes, it’s a lot more than twelve million dollars.”

Mrs. Hayes’ jaw tightened. “Is that why you're dying to get married to him? Because of his money? I've always known you were a gold digger, like mother like daughter.”

Evelyn's eyes darkened with fury, her voice dropping to a deadly whisper.

“Don't you ever insult my mother again, because if you do, I will march downstairs and tell the entire family the truth about Tessa.”

Mrs. Hayes paled. “You wouldn’t—”

Evelyn’s eyes burned with cold rage.

“Try me.”

A heavy silence fell over the room.

Mrs. Hayes glared, but Evelyn didn’t back down. The air becoming thick and suffocating. The war had begun. And it seems like Evelyn was winning.

“You don't want to do this the hard way, Evelyn. Trust me, you really don't,” Mrs. Hayes warned, her voice laced with menace.

Evelyn let out a mocking laugh. “Funny, I was just about to say the same thing,” she countered. “Because, unlike you and Tessa, I actually live here. And if I feel like it, I could march downstairs at any time, and tell everyone the truth—how Tessa cheated on Caleb with a guy named Asher, got pregnant, and then ran away on her wedding day. And let’s not forget how she slithered back months later, spinning some sob story about being kidn*pped after losing the baby.”

She tilted her head, eyes gleaming with mischief.

“Now tell me, Mrs. Hayes, how do you think that will go over?”