Blood Ties

Chapter 3

Eve

I stormed into Carlisle House, barely aware of the rain-soaked coat hanging off my shoulders or the heels clicking furiously as I ran up to the front door. My entire body vibrated with rage, my hands clenched so tightly I could feel my nails digging into my palms.

I hated him.

That arrogant, insufferable bastard.

I hated my father even more for putting me in this position.

The moment the front door slammed behind me, I ripped the coat off and threw it onto the floor. I needed to hit something, destroy something. I needed this fury out of me before it burned me alive from the inside out.

My father had spent years dictating my life, controlling my every move, ensuring that I remained under his thumb. I’d been waiting for this moment when I would finally be free. I spent countless days and nights patiently waiting and desperately wishing for his death only because I was too weak to speed up the process. And now he was finally gone, but I still couldn’t be free.

He had reached from beyond the grave, shackling me once more.

“This deal is airtight.”

Ethan’s words echoed in my mind, mocking me, haunting me.

How could Father do this to me? I had spent my entire life obeying orders, enduring his cruelty, bending so I wouldn’t break. He knew I could run all his companies better than anyone else, he’d made sure of it. Why would he do this to me?

Barely able to see through the tears, I tripped on my gown and ripped it.

A scream tore from my throat, raw and furious. I grabbed the nearest vase—an expensive porcelain piece that had sat undisturbed for years on a table by the stairs— and hurled it at the wall. It shattered into a thousand tiny pieces, the sound cutting through the silence of the house like a gunshot.

It wasn’t enough.

I turned, grabbed another, and sent it sailing after the first.

Then another.

Shards of glass and ceramics scattered across the floor, reflecting the dim light from the chandelier.

My chest heaved, my breath ragged.

I would be damned before I let another man take my freedom.

Doors slammed and footsteps thundered around the house, and in no time, I was distinctly aware that I was no longer alone.

“It must be a cold day in hell.”

Lauren. Of course, only she would be happy to see me like this. I didn’t have to look to see the smirk on her face, it was loud and clear in her voice.

“Eve?” Samantha called, “Are you alright?”

All of a sudden, I was too ashamed to face any of them. Theatrics never solved any problem, hadn’t I learned that? I ended up destroying valuable pieces of pottery, and for what? Some of these were specially made for my father by world leaders for crying out loud! I bent down to try and see what I could save.

“No, don’t!” Anna called out.

“No, please, let her.” Lauren said, enjoying herself. “I’d like to see how this plays out.”

“I think Ms. Eve needs to calm down.” Anna said, voice clipped.

“Thankfully, you’re not paid to think.” Lauren fired.

For some reason, I felt an uncontrollable need to defend our housekeeper.

Odd.

“You’re such a b***h, you know that?” I said, still unable to look at them.

“I dare you to look me in the eyes and say that.”

For the first time in my life, I was itching for a fight. I was yet to figure out how I felt about this woman I’d become since Father died.

I turned and looked Lauren straight in the eyes. “You’re such a b***h, Lauren. And I want you out of my house by sunrise.”

She scoffed. “You can’t do that.”

I felt the corner of my lips tilt in a smile. “My turn; I dare you to try me, Lauren. Stay here till breakfast and let’s see what happens.”

I’d always know Lauren didn’t like me, even if I'd never known why. But the hate I saw in her eyes just then was enough to set the entire house ablaze.

“I hope you live a very long life full of pain, misery and suffering.” she spat

“And I hope you die so we don’t have to deal with the misery that is you.”

She charged at me then, and I was ready to send another Carlisle to the grave, but Samantha’s voice cut through the air like a whip.

“Enough, both of you!”

Wonder of wonders, Lauren actually stopped in her tracks. “You’re not worth the energy anyway.” She spat.

“I meant what I said.”

“No she didn’t.” Samantha said instead, and stood her ground when I glared at her. “The both of you will calm down at this instant.

Anna, please get someone to clean this mess.”

“Yes, miss.”

Anna pointed at one of the housemaids, and she went to work.

“Aww, look at you.” Lauren cooed at Samantha, who only ignored her.

I didn’t realize I was shaking until Samantha stepped between us. My hands trembled at my sides, my breath coming too fast, too shallow. All the rage that had filled me minutes ago had settled into something colder, something heavier, pressing against my ribs, making it hard for me to breathe.

“Calm down, Eve.” Samantha said gently.

“Yes, Ms. Carlisle,” Lauren taunted. “Calm your ass down. Maybe you should get one of these men around here to get the stick out your ass and replace it with-”

“Leave her alone, Lauren. My God, don’t you have anything better to do right now?”

All my life, I’d barely heard Samantha speak above a quiet whisper, but tonight she was a totally different woman.

Lauren raised her brows, “well, look who finally decided to grow a spine. Welcome to the party ladies, I’m sorry it only took you decades to do so.”

Samantha rolled her eyes and turned her back on Lauren, dismissing her. “Go to bed, Lauren.”

Lauren scoffed, but she turned to go up the stairs. But after two steps, she turned with mock concern, “Whatever’s eating you up, Eve, I hope it devours you whole. Goodnight, girls.” Then she skipped the rest of the way until she was out of sight.

The silence left in her wake felt too loud, and I didn’t know what to do with myself.

I was five years older than Samantha, and I’d been directing the household staff for more than half my life, but I felt so small and confused.

I swallowed, suddenly exhausted and there was a hollow ache inside me. The wreckage around me—the shattered porcelain, the shards of glass glinting under the chandelier—felt like an extension of myself. Broken. Irreparable.

Samantha’s hand on me was gentle, but firm as she led me away from all the mess. “Anna, have Eve’s meal sent to my room.”

“Right away, miss.”

To her room?

I tried, but I couldn’t exactly remember what it looked like . What did it say about you when you haven’t been in your sister’s room for more than a decade even though you’ve lived in the same house all your life?

Suddenly, I felt anxious. I didn’t want to be there. I just wanted to go to my own room, then again, I’d wanted to bond with her for the longest time. This was finally my chance.

She opened the door for me, and I felt like I was just granted admission into heaven. It was hard not to, this was my first peak at the woman Samantha had become, at the girl I never really got to know.

Her bedroom was just as large as mine, but somehow, it felt…safer. Warmer. She guided me toward the bed and pushed lightly on my shoulders until I sat. I bounced a bit on the bed and almost giggled. Almost.

I tried, I really did, but it was hard not to look around. I told myself I’d already broken character tonight, what was a little more? I could go back to being my regular self later.

Of course, she noticed. “I don’t think you’ve ever been in here.” She said.

“I’m sure I have. It’s just been too long for either of us to remember.”

She gave me a look that told me she didn’t believe me. I didn’t believe me as well.

“So,” She started as she jumped in bed with me, leaning on the plush headboard with her knees drawn to her chest. “I take it dinner didn’t go well?”

I frowned. “How did you know where I went?”

She gave me a dry look. “Uh, your dress?”

Oh, right. Of course.

I slid off my shoes and mirroring her posture.

“His name is Ethan Donovan,” I started. “The man I’m supposed to…” I couldn’t even say the word, “the man Father chose. He wouldn’t let go of Carlisle Holdings.”

“Well, to be fair, I doubt anyone would.”

“I know, right? He didn’t even have to pay a dime for it. All he has to do is marry me.”

I wanted to cry, but the tears wouldn’t come. My chest ached, and there was a knot in my throat, but nothing spilled over. My body simply refused to grant me even that small relief.

Samantha lay her hand over mine. “Men are always unreasonable,” she said, as if it was the simplest truth in the world.

I let out a slow breath. “That’s an understatement.”

She shrugged, and then reached into her bedside drawer. “Tell me about him.” She said as she rummaged.

I stiffened. I didn’t see that coming, I certainly didn’t want to think about him. Not tonight, not ever.

Then she settled back with a pencil and a sketchpad in her hands. Without sparing me a glance, she said, “I’d just like to know what my future brother looks like.”

The words sent a fresh wave of nausea rolling through me.

Her future brother.

Ethan Donovan.

The man I would marry.

“You could just Google him, you know.”

“Where’s the fun in that?”

I sighed. I really didn’t want to do this, but she looked so excited I couldn’t bring myself to deny her.”

I forced the first words through my throat. “He’s…” I swallowed hard. “Tall… I guess.”

She snorted, “You guess?”

“We were seated.”

“Fine. I really just want his face.”

I looked from her face to the hand poised over her sketchpad.

At least you’ll get to see her work.

She was renowned both as an artist and a musician, and I couldn’t say that it didn’t feel like a privilege sitting here, with her ready to draw me something.

“Fine.” I sighed. “Broad shoulders. A Sharp jaw. Dark hair, like… like ink. And his eyes…” I faltered, remembering them too vividly.

“Grey. Cold.”

Although they were warm when he entered the restaurant. When he smiled.

No. I absolutely will not think about that right now. Ethan Donovan was the enemy.

“What else?” She nudged, drawing me out of my thoughts.

“He has an aristocratic nose. If that makes any sense. He looks like he’s spent all his life turning it up at everyone.”

She snorted again and giggled.

I gave her a side-glance, “You know that’s unbecoming of a proper lady, right?”

“Please, you shouldn’t be talking to anyone about being proper right now, Miss Wreck It Eve. Not after what happened tonight.”

I should have been appalled at being spoken to like that, I should have been ashamed of what I’d done and the example I’d set, but it took me a good while to find that I was actually laughing.

Samantha laughed with me, and I realized how much I liked it.

How did I let the years go by?

Samantha shook her head and looked down at her sketchpad. “So, handsome then?” She held out the pad to me.

To be honest, it looked nothing like Ethan but it was a good sketch.

Ethan is way more attractive.

What? Where did that even come from?

“He doesn’t look that good.” I said, rolling my eyes.

She frowned. “Really? You’re joking, right?” She picked her phone and by the time I realized what she intended to do, she had a hand placed on her chest as she slumped back on the headboard with a deep, albeit dramatic sigh. “You had me really worried for a moment.” Then she shoved the phone in my face. “Is this the man whom you say is not that attractive?”

I jumped off the bed as soon as I heard a knock on the door. Thankfully. I felt my face heat up and I didn’t want her to see it.

“Ok, so maybe he’s not so bad.” I said as Anna set up the dinner service in the room.

“Oh, really? I mean, I’ll gladly take him on if you don’t want to.”

“Thank you, Anna.”I said as the housekeeper left the room. “Be my guest.”

“I just might.”

I rolled my eyes and bit into a toast.

“But hey,” She started, “he looks handsome and strong. That doesn’t sound so bad. They’re all jerks, but at least he’s not ancient, and smelly, and missing several teeth”

I huffed, running a hand through my hair. “That doesn’t change the fact that I don’t want this.”

“Of course not.” She got off the bed to pinch a snack off the tray, “But it’s happening anyway.”

I hated how casually she said it, how easily she accepted the truth I had been fighting all week.

“This deal is airtight.”

I could challenge it, but what would that accomplish? My father would have planned for everything. He would have left some hidden punishment waiting for me. Some cruelty I couldn’t yet see, something way worse than an arranged marriage to a rich and handsome stranger. There was no escape.

Besides, if I fought it, I would lose and that would be more shameful.

“I’ll marry him.” The words were out of my mouth before I realized I was thinking them.

Samantha didn’t react right away. Just watched me carefully, as if gauging how certain I was.

Then she nodded once, slow and deliberate. “Alright.”

No judgment. No sympathy. Just quiet acceptance.

I would marry Ethan Donovan. And if he suddenly fell down the staircase, or happened to not wake up one morning, I’d have no other choice but to accept all of his assets when they come to me.

Oh, this might just turn out nicely. Not only would I get what’s mine, but I’ll get what’s his as well.

Let’s see how you like that, Donovan.