Moving In
1625 Words
The penthouse was silent. Too silent.
Evelyn stood in the marble foyer, clutching a small duffel bag with everything she owned. Three suits, two pairs of shoes, and a laptop. It felt ridiculous compared to the sprawling, glass-walled apartment around her. Floor-to-ceiling windows overlooked the city, and the chandeliers cost more than her car would have.
“Mrs. Blackwood.”
She turned. Damien’s lawyer, Mr. Hayes, adjusted his glasses. “Mr. Blackwood expects you to be here by 8 PM for the press announcement tomorrow. Your belongings will be moved in by tonight.”
“My belongings?” Evelyn glanced down at the duffel. “This is it.”
Hayes blinked, but recovered quickly. “I see. I’ll have the staff prepare a wardrobe and daily necessities. The contract states cohabitation is required for public credibility. You’ll have the east wing. Mr. Blackwood will remain in the west.”
Evelyn nodded. Separate wings. Of course. He wasn’t ready to share a bed with her. Not yet. In her past life, it had taken him six months to even touch her without it feeling like a transaction.
“Understood,” she said.
Hayes hesitated, then lowered his voice. “Mr. Blackwood is… skeptical. But he respects results. Prove him right about Vance Corp, and he’ll listen.”
Before she could answer, the elevator dinged.
Damien stepped out, suit jacket slung over one shoulder, tie loosened. He stopped when he saw her, his eyes sweeping over her like he was cataloging a problem.
“You’re here,” he said. Not a question.
“You said three days,” Evelyn replied. “It’s day three.”
He didn’t smile. “Dinner is at 8. Don’t be late.”
Then he was gone, disappearing into the west wing with long, angry strides.
Hayes coughed awkwardly. “I’ll leave you to settle in, Mrs. Blackwood.”
She was alone.
Evelyn set the duffel down and walked to the window. The city spread out below her, lights flickering on as night fell. In her past life, she’d never been invited up here. She’d seen the penthouse once, from the lobby, when she’d come to bring Damien lunch. He’d been too busy for her then.
Now she lived here.
“Not for love,” she reminded herself. “For leverage.”
---
At 7:55 PM, Evelyn stepped into the dining room.
It was massive. A table that could seat twelve sat under a crystal chandelier. Only two places were set.
Damien was already there, seated at the head of the table, reading something on his tablet. He didn’t look up when she entered.
Evelyn took the seat across from him.
For a full minute, neither spoke. The staff moved silently, setting down plates of seared scallops and truffle risotto. Food she couldn’t afford in her past life, now served like it meant nothing.
“You’re early,” Damien said finally, not looking up.
“You said 8,” Evelyn replied. “It’s 7:58.”
He set the tablet down and studied her. “You don’t seem nervous.”
“Should I be?”
“You’re marrying a man who thinks you’re either a liar or insane.”
Evelyn picked up her fork. “Then it’s good I’m neither.”
Damien’s mouth twitched. Not quite a smile. “You’re confident.”
“I’m prepared.” She cut into the scallop. “Unlike you. You almost walked into Vance Corp’s trap today.”
His eyes narrowed. “I didn’t.”
“Because I warned you.” She met his gaze. “And because you listened. That’s why I’m here, Damien. I don’t need you to trust me. I need you to listen.”
Damien leaned back, arms crossing. “And if you’re wrong? If this ‘future’ of yours is a lie?”
“Then you divorce me in a year and lose nothing.” Evelyn took a bite, savoring the flavor. “But I’m not wrong. And you know it.”
He was quiet for a long time. The only sound was the clink of silverware.
Finally, he said, “Linda called.”
Evelyn didn’t react. “I know.”
Damien’s eyes sharpened. “How?”
“Because she always calls when she feels threatened.” Evelyn set her fork down. “She’ll claim she was attacked. She’ll send you photos. She’ll say I did it.”
Damien’s jaw tightened. “She said she was jumped in the parking garage. Bruised ribs. Concussion.”
“Her ribs are fine. She spent the afternoon at a spa.” Evelyn kept her voice even. “She’ll be back at work Monday, acting frail. It’s her pattern.”
Damien stared at her. “You’re telling me my assistant is lying about being assaulted.”
“I’m telling you Linda Wells has been lying since college.” Evelyn leaned forward. “She stole my thesis, Damien. She gave it to you as her own idea for the Blackwood Foundation. That’s why you hired her.”
Damien’s expression didn’t change, but something in his eyes shifted. He remembered. He’d praised ‘Linda’s’ proposal six years ago.
“If you’re lying,” he said slowly, “you’re very good.”
“If I’m lying, why would I move into your penthouse with nothing to gain?” Evelyn countered. “I have nothing to lose by telling you the truth. You do.”
Damien didn’t answer. He stood, napkin dropping onto the table.
“Dinner’s over,” he said. “We’ll discuss Vance Corp tomorrow. 7 AM. My office.”
Evelyn watched him leave. The moment the doors closed, she exhaled.
One small crack in his armor.
---
She didn’t sleep well.
The guest room was bigger than her entire dorm, but it felt empty. At 2 AM, she heard footsteps in the hall.
The door opened a crack.
Evelyn sat up, heart pounding.
Linda stood in the doorway, dressed in a silk robe, makeup perfect despite the ‘concussion.’ Her eyes were cold.
“You think you can replace me?” Linda whispered.
Evelyn didn’t get out of bed. “I already did.”
Linda’s face twisted. “He’ll never choose you. He knows what you did to me.”
“I didn’t do anything,” Evelyn said quietly. “But you did. And I have proof.”
Linda stepped forward, voice dropping to a hiss. “You’re a mistake, Evelyn. You always were. Damien only married you because you tricked him. When he finds out, he’ll throw you away again.”
Evelyn smiled.
“He already did once. It didn’t work out for him.”
Linda’s eyes flashed with rage. She took another step, hand clenching.
Then the hall light flicked on.
Damien stood in the doorway, shirt unbuttoned, hair damp from a shower. His expression was unreadable.
“Linda,” he said flatly. “What are you doing here?”
Linda spun around, tears instantly welling up. “Damien! She threatened me! She said she’d ruin me!”
Evelyn didn’t move. “Ask her about the spa, Damien. Ask her why her ‘bruised ribs’ are fine enough for a massage.”
Damien looked between them. His gaze lingered on Linda’s face. No bruises. No bandages.
“Linda,” he said quietly. “Leave.”
“What?” Linda’s voice cracked. “Damien, she’s lying! You can’t believe her over me!”
“I said leave.” His voice was steel.
Linda stared at him, betrayal flashing across her face. Then she turned and fled, robe trailing behind her.
The door closed with a soft click.
Damien didn’t look at Evelyn. He looked at the floor.
“You were right,” he said.
It was the first time he’d admitted it.
Evelyn sat back against the pillows. “I know.”
Damien left without another word.
---
The next morning, Evelyn walked into Damien’s office at exactly 7 AM.
He was already there, three monitors glowing, coffee steaming. He didn’t look up.
“Sit,” he said.
Evelyn sat.
He slid a file across the desk. “Vance Corp’s acquisition proposal. Redlined. Explain why it’s a trap.”
Evelyn opened the file. Her hands didn’t shake. She’d memorized this document in her past life. She knew every clause that would destroy him.
“Clause 7.3,” she said. “It gives Vance Corp auditing rights to Blackwood’s offshore accounts. Once they have that, they leak the records. Your father’s old company was investigated for tax evasion in 1998. It was cleared, but the press won’t care. They’ll run the headline anyway.”
Damien’s jaw tightened. “How do you know about the investigation?”
“Because I lived through it.” Evelyn closed the file. “If you sign this, Blackwood’s stock drops 40% in two weeks. Your board turns on you. You lose control.”
Damien stared at her for a long time.
Then he picked up his phone.
“Cancel the meeting with Vance Corp,” he told his assistant. “Tell them we’re reviewing terms.”
He hung up and looked at her.
“One point for you,” he said.
Evelyn nodded.
“But don’t get comfortable,” he added. “I still don’t trust you.”
“Good,” Evelyn replied. “Trust is earned. I’m here to earn it.”
Damien leaned back, studying her.
“You’re different,” he said.
Evelyn smiled faintly.
“I am.”
He didn’t ask how. Not yet.
But he would.
As she left the office, her phone buzzed.
Unknown number.
_You’re playing a dangerous game, Evelyn. I’ll make sure Damien sees who you really are._
Linda.
Evelyn typed back without hesitation.
_Try me._
She pocketed the phone and walked out.
The war had started.
- Writer
