Chapter 214

"Absolutely!" Arabella responded with a bright smile.

Theodore's grin widened as he adjusted his cufflinks. "Then I'll accompany Ms. Evelyn."

Theodore had watched Evelyn and Arabella grow up together. He could still picture Arabella at six years old - sticky fingers clutching a lollipop, pigtails bouncing as she trailed after her older sister.

Evelyn didn't think much of Arabella's flushed cheeks. Her younger sister had always been shy, her porcelain skin prone to rosy blushes.

What Evelyn didn't realize was that Arabella had secretly loved Theodore for seven long years.

"Let's go! I'm starving." Evelyn grabbed Arabella's delicate hand. "I've been dreaming about Camille's cooking for weeks. Tonight we feast!"

Arabella giggled, shaking her sister's arm playfully. "Mother's still preparing dinner. You're too early!"

"My stomach disagrees!" Evelyn groaned as her belly rumbled loudly.

Theodore chuckled, reaching into his tailored suit pocket. "Ms. Evelyn, perhaps this will tide you over?" He unwrapped a square of dark chocolate and held it to her lips.

Without hesitation, Evelyn turned her head and took a delicate bite, their familiarity evident in the effortless gesture.

Arabella's pink lips pressed together, her chest tightening at their easy intimacy. She'd known since childhood that Theodore only had eyes for Evelyn.

He'd given up a prestigious legal career in Serenia to become Evelyn's personal secretary, content to remain in her shadow. Arabella had always been invisible to him.

The Kingsley mansion buzzed with rare energy that evening. Not only had Evelyn finalized her divorce from Nathan Blackwood, but Arabella's unexpected visit brought unexpected joy.

The staff hadn't seen the Kingsley sisters laughing together like this in years. Their shared mirth filled the grand halls of Fairhaven with warmth.

Only Cassandra's absence dampened the mood. Married to a Serenian presidential candidate, the youngest Kingsley sister couldn't break away from her political obligations.

Camille and the kitchen staff presented a lavish spread that made Evelyn's mouth water - roasted duck with cherry glaze, truffle-infused risotto, and her favorite chocolate soufflé.

Just as Evelyn reached for her fork, Harrison's commanding voice froze the room. "Living room. Now."

The family assembled - Sebastian with his perpetual frown, Dominic leaning against the grand piano, Arabella perched nervously beside Lillian and Sophia. Even Frederick paused his duties to stand attentively by the door.

Harrison's imposing figure dominated the space, his stormy expression radiating displeasure.

"Dad, can't this wait until after dinner?" Evelyn whined, eyeing the steaming dishes longingly.

"After the mess you've made?" Harrison scoffed. "You're lucky I let you sit at the table."

Evelyn forced a grin. "Come on, we should be celebrating my divorce!"

Arabella gasped, her teacup clattering against its saucer. "You were married?"

The revelation stunned her. Evelyn - the pragmatic, unshakable Evelyn - had married? And divorced? Arabella couldn't imagine her sister making such an emotional decision.

"Three years," Harrison growled. "Three years you wasted on that Blackwood bastard. And now he's parading some new fiancée while you come crawling home empty-handed!" His fist slammed against the mahogany table. "You're a Kingsley! Why didn't you bankrupt them first?"

Evelyn's playful demeanor evaporated. "Father, we discussed this. Reginald built Blackwood Industries from nothing. I couldn't destroy his life's work."

"I'd rather have an ungrateful daughter than a humiliated one!" Harrison's voice cracked with emotion, his usually composed features twisting in anguish. "Three years of suffering, Evelyn!"

The raw pain in his words silenced the room.

Sebastian's jaw clenched, while Dominic shot his sister a worried glance.

Evelyn's lashes fluttered against her cheeks as she fought back tears. She'd known her father's love ran deep, but this outburst revealed the true depth of his protective fury.

Her silence had only magnified his pain.

"Lillian," Harrison turned his glare toward Evelyn's stepmother, "the Blackwoods mentioned you met Evelyn publicly. Did you know about this marriage?"

Lillian met his gaze steadily. "Yes, I discovered it some time ago."