IMDD CHAPTER 269 (Patreon)

“I dropped the guard down because you’re back, but…“ Calix finally broke the silence. His tone giving away nothing but calmness. “…it seems it’s a grave mistake to rely on you… Gage Acheron.” He paused for a moment. “Though I guess, you have a valid excuse this time because of Gigi, I don’t think I’ll ever fully trust Eva’s safety with you again.”

Gage’s eyes narrowed slightly at the mention of 'Gigi'. The familiarity with which Calix referred to his daughter as ‘Gigi’ was like a needle prick to his patience. It implied a closeness that went beyond casual acquaintance, further fueling Gage's dislike towards this man.

The quiet but rippling tension was interrupted by the buzz of a phone.

Calix reached into his pocket and pulled out his phone. He was glancing at the screen when Gage finally spoke.

“Who the fuck are you?”

Calix shifted his gaze from his phone to Gage. “Let’s just say I’m one of those… close to you – well, a little – who you forgot.” He then pushed off from the wall, preparing to leave, but paused to add, “Also… I’m truly interested with Eva this time. I’m just waiting for her to finally get over you.”

“You’ll be waiting forever, then.” Gage responded with a confident smirk.

Calix, however, offered no retort. Instead, a subtle, mysterious smile played at the corner of his lips before he turned and walked away while answering the call, as if Gage’s words had no effect on him.

…

After ensuring that little Gaia was soundly asleep, Eva left her daughter's room and quietly made her way downstairs. The mansion was steeped in an unusual silence; it felt really empty now that everyone had left. Earlier, upon their return from the hospital, Gage had surprisingly asked her to dismiss all the staff, including the guards and maids.

Without questioning his decision, Eva had complied, sending them all away. She knew that Gage’s decision was influenced with Adele’s involvement in her kidnapping so she understood that he could not even trust a single one in the mansion anymore.

As she descended the stairs, she finally found Gage in the living room, standing in front of the fireplace. Eva paused for a moment, observing him. This spot, in front of the antique fireplace, had always been Gage's favorite place to sit.

Moved by a sudden impulse, Eva approached him and wrapped her arms around him from behind. Her embrace caused Gage to tense slightly, but he remained still, almost as if he was trying to fully absorb the warmth and closeness of the moment.

“About the DNA…” Eva began, her voice breaking the silence. Just then, Gage turned around to face her.

His eyes swept over her, searching, probing, as if trying to gauge if she was truly alright now.

“What happened to you today…” he then started, his jaw clenching, as if he was trying his hardest to maintain his calm. “It’s just the beginning, Eva. Things will only –”

Eva’s thumb pressed against his lips, silencing him. "Shh..." she whispered. "Even if you did not return, what happened to me today could still have happened. There are people, humans like me, who want to ruin me, who want me to suffer, who want me gone. Why do you think I always have these bodyguards around me? I’ve had these guards with me since the day you left, so don’t ever think that everything that happens to me is because of you, Gage. I am an Acheron, a CEO of a powerful corporation. My job and power attract adversaries and danger, and I am very well aware of that. So, you have to understand that these things aren't a result of your presence or absence in my life.”

Lowering her hand, Eva took a deep breath, releasing some of the tension that had built up.

Her gaze then turned into something more direct as she shifted their topic and questioned him. "Now please answer me… did you see the DNA result? Do you still doubt that Gaia is your daughter? Do you still not believe you’re Gage?"

When Gage just gazed intently at her and offered no verbal response, Eva's voice trembled slightly. "So that's still not enough, huh..." She took a shaky breath, her eyes brimming with tears but holding a resolute firmness. "Then how about this...? I know what you are, Gage. And I also know that..." She paused, hesitating for a moment. "I know that you’ve lost one of your wings."

At her words, Gage's eyes, previously steady and unreadable, widened in utter shock. The fact that Eva knew such a hidden truth about him clearly took him by surprise.

Eva continued, her voice slightly gaining strength. "There would be no way for me to know that fact if I’m lying, right? Gage? You said you never forget, but do you remember how you lost one of your wings?"

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CHAPTER 270>> 

a/n: Will try to post twice for IMDD next week. ^^