Chapter 74

Evelyn’s POV
“Evelyn, good to see you,” said a hoarse but familiar voice.
I froze.
The man in the wheelchair barely resembled the athlete I’d known in college. Leon Robinson, once called Leo Richards, had been the picture of strength and charm. Now illness had stolen his muscle mass, leaving his cheeks sunken and his skin pale. But those amber eyes remained unchanged. Intelligent, warm, with that slight distance. When his gaze met mine with recognition, I couldn’t breathe.
“Leon,” I whispered, still holding Calvin’s tie from our game with Alexis. I hadn’t realized I was clutching it. “Leon Robinson.”
His eyebrows lifted in surprise. “You know my full name? You’ve learned about my background?”
I nodded, giving him a gentle, real smile.”Of course.You’re not Leo Richards anymore. Your father asked me to bring you here.”
Silence stretched between us. We both remembered everything left unsaid. College parties, young dreams, our sweet, short-lived romance before life pulled us apart. Before Calvin entered my life.
“Thank you,” Leon said quietly, his voice weak but honest.
Almost seven years had passed since we’d last met. Before my marriage, before I had children, before pack politics destroyed everything simple. We looked at each other like strangers now, because that’s what we were.
Then I felt it. Calvin’s burning stare on my back.
When I turned, I met his dark eyes. They were cold, territorial, possessive.
I frowned. Why did he look at me like I was having an affair? That made no sense. Calvin had no right over me now. Not anymore.
Gary watched everything unfold like it was his favorite TV dram show. His eyes lit up with amusement as he leaned in, smiling.
“You know,” he said cheerfully, drawing out each word, “I worked on Leon’s case for three straight weeks. Barely slept.Mitch almost lost it over my methods. But I did it. Saved your college sweetheart, Eve. Don’t I deserve a thank you?”
“Gary,” I warned.
He just grinned wider, clearly enjoying himself.
“Some men,” his eyes moved to Calvin, “don’t know how to treasure Eve. Lucky I saved one who does, right, Leon?”
Leon blushed, suddenly finding the ground fascinating. He couldn’t even bring himself to look at me anymore.
I stood there, torn between embarrassment and laughter. Why was Gary directing his words at Calvin?
I glanced over and saw Calvin’s jaw clenched in anger.
Then Alexis’s happy squeal broke through.
“Uncle Gary!” She escaped Calvin’s hold and ran straight to him.
Gary’s face brightened as he caught her, lifting her high with a spin. “Getting heavier, princess! Eating all your vegetables?”
“I’m not fat!” She pouted cutely. “You’re just weak!”
Gary clutched his chest playfully. “Ouch! Just like your mother. Always ready with a comeback!”
He kissed her cheek and hugged her close.
Looking at Calvin boldly, he added, “See? Blood doesn’t matter. I’m Eve’s real family. This little princess knows her favorite uncle.”
His smugness was obvious. “Since Eve considers me family, those sleeping twins of hers should call me uncle too.” His eyes locked on Calvin’s with clear provocation. “Right… former brother-in-law?”
Calvin’s face darkened. His features sharpened with rage, his Alpha power filling the space like a storm. He answered with a cold snort.
Gary’s smile wavered slightly. He rubbed his nose, feeling the pressure. For all his bold words, he couldn’t help but lower his head in submission. An Alpha’s power was absolute.
Such an angry man. No wonder he lost his wife.
Still holding Alexis, Gary spun her again, more playfully. Her laugh rang through the garden, pure and happy despite the tension around her.
I felt Calvin’s Alpha aura grow wilder beside me.
“Gary, she’s too heavy for that,” I said, stepping forward. I tried to sound casual, but my hands shook as I reached for my daughter. “Always making Uncle lift you high. Such a mischievous girl.”
Alexis hugged my neck and kissed my cheek. “But I love Uncle Gary,” she announced loudly. Gary glowed with pride.
Behind us, Calvin stood frozen, his fists tight at his sides.
I needed to end this.
“Leon needs to rest,” I said quickly, touching Gary’s shoulder to calm him. “He just woke up, he’s still weak.”
Gary turned serious and nodded. “You’re right.” He grabbed the wheelchair handles and turned toward the house. The wheels clicked softly on the garden path as he pushed Leon away.
But before going inside, he looked back with one last smirk aimed right at Calvin.
I watched them leave, feeling the tension in my shoulders.I had hoped Calvin wouldn’t target Gary, but now Gary was deliberately provoking him instead.
“Happy to see your college sweetheart awake?” Calvin moved closer.
His tall frame nearly blocked out the light. I answered indifferently, “What’s it to you? In your eyes, I fall for every man I meet, don’t I?”
He grabbed my wrist, forcing me to look at him. “Evelyn, stay away from these men. You may have rejected me, may have run for three years, but you’ve been mine since the moment I marked you.”
I glared at him furiously. “By what right? You have your precious Clara. For her, you’ve repeatedly put my children in danger. Even with all my evidence proving she’s guilty, you’re still protecting her, still here begging Dr. Blake for medicine for her. Who’s really the unfaithful one?”
My words seemed to hit home. He loosened his grip, looking guilty.
“I don’t care what reasons you have, Calvin. Like you said, I rejected you. I’m free now. I’ll love whoever I want. The only connection between us is the twins’ custody. Respect our boundaries and stay out of my personal life!”
I yanked my hand away and strode off.