Chapter 5

[Eva Brooks]

Arriving at the white gate, Cruz parked the red sports car at the frontage, and I asked him, “How about the other houses? Are all the houses the same?”

“No. Houses in this White Estate are expensive. And only billionaires can afford to live here,” Cruz replied calmly, as he waited for the gate man to pull the gate open for him.

“So your wife is a billionaire? Then tell her to pay Jacob Stone for us?” I asked my brother, and he laughed.

“It’s easier said than done. Maddison is not really a billionaire, and moreover, you incurred the debt. You should think of how to earn money to pay Jacob off, before he comes to arrest you,” Cruz said, as he started his car and drove into the compound.

“Why would Jacob come to arrest me? I didn’t steal from him or intentionally cheat on him. Moreover, where will I get a job that will pay me enough to cover a ten-million debt? At Almond Tech, I was offered a job with a salary of two hundred thousand. How many months will I work to be able to pay Jacob?” I said, not wanting to mention Ethan Owen to my brother.

“Eva, you should have thought about all these. If you cannot pay Jacob, you should go back to beg him. I am sure that he will forgive you and take you back. Moreover, he loves you very much,” Cruz advised, and I sighed as he turned off his car.

“Eva, Jacob did so much for you. Try to reach out to him to ask for forgiveness. I am sure he will forgive you. Also, I cannot ask Maddison for another help. It’s enough that I helped you to get a job at Almond Tech. I don’t think she will want to get involved in your scandal,” Cruz said, and I nodded.

“It’s fine. I will find a way to reach out to Jacob later,” I replied, and my brother nodded and reminded me, “That reminds me. Maddison’s younger brother, Noah, is at home. You shouldn’t get on their bad side,” Cruz advised me, before he unlocked his side door and I got out of the car.

The sunny wind bathed my head and blew against my slim body, and I got out in my green midi dress and looked at the magnificent white duplex that loomed in front of me.

The last time I was here was one year ago, when Cruz and Maddison had just welcomed their son. Now, I was here again. I knew how Maddison looked down on my family because she felt we were poor, but because Cruz loved her, he condoned her silly behavior.

Ringing the doorbell, Cruz waited for someone to pull the door open even though it was his own house.

The entrance door swung open, and a tall young man wearing a blue top and black jeans stood there and peered at us.

His eyes fell on me, and he smiled as Cruz and I entered the living room.

The young guy resembled Maddison, and I didn’t need anyone to tell me who he was.

“Welcome, brother-in-law,” he said, as Cruz and I entered the living room.

“Yeah. Noah, this is my sister, Eva,” Cruz introduced us, and I smiled at Noah, as I had seen him once on the day of Cruz and Maddison’s wedding.

“I know, brother-in-law. You don’t have to introduce us,” Noah replied, his tone playful as his brown eyes shamelessly raked over my body.

Unable to hide his curiosity, Noah asked, “Why is Eva having hickeys all over her body? Or is it an allergy?”

“Noah,” Cruz’s expression hardened as he didn’t approve of Noah mocking me.

Maddison strode downstairs, her steps slow, as she peered at me. She wore a pink top and short skirt paired with black slippers.

“Cruz, why would you bring your sister here? Her scandal is the talk of the internet: she cheated on her fiancé and got disowned by her parents, and yet, you brought her here,” Maddison’s sharp voice cut through the air, and Cruz turned to face her.

“Babe, my sister didn’t deliberately cheat on Jacob. They can still settle their differences. Just let her stay with us for a few days, until she can find her way and settle her issues with my parents,” Cruz tried to explain to Maddison, even as he was the man of the house.

“No,” Maddison said sharply. “What do you want my friends, our family members and business partners to say? First, your sister cannot work with us at Almond Tech, because her scandal is all over the internet: she refused to let her fiancé touch her. Yet, she is secretly doing hookups with any available rich man she can find,” Maddison shouted, as she glared at me.

“Babe! Eva is my sister. She is not that type of woman. She didn’t intentionally agree to do it. Just let her stay here for a while. Please,” Cruz begged his wife on my behalf, but she refused.

“No, Cruz. I don’t want your sister here with us. Let her find her way or go back to Jacob. She is not welcome here. Didn’t you see the news? That billionaire CEO, Jacob Stone is demanding fifteen million from your family. Are you going to help Eva pay for it? Let her leave!” Maddison shouted, and I tried to speak.

“Sister-in-law—”

“Don’t call me that. I am not your sister-in-law!” Maddison yelled at me, her eyes shooting daggers my way.

“I cannot be sister-in-law with a cheap slut like you. So get out of my house before you corrupt my son, or get laid with my brother for money,” she accused, and my jaw dropped as I turned speechless.

“What? Big sister, how could you accuse me of such?” Noah said, laughing despite his sister’s anger.

“Who knows what Eva is capable of, when she doesn’t take her eyes off rich guys,” Maddison stated, her voice cold, and Cruz raised his voice at her.

“Babe, Eva is my youngest sister. She is not leaving this house if your brother stays. If you don’t want my sister to stay with us, then your brother is leaving here too,” Cruz stated, as he refused to let me leave. But I didn’t like that he and his wife were quarreling because of me.

“It’s okay, brother. I will go. You don’t have to fight with your wife because of me,” I said, but my brother shook his head.

“No, Eva. Maddison doesn’t allow you or Elora to come here, but she allows her own siblings here. Isn’t that partial?” Cruz asked, his voice sad, and I sighed.

“It’s fine. I will find a hotel to lodge until I can find an apartment,” I replied, wanting to leave, but my brother stopped me.

“I said you are not leaving. Let Maddi come and take you out. Let me see,” Cruz insisted, and Maddison stood speechless, peering at us.

“Come on, let me show you to the guest room,” my brother insisted, but I shook my head.

“Brother, let me go. You don’t have to quarrel with your wife because of me,” I said, but he shook his head.

“If I do not stand up for you, who will? You are my sister, and I’m not going to cast you away just because you made a mistake. You also helped me at my lowest. So if Maddison wants to end our marriage because of you, it’s fine. She can send us out together,” my brother said, his tone firm, and Maddison stood there shocked.