One Last 98

Chapter 98
IRENE’S POV
Eva stepped outside, her smug expression could almost light up the dim evening. I straightened up in my stance, glaring at her, but she just smiled, that sickeningly sweet smile that I had come to hate. Very much.
“Running away, Irene? Again?” she asked, tilting her head as if she was genuinely curious.
I didn’t answer her question. I was too angry to speak. So instead, I turned away, ready to walk down the driveway and get as far from her as possible. But she stepped in front of me, blocking my path.
She just has to be a fucking pest.
“You’re weaker than I thought, Irene. Do you really think you can just leave Damien and Charlie behind?” She crossed her arms on her chest, her eyes gleaming with satisfaction. “And don’t think I’m going to let you come back this time. I’m carrying Damien’s child now. That makes me family.” She sassed
My fists clenched at my sides. “You’re not family, Eva. You’ve never been and will never be family. You’re a liar and a manipulator.” I said through gritted teeth.
Her smile faded, and for the first time, I saw a flicker of something. It was like anger, maybe even fear that flashed in her eyes. But it was gone as quickly as it appeared, replaced with that same icy control she always had.
“We’ll see about that,” she said softly, her voice sounding like poison. “But just know, Irene. I’m not going anywhere. This is my life now. And soon. you’ll be nothing but a memory to Damien” She said and her words hit me like a ton of bricks, but instead of crumbling. I felt something inside of me hardening.
No. I wasn’t going to let her win. I wasn’t going to let her take everything from me. Not this time
Enough is enough.
again.
I stood up straight, meeting her gaze head-on. “You might think you’ve won, Eva. But I’m not going anywhere either. This is my family. My life. And I will fight for it. I retorted sharply, feeling a new wave of emotion and strength washing through
me.
Her smirk faltered, just for a second, and I felt a surge of satisfaction. She wasn’t as invincible as she thought.
I turned on my heel, walking away from the house, my heart pounding in my chest. I had made my decision. I was going to stay. And I was going to fight. But not now.
I needed alcohol and I needed to vent so badly.
A few hours later, many glasses of whiskey downed and Delores just arrived at the bar, I immediately pulled her to sit and was ready to spill out all my aching pains.
Delores slid into the booth across from me, her brows furrowed in concern. She didn’t need to ask what was wrong because with just one look at me, the glass clutched in my hand, and the growing collection of empty glasses and bottles on the table told her enough. Still, she placed a comforting hand on mine.
“Talk to me, girl,” she urged gently, her voice calm, though I could see the worry in her eyes.
I opened my mouth, but no words came out at first. Everything felt tangled inside me. There was anger, hurt, and betrayal like a knot that refused to loosen. I took another sip of whiskey, boping the burn would dissolve the lump that had formed in my throat, but it didn’t. Instead, I closed my eyes, trying to block out the image of Eva’s smug face, her words still repeating in my head like a stubborn bug.
“She’s pregnant,” I finally whispered, my voice breaking at the word. “Eva’s pregnant, Delores, with Damien’s child.” Those
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words tasted so bitter on my tongue, that I could almost throw up.
-What? How-when Delores’s eyes widened in shock, her hand tightening on mine.
Π
1 shook my head, feeling tears
prick the corners of my eyes. “I don’t know. She had broken the news to
To me and Damien earlier today, only for her to reveal it to others at dinner like it was some grand news that should be celebrated. As if she had won.” I explained painfully, realizing once again that this war was not going to be easy.
“And Damien? What did he say?” Delores asked, her voice sharp with anger now, though it was directed at the situation
rather than me.
I let out a bitter laugh, even if there was nothing funny about any of this. “He couldn’t explain. He is so confused and that gives Eva more leverage over this situation because Damien can’t recall what happened that night. But the worst part was that she mocked me. Delries. Right there, in front of everyone. She said she’s going to give Damien his ‘first legitimate child.” I spat the words out, the pain they brought was still fresh and raw.
“She doesn’t know Charlie is his. No one does. And now she’s going to use that against me.” I added, feeling like I could cry. Maybe it was the alcohol, maybe it was the overwhelming pain of everything crashing in my life right now.
Delores’s face hardened, and I could see the rage simmering just beneath the surface. “That b****h,” she muttered. “Irene, you can’t let her get away with this. Her tone was hard.
“I know,” I whispered, my voice barely audible. “But I don’t know what to do. Every time I try to fight back, she finds another way to come up on the ladder. I thought leaving would break her hold on Damien, but now it feels like she’s more entrenched than ever.” I replied
Delores leaned forward, her voice fierce, “You’ve been fighting her for so long, Irene. Don’t let her win now. All your past labor can’t go in vain. You’ve got Charlie to think about. And Damien you know he loves you.” She said.
A tear finally escaped, slipping down my cheek. “Does he?” I whispered, the doubt creeping in. “Does he love me? Or is he just caught in her web, like everyone else?” I asked, not knowing if Delores had the answer.
“He’s a man,” Delores said, her tone softening a bit. “Men get confused, but I’ve seen the way he looks at you, the way he talks about you. The things he does for you and how much he cherishes you. He’s just…he’s lost right now. But you can help him find his way back.” She suggested.
“I don’t even know where to start. I sighed, running a hand through my hair,
“Start by not giving up. Delores said firmly. “You’re stronger than you think, Irene. And you’re not alone. You’ve got me, and you’ve got Charlie. And as far as Eva goes, you’ve outplayed her before. You can do it again.” She said so confidently and I badly want to hang tightly to that strength.
I stared at Delores, her words sinking in slowly. Maybe she was right. Maybe I could still successfully reclaim what was mine. I just needed to find the strength to face whatever came next.
“Let’s get out of here,” I said, wiping my eyes and setting down the empty glass. “I’ve had enough of feeling sorry for myself I got on my feet, holding tight to a renewed feeling.
“That’s my girl. Let’s go.” Delores gave me a small, supportive smile and stood up.
As we stepped outside into the cool night air that engulfed me entirely, I felt a small glimmer of resolve flicker inside me. I wasn’t going to let Eva take everything from me. Not without a fight. And if she thought she could walk into my life, tear my family apart, and come out victorious, she had another thing coming.
We headed back to my house, my mind already working overtime, plotting my next move. But as we walked up to the front door, I noticed something that sent a chill down my spine. The lights were on, and through the window, I could see Eva. sitting there, waiting.
“Great,” I muttered under my breath.
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“What is she still doing here?” Delores followed my gaze, her lips tightening as she saw what I was seeing too.
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“I don’t know,” I said, a sinking feeling settling in my stomach. “But whatever it is, it can’t be good.” That I know for sure.
Π
Eva’s eyes immediately found mine the moment we stepped into the huge house, that familiar glint of malice shimmering behind her smile. She stood up slowly as if she had all the time in the world.
Then she approached me.
“Irene,” she purred, her voice dripping with false sweetness. “I’m so glad you’re back. We need to talk.” She said.
“I’ve got nothing to say to you, Eva” I crossed my arms, refusing to show any weakness.
“Oh, but I think you do,” she said, her smile widening. “You see, you and I…we’re connected now. More than ever.”
“Connected!” I scoffed. “You’re delusional.”
“No,” she said, stepping closer, her voice lowering. “I’m pregnant Irene. That’s a bond that can’t be broken. Damien and I.” she paused to mock me with her demeaning gaze, “-we’re going to be a family now. And where does that leave you?”
“You might be carrying his child, but you will never have what we have. Never.” I could feel the anger rising in me again, but I forced myself to stay calm. I had to.
I was not going
to allow her to rouse me to resort to violence.
“We’ll see about that.” Eva’s eyes flashed with anger, but she quickly masked it with that icy smile. “But if I were you, preparing myself for a future where you’re not the center of Damien’s world anymore?
I’d start
I clenched my fists, biting back the urge to scream. She was trying to get under my skin, to break me. But I wouldn’t give-her the satisfaction.
“I’m not going anywhere, Eva,” I said through gritted teeth. “And if you think you can just sashay your way in here and take over my life, you’re going to be very disappointed,” I remarked, knowing my words would equally hurt her too.
“Oh, Irene. You’ve always been so predictable. Always fighting, always struggling. But you never win, do you?” She asked as her smile grew wider, almost as if she was enjoying this.
“Not yet,” I said, stepping closer until we were face to face. “But that’s about to change,” I smirked.
She laughed softly, a sound that sent chills down my spine. “We’ll see,” she whispered, before turning around and walking
away.
She left me standing there, trembling with rage.
As I stood there, trying to regain my composure, I realized something. I had been so focused on running away, on escaping the pain, that I hadn’t seen what was right in front of me.
This was a war. And I wasn’t going to lose.
Got to her.
Not to anyone.