His Innocent wife

weight of announcement

The evening air on the balcony was a welcome respite for Evelyn. She leaned against the railing, trying to calm the rapid beating of her heart. The distant hum of conversations from the party below barely registered as she tried to push away the unsettling feeling that Aiden Thorn's gaze had instilled in her. She had never felt so exposed and scrutinized, and the feeling was unnerving.

After several moments of trying to regain her composure, Evelyn reluctantly reentered the party. The atmosphere inside was lively, though she now felt out of sync with the surrounding gaiety. She forced herself to join the conversation, her smile strained as she greeted the guests.

The music and laughter seemed distant, overshadowed by the chaos in her mind.She couldn't shake the feeling of being watched, as though his presence clung to her like a shadow, ever-present and overwhelming.

Her mother, Beatrice, stood at the far side of the ballroom, chatting politely with a few guests.

Evelyn quickly made her way over, eager for a familiar face that might ease her nerves. Her mother's warmth had always been a source of comfort, even if, in recent times, she had seemed more distant, weighed down by the demands of her husband's ambitions.

As Evelyn approached, her mother's eyes softened.

"Are you alright, dear?" Margaret asked, noting the tension still evident in her daughter's posture.

"I'm fine, Mother," Evelyn said, forcing a smile, though her voice betrayed her unease.

"I just needed a little fresh air. It's quite crowded in there."

Beatrice nodded knowingly, glancing toward the throng of guests before leaning in slightly.

"It is overwhelming, isn't it? These events your father insists on hosting. I don't know how anyone manages to enjoy themselves." She gave Evelyn's hand a gentle squeeze.

"But you looked lovely tonight, dear. I saw you speaking with that young man, Aiden Thorn, wasn't it?"

Evelyn's heart skipped a beat at the mention of his name. She glanced back toward the crowd, where she knew Aiden was still lingering.

"Yes, Father introduced us," she murmured, not wanting to go into detail about just how unsettling the encounter had been.

Her mother studied her face, her brow furrowing slightly. "You look a little pale, Evelyn. Are you sure everything's alright?"

Evelyn hesitated, unsure of how to put her feelings into words. There was something about Aiden—something she couldn't explain but couldn't ignore.

"I just... I don't know, Mother. He's very intense."

Beatrice's eyes flashed with concern, and for a brief moment, Evelyn saw a flicker of something else—guilt, perhaps?

"Your father has been quite focused on this business deal with Mr. Thorn," her mother said quietly, her tone suddenly more guarded.

"I only hope it doesn't lead to anything more... complicated."

Evelyn frowned. "What do you mean?"

Before her mother could respond, James Hart's commanding voice cut through the air, drawing the attention of everyone in the room.

"Ladies and gentlemen, may I have your attention?"

Evelyn and her mother both turned toward the center of the ballroom, where James stood, a confident smile on his face. Evelyn's stomach churned—she knew that smile, and it always meant something significant was about to happen.

"I'd like to take a moment to express my gratitude to all of you for being here tonight," James continued, his voice carrying across the room.

"This evening is not just a celebration of business success, but also a celebration of the future. And speaking of the future, I have an announcement that I'm particularly excited to make."