Chapter 2
Evelyn's POV
The night I left the Winston estate, New York was hit with freezing rain.
I didn't go to a hotel or call any of those so-called "friends." Three years in high society had taught me enough—those people were just Arthur's hangers-on. Once they knew I'd been kicked out, they'd come running to watch me fall.
I dragged my suitcase onto the subway to an old apartment in Lower Manhattan. Dr. Miller's empty place—my former mentor.
Next morning, I put on a faded shirt and jeans and stood outside New York-Presbyterian's research building.
"Evelyn?" Dr. Miller spotted me in the hallway, shocked. "I thought you were Mrs. Winston. What are you doing here?"
"I got divorced." I looked at him calmly. "I want to come back. That artificial heart valve project—still need people?"
Miller was quiet for a long time. Three years ago, I'd been his star student. But for Dad's illness, for Arthur's money, I'd abandoned my research, played dress-up, and became a canary in a cage.
"Evelyn, research isn't child's play," Miller sighed. "You've been out for three years. Coming back means starting as an assistant, tiny salary, all-nighters. You sure you can handle that?"
"I'll do whatever it takes, Dr. Miller." I met his eyes. "For myself."
The lab days were exhausting but fulfilling. When cells appeared under my microscope, I felt like I was waking up.
I wasn't the bitter wife worrying about Arthur's dinner or Chloe's schemes anymore. I was a researcher controlling my own life.
Within a week, working around the clock, I caught a mistake that had the team stuck for three months.
"Brilliant! I knew you hadn't lost it!" Miller praised me at our meeting.
But peace never lasts.
Friday afternoon, I was checking patient files in the hallway when heels clicked closer.
"Well, well, if it isn't Mrs. Winston!"
I looked up. Chloe. Head-to-toe designer with two bodyguards, like she owned the place.
She walked up, eyeing my stained lab coat.
"Jesus, Evelyn, what happened to you? Arthur said you ran off to find yourself. I thought you went on some retreat, but here you are doing... this?"
She said "this" loud enough for the nurses to stare.
I closed my file, looked at her coldly. "Chloe, this is the research floor. People who don't belong here need to shut up. Or get out."
Her face changed, then she smiled. "Come on, don't be that way. I know you're upset. Arthur's been moody—he canceled your cards—but he just wants you to come home and apologize."
"Look at you. You can't even afford decent clothes. Just suck it up and promise not to get in the way of me and Arthur. I could talk to him, get your father back in that VIP room..."
"Chloe." I cut her off, stepping closer.
She backed away, panicked.
"You think every woman is like you? That we can't think about anything but men and shopping?"
I looked down at her. "I don't need your scraps. And I don't need my stuck-up ex. You can keep him. To me? He's trash."
"How DARE you talk about Arthur like that!" Chloe pointed at me, furious. "You'll regret this! He'll cut your father off for good!"
I laughed. Ice-cold.
"Go ahead. Tell him to try. If he can."
I turned and walked away. The glass door slammed shut, cutting off her screaming fit.
"SHIT! Evelyn! Who the hell do you think you are? Without Arthur, you're NOTHING!"
But I was already gone.
Meanwhile, Winston Group's executive floor.
Arthur sat in his chair, trying to look calm as he listened to reports, but his pen kept spinning.
"Sir, Miss Hayes hasn't used any cards for a week. No activity anywhere. We've checked all her usual spots—nothing."
Arthur stopped spinning his pen. This wasn't like Evelyn. Before, she'd cave after two days. A whole week of silence?
"What's her game?" Arthur set down his pen, irritated. "Find out where she is. She's probably trying some new angle to make me apologize first."
He paused. "With her dad's medical bills, she'll come back. She has to."
But something felt off.
Just then, Chloe stumbled in, clothes messy, tears in her eyes.
"Arthur! Help me!" She threw herself into his arms, shaking.
"Chloe? What happened?" Arthur checked if she was hurt.
"It's Evelyn... she's lost her mind!" Chloe grabbed his shirt, voice shaking. "I went to the hospital to help her, to convince her to apologize..."
"But she wouldn't listen! She humiliated me in front of everyone, called me a slut, said you weren't worth the bacteria in her lab!"
Arthur's face went dark.
"She said WHAT?"
