TEMPORARY MATES PERMANENT CRAVINGS novel Chapter 74

Seventy-Four

Lisa

Evangeline showed up a few minutes later.

“Mrs Hartwell, it’s so good to see you. How are you feeling?”

My mother stood there for a second, still adjusting to her vision, then accepted the hug.

“Much better, thank you. And thank you for letting me stay here. It’s very generous.”.

“Oh, please. You’re family.”

She talked with my mother for a while and played the perfect hostess. She laughed, asked about recovery, and made sure everyone saw how warm she could be. She was being sweet to my mother, but I knew she was doing it to get under my skin. A reminder that she could be kind when she felt like it.

Later, when we were alone, my mother lowered her voice.

“There’s something off about that girl.”

I forced a small smile. “She’s trying to be nice.”

“No. It’s more than that.” She touched my arm. “It feels false. Like she’s acting instead of being real. Be careful around her, Lisa. I don’t trust her.”

I wanted to defend Evangeline and say she had every reason to hate me. I was the outsider. The problem.

But I didn’t say it.

Partly because I agreed.

There was something wrong there, and I couldn’t afford to admit it out loud.

The public humiliation came two days later.

I was in the main hall when Cameron came down the stairs with Evangeline and Nadia. He saw me right away.

“Lisa. A word.”

His voice was cold, nothing like how he sounded when we were alone.

I walked over slowly. “Yes?”

“I’ve been reviewing the contract,” he said. “It’s been almost two months, and you’re not pregnant. We need to discuss whether this arrangement still makes sense.”

My stomach dropped. “The physician said it can take time.”

“I know, but time isn’t unlimited.” His tone stayed sharp. “Evangeline is improving. If she continues, we might not need a surrogate. That means your services may no longer be necessary.”

The words were meant to sting.

They did.

1/4

ty Four

+15 Bonus

Evangeline stood beside him, and I caught the satisfaction in her eyes. Nadia watched from the stairs like she was waiting for a show.

“I understand,” I said.

“You’ve been distracted,” he continued. “You spend time at the nursery and everywhere except where you’re supposed to be. You need to focus on the job.”

“I’ve been available.”

“Available isn’t the same as committed.” He finally looked at me, his expression hard. “If you can’t give us what we’re paying for, we’ll find someone who can.”

It was a performance. I saw it in the tightness around his eyes and the way he avoided holding my gaze for too long.

He was doing this for Evangeline.

Knowing that didn’t help.

“I understand,” I said again. “I’ll do better.”

“Make sure you do.”

He walked away. Evangeline followed with her hand on his arm, and Nadia left right behind them.

My mother found me a few minutes later.

“I heard,” she said quietly.

“Mom-”

“Is it worth it?” She sat on the edge of my bed. “Is the money worth being treated like that?”

“It’s fine. He was making a point. It didn’t mean anything.”

“It meant something to you. I can see it.”

I looked away. “The money matters. Your surgery alone cost more than-”

“I don’t care about the money,” she said firmly. “I care about watching my daughter get humiliated by people who should be thanking her.”

“They are grateful. It’s complicated.”

“It shouldn’t be.”

She studied me for a long moment. “And Cameron?”

“What about him?”

“Lisa, I may be half blind, but I’m not stupid.” Her voice softened. “Be careful. Falling for someone you can’t have will destroy you.”

“I’m not in love with him.”

I couldn’t hold her gaze when I said it.

I left the room and went downstairs, looking for Franklin because I needed something to pull my mind

2/4

Seventy Four

somewhere else.

+15 Bonus

“Is the jealousy plan working?” I asked, dropping into the chair across from him.

“I don’t know, and honestly I don’t care anymore.” He leaned back. “Nadia is spoiled and still dating Desmond while playing games with me. I’m done waiting for her to decide what she wants.”

“So you’re making it real with Cora?”

“Maybe.” He shrugged. “She’s easy to be around. We laugh. That’s more than I get from most people.”

“You’re still in love with Nadia.”

“Doesn’t mean I have to chase her. Sometimes you let go and find someone who actually chooses you.”

We sat there quietly for a moment before he spoke again.

“I think Cameron is in love with you.”

I laughed. “That’s ridiculous.”

“Is it?” Franklin looked serious. “I’ve known him his whole life, and I’ve never seen him like this. Not even with Evangeline.”

“He has a mate. The Goddess chose them. That matters more than anything he might feel for me.”

“The bond is breaking,” Franklin said. “Everyone can see it. Something has been wrong between them for a while, and it started before you showed up.”

“Even if that’s true,” I said, “it doesn’t change anything. He’s with her, and I’m leaving as soon as I get pregnant.” 1

I took the pregnancy test that night.

Actually, I took four. Different brands. Different times. I wanted to be sure.

Every single one came back negative.

I wasn’t pregnant.

I went to the rooftop after that because I needed air and space and something that didn’t feel like walls closing in.

I stood at the edge and looked out over the territory.

Footsteps sounded behind me.

Cameron.

“I’ll go,” I said right away.

“Don’t.” He stepped closer. “Can we at least be civil? Can we exist in the same space without avoiding each other?”

“Friends?”

3/4

Seventy fou

+15 Bchus

“Not friends. Just… people who don’t make every room uncomfortable.”

I wanted to refuse. Being civil with him felt harder than pretending he didn’t exist.

“Okay,” I said. “We can be civil.”

“Good.” He moved to stand beside me.

I hesitated, then asked, “Is the smell getting any better?”

“No.” His voice turned rough. “It’s worse, and Evangeline still refuses the treatment that might help.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be. It’s not your fault.”

“When she finally accepts treatment and starts getting better,” I said, “things will settle. The bond will fix itself the smell will stop, and everything will go back to normal.”

He nodded like repeating it might make it true.

“I hope so,” I said, and I meant it.

We stood there looking at the stars.

Civil.

Two people stuck in something impossible, pretending being polite would be enough, even though we both knew it wouldn’t be.

COIN BUNDLE: get more free bonus

P

Comments

Support

Share