Hebentdowntopickupthedocument,butEvelynwasfaster,snatchingitoffthefloorbeforehecould.
Martinseyesfollowedhermovements,landingonthefilesheclutchedtoherchest.Realizationdawned.Isthatthedocumentyouhadmesignlasttime? Relievedhehadntseenthedetails, Evelynnodded.Hechuckled.
Whyareyousoprotectiveofit?Ialreadytoldyou,whatsmineisyours.Icanhandleanything.
Shedidntrespond,afraidheddigdeeper.Instead,shechangedthesubject.Yousaidyouboughtmeagift.Whatis it? Comeon,Illshowyou.Martinpulledakeyfromthedraweranddangleditinfrontofher.
Whentheyarrivedatthedestination,itturnedouttobeavilla.
Astheywalkedthroughthegrandentrance,Martinexplained, Youalwayssaidtheoldhousefelttoostuffy,notlikeahome.SoIboughtthisone,decorateditexactlyhowyoud like.

In thebackgarden,aseaofpurpleorchidscaughtEvelynseye.Martinsvoicesoftened.Yousaidyoulovedorchids,soIhadtheseplantedjustforyou.
Heledherfurtherinside,stoppingatthenurserynexttothemasterbedroom.Theroomwas filledwithbabyfurniture,tinyclothes,andtoys.
Martinwrappedhisarmsaroundherfrombehind,hisvoicewarmwithaffection.
Whenthebabysborn,theyllstayhere.Closeenough,butnottooclosetodisturb us.
Whatshouldwenamethem?YouremyEvelyn,andIadoreyou.HowaboutLovelyn? Evelynstayedsilent,tearsstreamingdownherface.
Martinnoticedandgentlywipedthemaway,amused.
Whyareyousoemotional? Shelethimdryhertearsbut didntanswer.Onlysheknewhertearswerentfrom joy.

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Justthen,afamiliarvoicecalledoutfromthedoorway.
Martin,Evelyn!Whatacoincidence! Stella walkedin,hersmilebrightasshezeroedinonMartin.
00PlondyIschaeAndADollatToHisHeart 33.6% Chapter5 Iwaseyeingthisvilla,buttheagentsaid itwassold.Soitwasyoutwo!Martin,Ijustgotbackandneedaplacetostay.Couldyouletmehavethisone? Hertonewassweet,buthereyesweresharp,alreadyclaimingvictory.
Martinsusualcomposurefaltered.HeglancedatEvelyn,hisexpressiondarkening Ifitwereanyothervilla,hedhaveagreedwithoutasecondthought.ButthisonehedjustpromisedittoEvelyn.
Iknowitsaskingalot,butIreallylovethisplace.AndIminahurryitshardtofindsomethinglikethis.
Martin,justletmehaveitthisonce! Hervoicewas lacedwithaplea,andMartinhesitated.Finally,henoddedandturnedtoEvelyn.
Evelyn,thebabysnothereyet.Letsgivethisone toStella.Illbuyyouanotherjustlikeit.

Evelynsmiledfaintly,neitheragreeing nordisagreeing.
ItdidntmatterwhatshesaidMartinhadalready madehischoice.
Asforthebaby… Thebabywasgone,andhestilldidntknow.
Toshowhergratitude,Stellainvitedthemtodinner.Butassoonasthefoodarrived,Martinsphonerang.
HegesturedtoEvelyn,thenstood.Youeatfirst.Ineedtotakethis.
Evelynjustwantedaquietmeal,butStellahadotherplans.