Defying Fate: The Unstoppable Eileen novel Chapter 414

Slap, slap, slap, slap!

Eileen smacked Egbert’s arm several times in a row.

He caught her hand, holding her still.

The truth was, most of their mutual friends in the circle already knew about them. Sooner or later, Ophelia would find out as well. Better to come clean herself than have Ophelia hear it from someone else.

Eileen understood that, of course. But she was just hoping to find the perfect time and place—when everything felt right—to tell her.

At that moment, Eileen slid down to the floor, curling up beside the coffee table. She glanced at her phone on the table and called out, “Ophelia…”

Click.

The call was abruptly ended.

Eileen’s lips quivered. She looked up at Egbert and said, “She’s mad. She’s never approved of us being together. She always says you look like trouble—and, honestly, you kind of are…”

Egbert just looked at her in silence.

He reached out, trying to help her up.

Right then, the phone rang again.

Eileen glanced at the screen. It was Ophelia calling back.

She hurried to answer, but before she could say a word, Ophelia’s sharp voice shot through the line: “Use protection!”

And then—click—the call ended again.

Eileen stared in shock.

Egbert was speechless.

Eileen stayed crouched on the floor, her face turning so red it looked like she might burst.

Egbert glanced at her, his expression complicated. “Your manager sure has a lot of faith in me.”

Eileen’s blush deepened until her whole face was aflame.

***

The next day, Egbert and Eileen visited the Howard family estate.

It had been several months since their last visit, but thanks to the housekeeper who came regularly, the place was spotless.

Stepping back into this familiar, beloved home, Eileen felt a pang in her chest. There were so many memories here. If she could avoid it, she’d rather not come back often, because every time she crossed the threshold, her defenses crumbled a little more.

Egbert slipped his arm around her shoulders and pressed a gentle kiss to the top of her head.

She looked up at him. “My grandparents and dad always used to joke that they couldn’t imagine what it’d be like if I brought a boyfriend home.”

Egbert chuckled softly. “I hope I won’t disappoint them.”

Eileen grinned. “Who knows if you’ll disappoint them? They always said the welcome gift for any guy I brought home would be breaking both his legs.”

Egbert raised his eyebrows.

Eileen tilted her chin proudly. “I’m the apple of their eye, you know!”

Egbert affectionately pinched the tip of her nose, his voice soft. “You’re the apple of mine, too.”

She pushed him away, scratching at her ear to hide her embarrassment, then hurried into the study.

The wall facing the door was lined with mementos—her grandmother’s certificates, her grandfather’s calligraphy, her father’s medals, and her own elementary school report cards.

Eileen took them all in, one by one, before looking over to the side wall. There, three large photographs hung in a row.

The center was her grandparents’ wedding photo.

On the left: a family portrait taken at a studio when Eileen was two, her whole family close together.

On the right: the snapshot she’d dreamed about, her father as a child with her grandparents in their old courtyard, a slice of daily life.

Eileen stood beneath that photo, pointing at the black-and-white cat perched in the tree, its face finally visible. “That’s Blue Cheese.”

Eileen nodded. “Where’s Isabel?”

Sonia Mayfield Lopez, her sister-in-law, replied, “At kindergarten. Actually, there’s a parent-teacher meeting today. I’ll need to head over soon.”

Eileen was eager to fit in. “Is Isabel’s school far? I could go to the meeting for her, if you want.”

Sonia hesitated. “You’re a public figure—wouldn’t that be awkward?”

Eileen waved it off. “I’ll wear a hat and a mask—no one will recognize me! Trust me, I’m a pro. I wear disguises to the grocery store all the time for the best deals, and nobody ever notices me!”

Sonia could only smile, slightly embarrassed. “Well, all right. I’ll have the driver take you.”

Rosalind, however, frowned. “Why are you shopping for discounts? If you need money, just ask!”

Eileen grinned. “Discounts are the best!”

Rosalind blinked. “What?”

Eileen insisted, “They’re amazing!”

Rosalind just shook her head, speechless.

***

Isabel had no idea her aunt would be coming to the meeting. When she saw Eileen show up, she was completely stunned.

Kindergarten meetings didn’t last long. Barely an hour later, Eileen picked Isabel up and brought her home.

As soon as they returned, Eileen skipped off to the garden to find Egbert.

Rosalind, carrying a plate of fruit from the kitchen, spotted Isabel sprawled on the sofa, still wearing her backpack, looking utterly drained, as if her soul had left her body.

Rosalind asked, “What’s wrong, sweetie?”

Isabel sat up, glancing nervously from her grandmother to Sonia, who was coming downstairs. In a hushed, worried voice, she said, “Aunt Eileen told me to pay attention in class and not to doze off. But at the parent-teacher meeting, she fell asleep herself—and she even snored! When we were leaving, all the parents and teachers were whispering and pointing at me. I was too embarrassed to admit she was my aunt, so I told them she was a kidnapper.”