Behind Closed Doors of Trust

Chapter 1

“Isn’t that your husband?” Evelyn Chen's mother, Fiona Laird, pointed across the bustling street to The Hearth Café. Evelyn froze momentarily, looking up to see Sebastian Windermere, her new husband, leaning back in a chair, dressed in a vibrant red shirt and black pants, chatting animatedly with four stylishly dressed women.
“Seriously, on New Year’s Day, he’s over there talking to other women instead of being with you?” Olivia Chen, Evelyn's cousin, snickered, her arm linked with Ellen’s. Olivia had been living with Evelyn’s family since her own father had passed away years ago due to overwork at House of Chen. When the Windermere family sought to marry into the Chen family, Olivia had been the one initially considered. But Sebastian had chosen Evelyn instead, and that had always left a bitter taste in Olivia's mouth.
Evelyn tightened her grip on her mother's arm, watching Sebastian smile at the group of women, his eyes sparkling with charm. “He told me he was just meeting a few friends and would be back by five.”
“Really?” Fiona stated, observing the man with keen interest.
He looked handsome and charismatic, exuding confidence despite the flashy color he wore. Evelyn lowered her gaze and replied, “Yes, really.”
“Then we should go say hello,” Olivia said excitedly, tugging at her mother to join her.
Evelyn shot Olivia a pointed look.
“Come on, sis,” Olivia replied with feigned innocence.
Evelyn replied coldly, “You think the Windermere family is as easy to push around as the Chens?”
Her words hung in the air with a hint of veiled threat. The marriage between House of Chen and House of Windermere had already been a stretch, with much of the Chen family’s struggling businesses salvaged by Sebastian's family.
Olivia's expression paled slightly.
Fiona, grasping the underlying tension, sighed. “Look, he’s got his own commitments. If he said he’d be back, let’s just trust him.”
Evelyn nodded, feigning nonchalance. “Sure.”
“Let’s keep shopping,” she suggested, leading her mother away. As they turned, Evelyn glanced back just as Sebastian stood up, his almost six-foot-three frame towering over the crowd. Their eyes met for a moment before she quickly looked away and moved on.
Sebastian's gaze lingered a moment longer, a smile playing on his lips as he resumed fiddling with the Rubik's Cube in his hands, feigning interest in the chatter around him.
Once in the elevator, Olivia glanced back at Evelyn. “I swear, he noticed you.”
Fiona also looked over expectantly.
Evelyn focused on the descending numbers. “He has his own plans.”
Her tone was detached.
Intrigued, Olivia smirked, her curiosity piqued at the unfolding drama. Fiona, however, accepted Evelyn's words at face value, perhaps believing Sebastian truly had business to attend to given that they were still newlyweds.
“What do you want to buy now?” Evelyn asked, checking the time.
Fiona shrugged. “Nothing really, it’s the holidays, let’s head home.”
Evelyn produced her car keys, nodding.
She shot a glance at Olivia, who was playing with her phone. “We don’t have to leave yet. We don't even have that many relatives to visit this year. Let's keep wandering around.”
“Go wander by yourself then.”
“Why should I? How will I get back?”
Evelyn sighed, pulling her mother closer. “We’re taking a cab.”
As they stepped out of the lobby, Olivia’s cheeks flushed in anger. “You’re avoiding the fact that you’re upset about your husband being surrounded by women, aren’t you?”
Evelyn remained silent.
“Olivia, that’s enough,” Fiona interjected sharply.
“Is it not true?” Olivia countered. “Everyone knows the only reason for that marriage was to save House of Chen. You can't mess this up for us, Evelyn.”
Evelyn felt a dryness in her throat as she fiddled with her keys. She opened the car door and helped her mother into the vehicle, the weight of the family legacy—and expectations—heavy upon her.

Chapter 2

As Evelyn Chen turned to Olivia Chen, her steps faltered, and she lifted her chin defiantly. "What do you want?" she asked.
"Get in the car," Evelyn replied, lowering her gaze.
With a disdainful pout, Olivia climbed into the vehicle. Fiona Laird glanced from Olivia to her silent daughter, unsure how to scold Olivia or comfort Evelyn.
Evelyn stood by the car for a few moments before sliding into the driver’s seat and starting the engine.
After dropping Fiona and Olivia off at Chen Manor, Evelyn turned the car around and headed back to her new house in Town Square. The nanny had the day off for the holidays, leaving Evelyn to drop her keys and bag onto the sofa. Stretching out, she leaned back, crossing her legs and mindlessly flicking through channels on the TV.
Then her phone buzzed from her bag.
Setting the remote down, Evelyn bent to grab her phone. Upon seeing the incoming call, she hesitated for a moment before swiping the green button without a word.
On the other end, Sebastian Windermere's smooth voice cut through the silence. "Are you coming back to Windermere Hall for dinner? Should I come pick you up, or do you want to drive yourself?”
His voice was always rich and slightly husky, but with a casual undertone that suggested indifference.
After a pause, Evelyn responded, “I’ll drive myself. You do what you need to do.”
"Dinner starts at six. Don’t be late," he said before hanging up. Evelyn stared at her phone for a long moment before putting it down. He hadn’t mentioned what he was up to either—typical.
Last night, he’d taken Uncle Bartholomew Windermere out for some socializing, then returned to sort through paperwork in the study, remaining there overnight. After a quick lunch, he left again, and the next time she saw him was outside The Hearth Café.
He was with a few other women.
Leaning back against the sofa, Evelyn turned her attention back to the television.
Around 4:30 PM, she headed upstairs to wash up. Donning a red dress with a black jacket and slipping on high heels, she braced herself against the winter chill in Kingston as she stepped outside.
Starting her car, she drove toward Windermere Hall. The Chen Manor had fallen into disrepair over the years, and her family still lived amidst the noisy, outdated neighborhood. In contrast, the Windermere estate had relocated to a quieter community, beautifully landscaped and especially adorned for the holidays. As it was a special time, many vehicles filled the neighborhood, with luxury cars lining the streets.
Evelyn parked the car smoothly by the entrance of Windermere Hall.
The sky was still a soft blue as she got out and walked inside, greeting the butler who replied with a warm smile, "Lord Jonathan is in the back yard."
“Thank you, Uncle,” she said lightly, unraveling her scarf as she headed toward the back.
In the backyard, a private screening room sat slightly ajar. The maid directed a knowing smile towards her as Evelyn climbed the steps, pushed the door open, and found Sebastian Windermere lounging against the armrest of a sofa, fiddling with a Rubik’s cube with a plate of pistachios nearby. Seeing her, he lifted his gaze. "Come in."
Evelyn stepped inside.
The door closed with a soft click behind her.
She placed her scarf on the sofa and glanced at the screen before feeling Sebastian’s fingers on her wrist. The next moment, she found herself sitting on his lap.
He hugged her waist, grinning. "Did you go shopping this afternoon?"
Evelyn looked down, her gaze falling onto his fair-skinned chest as the red shirt he wore accentuated the paleness of his skin. She swallowed her retort and nodded. "Yeah."
Sebastian set the cube aside, stretched, then handed her the plate of pistachios. "Peel some for me."
Evelyn took the plate and placed it on the armrest before bending down to peel a few nuts. Sebastian held her waist, stealing glances at her while tapping on his phone—a flurry of messages flashed across the screen.
Evelyn caught a glimpse of one message.
“Hey, how am I supposed to cope if you’re getting married?”

Chapter 3

Evelyn Chen paused for a moment, glancing over at Sebastian Windermere, who was engrossed in his phone. His voice was low and teasing as he raised an eyebrow at her. “What are you looking at?”
She resumed peeling the pistachios, picking one up and offering it to his lips. Sebastian, with a playful smirk, opened his mouth and bit down gently, his gaze locked on her. Evelyn lowered her head, a cascade of her hair falling softly around her.
Her beauty was striking yet non-threatening, her demeanor as gentle as her looks. As Sebastian chewed his snack, he tightened his hold around her waist, chuckling, “Don’t be scared, okay?”
Evelyn flicked a glance at him.
“I’m not scared.”
Sebastian grinned, holding her close as they enjoyed the quiet moment together, munching on a few more pistachios. Just then, the housekeeper knocked before entering to inform them that dinner was served. Sebastian guided her to her feet, his hand resting lightly on her waist. In that brief encounter, Evelyn could catch a whiff of his cologne, and when she leaned in to smell him, it was accompanied by a faint scent of perfume.
Evelyn looked down, preparing to grab her scarf.
Sebastian cast a glance down at her and took her hand as they strolled out.
Holding onto her scarf, Evelyn felt as if she had absorbed his lingering scent. She lightly asked, “Did you change your cologne?”
Sebastian shot her a sideways glance, then chuckled. “Nope, same one.”
“Maybe it’s just my imagination.”
Evelyn could feel her thoughts laid bare under his gaze, and she cleared her throat, smiling shyly, “I was just asking.”
Sebastian responded with a laugh, not probing further.
Before their engagement, they both understood the unsaid pact they had made. Now that they were officially a couple, it was best to avoid stirring the pot any further. Evelyn lowered her head, sensing that her earlier smile had faded away.
How did she let herself slip?
What he meant was, “I’ll protect the Chen family; you just need to be my faithful wife and stay out of my business.”
Just don’t involve yourself.
Once they entered the dining room, Evelyn put on a polite smile. Tonight, even Uncle Bartholomew Windermere was back, and Sebastian’s parents were wonderfully welcoming. His mother, in particular, couldn’t help but pull Evelyn close, chatting and showing genuine concern for her well-being.
Evelyn felt warmth in her heart but couldn’t help sneaking glances at the man across the table.
Sebastian lounged back in his chair, chatting comfortably with Uncle Bartholomew in the soft glow of the dining room lights. With his charming features and playful gaze, he was anything but the heartless man everyone warned about.
Yet—
Evelyn’s fleeting warmth dissipated, and she reeled her focus back, plastering on her polite smile as she engaged in conversation with Sebastian’s mother again.
*
After dinner, they settled into the living room. Evelyn sat with Sebastian’s mother on the couch, watching television, while Sebastian conversed with his father and Uncle Bartholomew across from them, reclining lazily and discussing serious matters.
Then, a loud ringtone broke through the discussion.
Evelyn glanced over; it was Sebastian's phone. The three of them were still across the room, and even Sebastian’s mother heard it. She poked her head forward, playfully coaxing Evelyn, “Why don’t you answer it?”
Evelyn smiled and shook her head. “No, I think I should just take it to him.”
She knew better than to touch his phone.
“Go ahead, you can either answer or hang up; it’s late; what could there possibly be that’s so important?” Sebastian’s mother, Cecilia Lane, understood her son all too well. Her eyes darted to the phone.
The caller was a number from Kingston. With a bemused smile, she added, “Evelyn, if you won’t answer, then I will.”
Before Evelyn could object, Cecilia reached for the phone.
Evelyn glanced at the living room, her fingers resting on the arm of the handsome man seated there. Taking a moment to consider, she finally picked up the sleek black device.
“I’ll answer; let me see what they want,” she told Cecilia.
Cecilia nodded approvingly.
Evelyn was eager to prove she was a capable daughter-in-law, even though her nature often leaned towards the meek. She hesitated, unsure if this was a call she should take.
Evelyn stood, moving to the hallway, and pressed the answer key. In that fleeting second before the line connected, she hoped for a male voice but was disappointed.
Instead, a sultry female voice came through. “Sebastian?”
Evelyn averted her eyes to the floor, keeping her tone gentle, “He’s busy right now.”

Chapter 4

Evelyn Chen hesitated for a moment before saying, “Oh, I see. I'll call him back later.”
Evelyn briefly glanced toward the living room, propping herself up against the sofa's arm. Dressed in a black sweater, she caught a glimpse of him looking back at her, his eyelids narrowing slightly.
She realized she had answered his call.
Evelyn’s heart raced. She quickly turned to the woman across from her, “Let’s just leave it for now. Call back later.”
After hanging up, she pressed the screen off and hurried back to the living room, placing her phone on the coffee table. Isabella Lane was seated nearby, munching on sunflower seeds with a keen gaze fixed on her.
After a long moment, Isabella sighed, “What are you so afraid of?”
Evelyn forced a smile and looked at Isabella. “Mom, I’m going to take a shower. I spent the afternoon shopping with you and I'm a bit worn out.”
Isabella set down the seeds and picked up Sebastian Windermere’s phone, trying to unlock it. Frowning when she couldn’t, she remarked, “Is that a woman’s number?”
“Mom…” Evelyn glanced nervously at Isabella, who eventually returned the phone but didn’t miss the look on her daughter’s face. She waved her hand dismissively. “Forget it. Go ahead and rest.”
“Thank you, Mom.”
Evelyn grabbed her jacket from the rack and headed upstairs. As she walked past the small guest room, she deliberately avoided looking at the man inside. Sebastian Windermere’s master bedroom was located on the third floor. Before they got married, he had made sure to buy her some clothes to keep here. She grabbed her pajamas and went to take a shower.
After finishing her shower, she sat on the edge of the bed, scrolling through her phone, hoping to chat with someone.
After several failed attempts to connect with anyone, she sighed and put her phone down to read instead.
As night fell, Sebastian Windermere stood outside, accompanied by Sir Thomlin Windermere, as they watched Uncle Bartholomew Windermere drive away. Sir Thomlin, unable to hold back his weariness, patted Sebastian's shoulder. “I’m off to bed.”
“Okay.”
With one hand in his pocket, Sebastian carelessly extinguished half a cigarette in the ashtray and turned toward the coffee table. He bent down to pick up the black phone. When it unlocked, he scrolled through the call logs, noticing a number that Evelyn had just answered. A ghost of a smile played on his lips, though his eyes remained unbothered.
Suddenly, the phone buzzed again.
Sebastian sank into the sofa, twisting a decorative flower from the table between his fingers as he answered the call.
A sultry voice broke through, uncertain. “Sebastian?”
“Talk,” he replied in a light tone, still feeling the fatigue of a long evening.
“This afternoon, you left a lighter at The Hearth Café. I was wondering if I could drop it off to you tomorrow.”
Sebastian plucked at the flower, a slight laugh escaping him. “Lighter? I didn’t smoke this afternoon.”
The woman paused, a hint of awkwardness in her silence. “Okay, well, I was hoping to see you. Are you free now?”
Sebastian leaned back, propping his long legs on the table. “Not going out. Tell me, did my wife ask you anything tonight?”
Another silence followed before laughter bubbled from the other end. “No, she told me to call again later, just said you were busy. You really found a great wife.”
Sebastian chuckled softly, a brow raised in interest. “Mm.”
He hung up, remaining in the living room for a bit longer before finally heading upstairs. The room felt warmer than the air outside as he shed his sweater, retrieving his sleepwear before heading to the bathroom.
After showering, he emerged, steam rising from his skin as he towelled off, draping the towel nearby and pulling back the covers.
Evelyn lay soundly asleep, hands resting on her belly. Instinctively, she shifted to pull the comforter closer, and Sebastian climbed onto the bed. He gently turned her face toward him and pressed his lips to her neck.
Evelyn stirred slightly, eyes fluttering open. When she turned to him, she was met with his charming eyes, the dim light casting a warm glow on his features. Instinctively, she opened her mouth to speak.
Sebastian placed a finger gently over her lips. “Shh…”
Her cheeks flushed as she weakly wrapped her delicate fingers around his shoulder, tilting her head back, her mind swirling. She drew him in closer, tightening her hold around his neck.
“Sebastian.”
His voice, rich and playful, tickled her ear. “Hmm, don’t answer my calls anymore, okay?”
The arms that clung to his neck loosened a bit as she stared at him in surprise. He smiled back, pulling her closer. “But you did well tonight.”
So honest.
He liked that about her.

Chapter 5

Evelyn Chen's fingers clutched the bedsheet tightly, a tangled mess reflecting her chaotic thoughts. She stared blankly at him, an internal storm of conflicting feelings surging within her. It was painfully clear that his mother had orchestrated everything, something she had always known—he hated her touching his phone.
After what felt like an eternity, Evelyn turned to Sebastian Windermere, resting her head against his shoulder, and whispered, “I’m tired.”
Sebastian raised an eyebrow and kissed her cheek. “I know.”
Without another word, he lifted her in his arms and carried her toward the bathroom. Thirty minutes later, she slipped under the covers in her pajamas. The bathroom door creaked open again, revealing Sebastian in a plush robe, his damp hair framing his face as the collar hung loosely, showcasing his enticing collarbone.
He circled the bed, pulling the blanket up as he ruffled her hair. “Go to sleep.”
A soft reply escaped Evelyn as she turned on her side, but Sebastian’s voice broke through the stillness. “Come a little closer.”
Evelyn hesitated, bites at her lip, but eventually inched towards him until they were almost touching. He gently turned her to face him, and she found herself resting against his shoulder.
With a subtle tap, he switched off the lights.
In the darkness, Evelyn’s eyes fluttered open, her mind racing with the sound of another woman's voice echoing in her thoughts, calling out for him—Zechin, Zechin, Zechin.
How many women out there had called him Zechin?
What secrets was hidden within his phone?
Minutes dragged on before Evelyn turned away from him, her back to him, and through the soft glow of the nightstand lamp, she spotted a box of condoms resting there.
He bought all of these.
Evelyn's gaze lingered on the box until, finally, she shut her eyes.
*
The next morning, Evelyn woke to find the bed beside her empty. It was well past nine. She dressed quickly and headed downstairs. Isabella Lane had just finished her morning yoga session, returning with a bright smile. “Why didn’t you sleep a little longer?”
Evelyn shook her head, a smile plastered on her face as she scanned the room for Sebastian, but he was nowhere to be found.
Noticing her searching gaze, Isabella's smile faded slightly. “He left early.”
Evelyn was taken aback. “Oh, okay.”
Isabella’s eyes softened with concern. She took Evelyn's hand and guided her toward the kitchen. “Come on, eat something for breakfast. We can head to Stone Keep later.”
Evelyn hesitated, then replied, “No, Mom, I’m heading home for a bit. Dad hasn’t been feeling well these past few days.”
“Oh, I see. That’s fine.” Isabella mulled it over for a moment, then turned to gather gifts for Chen Manor when she saw Evelyn already seated at the table.
Evelyn quietly sipped her porridge, her thoughts still lingering on Sebastian.
Several housekeepers passed by, casting sidelong glances at her. Their hushed conversations floated around her.
“Looks like it’s better to marry someone suitable. I can’t believe the second son left her like this.”
“His mom had quite the argument with him this morning over this issue. Meanwhile, she’s up there sleeping comfortably.”
“She can’t control him; who even knows why she agreed to this arrangement in the first place?”
“Probably for the Windermere fortune, it’s a mutual benefit. Anyway, let’s not dwell on this. At least the lady is trying to defend her.”
“True, but honestly, I think she’s being a bit naïve.”
Evelyn’s grip on her spoon faltered, frozen in place as she stared down at the bowl of bland porridge.
Her eyes flicked to her phone on the table, and after several moments of deliberation, she picked it up, fingers poised to send a message.
Evelyn Chen: Why didn’t you wake me before you left this morning?
The response came almost immediately.
Sebastian Windermere: I wanted you to sleep a little more.
A cold smile curled Evelyn's lips as she thought to herself: I didn’t need that. I didn’t need you—
After breakfast, she said her goodbyes to Isabella, who walked her to the car, holding her hand tightly. “Make sure to come back home for a visit soon. Living out here with Sebastian can’t be as cozy as at home.”
“Okay, Mom.” Evelyn nodded with a smile.
Isabella patted her head affectionately. From the corner of her eye, Evelyn noticed the butler loading several gift boxes into the back of the vehicle. She lowered her gaze, murmuring, “Mom, we really have everything we need at home.”
“Just take them.”
With a resigned sigh, Evelyn accepted the gifts, heading to the driver's side of her car. She started the engine, nodding goodbye to Isabella and the butler as she turned the car around.
The white vehicle glided out of the driveway.
Isabella frowned slightly. “Evelyn really seems uncomfortable living in our house.”
The butler sighed. “It’s really all about the attitude of the second son.”
Isabella frowned again, her frustration palpable. Having raised two sons, neither had turned out to be a source of comfort for her.

There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading "Behind Closed Doors of Trust"

(It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app).

❤️Click to read more exciting content❤️