I stood frozen, my heart hammering so loudly I was sure he could hear it.
The tall man with those piercing green eyes was still staring at me. I stared right back, completely lost in them. His eyes were so sharp and beautiful, like they could see straight through every broken piece of me. For a second, the rain, the divorce, Mike's shouting and everything just disappeared. I couldn't look away.
Then he cleared his throat.
I pulled away fast, stepping back.
My breathing was all messed up. I couldn't look at him.
I blinked hard, my cheeks burning. "I… I'm sorry," I whispered. My voice came out smaller than I intended.
He said nothing for a moment.
Then he gave a single short nod.
I don't know why that stung. It shouldn't have. I didn't even know this man.
Soft footsteps sounded behind us. The older woman walked up with a gentle smile."Reid, my dear," she said warmly, "I see you've met my guest."
She turned to me with a reassuring smile. "This is my son. Reid."
So that was his name.
Reid.
It suited him, somehow.
She looked back at her son, her expression shifting just slightly, "I hope you're not bothering my guest?"
Reid looked straight at me. The corner of his mouth lifted in a small, cold smirk. My stomach twisted and then he turned back to his mother.
"No," he said.
And then he walked away down the hallway.
I watched him go, my eyes following the line of his shoulders until he turned the corner and disappeared.
I let out a long, slow breath. I hadn't realized I'd been holding it.
The older woman turned back to me, studying my face for just a moment. "Come with me," she said softly. "Let's sit and talk."
I followed her down the hallway, which was long and polished and lit with a warm, low glow.
The living room she led me into was beautiful.
It felt warm and expensive, soft cream sofas, a big fireplace, and large windows looking out over the dark garden.
It felt like a different world. And in a way, I supposed it was.
"Please, sit down," she said, gesturing to one of the sofas.
I sat carefully, my hands twisting in my lap.
The oversized sweatshirt and joggers I was wearing hung loose around me.
The older woman settled beside me and turned to face me properly, giving me her full attention.
"What's your name?" She asked softly.
"My name is Eva Jones ma" I replied.
"Now," she said gently. "Tell me what happened. What were you doing out in that rain all by yourself?"
I hesitated for a moment. Then took a deep breath and started talking.
The words felt heavy, but I started from the beginning.
I told her everything… how I had worked so hard for years, paying every bill while Mike and his mother did nothing. How I got fired that morning for absolutely no reason. How I came home and told them the truth, only for them to shout at me, call me useless, and throw me out into the rain like trash.
"They didn't even hesitate," I said, my voice cracking on the last word. "They just… turned on me. Like I was nothing."
By the time I stopped talking, my vision had gone blurry. I wiped my eyes quickly with the back of my hand, embarrassed by how easily the tears kept coming even after everything had already been said.
The room was quiet.
The woman hadn't interrupted me once.
She had just listened, all the way through to the end.
When I finally looked up, she reached over and rested her hand gently on mine.
"I'm so sorry you went through all of that," she said. "No one deserves to be treated that way."
"You are safe here now." She paused. "You can stay as long as you need."
I shook my head slightly. "I don't want to be a burden."
And I meant that too, perhaps more than anything else I'd said all evening. I had learned the hard way what it felt like when people decided you cost more than you were worth.
She smiled. "You are not a burden, dear. My son barely stays here, he only visits now and then. Honestly, it would be nice to have some company in this big house.
And my name is Mrs Rian by the way."
I could only nod my head and for the first time in what felt like a very long time, I didn't feel entirely alone.
A housekeeper appeared quietly in the doorway. "Ma'am, dinner is ready."
Mrs. Rian rose and smoothed her dress. "Come, Eva. You must be starving."
We moved to the dining area. The table was already set with warm, delicious-looking food.
The smell made my stomach growl loudly.
I felt embarrassed, but Mrs. Rian only laughed softly.
The food turned out to be one of my favorites, rice with chicken stew and vegetables.
"Thank you," I said quietly.
I ate quickly, suddenly realizing how hungry I really was. After the main meal, the housekeeper brought out a sweet dessert. I finished every bite.
It had been a while since I had one of those.
When we were done, Mrs. Rian told me, "I gave you one of my son's clothes as all your clothes were wet and have been taken to the housekeeper to be washed and dried." My eyes widened. "Thank you… so much."
She waved it away gently. "It's nothing. Now it's getting late. You should get some rest."
We said goodnight and I walked up the wide staircase to the guest room.
My legs felt heavy with tiredness.
As I reached the hallway, I saw Reid again.
He was walking toward his room, not looking in my direction, My heart jumped. Without thinking, I quickly opened my door, slipped inside, and shut it behind me a little faster than was necessary.
I stood with my back against it, breathing fast.
After a moment, I frowned at myself.
Why did I run? I hadn't done anything wrong. There was nothing to run from. And yet something about him made me feel unsteady in a way.
I shook my head and pushed off the door.
I walked over to the big soft bed.
I slumped down on it, feeling the weight of the whole day crash over me.
My mind drifted back to Mike. I wondered if I had made the right decision by agreeing to the divorce. For a moment, doubt filled my chest. But then I shook my head hard, pushing the thoughts away.
"No," I whispered to the empty room. "I did the right thing."
I had to believe that. I had nothing else to stand on if I didn't.
I closed my eyes and let sleep claim me.