A New Beginning

The Macklin estate stood under the morning sky, a towering testament to history, power, and the secrets buried within its walls. It was more than a house. It was home-the only one Evangeline had ever truly known.

Standing at the grand entrance, she inhaled deeply, emerald-green eyes sweeping over the place that had shaped her. Every corner whispered memories-laughter shared with David, her cousin who was more like a brother; the firm yet loving guidance of her grandfather; the quiet strength of her uncle; and the unwavering loyalty of her closest friends.

Now, she was leaving.

Not just as Eva.

But as the woman who would take over Elite Hospital, a move that the world believed bound her to the Anderson name. Yet, few knew the truth.

She was not an Anderson by legacy.

She was Macklin.

The last heiress to a dynasty whose influence ran deeper than the world could imagine-a name so old, so powerful, it was safer in the shadows.

"Do you really want to go?"

David's voice was steady, but she caught the worry beneath it.

Eva turned to face him-her cousin, her protector. To the world, he was David Macklin, but she knew his truth.

Hades. The King of the Underworld.

And she-Diana His guide. His equal.

But today, they were simply Eva and David.

"Yes," she said softly.

David studied her for a long moment before pulling her into a fierce embrace. "Then go. But remember-no matter where you are, we are your family."

She held onto him for a heartbeat longer, then stepped back, her gaze shifting to the others.

Gina, Iris, Stephy, and Anna-her sisters in spirit-stood by the car, ready to leave with her.

Her grandfather, ever the dignified patriarch, gave her a single nod. Silent approval. Understood.

Her uncle clasped her shoulder. His grip was firm. "Make them regret ever underestimating you."

Eva smirked. "I plan to."

With one last glance at the place that had raised her, she turned and walked away.

Not as a girl leaving home.

But as a woman stepping into her destiny.

The Bloodlust of Lucifer

The room reeked of blood.

Thick. Metallic. Suffocating.

Aaron Alexander Blakely stood in the dim light, fingers curled into fists, his tailored suit somehow untouched by the carnage before him. His fire-like eyes burned, flickering like embers ready to ignite.

And then-

They turned red.

The scent of blood awakened the beast inside.

The switch flipped. The world blurred. The control he had so carefully built shattered.

The man on the floor whimpered, his body beyond saving.

"You should have known better."

Aaron's voice was eerily calm.

The man choked, blood gurgling in his throat.

Aaron crouched beside him, tilting his head. "Did you really think betrayal would go unpunished?"

The stench thickened.

Rip him apart.

The darkness clawed at him, demanding release. The thin thread of his humanity strained under the weight of it.

Then-

"Aaron."

A firm hand on his shoulder.

His muscles coiled. The hunger for destruction burned.

Jayce.

His brother's voice cut through the haze.

"You need to stop."

Aaron's jaw tightened. "He made a mistake."

"And he's already dying for it."

Silence.

Aaron's fingers twitched.

He needed-

"Aaron, look at me."

Jayce's grip tightened, his steady aura pressing against the storm inside him.

Slowly, painfully, Aaron exhaled. The red in his eyes faded. The fire dulled.

Lucifer retreated.

For now.

Aaron pulled away, adjusting his cufflinks like nothing had happened. When he spoke, his voice was sharp, merciless.

"Dispose of him."

Jayce exhaled but nodded.

Aaron turned on his heel and walked away.

The bloodlust would return.

It always did.

"I need a distraction."

Jayce smirked. "Lucky for you, there's an event tonight. Stephy planned it."

Aaron's lips twitched. "Ah. The event."

Jayce raised a brow. "You sound... interested."

Aaron said nothing. Instead, he grabbed his suit jacket. "Let's go."

The Return of Evangeline Anderson

England had changed.

Or maybe, she had.

Eva stepped out of the car, emerald-green eyes sweeping over the Anderson estate-a mansion she had never truly called home.

The grand house loomed before her. Elegant. Imposing. Unfamiliar.

She had been here before, briefly, during formal gatherings where she was nothing more than an outsider looking in.

Today, she stepped through those doors as Evangeline Anderson.

The weight of expectation settled on her shoulders.

She took a deep breath and walked inside.

A voice rang through the grand hall-teasing, unmistakable.

"Ah, look who finally decided to acknowledge her long-lost brother!"

Before she could react, Evan tackled her in an overly dramatic hug.

"Evan-what the hell-"

"Shhh," he hushed, hand over his heart. "Let me have this moment. My dear little sister, lost to the world, has finally returned to my embrace."

Eva sighed. "Evan, I swear-"

He pulled back, grinning. "God, you're way too serious. Are you sure you weren't secretly adopted by a mafia family? You reek of mystery."

Eva rolled her eyes. "I was literally raised in front of everyone-"

Evan leaned in, mock-whispering, "Yet somehow, no one knows a damn thing about you."

Not inaccurate.

"Eva, don't let him fool you," Stephy said, walking past, phone in hand. "He's just dramatic."

Evan gasped. "Excuse you? I am charming. There's a difference."

Stephy didn't glance up. "Mm-hmm. Keep telling yourself that."

Eva bit back a smirk. Some things never changed.

Evan feigned deep offense. "I swear, no one respects me in this house."

Eva crossed her arms. "You look different."

Evan's smirk widened. "So do you."

"Yeah, well, I actually grew up here," he added.

Eva exhaled. This was going to be complicated.

Evan leaned casually against the grand staircase. "So... you planning to hug me, or just glare at me like I stole your lunch?"

Eva scoffed. "You wish."

A chuckle escaped him, breaking the tension.

"Still the same."

Eva smirked. "And you?"

For a moment, something flickered in his gaze. Then, the grin returned.

"Better dressed, richer, and currently running an entire country."

Eva blinked. "...What?"

Evan shrugged. "Dad's health is declining. Guess who's holding everything together?"

Then his gaze shifted-to Stephy.

Eva narrowed her eyes. Oh no.

"Are you seriously interested in my best friend?" she deadpanned.

Evan's grin turned smug. "What can I say? She's fascinating."

Stephy, without looking up, muttered, "And you're a distraction."

Eva sighed.

This was going to be a mess.

To be continued

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