Chapter 275

As I stormed out of the police station, fury surged within me. Timothy followed suit, his jaw clenched.

"What the hell are we going to do now, Timothy?" I demanded, my voice edged with frustration.

He turned to face me, his expression grave. "We have to be strategic, Evie. Tact is crucial in handling this mess, especially with someone like my father."

"Tact? After what we've just discovered? We need to confront him immediately!" I shot back, my pulse racing.

Timothy's tone remained steady. "Evie, that's the only way we'll get the answers we need without stirring up more chaos. Trust me, I have a plan."

I folded my arms, still seething, but intrigued. "Fine. What's the plan?"

His lips formed a thin line as he weighed his words. "I'll call for a family dinner, act as if I'm ready to mend things with my father. But once we're there and the pleasantries are over, I'll confront him."

I raised an eyebrow, skeptical. "Confront him? Like in front of everyone?"

He nodded firmly. "Yes. It's time to bring everything out into the open."

With a resigned sigh, I agreed, "Okay. If you really think that will help, I’m right behind you."

Timothy wasted no time, dialing his father's number. His voice was composed, a stark contrast to the fire raging within him. "Dad, hey. Would you say to a dinner at my place? You and Andy could come over and we could talk things through, especially about the whole Stella issue."

There was a pause on the line before Kamran's voice, serene yet calculated, interjected, "Look who’s being more civil now. High time you spoke to me with some respect.”

Timothy rolled his eyes. I rested a hand on his shoulder, urging him to continue.

“Think of it as a peace offering,” Timohty continued. “We could do it at my place.”

“Oh, no,” came Kamran’s quick response. “There’s hardly any room in that bachelor pad of yours. Why don't we host it at the mansion? It would be more suitable for a family gathering, don't you think?"

Timothy hesitated for a moment, sensing an underlying motive behind the suggestion. "Very well. At the mansion then."

After hanging up, Timothy turned to me. "Looks like it's going to be at the mansion."

I clenched my fists, feeling the gravity of the impending confrontation. "I'll be there. Let's get this over with."

We headed back to the apartment to prepare for the dinner. I tried to steady my nerves, reminding myself that uncovering the truth was essential, even if it meant facing uncomfortable realities. I didn’t stress too much over my wardrobe, finding a high-collar black dress suitable enough for the occasion.

Knowing Timothy’s father and brother, they’d probably judge me regardless. Although, Kamran seemed like he had warmed up to the idea of me, although that could’ve been because of his romance with my own mother. As if things weren’t weird enough.

I watched and waited in Timothy’s apartment as he adjusted his shirt collar and straightened out his hair. He seemed just as eager to look presentable, as if it were second nature. Seeing the strain on his face, I came over and coiled my arms around his waist before kissing the nape of his neck.

“We’ve got this,” I whispered, helping him tuck in his shirt.

“It feels like I’m twelve again,” he started bitterly, eyeing me in the mirror. “Having to talk around the subject so I can make him comfortable.”

“I know.” I reached around to sweep the bangs out of his eyes. He’d gone a while without a haircut. “At least you’ll have me there to suffer with you.”

Timothy smiled. “Yeah. That’s the upside to all this.”

I grinned at him, my hands inching below his belt. It was a little snug, but I managed to tease the skin at his hips, eliciting a shiver from him.

“Need me to take the load off some?” I asked, my fingers tracing the edge of his boxers. “It’ll help you wind down some.”

“Evie…” he breathed, meeting my gaze in the mirror. “We probably shouldn’t.”

“We’ve got time,” I mumbled, digging my hand deeper. He seemed reluctant, though I caught him smiling anyway as I began to massage his erection from outside of his underwear. “It looks like you agree.”

A laugh erupted from his lips as I started undoing his belt. Undeniably, giving him attention like this always made me nervous. The first time, I was scared that I wouldn’t get him off properly, or that I break something. Just me mentioning that to him made him burst out with laughter, so I decided to just go with the flow.

I slowly pulled down his boxers, touching his length gently before taking him firmly in my grasp. I began massaging his thick shaft, feeling it pulsate underneath my fingertips. He let out a low groan as his head rolled backward.His tense expression gave way to one of bliss, and I could feel his legs buckling beneath him. Pressed firmly together, I bodies grew hot and slick with sweat. He panted in my ear with each jerk of my hand, and I found myself wanting to indulge even further.

I slipped my hand out from his pants and he looked back at me, seemingly affronted. Wordlessly, I got down on my knees and situated myself in front of him, licking my lips as his cock spasmed.

“What are you…” He was cut off when I ran my hands up his thighs and leaned closer to him, my breaths labored.

“We’ve got time,” I said breathlessly, and he groaned as I took him into my mouth.

The mansion loomed in the distance, its grandeur juxtaposed against the tumult raging within me. As Timothy and I approached, a knot tightened in my stomach, anticipating the confrontation ahead.

The sight of Mia waiting at the entrance intensified my unease. I forced a polite smile as she greeted us, pulling us each into a hug. We had to change out of our original clothes, but I hoped dearly that the smell of sex hadn’t lingered.

“Welcome! So happy to see you two. How are you?” she said, welcoming us as if the home was her own. Perhaps it already was in some way.

“Hi, Mom. We’ve been... managing, thank you,” I said.

Kamran came out soon after and welcomed us inside, his demeanor a blend of warmth and calculated poise. "Ah, Timothy, Evie, so glad you could make it. Dinner is still underway, but let me fix you some drinks while you wait."

As we settled into the plush surroundings, Kamran's eyes bore into Timothy. "This unexpected gathering, Timothy, what prompted this sudden change of heart?"

Timothy masked his discomfort with practiced ease. "I don't want things to remain strained between us, Dad. I thought it might be beneficial to mend bridges, especially with Evie and her mother present."

Kamran's smile didn't reach his eyes. "Indeed. It's always important to maintain family bonds."

The air crackled with tension, the unspoken truths lurking in the shadows threatening to unravel everything. All this talk about family just made the scenario even more disconcerting. We’d be a strange family if they decided to “secure” their relationship with a ring.

The maid, sensing the discomfort, offered to fix our drinks. As she bustled away, Timothy cleared his throat, his voice strained yet composed. "Right. Is Andy here?”

Kamran checked his watch, then grimaced. "Not yet. He hasn’t exactly been the most punctual lately.”

I couldn't hold back any longer. "Are you aware that Timothy and I are dating?" I asked, cutting through the polite facade.

Kamran and Mia exchanged a glance, a knowing smile dancing across Mia's lips. "Oh, we assumed it was just a fling," Kamran remarked casually, waving his hand dismissively.

My jaw tightened at his nonchalant attitude. "It's not just a fling. Things are getting serious between us," Timothy interjected firmly, his eyes locking with Kamran's.

Kamran's expression remained indifferent, but I could sense a hint of underlying skepticism. "Serious, you say? Well, time will tell, won't it?"

Timothy's jaw clenched in frustration. "I'm not playing games, Father. Evie means a lot to me. I love her."

Mia, ever the peacemaker, interjected with a serene smile. "I'm sure it's lovely for now, dear, but relationships at your age are often fleeting. You shouldn’t tie yourself down so soon."

I bristled at her patronizing tone, but I held my composure. "It's not about age, it's about the depth of our connection," I retorted.

She was one to talk about settling down. Even when she was thirty years old, she couldn’t be “tied down” for too long. Not even by her own daughter.

Timothy reached for my hand and gave it a squeeze. "Evie's right. We’ve been through a lot together, and we’re old enough to be mature about where we want to go with things."

Kamran's facade of indifference cracked for a moment, a flicker of irritation passing over his features. "Well, if you're serious about this, we hope it won't distract you from your responsibilities, Timothy."

Responsibilities. The word hung in the air like an ominous cloud. Kamran's expectations of Timothy always revolved around fulfilling the family's desires, regardless of personal aspirations.

"I won't let it," Timothy replied, his voice firm. "But Evie is a part of my life, and I won't compromise on that."

Mia, sensing the tension rising, attempted to diffuse the situation with a forced smile. "Let's not dwell on this tonight. We should focus on enjoying the evening together."

The maid returned with our drinks, offering a brief reprieve from the intense conversation. I took a sip, the liquid barely masking the bitterness in the room.

Timothy's gaze never wavered from Kamran's. "I'll always prioritize what's important to me, Father."

Kamran's mask slipped back into place, his expression unreadable. "Of course, Timothy. We understand."

A sudden commotion at the doorway disrupted the uneasy calm. Andy barged in, oblivious to the subtle atmosphere. Kamran's smooth tone held a hint of admonition. "Ah, Andy, you're rather late."

Andy's gaze swept the room until it landed on me and Timothy. His eyes darkened in spite of the wide grin that spread across his lips. "Evie! Timothy! What a pleasant surprise!"