Chapter 305

Back in the sanctuary of my apartment, I couldn't shake the lingering unease that had trailed me from Timothy's. I’d made a promise to him, yet, as I recalled the chart I had drawn – a web of names and connections – I couldn't resist the urge to dip back into my findings.

I brought out the chart and laid it out on my desk. The stranger who had held me at gunpoint in my car was a puzzle piece that refused to fit neatly into the larger picture. I grabbed a pen and began scribbling various thoughts and theories.

As I wrote, the door swung open, and my heart leapt to my throat. I hastily covered the chart, the sudden intrusion leaving me on edge. The shock of seeing my mother standing in my living room only added to the confusion.

"Evie, darling, how are you?" Mia beamed, seemingly oblivious to the tension that hung in the air.

I blinked, my mind struggling to catch up with the unexpected presence of my mother. "Mom, how did you get in?"

Mia waved off my question with a dismissive smile. "Oh, the door was open, and no one answered the bell. I thought I'd let myself in."

I frowned, a knot forming in my stomach. "I don't recall hearing the bell. Why are you here?"

She opened her mouth to speak, then gasped as her eyes trailed over my face. "You look exhausted," she said.

I mustered a weak smile. "It's been a hectic few days. I'm just trying to get everything sorted."

Mia's gaze softened. "Have you been getting enough sleep, darling? You seem worn out."

"I've had a lot on my plate," I replied.

"Well, you need to take care of yourself," she insisted, her fingers inching toward me. I tried not to shrink away as her hand grazed the bandage on my forehead.

"No amount of work is worth compromising your well-being. Have you been to the doctor?"

I sighed, the tension within me surfacing. "I don't need a doctor, Mom. I just need to handle things my way."

Mia's eyes scrutinized me. "Evie, you can't keep pushing yourself like this. It's not healthy. What happened to your head?"

Her sudden focus on the bandage wrapped around my head caught me off guard. I instinctively touched the dressing, a subtle reminder of the incident with the stranger who had held me at gunpoint.

"It's nothing, just a minor injury," I replied, downplaying the severity. "I've taken care of it."

Mia's expression shifted from concern to alarm, her eyes narrowing with worry. "A minor injury? Evie, you can't dismiss something like this. What happened? Did you get into some kind of trouble?"

I hesitated, torn between the desire to shield my mother from the darker aspects of my life and the urgency of her genuine concern. "It's complicated, Mom. I'm dealing with some things, and I need to figure them out on my own."

She crossed her arms, her patience wearing thin. "Evie, I understand that you're independent and want to handle things yourself, but you can't shut me out completely. I'm your mother, and I worry about you."

I sighed, the weight of our unresolved conflicts pressing down on me. "Mom, I appreciate your concern, but I’m handling it."

Her frustration mirrored mine, and I feared yet another verbal brawl on the horizon. "I'm not trying to micromanage, Evie. I'm trying to be there for you, to support you. But you have to let me in. You can't keep pushing everyone away."

I took a deep breath, attempting to calm her. "Mom, I appreciate your concern. I really do. It's not about shutting you out, okay?"

Mia's gaze softened, worry lingering in her eyes. "Evie, I just don't want to see you get hurt. You mean the world to me, and it pains me to see you going through this alone."

I fought back the urge to retort with a sharp reply, realizing that beneath her frustration was genuine maternal love. "I know, Mom. And I appreciate that."

Her eyes sparkled with a warmth that seemed incongruent with the unsettling circumstances. "I wanted to give you something." She pulled out a small envelope and handed it to me.

I took the card, my curiosity piqued. As I opened it, I found a delicate illustration of a hummingbird, and the words inside puzzled me.

“What is it?” I asked.

"Open it. It might brighten your week if you’re willing to show," Mia said, her smile unwavering.

I forced a small smile in return, though the weight of suspicion lingered as I cracked open the card. "Oh."

Mia glanced around the apartment, her eyes lingering on the covered chart. "What's this?" she asked, pointing at the concealed diagram.

I hesitated, the tension in the room escalating. "Oh, just some work stuff. Nothing important."

Mia's smile faltered for a moment, a flicker of curiosity passing through her eyes. "Work stuff, huh? Well, as long as you're taking care of yourself. I know things have been tough lately."

I nodded, the uneasy truce between us evident. "Yeah, it's been challenging, but I'm managing."

She patted my hand. "You're so strong, Evie. I just want you to be safe."

The delicate hummingbird on the card seemed to mock me as I read the mention of a party. Specifically, it was a party she was hosting at Kamran's home. My mind struggled to process the information.

"I appreciate the invitation, Mom, but I'm really busy," I explained, my tone cautious.

Mia's expression shifted, a subtle hint of frustration seeping into her voice. "Evie, I've been worried about you. This party is a chance for you to take a break, get your mind off the murder case. Timothy personally asked me to invite you."

I blinked in surprise, the mention of Timothy catching me off guard. "Timothy asked you to invite me?"

Mia nodded, a knowing smile playing on her lips. "He's concerned, Evie. This could be a good opportunity for you to relax, socialize, and maybe even enjoy yourself for a change."

“I’m not exactly in a socializing mood these days,” I mumbled.

Mia’s shoulders slumped, "But I really want you to come, and I’ll be right there with you. After all, it's going to be a family gathering, and I thought it would be a great opportunity for both of us to get acquainted with everyone in a more pleasant setting."

I studied the card, my mind still buzzing with the unresolved mysteries. "Who all is coming?" I asked, trying to gauge the scope of the event.

Mia grinned, listing off names. "The whole family will be there. It's a chance for everyone to come together, and I want you to be a part of it. You should make an effort to know Kamran's family better."

I hesitated, noting the implication behind her words. She planned on integrating herself into the family, which would only complicate things further between Timothy and me.

Mia's expression shifted, a hint of frustration tinging her tone. "Evie, you can't keep isolating yourself. If you stay curled up in your apartment all day when you’re not working, you’ll never experience new things, or new people for that matter."

I sighed, realizing that my mother's expectations were not easily brushed aside. "I see. Maybe I could stay for a few hours. See everyone."

Mia clapped her hands and pulled me into a hug. “Ooo, thank you! You’ll just love the arrangements I made.”

I walked her to the front door and she seemed to skip with every step, her mood immediately lifted. I opened the door, waiting for her to exit, but then she spun around and pulled me into a hug.

“Remember: Just elegantly. There will be a lot of wealthy people there, and they don’t hold back in terms of judgement.”

“Noted,” I said, giving her a kiss on the cheek before she eventually took her leave. I watched her retreating form for an extra couple of seconds before shutting the front door.

I guess I was going to a party. Perhaps I could use this opportunity while it was presenting itself.

Later that evening, I dressed for the party in a delicate balance between casual and sophisticated, unsure of what to expect. My intuition, always a guiding force, whispered that this gathering held more than meets the eye. Before heading to Kamran's home, I decided to check on Timothy, wondering if he planned on going since he’d volunteered me to go.

As I approached his apartment, a sense of anticipation hung in the air. To my surprise, Timothy was already standing outside, his expression guarded. Mia stood beside him, and she looked far from pleased.