The Billionaire's Rental Wife Is A Hot Shot
Chapter 174: Meet My Husband

Chapter 174: Meet My Husband

Gracia widened her eyes in surprise before she slowly recognized the little girl before her. This must be the same Kiana Evelyn had spoken of last night, her precious daughter. Quickly gathering herself, Gracia greeted her with a warm smile.

"Hello, darling. I’m—"

"You’re my sweet grandmother, I know! Hehe~" Kiana interrupted with a giggle, her joy infectious as she stepped closer.

Gracia’s heart swelled at the sight, her smile widening as Kiana settled beside her. The little girl turned toward Evelyn, her expression softening as she gazed at her mother sleeping soundly. Leaning closer, Kiana placed a tender kiss on Evelyn’s forehead, her small hand gently patting her mother’s head.

"Sleep well, Mommy," Kiana whispered as though coaxing Evelyn to rest longer.

Gracia’s breath hitched, her surprise giving way to a warmth that spread through her chest. Kiana’s love for Evelyn shone so brightly that it took her back in time. For a fleeting moment, she saw her own little bunny in Kiana’s gestures.

"We’ve all waited so long for you, Grandma," Kiana murmured, glancing back at Gracia with a slight pout. "But I’m sad you woke up while I wasn’t here. I wanted to be the first to greet you!"

Gracia chuckled softly, her voice warm as she replied, "Oh, I’m sorry, honey."

"No!" Kiana shook her head firmly. "I’m super happy you finally woke up from your beauty sleep."

Gracia’s laugh bubbled out, her heart melting at Kiana’s cuteness. "You’re adorable," she said, gently pinching the little girl’s nose.

Kiana giggled, her laughter stirring Evelyn from her slumber. Groggy and half-asleep, Evelyn blinked as she turned toward them.

"Kiana?" she murmured, her voice thick with sleep.

"Mommy!" Kiana chirped, spinning around before pouncing onto her.

Evelyn caught her daughter in a tight embrace, a smile pulling at her lips as reality settled in. Kiana was here. "Why didn’t you tell me you were coming?" Evelyn asked, sitting up as Kiana made herself comfortable on her lap, resting her head against her chest.

"We wanted to surprise you and Grandma," Kiana replied, her grin lighting up the room. She turned toward Gracia and added, "And it worked!"

Evelyn glanced at her mother, their eyes meeting in a shared moment of happiness. But Kiana was already bounding off her lap, declaring, "You two get ready! I’m going to wake up Uncle Dam!" She ran out before either could stop her.

Evelyn chuckled as she turned to Gracia, pulling her mother into a warm hug. "Good morning, Mom."

"Morning, Bunny," Gracia replied, her voice trembling slightly as she held her daughter close. The moment felt so fragile, so fleeting, as though it could be snatched away at any moment.

Evelyn pulled back, her eyes shining. "Let’s get ready!"

Gracia nodded, brushing away her emotions as she headed to her bathroom. Evelyn, however, couldn’t hold back her excitement any longer. She rushed out, her heart set on finding her husband. She needed to share this joy with him in person.

Stopping a staff member in the hallway, she asked, "Where’s Zevian?"

Understanding her immediately, the staff replied in Spanish, pointing toward her room. Evelyn thanked them quickly and hurried off, finding the door ajar.

"Ian!" she called softly as she stepped inside.

Zevian stood by the window, his tall figure silhouetted by the morning light. He turned at the sound of her voice, his face breaking into a wide smile. Ending his call, he opened his arms, and Evelyn didn’t hesitate. She ran to him, laughing as he twirled her gently before pulling her into a tight hug.

Resting her head against his chest, she murmured, "I missed you."

Zevian’s smile softened as he adjusted her hair. "I missed you too," he replied, leaning down to capture her lips in a kiss.

But Evelyn placed her hand on his mouth, stopping him. "I haven’t brushed yet," she mumbled, her cheeks turning pink.

Zevian chuckled as she slipped out of his embrace. "I’ll get ready first!" she said quickly, disappearing into the bathroom.

Later Evelyn and Zevian walk down to already find Kiana talking with Gracia candidly. Gracia’s laughter filled the hall and Evelyn smiled, having missed that sound for years. As they walked to the couch she noticed that Kiana was sitting on Gracia, and though it was slightly worried since Gracia was still weak, she couldn’t help but recall the times when she used to sit on her lap and tell how her day had been.

Seeing them Kiana’s grin widened and she gpt down, running over to her parents. "Mommy!!" She hugged Evelyn’s leg who smiled while Zevian picked up his daughter.

"Mom!" Evelyn beamed as they walked closer and introduced her two most important people. Clinging to Zevian’s arm, she said, "This is my husband, Zevian Reign."

"And-"

"Oh, no need, Mommy!" Kiana cut her midway, smiling at her grandmother, "I already introduced myself to grandma."

Evelyn smiled and turned to her mother whose eyes were fixed on Zevian. Zevian lightly bowed and greeted her, "I am glad to see you doing fine, Mother-in-law."

Gracia, who was in a daze, trying to recall the familiar face and surname, blinked at his address. With a chuckle, she replied, "Nice to meet you too. And please, Gracia or Mom would be fine."

"Forgive my Daddy, Grandma." Kiana was the one to apologize to her daddy. Patting his back, she whispered, "He is handsome but stupid."

Gracia laughed out again while Zevian squinted his eyes at his daughter. She need not bring that every time while Evelyn smiled, happy that Kiana would be there to bond them all quickly.

Gracia suddenly recalled one of her old enemies and asked, "Ah, are you Johnathan Reign’s son?" When Zevian nodded, she smiled, "That’s why you looked familiar."

She was also glad Evelyn had chosen a man from an influential family. Not that she was against marrying someone from other social classes, but considering how wealthy this family was, she need not worry about working if she didn’t wish to.

"Do you know John the Jailer, Grandma?" Kiana asked, getting down from Zevian’s arms.

"We were kind of acquittances," Gracia replied with a smile. William and Johnathan had taken over their family business at the same time, compared to everyone. Though William never cared, they were seen practically as enemies in the field, and she had met him quite a few times at the social gatherings.

"Ah, was he grumpy back then too?" Kiana asked with a scowl. Holding Gracia’s hand, she went back to sit on the couch and started chatting with her new grandmother, bringing a smile to their parents’ lips.

Zevian and Evelyn settled on the couch adjacent, hearing her complaints while exchanging a chat among themselves. A few minutes later, Rita walked in making Kiana jump down and hug her best friend.

Soon, Damien dressed in casual attire joined them before they all had a lovely breakfast together.

-----

The day passed in a blur of laughter, stories, and heartfelt moments. While Damien and Zevian had went out to settle the things here, Evelyn and Kiana spent their entire time with Gracia.

By evening, Gracia stood before her mirror, her fingers brushing against her frail reflection. Her once-vibrant skin now clung to her bones, her face bearing the marks of her ordeal. The long floral dress she wore did little to hide her fragility, and her short, uneven bob cut only emphasized her changed appearance.

Evelyn entered quietly, carrying a sleeping Kiana in her arms. She placed the little girl on the bed before approaching her mother. Hugging her from behind, Evelyn met Gracia’s gaze in the mirror.

"You’re still beautiful," Evelyn said softly, though her heart clenched. But Gracia smiled sadly, knowing she was just trying to cheer her up.

Evelyn’s eyes darkened. "She will pay for this, Mom. I’ll make sure of it."

Gracia frowned, her heart sinking at Evelyn’s tone. "She?"

"Sophia," Evelyn spat, her voice trembling with barely concealed rage.

Gracia’s world tilted in confusion. She staggered, clutching the edge of the vanity for support. "Sophia? No... That can’t be..."

Evelyn’s stomach churned. She hadn’t meant to blurt it out.

"Does William know?" Gracia asked, her voice breaking. Evelyn hesitated, her silence confirming the worst. "Tell me, Bunny! Does he know she was behind my murder?"

Evelyn sighed heavily and shook her head. "They’re married, Mom. Sophia is Mrs. Wright now."

The words hit Gracia worse than a physical blow. Her legs gave out, and Evelyn caught her just as she collapsed.