Josh was deeply shocked, staring at Lucy like seeing a ghost. This is the last thing he expected to learn about Eve. He tried to say something but he just didn’t find the right words. 

„She didn’t kill him, Josh. Another car drove against hers on the highway because the driver fell suddenly asleep. It happened so fast and unexpected. There was no way for her to react in time.“ Lucy continued explaining. 

„This is a nightmare.“ Josh said with breaking voice. 

„It was a nightmare. But it’s long time ago. And she needs to deal with the past. There is no other way.“ Lucy replied. 

Josh was still under shock, processing hard. He understood why Eve didn’t want talking about that difficult topic. But hiding the truth why her husband wasn’t a part of her life anymore was wrong.

„You should go and talk to her, Josh.“ Lucy suggested. „She needs you now.“

Josh looked at her for a moment. Then he stood up and went to Eve’s bedroom.

Eve kept herself from crying. She cried enough because all of this. Lying on her bed, she cuddled up into her big pillow and stared into the dark. Then the door got open and Josh came inside. She didn’t react. Josh sat down next to her and started caressing her cheek carefully. 

„If you don’t wanna talk about it, then don’t. But please let me comfort you.“ He whispered. 

Eve looked at him. The damage was done. There was no way back. She needed to explain if she liked it or not. Then she raised her upper body slowly and switched on the light at her beside table. Josh was looking back at her, patiently waiting for her to talk. Eve crossed her legs, sitting in front of him now. 

„We’ve been at Lucy’s house. Her husband made dinner for us. We used to cook for each other very often. It was Tom’s thing. He loved good self-made food…“

„Tom was your husband.“ Josh said.

Eve nodded and then continued talking. 

„I had some wine that night. You can drink and drive in Germany. It’s not a big deal as long as it’s just one glass… or two.“ 

„I know…“ Josh said. 

„However, we had a great time together and the guys were funny after drinking Bourbon the whole night. It was really late when we finally went home. It was just a twenty minute drive, mostly at the highway. The road was empty. I was driving pretty fast because… that’s what we do in Germany…“ 

„How fast, Eve?“ 

„180 km/h, maybe more. I can’t remember. You didn’t really feel that speed. It was an expensive company car he was having.“

„What happened then?“

„As I said, the highway was empty. But then, at some point there was a white Volvo on the middle lane. I didn’t understand why the car was driving at the middle lane because we are obligated to drive on the right hand-side of the road when it’s free. However I needed to switch to the left lane to pass the car. I couldn’t pass by at the right lane. That’s the traffic rules, you know…“

„Yes, I know.“

„So, I was close now, passing the Volvo but unfortunately the driver fell asleep for a short moment and crashed into the passenger side were Tom was sitting. I don’t know what happened next. I just remember the sound of squeaking tires and shattered glass. Our car crashed into a guarding rail and turned over…“ 

Josh eyes where swimming. Imagining what she went through made him shiver. Eve continued talking. 

„I was unconscious but Tom was not. Unfortunately his neck was fractured. Somehow he still managed pushing the SOS button to call for help. But he died before the ambulance arrived. I woke up in the hospital the next day. When they told me what happened to us I felt like dreaming. I was sure I just was trapped in a nightmare and prayed to the universe to make me wake up.“

Josh couldn’t hold back his tears. He was deeply upset what he just learned and wished he could do anything to make her feel better. But he just couldn’t. 

„The Volvo driver was on his way back home from a long business trip, being completely exhausted. He got seriously injured but he survived that crash. I just had a heavy concussion and some injuries in my face caused by my airbag. It was a miracle nothing else happened to me, if you put into consideration how fast I’ve been driving.“

„Eve… it wasn’t your fault…“ Josh whispered with thin voice. 

„A lot of people tried to explain to me that I had no chance avoiding this situation. But it’s not true,   Josh. It was me who drank wine. It was me, who drove that fast. And that’s why it’s my responsibility what happened that night.“ 

Josh shook his head. 

„Please don’t think that, Eve. Please don’t think that…“

„I learned to deal with the past. Believe me it was a very long process. I lost everything after that night. My husband, my job, our house and a lot friends who weren’t able dealing with a human wreck. I think I didn’t deserve better. That’s the price I paid for my mistake. But… I decided to move on at some point. And now I am here having a new life with you and… I’m so grateful that I found you… and that I really feel like myself again…“

Josh grabbed Eve’s hand and pulled her into his arms. He hugged her as tight as he could. She hugged him back and finally started crying as well. 

„I’m so sorry all of this happened to you. I’m so, so sorry, my love.“ He whispered. 

Next Monday the renovation work in Josh’s house was almost finished. An electrician was installing new lighting in the living area, the bedroom and the walk-in closet. Two cleaners were busy with cleaning all windows and the surfaces in the kitchen. 

Josh was having an appointment downtown again and wasn’t at home. 

Eve brought her laptop and was sitting at his patio. As it was a warm day she was wearing white denim hot-pants, a light-blue tanktop and was barefooted. Her hair was braided and her make-up was very plain as always. 

She was talking at the phone with one of her suppliers to ask about Josh’s furniture delivery date when suddenly a dog rushed outside and jumped up her leg. 

„Ehm… thank you. I need to go. Just call me back when you placed the shipment.“ She said to her supplier and hung up in the next moment. 

„Are you Bronson???“ She asked the dog, who was deeply excited about her presence. 

Just in the next second Jen entered the patio. Eve looked up and stared at her like seeing a ghost. Jen did the same. Bronson was still jumping up Eve’s leg. 

„Bronson! Come here!“ Jen ordered.

Bronson reacted and immediately went back to his mommy. Eve was still staring at Jen. 

„Good morning.“ Jen said now. 

„Good morning.“ Eve replied. 

Eve saw pictures of Jen in the internet. She was aware of they couldn’t look more different. But now she was asking herself how on earth Josh could fall for her after being with someone like Jen. She was wearing skinny jeans, a floaty white blouse and black sneakers. She looked casual but still expensive. Her long black hair was open and perfectly waved. Her dark red nails looked like being fresh manicured and her face was hidden behind big designer glasses. 

„May I ask who you are?“ Jen said next.

„I’m the interior designer.“ Eve answered. 

Of course she was more than that but she wanted to avoid upsetting Jen in any kind. 

Jen scanned Eve from head to toe. With her effortless look and a cup of coffee in her hand she looked more like she was living here. 

„Why is Jay redesigning the house?“ Jen wanted to know.

„He didn’t explain his motives to me but I think he was longing for a change.“ 

„Oh. A change.“ She repeated. 

Jen put off her glasses now, turned around and looked inside the house. Then she went back inside, taking a closer look.

„Hey ehm… could you please put off your shoes?“ Eve said, following her inside. 

„Excuse me?“ Jen replied.

„House rules.“ Eve said, smiling shyly. 

Jen rolled her eyes. Of course she knew Josh’s house rules. But she didn’t care anymore and ignored Eve’s request. Bronson stayed outside and made himself comfortable at a sun lounger while Jen explored Josh’s new kitchen.

„Looks good.“ Jen admitted. 

„Thank you.“

„What else did you redesign?“ 

„The bedroom.“ 

„Hm.“ Jen said. 

Then she walked into the hallway and went upstairs. Eve followed Jen, being really upset about her still wearing shoes. The electrician saw them entering the room. He was still busy with the lighting in the closet. Jen ignored him. 

„Oh… no carpet. And a bigger closet. Why he needs a bigger closet?“ 

„His girlfriend has a lot of clothes.“ Eve answered to provoke her.

She immediately regretted her tone but Jen - acting like she was still living here - annoyed her. A lot. 

Jen was slightly pissed off. She knew Josh was dating someone. It’s not like she was reading the yellow press, but a friend told her about the pictures in the L.A. Sun. However, it didn’t came into her mind it was Eve as her face was barely recognizable at that photos. 

„Where is he?“ Jen wanted to know now, ignoring her nasty comment. 

„Having a meeting downtown.“

„Well, I need to leave the dog here as am busy with my relocation.“

„Ehm… shouldn’t you ask him first if this is okay?“ Eve contradicted. 

„I’m pretty sure this isn’t any of your business. Just tell him I’ll be back tomorrow to pick him up.“

Jen left the bedroom in the next moment and went downstairs. Eve was processing the situation. 

When Jen was gone, Eve returned to the patio. She sat down at the sun lounger next to Bronson and grabbed one of his paws. He was having very long claws. Eve was afraid he would scratch the sensitive wooden floor with them. 

„You are getting a pedicure right now.“ She said to him and smiled. 

Bronson couldn’t care less, turned around and continued sleeping. 

Josh returned home two hours later and was surprised that Eve wasn’t around.

„Where’s the boss?“ He asked the electrician, who was busy with the kitchen lighting now. 

„She’s making a walk with the dog.“ He replied. 

„Dog?“ Josh asked confused. 

„Ya… a lady was here and brought a dog some time ago.“ 

„Oh. Do you know why?“

„Nope. But the boss was not amused.“ The electrician said, giving him a shady grin. 

„Thanks for the warning.“