Chapter Fifty Two: Are You Hurt?

EVELYN’S POV:

After Leonard’s call, I felt restless. My heart wouldn’t stop pounding. Lying on the bed, staring at the ceiling, I couldn’t shake off anxiety that gnawed at me. Just when I thought I might drift into some semblance of peace, my phone buzzed. Dana’s name appeared across the screen. Reluctantly I answered the call. Her tone on the line was urgent, a desperate edge in her voice.

“She was outside at my gateWhy” I asked to myself. 

But I shrugged my shoulders and decided to check on her.

Reluctantly, I left my phone on the bed and stepped outside to meet her.

As I walked out different thoughts ran through my mind.

“This might be a trap Evelyn.” I warned myself But curiosity got the best of me.

Dana stood by a car which was filled with luggage and stuff, tears streaking her face. I hadn't seen her cry before, but this wasn’t just sadness; it was desperation. Her voice broke as she spoke.

“Evelyn, I’ve done horrible things to you even what you can't think of,” she began, her sobs almost choking her words. “I… I don’t even know where to start. I was jealous of you, I let that jealousy consume me, and I… I brought Caleb into the game. We hid our relationship just to get what we want, but nothing seems to ever happen to our favor.”

I crossed my arms, my eyes narrowing. Her words stirred something in me, but trust wasn’t even the least of them.

I smiled and took a few steps towards her, “ Dana you can't fool me ever again. I'm just waiting for the right time to get you and that will be soon. For now I advise you to relish your minuscule era.”

She sniffled, looking up at me with pleading eyes. “I’m leaving town. I can’t stay here anymore—not after everything I’ve done. I packed my things.” She gestured to the stuffy car. “I just need you to forgive me before I go. Please, Evelyn.”

I tried to stay fierce, But her vulnerability cracked through my defenses. Maybe it was my nature to always hope for the best in people, or maybe it was just the sheer exhaustion of it all, but I found myself softening.

“Dana, ” I murmured, and I took a step closer to her, “I must be confident about what you said.”

A small smile broke through her tears. “Thank you, Evelyn.”

She opened the passenger door of the car. “Can we talk in the car, please.”

Against my better judgment, I stepped into the car. As soon as the door clicked shut, I felt the shift in the atmosphere. It was too late.

I looked up and saw Caleb in the driver’s seat, his smirk slicing through me like a knife.

“Dana, what’s going on?” I whispered, my voice trembling.

She turned and looked at me with a mischievous smile on her face, “Dana, you are still as naive as I've known. You must really be stupid to even think of believing in me.”

But before I could react, I felt a sharp prick on my arm, and darkness swallowed me whole.

When I woke up, I was tied to a chair in a cold, dimly lit room. My head throbbed, and my wrists burned from the tight ropes. I struggled against them, but it was no use. Panic rose in my chest as I scanned the room for any sign of familiarity.

The door creaked open, and Dana walked in. Gone was the vulnerable woman from earlier. In her place stood someone cold, calculating, and full of malice.

“Good, you’re awake, Evelyn” she said, her voice sharp and emotionless.

“What is this?” I spat, glaring at her.

She held up a small plastic bag filled with white powder. “Drugs, Evelyn. Illegal, incriminating drugs. Imagine how your family would react if this bag turned up in your possession. Oh not just your family, Then entire state. You’ll be on the news. Your company will sink. Your father’s hard work is gone. The scandal. The disgrace.”

I glared at her, refusing to show fear.

“What do you want, Dana?”

She leaned in close, her eyes burning with anger. “You’ll marry Caleb and hand over control of your company to him. Do that, and this bag of evidence disappears just like this scenery never existed.”

I couldn’t help it—I laughed in her face. “You’re insane if you think I’d ever agree to that. You are a big fool.”

Her face twisted with fury, and before I knew it, her hand flew across my cheek. The sting brought tears to my eyes, but I refused to let them fall.

“You’ll regret everything,” I hissed.

Her phone buzzed, and she stepped away to answer it. I strained to hear the conversation, but all I caught was her clipped tone and a hint of unease. When she returned, she was pacing, her earlier composure unraveling.

“You think Leonard will save you?” she snapped suddenly, her voice laced with venom. “He’s nothing. We’ve planned for every possibility. It's either you comply with us or you're finished I assure you.

She grabbed her phone and dialed a number. “Now, you’re going to take this call and speak cool. Say exactly what I tell you, or you’ll regret it.”

I hesitated, my heart pounding.

“Do it!” she barked, her eyes wild.

The phone rang, and when Leonard picked up, she shoved it into my hand.

“Hey, Leonard,” I said, forcing my voice to sound calm. “I’m with Dana and Caleb. Everything’s fine. We’re just spending some time together, And please don't perturb.”

As soon as the words left my mouth, she snatched the phone back and ended the call.

Satisfied, she smirked and left the room. I slumped in the chair, fury and helplessness coursing through me.

 I screamed after her. “Both of you will pay for this!”

But there was no response.

Minutes felt like hours as I sat in that cold, empty room. Suddenly, muffled shouting echoed from somewhere in the building. My pulse quickened. Something was happening.

Before I could piece it together, the door burst open, and a shadowy figure stepped in. My heart stopped for a moment, then leaped with relief.

It was Leonard’s personal guard.

“Are you hurt?” he asked, his voice steady but urgent.