A big threat

Evelyn's POV

I shoved the phone in his face, my fingers trembling slightly as I typed, "I need to leave! And never try to kiss me again without my consent!" My heart pounded while he read it, and the storm that gathered in his eyes made my skin crawl. His expression darkened, lips tightening.

"You aren't going to answer my question? You're just going to walk away?" His voice was low but furious, his hand reaching out to touch me.

I flinched and stepped back like his skin would burn mine. I turned away quickly, refusing to give him even a second glance. The scoff that escaped his lips echoed behind me, slicing through the silence like a cruel whisper.

I ran.

I didn’t stop until I reached my room, slamming the door shut before collapsing onto the floor, my chest heaving. My hands clutched my knees as I tried to make sense of what had just happened. Another kiss? Why? Why does he keep doing this? Is this some twisted game to him?

I pulled at my hair gently, needing something—anything—to ground me.

Eventually, I forced myself up and headed into the bathroom. I undressed and stepped under the cold water. The icy stream bit at my skin, but it did little to wash away the confusion. My thoughts circled around Louis. That kiss. His eyes. The way he looked at me. It didn’t make sense.

He’s confusing. He’s strange. He’s… cruel.

After drying off, I lay on my bed, still restless. Then I remembered the phone. The phone—the one I use to blackmail him. I sat up sharply, panic crawling through my veins. I reached under my bed where I had hidden it before, but my fingers found nothing.

No.

I jumped to my feet and flung the cupboard open. Nothing. My heart began to pound harder. Where was it? Did he come into my room? Did he take it?

My breathing turned shallow.

That would mean he knows.

I started pacing, back and forth, my bare feet cold against the wooden floor. I couldn’t just sit here. I needed to know if he had it. I needed to check his room.

I’d never been there before. Not once. But I had to take the risk. Quietly, I crept through the hallway, every creak underfoot sending a jolt through me. My heart thudded in my chest so loud I feared it would wake the house.

When I reached his door, I paused.

Then I heard it.

A moan. A woman's moan.

My stomach dropped.

He’s doing it again. Just like before. And he had the audacity to kiss me yesterday? The same man who begged me to stay, who said I shouldn't divorce him? So all of it was a lie. Every word.

I backed away, eyes stinging, and that’s when my elbow hit something on the wall. I lost my balance and fell with a small thud. The door flung open.

Louis stepped out, half-dressed, his chest heaving, sweat glistening on his skin. My eyes widened as I caught a glimpse inside. The woman was naked, breathless, clearly satisfied.

"Are you okay?" he asked, reaching for me like nothing had happened.

I smacked his hand away.

"What’s wrong? Are you mad at me now?" he asked, his voice dripping with false innocence. As if I hadn’t just witnessed him with someone else. As if yesterday meant nothing.

I turned away. I couldn’t look at him.

And then, she stepped out.

The woman. No shame in her voice, only arrogance. "What’s going on? Who is she? Why is she here?"

Louis said nothing. Of course he wouldn’t.

Coward.

"Tell me now! Who’s she?" she demanded, her eyes narrowing.

"She’s my secretary. My translator at work. She’s mute," he said flatly.

The words sliced through me like ice. Not wife. Not even friend. Just a tool. A silent one. I blinked, refusing to let the tears spill.

"What’s she doing here this late? Tell her to leave. She’s disrupting us," she snapped.

And still, he said nothing.

I turned away and walked, not looking back. But before I could escape far enough, I felt his grip on my wrist.

"Stop. Don’t be mad about this. It’s complicated, okay? Just go back to your room and lock the door. We'll talk tomorrow."

I stared at his hand on mine. My fingers itched to slap the stupidity off his face. But I didn’t. I didn’t have my phone or tab, so I had no words. Just silence.

And in silence, I returned to my room. Threw myself on the bed. Buried my face in the pillow.

And cried.

Muted tears. Painful sobs that made no sound. Because this is my life. Crying where no one can hear. Because I have no voice.

Morning came like punishment.

I glanced at the mirror and gasped. Dark circles framed my swollen eyes. My skin looked pale, drained of all color. I never wore makeup, but today I had to. Just to cover the hurt.

When I stepped downstairs, his voice greeted me.

"You look beautiful."

I ignored him. I pulled out my device and typed quickly, "Let's leave now. So we’re not late!" My fingers were stiff with anger.

He read it, his expression unreadable.

"Alright. Let’s go."

In the car, silence filled the air. The driver said nothing. I stared out the window, refusing to meet Louis’s gaze, though I could feel it—his eyes never left me.

Why is he looking at me like that? Like he’s searching for something. Like he wants to say something.

Could it be he's trying to see my reaction concerning the missing phone? I need to check his room no matter what tonight.

I grabbed a bottle of water and took a sip, hoping to distract myself.

"You’re angry, right? When you saw me with her. That means something, doesn’t it? You love me, right?"

The words hit me so hard I choked. Water sprayed from my mouth, splashing onto his face.

I gasped, reaching for a handkerchief and offering it to him immediately.

He took it, wiped his face without a word.

I typed frantically, "I'm sorry. I didn’t mean to. Your question caught me off guard."

He gave a short nod.

Neither of us said another word until we reached the company. But just as I stepped out of the car, something happened.

A shove.

I didn’t know where it came from, but the force sent me tumbling toward the ground. I braced for the fall, but strong arms caught me.

I looked up, shocked.

Samuel.

"Are you alright, babe?" he asked gently.

I blinked, stunned, then turned to find Louis charging toward us, fury written all over his face.

"What the hell is he doing here?!" he growled, shoving Samuel away from me.

"Security!" he yelled. Guards came running. "Take this man out of here!"

"Why should they? I work here now," Samuel retorted calmly.

My heart stopped.

What?

Samuel works here now?

And Louis… he looked ready to explode.