The Silence That Speaks

Evelyn’s POV

I clutched the phone tightly, my hands trembling as the kidnapper’s voice echoed in my mind.

"Can you talk?"

My stomach twisted into knots. Of course, I can’t talk. Everyone knew that.

Yet, he had laughed. "Relax, princess. I was just joking."

But was he?

There was something unsettling in his eyes, something that felt like a challenge. Like he was waiting for me to prove him wrong. My throat tightened, my breath coming in short, shaky gasps.

I forced myself back to reality. The phone—the key to my freedom—was in my hands now. But at what cost?

I had agreed to his terms without hesitation, not because I wanted to, but because I had no other choice. I needed a way out of this marriage. I needed leverage over Louis.

And now, I had another problem.

I had lied.

I told Louis I had a boyfriend. And now, he wanted proof.

Panic bubbled inside me as I raked my fingers through my hair. What was I thinking? How was I supposed to find a boyfriend now?

And why was he still holding onto me? What did he want from me? He had abandoned me when I needed him most, left me to die, then pretended to care. Now, he was acting like my life was his to control.

I hated him.

A sudden knock on my door sent a chill down my spine. My body went rigid.

No one ever knocked on my door.

Louis and I lived under the same roof but barely interacted. We didn’t have maids. So who could it be?

I hesitated before slowly opening the door.

There he stood.

Louis.

His arms were crossed, his sharp eyes locked onto me, unreadable as always. My heart stuttered. Why does he still affect me?

Before our marriage, I had admired him from afar. He was my sister’s visitor—the man I secretly crushed on. When I married him, I wanted to be the perfect wife, to love him. But he had destroyed those hopes. Now, the only thing I wanted was to be free of him.

"So," he said, voice calm but firm. "When do I meet your boyfriend?"

I swallowed, my grip tightening on the iPad as I quickly typed:

"Tonight. He’ll be at the company banquet."

Louis arched a brow, the corner of his lips twitching as if amused. "Really?"

I nodded, forcing myself to look confident.

He studied me for a long moment before smirking. "Fine. Wear this dress." He handed me an elegant black gown. "Be ready in twenty minutes."

I barely had time to react before he turned and walked away.

My heart pounded.

Twenty minutes?

I was doomed.

---

I slipped out of the mansion, my mind racing. I had no idea where I was going—I just needed to breathe. To think.

But then—

A blinding light.

The screech of tires.

The rush of air.

I froze as a sleek black car stopped inches from me. My knees buckled. If I had taken one more step…

The driver’s door flung open. A man stepped out, his expression a mix of concern and irritation.

"Are you insane?" he snapped. "You almost got yourself killed!"

My breath hitched. My fingers trembled as I grabbed my iPad and quickly typed:

"I’m sorry."

He ran a hand through his hair, sighing. The tension in his face softened, and for the first time, I really saw him.

Sharp jawline. Piercing eyes. The kind of dangerously handsome that could make anyone pause.

An idea struck me like lightning.

I needed him.

Desperation surged through me as I lunged forward, grabbing his sleeve.

His body stiffened. "What the hell—"

I frantically typed on my iPad.

"Be my boyfriend. Please. Just for tonight."

His brows shot up, his shock mirroring mine. "What?"

I nodded, showing him the words again.

He scoffed, pulling his arm free. "You’re crazy."

I shook my head, typing faster.

"I’ll pay you. Just pretend to be my boyfriend for one night. It’s important."

His expression darkened. "I don’t need your money." He stepped back, shaking his head. "Listen, lady, whatever game you’re playing, I’m not interested."

I tried again, my fingers shaking with urgency.

"Please—"

"Since you’re well enough to beg, you’re well enough to be left alone," he muttered, turning away.

"Please, just come to Santoro Hall at 9 PM," I tried one last time.

But he had already gotten into his car.

And just like that—he was gone.

My chest tightened. I was screwed.

---

I rushed back inside the mansion, my mind spinning.

Louis would expect to meet my boyfriend tonight.

I had no one. No plan.

Then, it hit me.

I still had this—the phone.

My fingers curled around it.

If I couldn’t find a fake boyfriend… I could create another kind of proof.

A bold, reckless idea formed in my mind.

I dialed Louis’s number.

The phone had a voice distortion feature.

It rang once. Twice.

Then—

"Who is this?" Louis’s sharp voice cut through.

I closed my eyes, took a deep breath, and then—

My lips moved.

"I know everything about your wife," I whispered, my voice unrecognizable. "More than you do."

A pause. Then—

"Who the hell are you?"

I clenched my jaw.

"You have four days to divorce her. If not, I’ll expose all your dirty acts."

A sharp intake of breath. "What the hell are you talking about?"

I steadied myself.

"Divorce her, Louis. That’s your final warning."

Then, I hung up.

My body shook as I stared at the phone.

What did I just do?

Before I could process it, my bedroom door swung open.

Louis stood there, his face unreadable.

"I heard a voice," he said, stepping closer.

My heart slammed against my ribs.

Had he heard me?

No. No, it couldn’t be. It was too soon. He couldn’t know I wasn’t mute.

I quickly tucked the phone behind me and grabbed my iPad.

"I’m sure you must be mistaken," I typed.

His eyes narrowed. "Really?"

I swallowed hard, gripping my iPad tighter.

For a long moment, he just stared at me, as if searching for something.

Then, he smirked. "Let’s go."

I followed him, every nerve in my body on edge.

---

The banquet was already in full swing.

I kept glancing toward the doorway, hope flickering each time it opened.

But nothing.

No sign of him.

"He’s not coming?" Louis’s voice pulled me back. I turned to him, catching the smug look on his face.

"You should’ve just admitted you were lying to make me jealous," he said, his hand reaching for me.

I tensed.

Before he could touch me—

"Hey, babe!"

A voice rang through the room.

I spun around, my eyes widening.

There, standing in the doorway, was him.

The man who had rejected me.

But now…

He was smiling.