Chapter 62

Chapter 62: Eva’s Point of View

The slap still hung in the air, a fiery mark of defiance on Max’s face, and for a moment, we just stared at each other, locked in a silent battle of fury and disbelief. I didn’t regret it not one bit. I wanted him to feel, just for a second, a fraction of the humiliation and pain he’d put me through.

Before Max could recover, a flurry of movement to my left caught my attention. Sara had stormed out of the courtroom after the verdict, but now, she’d apparently returned and was storming straight toward me, her face twisted with rage.

“You think you can just slap him and get away with it?” she hissed, her voice shrill and cutting. “You don’t get to walk in here, flaunt your so-called innocence, and humiliate us!”

She raised her hand, intending to strike me, but I was faster. With a flash of anger, I intercepted her hand and, in one swift motion, delivered a slap of my own. The sound echoed louder than before, her face turning with the force of it, her cheek flaring red.

“You don’t get to put your hands on me,” I said sharply, my voice low and unwavering, each word carrying the weight of everything she and Max had done to me. “Not anymore. Both of you should have learned by now that I’m not the same woman you trampled on. I won’t be a victim anymore.”

Sara gasped, her hand flying to her cheek as she glared at me with a mix of anger and shock. Her perfectly composed mask cracked, and for once, she looked rattled, truly shaken.

Max, still reeling from his own slap, sneered, his gaze darting between Sara and me. His voice was venomous as he spoke. “This is who you’ve become, Eva? A cheap woman who hits and plays the victim?” He let out a bitter laugh. “You think slapping us proves something?”

I stepped closer, my voice calm but seething with a fierce intensity. “It proves that I’m done letting either of you walk over me. You wanted me to be a villain, Max? Fine, I’ll play the part if that’s what helps you sleep at night. But know this I won’t stop until every bit of suffering you inflicted on me is paid back.”

Max’s expression shifted, a flash of something darker lurking in his eyes. He gritted his teeth, his posture tense. “So that’s your game now? Revenge?”

“You made it my game,” I said, unflinching. “And you know what? I’ll be better at it than you ever were.”

Sara found her voice again, stepping forward, her hands clenched into fists. “You don’t scare us, Eva,” she spat, her voice trembling with suppressed fury. “You’re nothing without this family, and don’t think for a second that just because you slipped through the law, we’re finished with you.”

I scoffed, meeting her glare with a cold, steady gaze. “No, Sara. You don’t scare me anymore. Neither of you does. And if you try anything else, I’ll make sure you regret it in ways you never thought possible.”

The threat lingered between us, simmering, as I turned on my heel, done with both of them. But before I could make my way out, Max’s voice cut through the tense silence once more.

“You’re making a mistake, Eva,” he called after me, his tone laced with bitterness and warning. “You think you’re powerful now, but don’t forget where that power came from. Josh won’t always be able to protect you.”

I spun around, my expression hardened. “I don’t need protection from you, Max. Not anymore.” I paused, letting each word sink in. “And if you try to come after me again, be prepared for a fight.”

I felt a surge of satisfaction as I saw a flicker of unease in his eyes. Without another word, I strode past him and out of the courtroom, my heart pounding but my resolve stronger than ever.

As I pushed open the heavy doors and stepped outside, a familiar figure caught my eye. Uncle Josh stood by his car, watching me with a mix of relief and pride in his gaze. The moment he saw me, his expression softened, and he walked toward me, arms open in a silent invitation.

I accepted his embrace, letting the warmth and strength of his presence ground me. He held me close, his hand gently patting my back. “It’s over, Eva,” he murmured, his voice steady. “You’re free now. The whole city knows it. It’s all over the news.”

A small smile tugged at my lips as I pulled back, meeting his gaze. “Free, yes. But I still have things to settle, and people to hold accountable.”

He studied me, his expression thoughtful. “I knew that fire in you would return.” He gave a nod, almost as if approving of my determination. “Just know I’m here, whatever you need.”

My smile widened. “Actually, Uncle, I do need your help. I want to make sure that Max and Sara pay for everything they’ve done. They think they can trample over me without consequences. It’s time to prove them wrong.”

A gleam of understanding flickered in his eyes, and he nodded slowly. “I’ll support you, Eva. They’ve had too many chances to treat you right. If they want a battle, we’ll give them one.”

He put a hand on my shoulder, a comforting weight that grounded me. “But be careful, Eva. Revenge is a path that can consume you if you let it.”

I looked up at him, my voice unwavering. “I won’t let it consume me. But I won’t let them win either. They took everything from me my dignity, my peace, my happiness. Now, I’m taking back control. And if they think they can stand in my way, they’re going to regret it.”

Josh nodded, his face filled with quiet respect. “You have my full support. Whatever you need, we’ll handle it together.”

I straightened, my resolve hardening. This was it the beginning of my journey toward reclaiming what they had stolen. Max and Sara thought I was weak, that they could shatter me without facing any consequences. But I’d risen from the ashes they tried to bury me in, stronger and more resilient than ever.

With Uncle Josh by my side, I would make sure Max and Sara tasted the same bitterness they’d forced down my throat. This wasn’t just about revenge. It was about justice, about reclaiming the power and respect they had stripped away from me. They’d underestimated me for the last time.