Involving people like Lucas and his sister in our marital issues shows a lack of maturity, Evelyn. I expected better from you. You need to step up as a partner. I sighed heavily into the phone, my frustration palpable as I twirled in my chair. The silence on the other end was deafening, punctuated by her quiet sobs. She might have been trying to break up minor arguments, but I wasn't even arguing.I won’t press charges, but make no mistake—I will if you're still living under their roof, because I haven’t signed off on any of this. I said it plainly, flipping through the pages of a magazine on my desk with my fingertips.Leaning back in my chair, I felt the cold leather biting into my back. My fingers drummed out an impatient rhythm on the desk, the sound echoing in the empty room. Evelyn's silence felt like a heavy weight, a storm of unspoken words crashing over us.I knew she was crying. It was painfully obvious. Her soft, shuddering breaths betrayed her attempts to hold it together.
Evelyn's heart surged with determination as she faced her father, her voice steady but tinged with undeniable anger. She stood in the center of their once-cozy living room, now a frigid, suffocating space that felt more like a prison than home. Her father's indifference was palpable, his eyes glued to his phone as if she were invisible, her words nothing more than background noise."Dad," she declared, a sharp laugh escaping her lips, "stop pretending my situation doesn’t bother you. You’ve always been more concerned about the company's growth than about me. Here I am, forced to stand on my own."Every word she spoke was heavy with the weight of betrayal, anger, and disappointment. He remained fixated on his screen, completely disconnected from the storm of emotions swirling around them.Evelyn inhaled deeply, gathering her strength. "You sold me out to Michael's father, and now he treats me like I'm worthless. You choose to remain silent, refusing to even engage with me. It’s as if m
Michael pov I stared at my mother, the woman who had raised me, the one I trusted more than anyone else in this world. Her eyes were cold, unyielding as they met mine. My pulse raced, blood pounding in my head, but I kept my voice steady."Mom, you don’t understand." I clenched my hands at my sides, forcing the words out. "I want Evelyn back. I will bring her home, no matter what you say."Her expression didn’t change, and I felt a surge of frustration. I wanted her to react, to show some emotion, but instead, she looked at me as if I were foolish."You’re being foolish, Michael," she replied, her calm voice laced with a threat that made my blood boil. "Evelyn isn't good for you. She’s weak. I’ve watched her for years, always crying whenever you strayed—""I didn’t cheat on her because of her!" I shouted, my voice louder than intended. I stepped forward, and she didn’t flinch, as she never did. "It was my choice! I destroyed my marriage, but I’m trying to fix it. Evelyn is—" My voice
Evelyn's POVThe room felt suffocating, heavy with silence and the faint sound of my breath, unsteady yet resolute. I swallowed hard, enduring the tears that threatened to fall, but I refused to let them control me. My hands trembled slightly as I folded clothes into a suitcase, the fabric stiff but I pushed through. I wasn’t really seeing the clothes; I was seeing him—Michael’s cruel, twisted smile etched into my mind. His threats, his cold eyes, the sharp sting of his words had lingered for far too long.“Evelyn,” Lucas’s voice cut through the silence, low and full of concern.I met his gaze, steadying myself. “I have to do this,” I said firmly, though the words came out strained. It angered me that it had come to this, but I was resolute. There were no more choices left—this was my path.“No, you don’t,” Lucas’s voice surged with urgency, almost pleading, as he moved closer. "You don’t have to go back to him."He didn’t touch me, not yet, but his presence was a lifeline, something
Evelyn pov My heart felt like it had stopped. I stood in the doorway, my bag clutched tightly in my right hand as if it were the only thing keeping me tethered to this world. A heavy sigh escaped my lips, and for a moment, the silence was deafening. It had been months since I ran away from all of this—this place, this life, these people. I never thought I'd come back. Never thought I'd face the judgment, the whispers, the disgust. But here I was, standing in the very doorway of the mansion I once called home. The cold air from the hallway seemed to creep under my skin, settling into my bones as I tried to brace myself for what lay ahead. I wanted to turn and leave, but my feet were glued to the spot. “Look who’s back,” a shrill voice suddenly broke through the stillness. I looked up, my eyes locked with the one person I never thought I’d have to face again—Sarah. My sister-in-law. The one who made my life a living hell when I was married to Michael. The one who never once ca
Evelyn pov The house was silent at night, but I couldn’t shake my cravings. My stomach twisted with hunger, a deep need for something sweet. I tossed and turned in bed, unable to find comfort. Michael slept beside me, unaware of my turmoil. I couldn't take it any longer.“Michael,” I whispered, nudging him. “Wake up.”He groaned without opening his eyes.“Michael!” I insisted. “I need something sweet!”He finally blinked at me, confused. “What time is it? Midnight? What are you talking about?”“I need chocolate! Please!” I was frantic. “Don’t make me go downstairs. Help me!”He sat up, clearly frustrated, but I could see concern in his eyes. The tired look on his face turned to a mix of confusion and amusement.“Okay, what do you want me to do, run to the store?” he asked.“Yes! Please, Michael, I can't wait!” He looked unsure if I was serious, but he could see I was. “You can’t be serious,” he said, rubbing his face. “I don’t care! This baby wants chocolate now!” Michael sighed a
Evelyn’s POVI stood in front of the mirror, adjusting the silk blouse that hugged my curves perfectly. Its soft, pearlescent sheen matched the polished tone of my skin—this was not just an outfit; it was a statement. A quick glance at my watch confirmed I was running late, but that was irrelevant. Everything had to be flawless.The grocery store wouldn’t know what hit it.I glanced over at the couch where my purse lay, almost defiantly, waiting for me. It was annoying, but I pushed that irritation aside. I grabbed the bag, slinging it confidently over my shoulder, relishing the reassuring rattle of my keys inside. Sometimes, it was the little things that kept me grounded.But before I headed out, I couldn’t ignore the chaos on the table—papers strewn everywhere, half-drunk coffee cups, receipts littered like forgotten promises. If I was leaving, I needed to reclaim my space. The tension settled in like an unwelcome guest—this wasn't just clutter; it was a physical manifestation of ev
Lucas' POV“Where are you going, Lucas?”Hannah’s voice cut through the silence, edged with concern. I halted mid-step, feeling tension in my jaw. I didn’t need to look back to know she was there, arms crossed, eyes filled with urgency. The weight of her stare was intense, but it only fueled my determination. Nothing was going to stand in my way.“I’m going to check on Evelyn,” I said firmly, refusing to face her. I wasn’t about to let her dissuade me this time.“She’s in the hospital, right? I want to make sure she’s okay.”There it was, the reason I had been dwelling on since she’d dropped the news hours ago, gnawing at me relentlessly. Evelyn was my friend, and she needed me. No matter the risks, especially with Michael lurking around.A long sigh escaped her. “Lucas, no. You can’t go there.”Frustration bubbled inside me, my chest tightening. “Why not?” I shot back, finally turning to confront her. “Evelyn is my friend too.”Hannah stood firmly in the doorway, blocking my path. Co
Cassie’s POVI was still tied up. The ropes dug into my skin, biting painfully into my wrists. Every shift, every small movement, made the pressure worse, and the dull ache in my arms was constant—gnawing, relentless. I tried to scream, but the gag in my mouth made it impossible to produce more than muffled, frantic sounds. The tightness in my chest only grew with each desperate attempt.I flexed my fingers, trying to ignore the cold burn creeping up my arms. My legs were tied too, but not as tightly. I could still move them slightly, still feel some sense of control over them. So, I tried to use my feet to move the small piece of wood that lay just out of reach. My toes strained against the floor, dragging it toward me inch by inch. My heart raced with hope. If I could just get a hold of it, I could use it to break the ropes or maybe…The sound of footsteps outside the door snapped me out of my focus. My heart skipped a beat, panic setting in. Was someone coming? My breath caught in
Evelyn's POVThe look on Hannah's face was hard to miss. I stood there, frozen in the doorway, eyeing both of them carefully. The tension in the room was so thick I could feel it pressing down on my chest, suffocating me. My mind raced, trying to piece together what had just happened, what was happening.Lucas looked like he’d just seen a ghost, and Hannah? Her eyes were swollen from crying. I swallowed hard, the knot in my throat growing tighter by the second."What’s going on here, Lucas?" I asked, my voice steady, but my mind was all over the place. I needed answers, and I needed them now.Hannah’s gaze flicked toward me, but she didn’t say anything. It wasn’t the first time I’d walked into an uncomfortable situation, but this one? This one felt different. It felt like I had stepped into something far deeper than I was prepared for.Lucas finally broke the silence, his hand still on the doorframe, looking like he wanted to say something, but the words weren’t coming easily.“You’re
Lucas's POVAfter hanging up the phone with Evelyn, the silence in the room felt like it was choking me. My fingers instinctively reached for the pack of cigarettes on the kitchen counter, but I paused before I even touched them. The weight of the call still hung in the air like a thick fog, and I couldn’t shake the uneasy feeling that was slowly gnawing at me. Something wasn’t right, and the knowledge that Evelyn was going to chase down whatever secret I had kept from her felt like a burden I was barely able to carry.Hannah was sitting by the kitchen table, her body hunched over, her hands trembling slightly as they rested on her lap. She was always so strong, so composed, but now? She looked lost, fragile. Her tears ran freely down her face, a sight I never imagined seeing. The guilt surged in my chest, sharp and bitter. She had trusted me, and here I was, about to drag her into a mess I had created. The weight of my actions was suffocating.I walked over to her slowly, each step m
Evelyn's POVI was perched on the old blue ladder chair in the corner of the room, my gaze unfocused as my fingers absentmindedly traced the worn edge of the chair’s armrest. The sharp chime of my phone cut through the silence, pulling my attention away from the haze of my thoughts. It was a message from Hannah—Aunty Hannah, to be exact. I wasn't in the mood for her endless advice, so I let the phone rest on the chair, nudging it aside with the tips of my fingers.My eyes drifted to the wall calendar hanging just above the desk. The dates were marked in red—each one a glaring stain against the otherwise dull pages. A sense of unease settled in my chest. The marks weren’t just random—there was purpose in them, something deliberate. But what did they mean? Why did they stand out so clearly? I couldn’t remember marking those dates myself.Just as I was about to lean in for a closer inspection, Sarah’s voice sliced through the quiet room, sharp and impatient.“What are you staring at, Eve
Hannah's povI stumbled backward, my head spinning, my entire body trembling. The room felt suffocating. The tension thickened, cloying at my throat. My heart was pounding so loudly in my ears that I could barely hear myself think. I had to get out of here, had to talk to someone—Evelyn would know what to do, she’d understand.My feet were already moving before my mind could process anything else. I turned quickly, eyes darting to the stairs as I bolted for them, but the sound of my brother’s voice stopped me cold.“Hannah, don’t do it.”I didn’t even look back. My hand was already reaching for the doorknob, the cold metal a promise of escape. But then, Lucas’ hand grabbed my wrist with an unexpected force, pulling me away from the door. I gasped, trying to yank myself free, but his grip tightened.“Let go of me!” I snarled, pulling harder, my skin burning where he touched me. His voice was low, a dangerous growl that made my pulse race.“Don’t you dare call Evelyn,” Lucas warned, his
Hannah pov I stepped into my brother’s apartment, the soft, melodic hum of a woman’s voice drifting through the air like a whisper. My brow furrowed instantly. This wasn’t right. Lucas wasn’t the type to bring random women over, especially not for something as... casual as this. I paused for a second, listening, the melody growing louder and more frantic.Who is humming like that? I asked myself, stepping into the dim light of the apartment. My steps were slow, deliberate, each one tinged with suspicion. The voice was like an unsettling echo in my mind, making my skin prickle.Something felt off.I quickly moved toward the stairs, the soft humming still filtering through the air, carrying with it a sense of urgency—like something was wrong. Why would someone be singing, trapped like that? Was someone hurt? My instincts kicked in, telling me to hurry.I climbed the stairs fast, taking them two at a time, my heart pounding in my chest. I couldn’t stop thinking about what I might find a
Lucas' POV"Shut the hell up, Cassie, you talk too much," I growled, irritation rising in my chest.She huffed, rolling her eyes as if I’d just told her something completely ridiculous. "No, I don't. You ask so many questions, so what do you expect me to do? Keep shut? Oh, come on," she shot back, the words tumbling out of her mouth like a river that wouldn't stop.It was maddening. She had such a wide mouth—always talking, always going on about the same damn thing. I had been kind enough to let her stay under my roof, but now, her constant chatter was suffocating me. She kept repeating herself, always going back to this ridiculous idea that Evelyn was trying to steal Michael from her. The same words, the same damn rant. Over and over again. It was absurd, honestly.Her eyes flashed with the kind of intensity that made me want to roll my eyes, but I couldn't tear my gaze away. "You really think Evelyn is trying to steal Michael?" I said it sarcastically, barely able to hide my disd
Michael’s POVI could barely think straight. The sound of the reporters' questions assaulted my senses, each one feeling like an accusation, a finger pointed directly at me. “Mr. Michael, can you give a brief explanation of why you were last seen with Cassie, your secretary, before she went missing?” one reporter asked, their voice too sharp, too insistent. I froze, unable to respond, my mind reeling.What the hell were they even doing here? How did they get in?Before I could process, another reporter’s voice interrupted, “No, let him answer mine first—sorry, Mr. Michael, but I would—”It was like a wall of sound, all those cameras flashing, those questions being thrown at me as if they were already convinced of something that wasn’t true. I couldn’t breathe.Then, as if fate itself was conspiring to make things worse, I heard the sound of high heels clicking on the pavement. My mom emerged from the building, her expression a perfect storm of fury and frustration. She didn’t even loo
Evelyn povI stared at Elizabeth, still standing in the doorway, her cold, steely expression unwavering. The shattered cake on the floor was a mess, but at this point, it didn’t even matter. What mattered was what had just happened, and I was going to make sure I got some kind of answer."Why did you even break the cake?" I asked again, my voice sharper now, disbelief creeping in. "What the hell is your problem?"Her lips tightened, her gaze flicking between Michael and me before she spoke, her voice colder than the air in the room. "It’s not about the cake, Evelyn," she snapped. "You’re both too caught up in this little anniversary to see what’s actually happening."Confusion washed over me, and I looked to Michael, who had been standing quietly beside me, his eyes narrowed at his mother. "What do you mean, Mom?" he asked, his voice steady but laced with tension. "What’s going on?"Elizabeth inhaled sharply, as if trying to control her anger. "Cassie’s gone, Michael. She’s been kidna