Evelyn's pov
The fountain pen trembled in my hand as I scribbled my signature at the bottom of the divorce paper. I dropped the one next to the paper and stared at the black ink drying on the white paper. This was it. This was me severing whatever ties I had with Micheal Sullivan. As I stared at it, I wondered if I was making the right decision. I lifted my hands towards the paper to pick it up but stopped myself midway. ‘Don't give up hope, Evelyn. This is you finding freedom.’ I told myself. I folded the paper neatly and placed them on his desk along with my wedding ring. This happily ever after wasn't mine. I pushed back my chair and stepped away from the desk. Then, I turned to the door with my suitcase in hand. I whipped around, my eyes flicking back to the papers, doubt creeping in. “Was I doing the right thing?” I repeated. Suddenly, images of Chloe and Micheal together in bed flickered in my head and fingers tightened around the suitcase handle. Yes, I was doing the right thing. There was nothing left for me here — love, kindness or even a future. Micheal gave that all to Chloe. The one he really loves. As I stepped outside into the cold, night air, I pulled my hoodie tighter around me. My eyes fell on the guards by the gates, hoping they wouldn't question my departure. Well, they did. And when they did, I lied. I told them I was visiting a distant friend who was in trouble. They hesitated at first and even asked about my bruises. I lied again and again until they let me go. Lying had become easy. I looked back at the mansion. Micheal wouldn't even notice my absence. That's how invisible I was. I turned ahead. Well, not anymore. I hailed a cab and slipped into the backseat. The driver asked where my destination was and I whipped out Hannah's rumpled card. “Oh. I know that place. It's not very far from here.” He said with a smile. “Thank you.” I muttered as he returned the card. I sank back into the seat with a sigh, praying to God or whoever was in heaven that Hannah wouldn't turn me away. My silent “prayers” were answered. The cab arrived at a radiant mansion downtown. “Here it is. The Collins’s live here.” The driver said. “Thank you.” I paid the car fare and watched him drive off. “Who are you?” A familiar voice asked behind me. I froze. I know that voice. “Who are you?” She repeated. I turned around slowly. As soon as our eyes met, she gasped. “Evelyn?” Hannah welcomed me with open arms and without hesitation. “Oh my. Come in.” The guards stationed at the gates opened it and I entered. “Thank you.” I whispered. “Come, dear.” Hannah wrapped her arms around me. Her warmth made me feel cozy. Like I was home again. “Come in.” She led me to the mansion. “You'll be safe here.” Then she guided me to the couch. “Don’t you worry. You're safe, dear. I live here with my nephew, Lucas. He's upstairs.” Moments later, Lucas appeared. He was tall - six foot one with dark gold hair and piercing blue eyes that seemed to look right through me. While Hannah introduced us, he didn't ask prying questions like other people would, instead he offered me a smile and a handshake and told me I was welcome to stay in his house for as long as I liked. Apparently, he owned the mansion they lived in. We had dinner together and Hannah decided to show me to the room I would be staying in. It turned out I wasn't the only young woman Hannah had helped with this kind of “situation”. She was so kind it hurt. Before I went to bed, she patted my hair softly. “Don't worry. We'll help you start over.” The days that followed were a complete whirlwind. Lucas, ever since he heard my story, I “disappeared” completely. At first, I thought it had something to do with the supernatural but he meant changing my identity — getting new hair, new clothes and even a new name. It was a good plan but I refused. I couldn't do it. It felt like I was erasing my old self and becoming someone I'm not. But time after time, as I stared at my “lovely” reflection in the mirror, the scars of my past stared back at me. It made me realize Lucas was right. I had to let go of the past if I wanted to move on. One Saturday morning, Hannah snipped away at my hair and added a “fake” birthmark on my cheek. When she was done, she passed me the mirror and I was blown away. The woman staring back at me was a different person. My shoulder-length blonde hair was now a sleek, , dyed black. “You look beautiful.” Hannah beamed me a warm smile. I returned her smile. “Thank you.” My gaze returned to my reflection in the mirror. No one would know who I am. At the moment, it was the right thing to do but deep down, I didn't feel comfortable about it. Two weeks later, I became another member of the Collins’s. Everything felt natural now. I was with people who didn't know my past and in a nicer neighborhood. This was the life I wanted. The life Micheal couldn't give to me. One afternoon when Hannah left for her shift, Lucas and I decided to go shopping. I had insisted on going to the one nearby but Lucas insisted we visit somewhere else. A knot grew in my stomach. “What if I run into someone I know or worse, Micheal?” “Don't worry, Evelyn. No one will recognize you and even if they did, we could always say you're her look alike. People find their doppelgangers all the time.” He said with a wink. “Okay.” His words comforted me. Even though they gave me some sort of assurance, doubt settled in the pit of my stomach like stone. After getting the basic things we needed, we decided to wander around the boutique. Lucas chatted away about some art exhibit he was invited to in Italy and how he wanted to buy a piece there. I nodded absently, my eyes cautiously watching the people in the mall. He must have sensed my worry because he laced his fingers with mine and pushed the stroller with a free hand. “I'd love to show you some time, wife.” He said aloud. I blinked. “What?” “The art exhibit?” He said aloud again and I wondered if he lost a screw upstairs. He leaned closer and whispered. “You look terrified, Evelyn. Someone might think I kidnapped you.” “Oh. I'm sorry.” I hadn't realized I was sulking. “It's alright,” He gave our linked hands a squeeze. “Let’s go home.” He definitely read my mind. I wanted to leave. He turned the stroller the other way that led to the counter. One more step and we'll get out of here. We arrived at the counter where Lucas began to process the payments with the cashier. My eyes wandered around the mall, wondering if there was something we were forgetting. A familiar perfume hit my nostrils and my stomach flipped. No. No. The clicks of heels got closer and I flinched. Don't turn around! “Evelyn?” My blood turned to ice. “Evelyn Octavia Taylor!” The woman called aloud this time. She was doing this intentionally to make a scene. Slowly, I turned around to meet her. There she was, holding a shopping bag in one hand and her iPhone in another. She gasped. “So it is you.” “Hello.” I said through gritted teeth. She waved it off. “Nah. Call me sister-in-law.” Then she narrowed her eyes. “Hmmm. You look like my sister-in-law but … different.” Lucas came to rescue. “That's because she isn't.” Sarah took a step closer. “What?” Lucas took my hand. “Yes. This is Linda, my wife.” “No.” Sarah squinted her eyes. “She looks like Evelyn.” My breath hitched. Why was she relentless? “You're holding up the line!” Someone called from the back. Sarah shot the stranger a glare. “You better shut up!” Then she turned to me. One more stare from her and I swear, I'll run. “Hmm.” Lucas pulled me behind him. “You're mistaken, ma'am. Maybe your sister-in-law is somewhere around here.” “Sure.” Sarah said, flatly. She's given up? “Thank you.” Lucas turned around to complete the payment. We carried out groceries and hopped out of there. “Who was that woman anyways?” Lucas asked as we walked to the BMV. I heaved a sigh. “Micheal's younger sister, Sarah.” He opened the trunk and helped me put in the groceries.“Well, she's got quite a mouth on her.” “Every Sullivan does.” I replied with another sigh. It's been a long day. Lucas opened the door to the passenger seat. “Shall we?” “Yeah.” Before I could climb into the driver's seat, I heard it. “I knew you were Evelyn. I was right!” We both turned to see Sarah standing by the car. When did she get here?” “You can dye your hair and change your name but I'll always know who Evelyn,” she chuckled. “When Micheal said you ran away, I thought he was joking. The Evelyn we know is submissive but oh, I was wrong. You've got guts.” I lost it. “Sarah…” “Wait till I tell Micheal.” I looked at Lucas. “What do we do now?” “No?” He looked back at me. “We run.”Sarah pov I pulled into the driveway, the tires of the car crunching against the gravel as I made my way to the parking lot. My hands were clenched tight around the steering wheel, fingers gripping it like I could strangle the truth out of it. I was shaking, not with fear, but with something else – a slow burn that felt too much like satisfaction.The horn blasted once, loud and sharp, echoing into the night. I didn't care. The security guard would come when he was ready. I pressed my foot down, more forceful now, my eyes burning with the anger and satisfaction that had bubbled up since I'd walked out of Evelyn. Her smugness, her little lies, it was all so... transparent. I had been waiting for the right moment to show her what it felt like to be caught in the act.When the gate finally creaked open, I slid past it quickly, pulling into the parking spot nearest the door. I sat there for a moment, breathing heavily, my phone buzzing insistently in my lap. The screen flashed with mess
Michael's POVI stormed back into the house, my mind racing, and heart pounding. Every inch of me felt like a kettle ready to explode. I had trusted Evelyn, loved her, and now… now this. My hands were trembling with a mixture of anger and disbelief. Sarah's words echoed in my mind like a hammer on metal, each one hammering harder than the last.I walked straight into the living room, my eyes searching for Sarah. She was sitting on the couch, looking nonchalant, as if she hadn’t just dropped a bomb on my entire life. Her eyes met mine for a moment, cold and calculating."Where did you see her, Sarah?" I growled, not bothering to soften my tone. There was no more room for pleasantries. The truth had been laid out, and now I needed answers. "Tell me where. Now."Her lips curled into a half-smile, the satisfaction on her face unmistakable. She didn’t respond immediately. Instead, she leaned back, crossing her legs, and let the silence stretch between us, making me wait.“You know, I don’t
Evelyn povThe air in the room felt suffocating as Lucas watched me, his eyes darting nervously between me and the door. My heart pounded relentlessly against my ribs, and despite his calm words, every inch of me trembled. I could hear my breath, shallow and erratic, but his piercing gaze seemed to demand something I wasn’t ready to give."You can’t just keep hiding in here, Evelyn," Lucas said, his voice softer than usual, but no less firm. "You need to eat. It's not good for you to stay locked up like this."I shook my head, instinctively pulling the blanket tighter around me as if it could shield me from the world outside. But I knew it couldn’t protect me from what was coming."I’m not hungry," I muttered, my voice barely audible, betraying the lie.Lucas didn’t move immediately. His gaze held mine, searching for some glimmer of the person I used to be. Maybe he thought if he just tried hard enough, he could find it again. But the truth was that part of me had already died."You'r
Michael slammed his hand on the desk, his knuckles white as he resisted the urge to throw the damn papers across the room. His eyes were burning, but not from the endless work Cassie had dropped on his desk. No, it was the storm inside him, the guilt, the anger, the confusion. He couldn’t stop thinking about the one person who mattered—the woman he had left behind.Cassie’s heels clicked on the polished floor as she stepped closer, holding the file in her hands. He didn’t look at her. Not even once. He could feel her presence, though. It lingered, thick and suffocating, like perfume that wasn’t just lingering—it was clinging.“I can’t believe you’re still ignoring me, Michael,” she said, her voice smooth and sultry, but there was an edge to it. He could hear the frustration, the possessiveness, the challenge. “I thought we had something real. Don’t you miss me?”His jaw clenched, and he exhaled sharply. He didn’t even want to dignify that with a response. He wanted to scream, to tell
Lucas’s POVThe air in the room crackled with tension, a thick, electric atmosphere that demanded a decisive action. My fingers gripped the stack of papers on my desk, their sharp edges digging into my skin, a fitting reminder of the treacherous path I was on. “Drop the file, Hannah,” I commanded, my voice steady but firm, imbued with a finality that left no room for argument.Hannah hesitated, a flicker of defiance in her eyes. I recognized that look—it was the one she wore whenever I delivered news she preferred to ignore. Her gaze darted between the file in her hands and my unyielding demeanor, her expression tightening as if bracing for impact. The weight of our family business loomed over us, heavier than usual, yet this conflict was about more than just business; it was personal.I had reached my limit. I couldn’t pretend any longer, especially not with Evelyn in the picture. She wasn’t family—not yet, and maybe she never would be. The more I pushed Hannah to understand this cri
Evelyn's POVThe sizzling sound of pancakes on the griddle filled the air, marking the morning routine I had confidently claimed as my own. Hannah had developed a taste for pancakes, and today was no exception. The aroma of butter and sugar permeated the kitchen, a comforting presence in a world that often felt chaotic.As I flipped the pancake with precision, my phone beeped from the living room, the sound cutting sharply through the warmth of the kitchen."Hannah!" I called out, my voice strong and clear. "I have one request for you!"From the balcony, a soft snicker reached my ears before her voice came back, teasing yet affectionate. "What’s the request, my lady?" Her tone, laced with mischief, was the perfect touch for our playful banter.I smirked, something familiar and warm stirring within me. "Could you please bring me my phone? I left it on the table."There was a moment of silence, then the unmistakable sound of bubble gum popping, followed by her sarcastic quip. "Hug the s
Hannah POVThe silence stretched between us as Lucas blinked, still trying to adjust to the light and the tension. He didn’t move for a few seconds like he was considering something, his duvet tangled around him as though he’d been woken from a deep sleep. He sat up slowly, the soft rustle of the covers the only sound as he sighed.“I—” he began but didn’t seem to know how to finish his sentence. He looked at me, and I could see the unease in his eyes, the wariness of someone who didn’t want to say too much, yet knew I wouldn’t leave without an answer.“You were so angry with her, Lucas. You’ve never hung up on Evelyn like that before. What happened?” I could feel the words tumbling out of me, desperate to understand.He hesitated again, rubbing his face as if trying to erase the frustration that had been building up all evening. Then he sighed, shoulders slumping as he sank back into the bed. “It’s not what you think, Hannah. It’s…”His voice trailed off. I could see the weight of wh
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.
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