Evelyn

Six years later

Evelyn's heel clicked against the marble floor of Stark's enterprise, echoing through the hallways as she made her way towards her husband's office, She was here to meet Liam Stark, the man who was both her husband and her greatest enemy to prepare for the press conference. Rumors were being spread, their marriage was loveless and forged because the Stark's family needed an heir to secure their legacy.

They weren't entirely wrong, their marriage was indeed formed out of necessity not love. Her thoughts drifted to her fashion enterprise. It had crumbled, driving her to the last place she wanted to be, asking her parents for help. Their solution had been simple; an arranged marriage to Liam, the boy who ruined her teenage years. 

Evelyn’s heart ached as the painful memories of Liam's torment flooded back. He had bullied, insulted and disregarded her, leaving behind scars that had never fully healed. 

Though they’d been married for a year, Evelyn felt like an eternity had passed, their marriage hanging on a thin line, the distance between them growing wider everyday. Yesterday had marked their one-year anniversary and Evelyn had allowed herself to have the tiniest sleight of hope, perhaps Liam would walk through the doors of their home with a bouquet of flowers or whisk her away to a romantic dinner, reuniting a love that never existed. But reality dawned on her, he never came home. 

Her eyes were masked with pain as she stepped into the elevator, the whispers of the employee's echoing through the building.

“ Mrs Stark, your husband is…..” a girl’s voice called out but was abruptly cut off by the elevator doors closing, leaving Evelyn in a state of anxiety. What now?, she thought.

She shrugged it off, reaching into her Louis Vuitton bag, a gift from Liam at their lavish engagement party. She pulled out her mirror and gazed at her reflection. She was indeed beautiful, her long red hair curled down to her shoulders, framing her oval, pale face. Her gray eyes sparkled with sadness that even makeup couldn't hide. 

How did she end up here? She wondered, knowing that even though she was married to Liam, she wouldn't forgive him for the past so easily. 

The elevator doors slid open and Evelyn stepped out, heading towards Liam's office. She forced a polite smile as the workers greeted her, barely looking them in the eye. Stopping at the door marked “ CEO ", she took a deep breath and pushed the doors open. Her heart dropped as she stood frozen witnessing the scene before her.

A woman straddled Liam, their bodies tangled together in a heat of passion, their moans and groans filling the air as they were lost in a moment of pleasure. Evelyn's hands gripped the door tightly, even though she despised Liam, she couldn't help but feel a pang of jealousy as her husband enjoyed being in another woman's arms. 

The woman's gaze flickered towards the door, meeting Evelyn’s shocked face. A smirk spread across her face as she continued grinding against Liam, peppering kisses on Liam's neck, her gaze never leaving Evelyn's face. Evelyn felt paralyzed, she couldn't move as different emotions overwhelmed her.

“ Trish, I…fuck ” Liam groaned, his voice resonating through the room as his body trembled against hers. He rested his head on the crook of Trish's shoulders as she cradled him, a satisfied smile evident in her lips.

“ Mrs Stark, I didn't see you there " her tone laced with amusement, she stood up slowly as she wore her lacy panties seductively. Liam’s eyes piercing daggers into her soul which truly shattered her.

“ Don't you know how to knock?” Liam growled, his voice filled with anger. Evelyn’s mouth hung open, a wave of betrayal crashing through her.

" You couldn't even keep ur dick in your pants and you forgot about the press conference that should've started 10 mins ago ” she spat, her voice laced with hate and resentment as she glared at him. She wasn't surprised, Liam hadn't been faithful. Even though their marriage was arranged, she foolishly thought he might have changed.

Evelyn exited the office, slamming the door behind her, not waiting to hear his response. Her heart pounded heavily from the scene she witnessed earlier. She decided to wait for Liam in the lobby, trying to calm her racing nerves. A few minutes later, Liam walked him, looking dashing as ever. Despite being angry at him, she couldn't deny how gorgeous he looked. His brown tailored suit clung perfectly to his well-fit body, his hair gelled back showing off his chiseled cheekbones and full lips. His piercing blue eyes that commanded authority wherever he went.

Liam pulled out his hand to her and after a moment of hesitation she took it, their hands intertwining. They walked hand in hand out of the building with smiles on their faces that didn't quite reach their eyes. The tension between them was thick. 

Flashes from cameras blinded their eyes the moment they stepped outside. The paparazzi swarmed them with questions as microphones were thrust in their faces. 

“ Liam, is it true that you don't love your wife? How did you two meet?”

“ Did you marry her just so you could secure a contract with Kent INC?” 

Evelyn felt Liam's grip tighten around her as the last question asked made the atmosphere change. He swiftly took the mic which was pointed in her direction, his hand possessively snaking around her waist. 

“ Thank you all for your questions,” Liam gritted, his irritation evident as he locked eyes with the eager reporters. “ Firstly, Kent and I have been buddies since our diaper day. Marrying my beautiful wife, Evelyn,” he paused, intertwining their hands, “ had nothing to do with our partnership." 

A smirk formed on Liam's face, but it didn't quite reach his eyes “ I love my wife so much,” his tone softening slightly as he glanced at Evelyn, “ and I hope you all would respect that. We're embarking on our honeymoon next week, and we would appreciate it if you gave us some privacy. Thank you. ”

Liam took Evelyn's hand as they began to stroll towards the car, their bodyguards forming a barrier against the invading paparazzi.

Evelyn settled into the car, her eyes drifting towards Liam, who sat beside her, his face masked with anger as he typed into his phone. She hesitated for a moment, then spoke 

“ You didn't tell me about a honeymoon ” she said quietly, her voice barely audible. Liam turned his head, his jaw clenching as he glanced at her.

“ Our parents thought it was best since we never went on one. Besides we're on the way to my house…..your parents are waiting there ” 

So they had dragged him into this, she thought. The idea of being forced into a honeymoon neither of them wanted made her feel even more trapped.

“ Don't think too much about what happened earlier,” Liam added. “ I'm a man, I have needs " 

Evelyn stared out the window, her lips pressed together forming a tight line, unsure of how to respond. She just wanted to get the meeting with her parents over with. She hadn't seen them since the wedding, mother had tried reaching out to her, but she ignored her. Her parents married her off to the man she hated so she guessed it was only fair.

“ Yes, the shipment should arrive by tomorrow, make the deposit and……..”

 Those were the last words Evelyn heard before everything went black, the world around her fading, darkness swallowing her whole.