Invisible String (Ransom Drysdale)

Bar fight?

Harvey carries her inside heading to the bathroom, placing her down on counter before going to her a first aid kit.
"Evie talk to us" Donna says not kneeling in front of her.
"He's getting married" She whispers.
"Ransom?" Donna asks for clarity and Evie nods her head.
"Two years is all it took for him to replace me" tears begin to fall as Harvey walks back in.
"Let's get you cleaned up" He says as he begins to clean some of the cuts on her feet.

"I will run a bath" Donna says noting Evie is shivering.
"I shouldn't be this upset" she sighs.
"About what?" Harvey asks confused.
"Ransom" she whispers.
"He's engaged" Donna catches him up.
"Right" Harvey nods.
"You have every right to feel what you feel" Donna comforts her "Let's get you in the nice hot bath"

"I can do it myself" she says moving off the counter wincing slightly at the pain of her feet.
"We will be right outside" Donna says as her and Harvey leave the bathroom.
Stripping her wet clothes off she then allows her body be consumed by the nice hot bubble bath.

Why did she care so much about Ransom's engagement?
How could he have found someone so quickly that he was ready to settle down with?
Was she the problem this entire time?

Flashback to 10 years ago

"Can't I just stay at home" 15 year old Evelyn groans, as her parents drag her to some fancy party that she really doesn't to attend.
"No" her mother is quick to shoot down "Now remember to smile" she reminds her as they make their way up the driveway.

"Whoa" she thought as she sees the mansion come into sight. Her house was nice but this was much bigger.

"Caroline, Simon and this must be Evelyn" a woman greets you all as you enter.
"Linda it is great to see you" Caroline smiles.
"Richard is around somewhere and my son Hugh is here as well" she says leading them into the house.
"Can I get you a drink" another women asks.
"Two glasses of red please" Caroline orders before the women looks at Evelyn.
"I'm fine thank you" Evelyn replies smiling.

Evelyn found herself wondering the house, her parents were making small talk and she hadn't been allowed to bring her phone. Wondering the halls she came across a library, wondering inside she looked around at all the books.
"I don't think you are suppose to be in here" a voice came from behind her.
"Oh I am so sorry" she quickly turned to see a boy similar age to her stood there.

"Did you get dragged here too" he asks.
"Yeah my parents didn't even let me bring my phone so I got bored and decided to wonder" Evelyn replies looking at boy.
He was kinda cute, not that he would probably pay any attention to her, she wasn't anything special compared to some girls her age.

"I'm Hugh but I prefer to go by Ransom" he now introduces himself.
"Evelyn but I prefer Evie" she smiled.
"Evie" Ransom rolls her name of his tongue "How about I show you the grounds?" He offers.
"Sure" she smiles following him outside.

"So your parents are lawyers" Ransom now asks as they wonder the grounds.
"Yep and they want me to be one" she replies her face twisted a little.
"And you don't want that?" He now asks intrigued.
"No but I don't have a choice" she shrugs.
"You could tell them you don't want to be a lawyer" Ransom stops and looks at her.
"Yeah right you try telling my parents no" she laughs "It's fine I accepted my fate a long time ago" she now shrugs.

Before she can say anything else Ransom leans across and kisses her.
"What was that for?" She asks confused.
"Because you are pretty and I wanted to kiss you" he replies and Evie's cheek blushes "Wait was I your first kiss?" Ransom now asks.
"I mean guys aren't exactly lining up to kiss me when there are pretty cheerleaders at school" she looks down.

"You would look hot in cheerleaders outfit" Ransom smirks.
"Cheer doesn't help get into law school so wasn't allowed to join the squad" Evie confesses.
"Shame I would've liked to see you in a outfit, now let me teach you a proper kiss" he says coming closer and kissing her again this time entering his tongue into her mouth.

That was the beginning of their long and complicated relationship that would follow.

End of flashback

So lost in thought she hadn't even notice the water had turned cold. Getting out of the bath and noticing the fresh clothes Donna had left she looks at herself in the mirror.
The bruises on show for all to see, now she just had to come up with some lie to explain them.

"Thanks for the bath and clean clothes but I should probably get back to the hotel" She says entering the living room.
"You're staying here the guest bedroom is already made, Michael's on his way with your things" Harvey replies sounding stern.
She goes to argue but is cut off.
"No arguments, now sit down and take the weight off your feet" Harvey says handing her a glass of wine.

"Evie the bruises" Donna now address the elephant in the room.
Taking a sip of her wine to steady her nerves.
"Bar fight gone wrong, some crazy girl didn't like the fact her boyfriend kept checking me out so she threw a beer bottle and try to strangle me before her boyfriend ripped her off me" she lies.

"A bar fight? Are you pressing charges?" Harvey now asks not entirely believing her.
"She was off her face and didn't help I decided to kiss him to wind her up more, I just want to try forget about it, bruises heal" she shrugs taking another sip of wine.

Meanwhile outside of Harvey's apartment.

Ransom knew this is where she would be, so didn't have a chance of getting close to her. But something about the fact that the other could see the bruises comforted him, because he knew Harvey cared for her like he was his own daughter.

Spotting Michael approaching the building he gets out the car.
"Micheal" he shouts getting his attention.
"What are you doing here?" Michael asks sounding annoyed.
"I would never hurt her" he says feeling like he has to defend himself after Harvey's comment.

"Look I know you wouldn't physically hurt her but you've hurt her in other ways" Michael answers honestly.
"Can you just at least let me know she's okay?" Ransom now asks.
"I haven't seen her so I don't know" Michael replies going to leave.

"Can you tell her I want to talk to her please" Ransom pleads.
"Go back to your fiancé Ransom, we've got her" Michael answers before heading inside the building.

"Fuck" Ransom curses. He needed answers, how did she get hurt, is she okay?
He didn't know she was there this afternoon, when he arrived he looked around and couldn't see her so assumed she didn't come. It wasn't until he saw her standing there with all the colour drained from her face, he instantly wanted to rush to her side but Chloe stopped him.

It was only when she was distracted enough talking to Joni about wedding stuff that he managed to slip away setting off to find her, seeing her sat curled up on the sidewalk soaking wet his heart ached.

Accepting he wasn't going to be able to see her, he drives back home knowing Chloe would be wondering where he went.

His mind on the one thing he tried so hard for two years to forget about Evelyn.