EVELYN

CHAPTER TWENTY TWO

Evelyn's POV

The water cascaded over me, washing away the day’s tension but not the heaviness in my heart. My mind felt like a battlefield, torn between relief and regret. I tilted my head back, letting the cool droplets run over my face, hoping it would drown the noise in my head.

After drying off and slipping into something comfortable, I grabbed my phone for one last glance before heading downstairs for dinner. The screen lit up with an unknown number calling. My heart skipped, anxiety prickling at my skin.

Who could this be? I hesitated, my thumb hovering over the answer button.

Finally, I picked up. "Hello?"

"Hey, Evelyn," a familiar voice cooed. My shoulders relaxed instantly.

"Luke?" I asked, surprised.

“Yeah,” he chuckled softly. “Sorry if this is weird. I got your number from Amber. Hope that’s okay.”

I felt my lips tug into a small smile. “It’s fine… How are you?”

“I’m good,” he said. “But more importantly, how are you?”

The question hung in the air, heavy and unspoken. My stomach tightened. He’s seen it.

My cheeks burned with shame, even though I knew I hadn’t done anything wrong. “I-I’m okay,” I mumbled, gripping my phone tighter.

“Evelyn,” his voice softened. “I saw the video. I just want you to know... I don’t judge you. You’re brave for speaking up.”

Tears pricked at my eyes. I swallowed hard, trying to find words, but none came.

“I mean it,” he continued. “Don’t let anyone make you feel otherwise.”

For some reason, his reassurance made me feel lighter, though the weight of everything still lingered. “Thanks,” I whispered.

“Hey,” he said, his tone shifting to something lighter. “I was wondering… Would you like to have dinner with me tomorrow? Just us. No pressure.”

My heart skipped. I wasn’t sure what to say. Part of me wanted to, but another part hesitated. “I…”

Before I could answer, a loud knock at my door startled me. “I’ll call you back,” I said quickly, hanging up.

The knocking turned into banging. I hurried to the door, opening it just as it swung open violently. My father stormed in, his face twisted with fury.

“What the hell have you done?” he roared, his voice echoing off the walls.

I stepped back, startled. “W-What do you mean?”

“That video! Have you lost your mind?” he thundered, his fists clenched.

My breath caught in my throat. “I just—”

“You just what?” he cut me off. “You’re dragging our family’s name through the mud! Do you have any idea what this could do to us? To me? To the business?”

I froze, my mind racing. How can he say this?

“Langston is an important figure in our network,” he continued, his voice dripping with venom. “He’s a major investor, Evelyn. He’s helped us secure deals that keep this family afloat. And you—”

“I was just—”

“You were just being selfish!” he spat, stepping closer. His presence loomed over me like a storm cloud. “Do you even think before you act? Or is it all about you?”

Tears welled in my eyes. I tried to step back, but he grabbed my arm, his grip tight enough to hurt. “You will delete that video,” he hissed, his face inches from mine. “If you care about this family—if you love me—you’ll take it down. Do you understand?”

His words cut deeper than any blade could. I stared at him, my body trembling, unable to respond.

“Do you understand?” he repeated, shaking my arm.

“Yes,” I whispered, barely audible.

He let go, his eyes blazing. “Good. Make sure this doesn’t leave these walls again.”

With that, he stormed out, slamming the door behind him. I stood there, clutching my arm where his fingers had dug in. Tears spilled down my cheeks as I sank to the floor, sobbing uncontrollably.

How could he? How could they?

I hugged myself tightly, rocking back and forth as the pain and betrayal consumed me. My chest ached, and my throat felt raw from crying. Every part of me wanted to disappear.