Chapter 6
1280 Words
The moment Evelyn Harper stepped into the dining room, the antique clock on the wall chimed eight deep, solemn notes, perfectly on time. Though she wasn't late, the tension in the room immediately made her skin prickle with unease. Her eyes scanned the table—William Westwood sat at the head, his expression stern, brows furrowed in evident impatience. Across from him, Madeline Westwood stared at Evelyn with an icy glare, the hostility like a venomous snake lurking in the shadows, ready to strike. Only Henry's gaze softened as it fell on her, though beneath the tenderness lay something more complicated.
Evelyn quickly lowered her head, forcing herself to bow. Her voice was barely a whisper, "Good morning, Mr. Westwood. Good morning, Mrs. Westwood. Good morning, Henry."
Henry's gentle voice broke the silence, "Evelyn, remember to call them Grandpa and Mother. We need to keep up appearances as the loving couple, remember?"
Evelyn took a deep breath and corrected herself, "Good morning, Grandpa. Good morning, Mother."
No one responded. The heavy silence in the air made it hard for her to breathe. Evelyn kept her eyes downcast, unsure what to do next. Then she heard the measured sound of leather shoes approaching from behind.
She didn't need to look to know who it was. That suffocating presence could only belong to Logan Westwood.
Logan stopped beside her, his gaze sweeping over everyone at the table before settling on Evelyn. His voice was low, laced with mockery. "What's this, Evelyn? Are you being punished here?"
Cold sweat gathered at Evelyn's forehead as she fought down her fear. She replied softly, "Good morning, Uncle Logan."
Logan let out a dry laugh and walked over to the table, settling into his seat with an air of nonchalance. "Why so formal? If Henry is your husband, you might as well call me Uncle, just like him."
Henry smiled at her warmly, gesturing to the seat next to Logan. "Evelyn, have a seat. There's no need to be shy. Come sit by Uncle Logan."
Evelyn's heart sank at the suggestion. Sitting next to Logan? That was a far worse fate than standing. Her feet felt like they were rooted to the floor, refusing to move.
William finally lost his patience and waved his hand dismissively. "Sit down."
Evelyn had no choice but to nod and sit beside Logan. It seemed the Westwood family followed a strict "no talking while eating" rule, and as soon as William picked up his cutlery, silence fell over the table. For Evelyn, that was a relief—at least it meant Logan wouldn't bring up the events of last night, the ones that had left her reeling.
The suffocating atmosphere during breakfast made Evelyn's stomach twist. No one spoke, and the rigid decorum forced her to stay on high alert. After William and Madeline left the table, only Evelyn, Henry, and Logan remained.
With the older generation gone, Evelyn finally allowed herself a small breath. She instinctively rubbed her stomach, the tension causing a dull ache. Henry noticed and asked with concern, "Evelyn, is your stomach bothering you?"
She forced a smile and nodded slightly. "It's nothing, just a little uncomfortable. Probably just nerves."
Henry frowned, worry etched across his face. "Should I call the family doctor?"
"No, no!" Evelyn waved her hands quickly, rejecting the offer. "It's just a small thing, really. No need to bother the doctor. I'll be fine soon."
Still unconvinced, Henry hesitated before suggesting, "Well... Uncle Logan was just about to pass by the hospital. Why not have him take you for a check-up?"
Evelyn's heart skipped a beat, and the ache in her stomach intensified. Being alone with Logan? That was more terrifying than any physical pain. She shook her head quickly, her voice pleading as she looked to Henry. "Really, there's no need! I'm fine!"
Her eyes practically begged Henry not to leave her alone with Logan.
Logan, who had been eating with infuriating leisure, finally set down his fork, a smirk playing on his lips. He glanced at Henry, his tone mocking. "Henry, are you trying to pawn her off on me so I'll either spare her or torment her?"
Henry's expression remained gentle, though something complex flashed in his eyes. He let out a quiet sigh. "Uncle Logan, I trust you have a sense of decency. Even if you two were alone, I know you wouldn't do anything to her."
Logan's gaze turned cold, his smile cruel. "Decency? You really have no idea, do you? Even if you haven't signed any papers, there's nothing immoral about anything that might happen."
He slowly turned his gaze to Evelyn, his eyes unreadable. His voice dropped, almost taunting. "Evelyn, I could take you to the hospital. But... do you dare get in my car?"
Panic surged through Evelyn. She shook her head fiercely, not daring to meet Logan's gaze. In her flustered state, she could only refuse. "No! I really don't need to go to the hospital. I'll be fine on my own."
Logan gave her a sideways glance, a trace of amusement in his eyes as he stood up, adjusting his tie with deliberate ease. "If you don't dare, then I'll be on my way."
Seeing Logan get up to leave, Evelyn felt a wave of relief. She subtly shifted her chair away, trying to put some distance between them, making her rejection clear.
Logan noticed and chuckled softly, his amusement deepening. He took a step towards her, suddenly leaning down, his hand resting on the back of her chair. He brought his face close to hers, his breath warm against her skin as he whispered, his voice edged with danger. "Are you afraid of me? Do you remember what I told you?"
Evelyn froze, her heart pounding as Logan's breath brushed her ear, the proximity making her entire body tense. She looked up and found his icy blue eyes just inches away, an unsettling glint in them.
Logan's voice was low, almost a growl. "I told you two things. First, don't put too much faith in Henry."
Evelyn's breath caught. She understood what Logan meant. Henry had always appeared gentle and caring, but she still harbored doubts about him. After all, everyone in this family seemed to have their own hidden agenda.
"Second..." Logan leaned even closer, his voice dropping to a husky whisper near her ear, "You're a woman I've been with. From now on, whether I touch you again or not, you better not let yourself get tainted. Or else..."
He left the threat unfinished, but the unspoken menace hung in the air like a blade over her head.
Sweat beaded on Evelyn's forehead, her neck so stiff she couldn't move. The sheer force of his presence suffocated her, leaving her no room to argue. The memory of last night was still vivid, her body's soreness a constant reminder of the power Logan had over her fate.
Logan slowly straightened, seemingly satisfied with her fear. He let out a cold chuckle, releasing her from his grasp. His tone was indifferent as he added, "I've made myself clear. Remember my words, or face the consequences."
Evelyn nodded quickly, her voice trembling with fear. "I... I understand."
Logan gave her one last look, a faint, enigmatic smile on his lips before he turned and left the dining room. His footsteps echoed down the hall until they faded completely.
As the tension left her body, Evelyn slumped back in her chair, trembling as she tried to take a deep breath, her heart full of fear and helplessness.
Logan's warning loomed over her like a dark shadow, an inescapable weight pressing down on her.
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