Episode Three
1326 Words
Evelyn’s POV
The tension in the air was suffocating. My parents sat in the living room, staring at me with matching expectant expressions. Nathan was on his knees, his hands clasped together as if in prayer, begging me to forgive him.
“Evelyn, please,” he said, his voice cracking. “I know I messed up. I know I hurt you, but I’m willing to spend the rest of my life making it up to you.”
I couldn’t even look at him. My chest was heaving, anger boiling under the surface like a volcano ready to erupt.
“You want me to forgive you?” I said, my voice low and trembling. “After you slept with my sister and got her pregnant?”
He flinched as if my words had struck him, but I didn’t care. He deserved every bit of my rage.
“Evelyn,” my mother said softly, trying to placate me.
I turned to her, my eyes blazing. “Don’t. Don’t you dare try to defend him. Or Anita.”
“Nobody is defending them,” my father said, his tone firm. “But we have to move forward. What’s done is done.”
I laughed bitterly, shaking my head. “Of course. Let’s just sweep it under the rug and pretend everything’s fine. That’s what this family does best, isn’t it?”
Nathan crawled closer, grabbing my hand. I yanked it away as if his touch burned me.
“Evelyn, I love you,” he said desperately. “You’re the one I want to be with. Anita was a mistake—a terrible mistake. Please don’t let this ruin us.”
I stared at him, my chest tightening with a mix of anger and disbelief. How could he say that? How could he act as if what he’d done could ever be forgiven?
“I will never marry you,” I said through gritted teeth.
My parents exchanged a glance, their worry evident.
“Evelyn,” my father said cautiously. “Think this through. If you end things with Nathan, what will people say? This is a family matter. We can’t let it destroy us.”
“Family matter?” I said, my voice rising. “Is that what you’re worried about? What people will say? This isn’t about the family’s reputation, Dad. This is about me!”
“Sweetheart, calm down,” my mother said, reaching for me.
I stepped back, my hands shaking. “Don’t call me that. Don’t act like you care. You knew what was happening, and you said nothing. You let me walk into that room and find them together!”
Tears pricked my eyes, but I refused to let them fall. I wouldn’t give them the satisfaction of seeing me break.
Nathan stood, his face pale. “Evelyn, if there’s something else—if there’s someone else—”
I froze, my heart skipping a beat. The memory of the stranger flashed in my mind, his touch, his voice. But I pushed it down, burying it deep.
“There’s no one else,” I said, my voice cold.
“Then why are you so unwilling to forgive me?” he asked, his desperation turning to frustration.
I glared at him. “Because I don’t love you anymore, Nathan. I don’t even think I ever did.”
The room fell silent, the weight of my words hanging heavy in the air. Nathan’s face crumpled, and for a moment, I almost felt sorry for him. Almost.
Before anyone could say anything else, the sound of the doorbell echoed through the house.
My mother frowned. “Who could that be?”
She moved to answer it, and I followed, more out of curiosity than anything else. When she opened the door, my breath caught in my throat.
There he was.
The man from the club.
He looked even more striking in the daylight. His dark hair was neatly styled, and his sharp blue eyes locked onto mine with an intensity that made my stomach flip. He was dressed impeccably, his tailored suit exuding wealth and power.
“Evelyn,” he said, his deep voice sending a shiver down my spine.
My mother looked between us, her confusion evident. “And you are?”
“I’m Jack Wayne” he said, stepping inside as if he owned the place. “I’m here to see Evelyn.”
I stared at him, my mind racing. Jack Wayne? Why did that name sound familiar?
“Evelyn,” he said again, his gaze softening as it landed on me. “I’ve been looking for you.”
Nathan appeared behind me, his expression darkening as he took in Jack's presence. “Who the hell are you?”
Jack ignored him, his focus solely on me. “Can we talk?”
I hesitated, my heart pounding. “I—”
“Wait a minute,” Nathan said, stepping in front of me. “You think you can just walk in here and demand to talk to her? Who do you think you are?”
Jack's jaw tightened, but he remained calm. “I’m the man who’s here to take responsibility.”
The room went silent.
“What?” Nathan said, his voice low and dangerous.
Jack turned to me, his eyes softening. “Evelyn, I know last night wasn’t ideal. It wasn’t how things were supposed to happen. But I’m here now, and I want to do the right thing.”
My mother gasped, her hand flying to her mouth. My father’s face darkened, and Nathan looked like he was about to explode.
I, on the other hand, felt like the ground had been ripped out from under me.
“What are you talking about?” I managed to say.
Jack reached into his pocket and pulled out a small box. He opened it, revealing a stunning diamond ring.
“I want to marry you,” he said simply.
The room erupted into chaos.
“What the hell is this?” Nathan shouted. “You can’t just walk in here and propose to her!”
My mother looked at Jack with wide eyes. “Young man, do you even know what you’re saying?”
Jack held up a hand, silencing everyone. His calm demeanor was unnerving, especially compared to the storm brewing inside me.
“I’m serious,” he said. “Evelyn, I want to marry you.”
“Why?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.
“Because it’s the right thing to do,” he said, his eyes never leaving mine.
Tears welled up in my eyes, but I blinked them away. “You don’t even know me.”
“I know enough,” he said.
Nathan stepped forward, his fists clenched. “You think you can buy her with your fancy gifts and your money? You don’t love her.”
Jack's gaze hardened. “And you do? Is that why you betrayed her?”
Jack's face turned red, and for a moment, I thought he might throw a punch.
“Stop,” I said, my voice trembling. “Just stop.”
I turned to Jack, my emotions a whirlwind. “I don’t know what you think happened last night, but this... this isn’t the solution.”
Jack stepped closer, his voice low and steady. “Evelyn, I’m not here to pressure you. But I meant what I said. I’ll take responsibility. Whatever you need, I’ll be there.”
I stared at him, my heart aching with confusion and anger. Who was this man? And why did he care so much?
“Evelyn,” my mother said gently. “Maybe we should talk about this.”
I shook my head, backing away from all of them. “I need time,” I said, my v
oice breaking. “I can’t... I just can’t.”
Without waiting for a response, I ran upstairs, slamming the door to my bedroom behind me.
- Writer
