Chapter 10
1079 Words
The car stopped in front of Evelyn’s apartment building twenty minutes later neither of them had spoken much during the drive not because the silence was uncomfortable because it wasn’t which was strange. Lucian rarely filled empty space with meaningless conversation. He seemed like the kind of person who believed words should arrive only when useful. The driver stepped out first. Evelyn looked toward the familiar building outside the window it was ordinary and small, almost laughably different from the worlds she had moved through today.
For a moment, she wondered what Lucian thought seeing where she lived now. Then realized he probably already knew. The thought irritated her slightly.
Her hand reached for the door. Lucian spoke before she opened it. “Move.” She paused then looked at him. His expression remained calm. “What?”
His gaze shifted briefly toward the apartment building then back to her.
“You shouldn’t stay here anymore.”
The words came easily like stating weather conditions it wasn't even concern, Evelyn almost laughed. Three years beside Adrian had taught her something useful powerful men often mistook decisions for kindness. Her expression cooled slightly. “I didn’t ask for housing.” Lucian looked at her for a moment, then again “I know.” Silence.
The city lights reflected faintly across the car windows. His voice lowered slightly afterward. “That’s usually your problem.” Her brows tightened not dramatically just enough. “What is?”
His answer arrived immediately. “You leave before accepting help.” The air shifted slightly because that didn’t sound like observation, that sounded like familiarity again always these small things, as if pieces existed before she noticed them. Evelyn held his gaze longer this time trying to place something a memory, recognition byt nothing came, finally she said “How long have you known me?” Lucian went still, not surprised as if he expected it eventually. Outside, rain had started lightly against the windows. His expression revealed nothing. “Long enough.” The answer irritated her instantly because it wasn’t one. Her voice cooled. “You enjoy avoiding specifics.” For the first time, something changed not much. Just enough for the corner of his mouth to move slightly. Almost amusement a dangerous expression because restrained men smiling rarely meant safety. His eyes remained on hers. Then he asked quietly “Do you remember your twentieth birthday?” Everything inside Evelyn paused only briefly. Twenty. Her throat tightened unexpectedly. Because
she remembered not perfectly just fragments. A large gathering arranged by her grandfather business partners,
families. People discussing futures instead of feelings she hated those events. The memory surfaced slowly.
Then another rain outside she was leaving early Standing alone near the garden because everything felt suffocating and someone, a young man speaking to her while everyone else discussed alliances indoors his face remained blurry and her expression shifted slightly. Lucian noticed immediately of course he did “You remember something,” he said. not question but a statement. Evelyn frowned faintly. “No.” a lie. His gaze remained steady. “You said something that night.” The rain outside grew heavier her chest tightened unexpectedly. Because his voice changed not softer, further away
like remembering. His eyes moved briefly toward the window before returning. Then he repeated: “You said you wished people would stop deciding your life before you had the chance to choose it yourself.” The words hit harder than expected because she said that, she remembered now. Barely. A frustrated conversation with someone whose face disappeared afterward. Her fingers tightened slightly the memory returned in pieces. Young arrogance, anger, feeling trapped. And someone listening quietly. Her eyes widened almost imperceptibly. Lucian watched, then “You...”The word stopped halfway,
because suddenly the blurry memory became clear not fully clear but enough. A young man leaning against stone railings while she complained about expectations. His expression calm even then. Older than her. Patient. His voice...Her breath caught slightly, this was impossible. Lucian looked away first, toward the rain, toward years neither mentioned.
Then again “You forgot.” no accusation.
which somehow made it worse heavy silence filled the car afterward. Evelyn stared at him trying to connect pieces.
This man, this stranger. Who apparently wasn’t entirely one. Her voice lowered careful now. “Why didn’t you say anything before?” Lucian’s answer came after several seconds. His expression unreadable again. Because whatever surfaced he buried it quickly. “You got married". The words were simple but it landed harder than expected. His jaw tightened slightly afterward. Almost invisible. Then: “You seemed happy.” that was a past tense 'seemed' not were. She understood and before Evelyn could respond, his phone reng
The atmosphere broke immediately.
Lucian glanced at the screen. His expression changed. something cold. He answered, only listening. Then: “No.”
His eyes hardened almost imperceptibly. “Delay everything.” silence then finally his gaze shifted toward Evelyn briefly before returning ahead and he said: “Blackwood moved first.” The call ended. Evelyn frowned.
“What happened?” Lucian looked at her.
His expression unreadable again. The old familiarity disappeared instantly. Replaced like it never existed. “Adrian requested emergency negotiations with Hart International.” The rain outside seemed louder suddenly. Her stomach tightened. Lucian continued:
“He discovered enough to become interested.” 'Interested'. Such a harmless word. Men like Adrian destroyed things once interested. Lucian opened the car door first. The cold air entered immediately. Then he looked back at her. His voice was calm and certain. The same way it always was. “Your ex-husband is about to remember your value.” a pause. Rain falling between words then again
“And people regret underestimating you most...” His eyes held hers. “...when you stop loving them.”
Far across the city Adrian stood inside his office long after midnight. The report about Hart International remained open. Unread now. Because something else occupied him. An old photo forgotten in storage taken years ago at a business event. His eyes remained fixed. Because hidden near the background was a younger Evelyn stood laughing beside someone. Someone taller. Someone whose face made his expression darken instantly.
Lucian Vale. And suddenly, a question appeared. 'Had Lucian known her before him?' The thought stayed long after midnight because jealousy rarely arrives politely it enters quietly then refuses to leave. Yes he was jealous
- Writer
