THE DEVIL'S BRIDE

Chapter Seven

Evelina's POV

The moment I stepped out of Nightfall Estate, I released a breath I hadn't realized I'd been holding. What the hell had just happened in there?

I climbed onto Dad's motorcycle and stared at the mansion behind me. There was something wrong with that place.

Everything about it felt strange—the people, the enormous estate, the guard who looked like he could crush me with one hand, and especially the man who owned it.

Adrian Nightmere.

I still couldn't understand how he knew my name. And why did he look at me like that?

I shook my head. I didn't have time to figure out mysterious rich men and their creepy mansions.

I rode straight to the hospital. The first thing I did was make the payment for mum's dialysis.

For the first time in days, I could breathe. At least this week's treatment was covered. But instead of feeling completely relieved, my mind kept returning to the same question.

Was taking that job the right decision?

The money was exactly what I needed. More than I could have hoped for. But everything about Nightfall Estate screamed trouble.

I couldn't shake the feeling that I had just stepped into something I didn't understand. Still, what choice did I have?

I checked on mum afterward and found her resting. I smiled when she opened her eyes.

"Hey, mum."

"You're here again?"

"Where else would I be?"

She smiled faintly. "Thought you would be at work."

I sat beside her, trying to look normal. "I'm on leave from the club." I didn't tell her about the job.

There was no point worrying her when I hadn't even decided if I would actually take it.

I was still with her when my phone rang. It was Caleb. I stared at his name for a moment before answering.

"Hello?"

"I haven't heard from you since you went for that delivery." He took a deep breath. "Well, I'm outside."

My brows pulled together. "Outside where?"

"The hospital. I wanted to see you."

My irritation rose immediately. "Caleb, are you stalking me now?"

There was a pause.

"I'm just worried about you, Eve."

"No. You're becoming a problem."

"Eve—"

"You need to stop setting me up to be bullied by your crazy girlfriend and your mother."

I ended the call and stared at my phone for a few seconds. Then I sighed.

Knowing Caleb, he wouldn't leave until I spoke to him. So I went outside.

He was standing near the entrance, looking worried. The moment he saw me, his expression softened.

"Evelina."

"What do you want?"

"I told you… I was worried."

"You've done enough."

His face fell. "I do everything because I care about you."

"I didn't ask you to."

"You know I love you."

I closed my eyes briefly. Here we go again. "Caleb, listen to me carefully."

He stared at me.

"We are friends. That's all we've ever been, and that's all we're ever going to be."

"But—"

"No." I held up a hand. "You have a girlfriend."

"But I don't love Genevieve. It was my mu—"

"Not my problem, dude. She's not just your girlfriend, Caleb. She's your fiancée."

"I know."

"Then what exactly is your problem?"

His jaw tightened. "You don't appreciate what we have."

I stared at him. "What exactly do we have?"

"Our history. Everything we've been through together. All the times I've been there for you."

I shook my head. "Come out of this illusion of entitlement, Caleb."

His expression hardened. "You really think I'm asking for too much?"

"I'm asking you to respect my boundaries."

"I've always been there for you."

"And I'm grateful for that. But your kindness doesn't buy you my feelings."

He looked away.

I was done. I turned and walked away.

Behind me, I heard him call my name, but I didn't turn around.

When I returned to mum's room, she immediately noticed something was wrong.

"Evelina?"

"I'm fine."

"You don't look fine."

I forced a smile. "I'm just having cramps. I'll probably leave early tonight."

She studied me for a moment but didn't push. She always knew when something was wrong, but she rarely forced me to talk about it. I stayed with her a little longer before finally heading home.

That night, I barely slept. I lay in bed staring at the ceiling, thinking about the job.

Ten thousand dollars a week was enough to take some of the weight off my shoulders.

But then there was something unsettling about Nightfall Estate, Adrian. That really beautiful but strange woman—Miranda. Everything about the place felt wrong.

Maybe I shouldn't go back. Maybe I should forget the whole thing. Then again, what other job could pay me that much?

I was still arguing with myself when I heard shouting outside.

"EVELINA!"

I sat upright. My heart sank. I knew that voice.

"EVELINA!"

I marched to the window and looked outside. Caleb was standing in front of my house. And he was holding flowers and a box of chocolates.

"You have got to be kidding me."

"Evelina! Please come outside!" he shouted again.

I opened the window. "Caleb!"

He looked up. "Please, just hear me out!"

"You are disturbing the entire neighborhood!"

"I don't care!" He dropped to his knees. "Please."

I stared at him. "Get up."

"I won't until you hear me."

"Caleb."

"Please, Eve."

I rubbed my forehead. This man was exhausting. Eventually, I went downstairs and opened the door.

He immediately stood. "I just want us to talk."

"You've said enough already."

"I'm sorry."

I sighed. He looked genuinely miserable. For a moment, my anger softened.

Maybe I was being too harsh. Maybe he really didn't understand how uncomfortable he was making me.

I stepped aside. "Fine. Come in."

His face brightened as he walked inside.

I pointed at the flowers. "Those are not coming in."

"But—"

"Give them to your slimy girlfriend."

His face fell. I took the box of chocolates. "These, however, are acceptable compensation for disturbing my peace."

Despite everything, he almost smiled.

I walked toward the living room. "Sit."

He sat. For a few seconds, neither of us spoke. Then Caleb cleared his throat. "I've been thinking."

"That's dangerous."

He ignored me. "Evelina, I want you to be my girlfriend."

I closed my eyes and pressed a hand against my forehead. "Caleb..."

"I'll break up with Genevieve."

I slowly looked at him. "You don't learn, do you?"

"I'll choose you."

"You shouldn't have to choose me."

"But I love you."

"I don't love you."

His expression crumbled. "I've loved you for years."

"And I've told you how I feel."

"We could be happy together." His eyes grew wet.

"I'd rather swim in a pond full of leeches than be your girlfriend." The words came out before I could stop them.

For a moment, he just stared at me. Then his face hardened. Before I could understand what was happening, he lunged at me.

I fought him off, desperate to get away from him. "Caleb, stop!"

He wouldn't. Instead he tore through my clothes as we struggled. "I must have you! I've invested so much in this!"

Fear shot through me. I reached for the nearest object and struck him hard enough to make him stagger.

I didn't wait. Instead I ran.

I stumbled out of the house and into the darkness, my breathing ragged and my clothes torn.

I just kept running and didn't look back. I didn't know where I was going. I only knew one thing.

I couldn't stay there with him. Not after what he'd tried to do. Caleb had been my best friend for most of my life.

Tonight, I finally understood that the person I thought I knew had never been the person he truly was.