CHAPTER 4: SHATTERED MEMORIE
628 Words
Evelyn staggered out of the Blackwood Estate, her heart pounding so hard she thought it might break through her ribs.
He believes it was you.
Henry’s words wouldn’t stop repeating in her head.
No matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t make sense of it. She didn’t remember setting any fire. She didn’t remember being there that night.
But then why—why did she feel that terrifying sense of familiarity?
She barely noticed the rain that had started falling again, soaking her as she wandered aimlessly through the streets. Her mind was trapped in a vicious cycle, trying to piece together a puzzle she didn’t even know was missing.
And then, she made a decision.
She needed to see Adrian.
She needed the truth.
She found him at his penthouse.
The lights inside were dim, the storm outside casting eerie shadows through the massive windows. Adrian was standing by the bar, pouring himself a drink when she stepped in.
His back was to her, but she knew he sensed her presence.
“I was wondering when you’d come,” he said coolly, taking a sip of his whiskey.
Evelyn swallowed hard. “You knew I would.”
He finally turned to face her, his piercing blue eyes locking onto hers. “Of course.”
She hesitated, then forced the words out. “Henry told me about the fire.”
Something flickered in Adrian’s gaze. “Did he?”
She took a shaky step forward. “He said you think I did it.”
Adrian didn’t deny it. He simply placed his glass down and walked toward her slowly, his presence overwhelming.
“You really don’t remember, do you?” he murmured, studying her as if she were a puzzle he couldn’t quite solve.
Evelyn clenched her fists. “How can I remember something I never did?”
A bitter smirk tugged at his lips. “Oh, but you did, Evelyn.”
She shook her head. “No. That’s impossible.”
Adrian tilted his head. “Then allow me to remind you.”
He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small object.
A lighter.
He held it up between them. “This belonged to the person who started the fire.”
Evelyn stared at it, confusion twisting inside her. “And?”
Adrian stepped closer, his voice dangerously soft.
“It has your initials engraved on it.”
Evelyn’s breath caught in her throat.
She snatched the lighter from his hand, her fingers shaking as she turned it over.
There, faint but unmistakable, were two small letters.
E.W.
Her world tilted.
She looked up at Adrian, horror filling her chest. “This—this isn’t mine.”
His gaze darkened. “No?”
“I swear, Adrian, I don’t remember ever having this!” Her voice cracked. “I wouldn’t—”
“Wouldn’t what?” His voice turned sharp. “Wouldn’t burn an entire family alive?”
Evelyn flinched as if he had struck her.
Her hands trembled as she looked at the lighter again. It can’t be mine. It can’t.
“I don’t remember,” she whispered.
Adrian scoffed. “How convenient.”
Tears burned in her eyes, but she refused to let them fall. “You think I did this? That I wanted to hurt you?”
His jaw clenched. “I don’t know what to think anymore.”
Evelyn took a shaky breath. “Then let me prove to you that I didn’t do it.”
Adrian studied her for a long moment. Then, to her surprise, he nodded.
“You have one week,” he said. “One week to find out the truth.”
His eyes darkened. “If you can’t… then you’re exactly who I thought you were.”
- Writer
