Chapter 5: Cracks in the Armor
595 Words
Three days passed.
Evelyn fell into an uneasy routine. Breakfast alone. Hours staring out the window. Dinner with Ethan in silence, his eyes always on his phone, never on her.
On the fourth morning, she gathered her courage.
"I want to see my father."
Ethan looked up from his coffee. "Excuse me?"
"My father," Evelyn repeated. "You cleared the debt. You paid the hospital bills. But I haven't seen him since I signed that contract."
Ethan set down his cup. "The doctors called yesterday. He's out of the ICU."
Evelyn's heart leaped. "Then let me see him. Please."
He studied her for a long moment. Then he nodded. "I'll take you myself."
---
The hospital smelled of antiseptic.
Evelyn walked down the white hallway, Ethan a dark shadow at her side. They stopped outside room 217.
"I'll wait here," Ethan said, his voice lower than usual. "Take your time."
Evelyn pushed open the door.
Her father looked smaller than she remembered. Tubes snaked from his arms, monitors beeping softly. But his eyes were open.
"Evie," he whispered, weak and cracked. "My little Evie."
Evelyn rushed to his side, tears streaming. She took his hand and pressed it to her face.
"I'm sorry," her father sobbed. "The gambling, the debts… I ruined your life."
You did, Evelyn thought. But looking at his pale face, she couldn't say it.
"It's okay," she whispered. "Just get better."
His gaze shifted to the door. Through the small window stood Ethan, hands in his pockets, eyes on the floor.
"Is that him?" John asked. "The man who paid the debt?"
Evelyn nodded.
"What does he want from you?"
"It doesn't matter," Evelyn said. "You're alive. That's all that matters."
---
Fifteen minutes later, Evelyn walked out, her eyes red but her shoulders straighter.
"How is he?" Ethan asked.
"Better. Thank you for bringing me."
Ethan nodded. For once, the cold-hearted Emperor seemed almost uncomfortable.
"Ethan," she said quietly. "Thank you for saving his life."
He was silent for a moment. Then he reached out and brushed a tear from her cheek with his thumb. The gesture was so gentle it made her heart ache.
"Don't thank me," he said, voice rough. "I didn't do it for you."
"Then why?"
Ethan turned away, jaw tight. "Because no one should watch their parent die in a hospital bed. I know what that feels like."
He walked down the hallway, leaving Evelyn standing alone.
He lost his parents too, she realized. That's why he understood.
Maybe the monster wasn't as heartless as he pretended to be.
---
That night, dinner was different. Ethan asked about her father. He listened. He didn't look at his phone once.
After dinner, as Evelyn turned toward the guest wing, Ethan called her name.
"Tomorrow," he said, "there's a charity gala. I need you to come with me. As my fiancée."
Evelyn's heart skipped. "A public appearance?"
"You'll need a new dress. Mrs. Lee will take you shopping." He paused. "And Evelyn? At the gala, you smile. You play the part. You make everyone believe we're in love."
"And if I can't?"
Ethan walked toward her until he was inches away. He tucked a strand of hair behind her ear—a gesture becoming painfully familiar.
"Then fake it," he whispered. "You're not the first woman to pretend to love me. And you won't be the last."
He turned and walked away, leaving Evelyn in the hallway, her heart torn between hope and despair.
Fake it, she thought. That's the problem, Ethan.
I'm not sure I'm faking anymore.
- Writer
