His Redemption

Chapter Nineteen

Killian’s pov

The room was dim, lit only by the low glow of the desk lamp and the faint amber reflection of city lights bleeding through the tall windows. Outside, rain slid down the glass in slow, uneven trails, distorting the skyline into something blurred and distant.

Killian sat behind his desk, one arm resting loosely against the wood while the other held a glass of amber liquor.

His gaze was fixated on the photo infront of him. It was Eva's.

Killian stared at it with an intensity that didn’t soften, even as the seconds stretched into minutes. His expression was unreadable calm, controlled but there was something deeper beneath it.

He didn't see her after Colton had rescued her from Nicholas’s men. He didn't want to after what he put her through. Because of him her life was now in danger.

He lifted the glass slowly to his lips. He took a measured sip, swallowing without breaking his focus.

He can't see her again, he could never. She's better off without him in her life but he will always look out for her, keep her safe and protected from a distance.

His thumb brushed lightly over the edge of the photo, almost absentmindedly, as if tracing something he couldn’t physically reach.

The door suddenly opened and Colton entered. Colton's gaze flicked to the photograph on the desk, then back to Killian. After a moment, he spoke carefully.

"She's safe, I dropped off at her home."

Killian didn’t respond.

He continued to stare at Evangeline’s image as if the world outside this room didn’t exist.

As if nothing else mattered enough to pull him away from it.

"And about her hand," Colton said and this time Killian lifted his head, meeting Colton's gaze.

"What about it?" he asked, his eyes narrowing.

"Someone hurt her, she told the doctor when he had asked."

Killian’s grip around the glass tightened. "Who was the person that hurt her?" He asked, his voice low and calm.

Colton exhaled. "It was a girl from school, her name was Bianca."

Crack.

The glass shattered in his hand.

Sharp fragments bit into his skin as liquor spilled across his palm and desk, dripping over Evangeline’s photo. Blood mixed faintly with alcohol as shards fell onto the wooden surface.

Colton didn't move nor did he say anything but watch Killian. This wasn't the first time Colton was seeing him angry.

"Bring that b***h to me," he said, his voice ripped through the room like a gunshot.

Colton nodded and stepped out of the room, shutting the door behind him.

The rain outside grew heavier, tapping against the windows like distant gunfire.

Killian sat alone in the dim study, blood still trailing down his hand, Evangeline’s photo resting on the desk in front of him.

"Whoever hurts you or lays a finger on you again I will kill them be it anyone," he murmured, staring at the photo.

___________________________________________________

Eva's pov

The air was cool and fresh, carrying the earthy scent of wet soil and stone. Every breath felt clean, almost heavy with moisture.

Eva had woken up an hour ago already showered and dressed for school. She hardly had a wink of sleep, her mind kept drifting to Killian.

It hurt that he hadn't checked up on her nor did he call her but then she realized her phone was at the store in the brake room, she dropped it when her abducted dragged her out of the room.

She needed to go there after school to find out if Mrs hart was okay but she was also afraid if Brayden would get angry seeing her there after all it was her fault, Mrs hart got shot.

When she got home last night after Colton dropped her off, her parents were awake and watching television as if nothing happened. Her mother told her that a coworker named Brayden visited them earlier on and informed them that Eva had been abducted.

Celeste the evil women that she is said to Eva why didn't they just kill her.

Eva stepped into the kitchen to prepare breakfast, she opened the refrigerator

and took out the eggs carefully, cradling the carton like it might break in her hands.

She then placed the pan on the stove and the flame clicked to life. The quiet kitchen was filled with the soft sizzle of eggs hitting hot oil.

She stood by the stove watching the edges of the eggs turn white before turning to the counter.

She turned around, grabbing three plates, forks and glasses from the cupboard with her good arm. It was difficult working with one hand but she didn't complain. Her movements were slow and careful.

She carefully placed the plates on the table, adjusting them until they’re perfectly straight. Everything had to look perfect or else Celeste would throw a fit.

Her eyes widened in horror as she smelt the sharp, bitter and burning smell behind her.

She spun around watching as the smoke curled upward from the pan. She rushed forward, grabbing the pan handle but it was too late. The flames licked up the side of the pan with a loud whoosh.

She flinched, letting go of the handle. She stumbled back in shock, her breath catching soundlessly in her chest.

The fire climbed quickly, orange tongues reaching toward the cabinet above.

Panic slamed into her.

Her hands moved instinctively, uselessly, searching for something—anything.

The smoke began to thicken, filling the small kitchen.

Eva stilled when she heard footsteps thunder down the hallway.

“What the hell—?!”

Celeste burst into the kitchen. Her eyes widening when she saw the flames.

“Oh my God!”

She spun around, turning to Eva, her face twisting with rage.

“What did you do?”

Eva swallowed, reaching for the notebook in her bag.

“Lucas!” Celeste screamed startling Eva.

“Get in here! She’s burning the house down!”

Her father appeared a few seconds later, his expression tightening seeing the fire.

“Move!” he barked at Eva.

She staggered backward watching him reach for the fire extinguisher and put off the fire.

The kitchen immediately fell into tense silence. Eva's heart raced so hard that it felt it might tear out of her chest.

She froze when Celeste sharply turned toward her.

“You stupid b***h,” she shouted, her face was pale with fury.

Eva instinctively took a step back.

“I leave you alone for five minutes,” she continued, advancing toward Eva, “and you try to burn my house down?”

Eva shook her head desperately.

It was an accident, Eva didn't do it on purpose not that Celeste would understand. Eva lifted her hand up to sign but Celeste gripped it, hard, her nails piercing into her skin.

Her one hand was already broken and now Celeste was going to brake the other one.

Celeste stared at Eva with pure disgust.

“Oh, spare me that crap. You think you can just stand there and pretend you didn’t almost kill us?” she snarled.

Eva tried to pull away which was a big mistake.

Celeste's palm slammed across Eva's

face.

The sound cracked loudly in the kitchen.

Eva's head snapped to the side, pain exploding across her cheek.

“Look at me when I’m talking to you!” she sneered, clenching her fists.

Another slap followed. Eva's vision blurred.

“Celeste,” Lucas muttered from the stove.

“You want to destroy this house?” she continued, shaking Eva violently by the arm. “You ungrateful little brat!”

Her fist drove into Eva's shoulder and pain bloomed instantly. Then came another hit and another. Eva couldn't keep count, her body was exhausted and painful.

Celeste chuckled darkly, pushing Eva on the floor and pressed her feet on her injured wrist.

Tears spilled down Eva's face, the pain was unbearable as Celeste pressed harder onto her wrist.

"Just admit it, admit you wanted to kill us! "

Lucas exhaled watching his wife throwing punches at his daughter.

Eva was curled on the floor in fetal position, trying to protect herself from her mother.

"That's enough," Lucas murmured.

Celeste lifted her head, her smoldering gaze met his. "Don't you tell me what to do!"

"You might end up killing her and that's the last thing we want to do."

"She's better off dead anyways," she gritted out.