THE BOND PULL

Evelyn left the cafe after meeting with Aldrich and Brandon to express her gratitude and headed straight to the Quinns home. Reaching there, she was scolded and grounded by Freda Quinns for causing Emily's embarrassment. " You're not allowed to eat tonight. Stay back and sort these forms and submit them to the university." Due to being whipped by Freda Quinns, Evelyn could only nod in agreement.

Freda Quinns was an exceptionally cunning woman. She understood inflicting harm in obvious places would raise suspicion, so she targeted areas that remained hidden. Her vulnerable regions, such as her stomach, thighs, and waist, bore the bruises and scars of her previous assaults. Emily smiled in satisfaction, seeing the trembling Evelyn, and kicked at her bruised spots, gaining a painful moan from her. The mother and daughter pair left from there, leaving Evelyn alone in her shabby room.

Evelyn winced in pain as she moved to her wooden bed and lay down, thinking about the sparks that were aroused when her hands touched Aldrich. She took out the sketch book she kept hidden from the Quinns, held it close to her heart, and sighed deeply. The sketchbook contains a certain pair of red eyes that always appear in her dreams. Red eyes that sent shivers down her spine, the eyes that always made her feel protected.

Days passed, and soon, the day of the scholarship exam came. Evelyn, Drake, and Emily passed the scholarship examination forum. Only an opportunity was set by Brandon. Whether they pass the theoretical examinations depends on them. On reaching the examination venue, Evelyn's nervousness grew, and she bumped into someone. Evelyn quickly apologized and said, " I'm sorry! I didn't see you." When she raised her head to see the person she bumped into, she was met with a smile. " It's fine. I, too, wasn't looking properly." They both smiled at each other and left for their examination hall.

Evelyn scanned the examination hall and was glad she was not in the same room as Emily and Drake. She sat at her allotted seat and waited for the examination to begin. Soon, the examination began, and students were nervous about the paper. After an hour, the exam finished, and students were leaving the examination hall while discussing their papers. Evelyn came out with a satisfied smile, knowing her paper went well. Before she could leave the venue, Emily's voice reached her ears.

Emily came towards Evelyn, fuming in anger, and threw the question paper at her face. Drake was following Emily closely, equally angry. Seeing their faces, Evelyn was sure their paper didn't go well. Emily pointed her finger towards Evelyn and said, "Why didn't you give me the correct material to study for the exam! You better know your place!" Evelyn moved away and said in a low voice, " It was you who took the material from me without knowing the subjects for the exam. As for me, I prepared only the basics that too, without the material." Emily was too angry to say anything and was about to touch her when a voice interrupted her. " This is a public place, not your house, where you can do as you wish."

Evelyn tilted her head to see that it was the same person she had bumped into before entering the examination hall. The person smiled at Evelyn and gave a hard look to Emily. Without saying further, both Emily and Drake left from there. Evelyn thanked the girl and introduced herself, " Thanks for standing up for me. I'm Evelyn." The girl stretched her hand for handshake and introduced herself, " Mia Lanchester. Nice to meet you." Both shook hands and became good friends.

Mia was very kind and sweet towards Evelyn, and she felt good to have someone to talk to. Mia and Evelyn discussed their papers, and Mia asked for Evelyn's number. " Let's keep in touch. Give me your number." Evelyn smiled awkwardly and said, " I don't use a phone, but you can contact me through my cafe's phone." Mia was shocked to know she didn't use a phone but took her cafe's number.

She then checked Evelyn physically without her knowledge, and her face changed, guessing the bruises and scars on her body. She observed her for a little longer and hugged her. Evelyn winced in pain as her bruises came in contact with the loose shirt she was wearing. Mia was concerned, hearing her, and asked, " Are you okay?" Evelyn nodded with a tight-lipped smile and bid her farewell. As soon as she left the venue, Mia's face no longer held the warmth she had talking to Evelyn.

Mia walked towards the car standing outside the venue and sat inside. Brandon, along with Aldrich, was waiting for her. Both of them bombarded Mia with questions but failed to notice her expression. She glared at them and asked them to head towards the palace. Mia was a psychiatrist by profession. She was excited to meet Evelyn, but as she met her, her face seemed to become hard. Aldrich noticed his sister's expression, and his expression was grim.