Chapter 5

The following days blurred together, each moment a dance of tension and uncertainty. Evie returned to her classroom, the laughter of her students a reprieve from the chaos surrounding her. But her mind was never far from Allen and the dangers they faced.

One afternoon, as she was organizing art supplies, her phone buzzed with a message.

"Meet me at the rooftop tonight. I have something important to discuss."

Her heart raced at the thought of seeing Allen again.

..

As the sun dipped below the skyline, she climbed the stairway to the rooftop, anticipation mingling with anxiety. The city sprawled beneath her, a sea of twinkling lights and distant sounds.

"Evie," Allen's voice cut through the night, drawing her attention. He stood by the edge, silhouetted against the setting sun, a figure of strength and allure.

"Hey," she breathed, her heart fluttering as she approached him.

He turned, his expression serious. **"I've been thinking about what we discussed. I want you to be safe, but I also need your help."

"What do you need me to do?" she asked, determination blazing in her eyes.

He took a deep breath, his gaze intense.

"I need you to understand the world I come from. If you're going to be by my side, you need to know the risks."

"Show me," she replied without hesitation.

He hesitated, torn between protecting her and revealing the truth. Finally, he nodded.

"Alright. But promise me you'll be careful."

"I promise," she said, her voice steady.

He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small device, a sleek black tablet.

"This will give you a glimpse into my past."

Evie accepted it, curiosity bubbling within her. As she turned it on, the screen lit up with images and videos of brief glimpses of a world she had never known. Soldiers, advanced technology, and shadowy figures filled the screen.

Her heart raced as she watched, absorbing the reality of Allen's life.

"You were part of this?"

"More than I ever wanted to be," he replied, his voice heavy with regret.

Evie's mind whirled. "What happened to you?"

"I was part of a government program known as Genesis," he explained, his tone clipped. "They used us, enhanced us, turned us into weapons."

"Why did you leave?" she pressed, her heart aching for him.

"Because I wanted a life," he said, his gaze distant. "But my past hasn't let go. Marcus and Seraphina are remnants of that life, and they won't stop until they get what they want."

Evie felt a surge of empathy, her heart breaking for the man before her.

"You deserve a chance at happiness, Allen."

He turned to her, his eyes fierce.

"And that's why I can't let you get involved."

"I won't back down," she replied, her voice unwavering. "You're not alone in this."

As the evening wore on, Evie felt the thrill of being at Allen's side. They mingled easily, their connection deepening with each shared glance and whispered joke. Yet, a nagging feeling lingered in the back of her mind, a reminder of her father's condition and the looming specter of the contract binding them.

Later that night, as they returned home, Evie turned to Allen. "I never expected this to be so… intense."

"Intense can be good," he replied, his expression serious. "But I also know that it can be overwhelming. If you ever need space, you can take it."

Her heart swelled at his consideration. "Thank you. I just… I worry about my dad."

"I understand," he said softly, reaching for her hand. "We'll find a way through this together."

But soon, shadows began to creep into their lives. Collins, her older brother, had expressed his disapproval from the beginning. "You're making a mistake, Evie," he said one evening, his voice tight with concern. "He's not who he seems."

"Collins, you don't know him like I do," she argued, frustration bubbling beneath the surface. "He's been nothing but kind to me."

"Kindness can be a cover," he replied sharply. "You need to be careful. This isn't just a simple relationship; it's dangerous."

"Dangerous?" she scoffed. "What do you know about him?"

"I know he's involved in things we can't understand. You're putting yourself at risk."

Evie felt a pang of anger, but also a flicker of doubt. "You're just jealous I'm happy."

"Happy?" Collins laughed bitterly. "You think this is happiness? You're blind to the red flags!"

"Stop it!" she shouted, her voice echoing through the house. "You're being overdramatic!"

But as the days passed, Evie began to notice the changes around her. Strange men loitered near their building, and she found her apartment rifled through—nothing missing, but the sense of violation was palpable.

One evening, she returned to their penthouse, feeling a creeping sense of dread. "Allen, something feels off," she said, pacing the floor. "I swear I saw someone outside today."

His expression hardened. "We need to be vigilant. And I'll look into it."

..

Days turned into weeks, and while Evie enjoyed attending events and getting to know Allen, a lingering unease settled in the pit of her stomach. One night, as she returned home from work, she noticed something strange about her apartment.

"Hello?" she called out, stepping inside and scanning the room.

A note lay on her kitchen table. "Leave him while you still can or risk losing your family."

Evie's heart raced as she read the message. Who had left it? Was someone watching her?

"Evie!" Allen exclaimed when she told him about the note. "You should've called me right away."

"I didn't think it was a big deal," she said, her hands trembling.

"It is a big deal! You need to be careful," he said, his expression serious.

"I can handle myself," she insisted, but the fear gnawed at her.

The next morning, Evie was driving to school when a black van suddenly swerved in front of her. She slammed on the brakes but it was too late.

"Get out of the car!" a voice shouted as men rushed toward her.

"What? No!" she screamed, her heart pounding.

The door was yanked open, and she felt hands grabbing her.

"Let me go!" She fought back, but they were too strong.

Her eyes suddenly grew dim as a lady with dark tight clothing approached her, her lips curved up in a devilish smirk.