The Beginning of the End
The Gala at Blackwood Towers
The ballroom glittered.
Crystal chandeliers. Champagne towers. Diamonds draped on silk-dressed socialites.
And in the middle of it all—
Elias and Evelyn.
Backlit by gold and luxury, Elias held her close. Too close. One arm wrapped around her waist, his lips brushing against her ear as he whispered something only she could hear.
Evelyn barely registered it.
She was somewhere else.
Somewhere in the past.
Somewhere in the moments where Theo's eyes weren't cold. Where his voice wasn't laced with betrayal.
Somewhere before she had shaken the devil's hand.
Elias chuckled, sensing her silence. "Lost in thought, princess?"
Evelyn swallowed. "Not at all."
His grip tightened."Good."
A waiter passed. Elias took two glasses of wine, handing her one. "Let's make a toast."
Evelyn hesitated. "To what?"
He leaned down, his lips dangerously close to her ear. "To your new life."
Her stomach twisted.
New life.
Wasn't this what she wanted?
Then why did it feel like she was suffocating?
She forced a smile and clinked her glass against his.
---
The Party Continues
Elias never let go of her.
Not once.
His arm stayed firm around her waist. His fingers brushed against her skin—a constant reminder of his presence.
She could feel the weight of everyone's eyes.
Whispers. Speculation. Elias Bennett's woman.
The title felt wrong.
"I need air," she murmured.
Elias smirked. "You need me."
Before she could respond, he pulled her onto the dance floor.
The orchestra swelled.
Couples swayed.
And Evelyn—trapped in his arms—could only follow.
Elias's grip was firm. Possessive.
His hand pressed against the small of her back, guiding her effortlessly.
He was always so in control.
And maybe that was what terrified her the most.
"You're tense," he murmured.
She forced a breath. "I'm fine."
His fingers brushed against her jaw. "Then why do you look like you want to run?"
Evelyn hesitated.
And then—
Everything stopped.
Because he walked in.
Theo.
Dressed in all black. Sharp suit. Cold eyes.
He hadn't been invited.
But he was here.
Evelyn's breath caught.
His gaze locked onto hers.
And the world collapsed..
---
The Confrontation
Theo's steps were slow. Purposeful.
The crowd parted for him like he was death itself.
Elias smirked, unbothered. "Well, well. Look who decided to join the fun."
Theo didn't even spare him a glance.
His entire focus was on Evelyn.
She swallowed hard. "Theo—"
"Are you happy?"
His voice was even. Too calm.
Evelyn faltered. "I—"
Elias chuckled. "Of course she is."
Theo finally looked at him.
And Elias's smirk faltered.
Because Theo wasn't just angry.
He was done.
Done with the games. Done with the taunts.
Done with letting Evelyn slip through his fingers.
Theo exhaled sharply. "Let. Her. Go."
Elias tilted his head. "Or what?"
Theo didn't answer.
He just took another step forward—and Elias pulled Evelyn closer.
A statement.
A challenge.
Theo's jaw clenched. "Evelyn."
She met his gaze.
And for the first time since shaking Elias's hand—she wasn't sure of anything anymore.
Because this wasn't right.
This wasn't her.
Theo saw it.
And Elias did too.
Which was why—his next move changed everything.
He leaned down—and pressed a kiss to Evelyn's temple.
Right in front of Theo.
Evelyn froze.
Theo?
He smiled.
A dangerous, lethal, merciless smile.
And then—
He whispered, "Alright, then."
And walked away.
For the last time.
---
Elias penthouse
Elias poured himself a drink. "Well, that was fun."
Evelyn didn't answer.
She sat on the couch, staring at nothing.
Elias glanced at her. "You're overthinking again."
She inhaled sharply. "He's not coming back."
Elias smirked. "Good."
She shook her head. "No. No, you don't understand."
Because Theo always came back.
He always fought for her.
But this time—
This time he left.
And something told her—
He wasn't going to fight anymore.
Her chest ached.
Because if Theo wasn't fighting for her anymore—
Then maybe she really had lost him.
For good.
---
End of Chapter 52