A Glimpse of the Devil

Evelyn's Room

The city outside was silent.

But inside Evelyn's room—a storm was brewing.

Elias leaned against the doorframe, watching her sleep.

Her breathing was soft, even. Her body curled slightly to the side, as if she were shielding herself from something even in her dreams.

A slow smirk curled on his lips.

She thought she could fight him.

She thought she could resist.

But Evelyn belonged to him.

And it was time Theo Bennett understood that.

He stepped forward, the floorboards creaking slightly beneath his polished shoes.

Evelyn didn't stir.

He took his time.

His fingers grazed her hair, then trailed lower—until they found the first button of her shirt.

He flicked it open.

Then another.

Then another.

Her collarbone peeked through the fabric, her skin warm beneath his touch.

Still, she didn't wake.

Elias chuckled under his breath. Too easy.

He slipped into bed beside her, pressing close enough that their bodies almost touched.

And then—he raised his phone.

The screen glowed in the darkness.

Click...

A single picture.

Evelyn—half-unbuttoned, vulnerable.

Elias—right beside her.

His smirk deepened.

With a few taps, he sent it to one person.

Theo Bennett.

Then slowly Elias fingers went to unbutton the rest of her shirt buttons and pull up blanket...

Then, satisfied he removed his own t-shirt and then

'Click'

he leaned back against the pillows.

And waited for the storm to come.

---

Theo's Apartment

Theo had barely fallen asleep when his phone buzzed.

He groaned, rubbing a hand over his face before blindly reaching for the device.

A message.

From Elias Bennett.

His blood ran cold.

Frowning, he opened it.

And everything stopped.

A picture.

Evelyn.

Lying in bed.

Her shirt half-unbuttoned.

Elias beside her.

Theo's entire body went still.

His grip on the phone tightened dangerously.

For a second—just a second—his mind refused to process it.

But then—

The rage came.

Violent. Unforgiving. Burning

His jaw clenched. His chest tightened with something ugly, something uncontrollable.

Kade, half-asleep, stirred in the next room. "Theo? What's wrong?"

Theo didn't answer.

His entire world had just snapped in half

Another buzz.

Another message.

Elias Bennett:She's right where she belongs.

Theo shot up, his breath sharp, his heart pounding.

He saw red.

Because this wasn't just a game anymore.

This was war.

And Elias?

Elias had just made the biggest mistake of his life.

---

Elias's Penthouse

Elias was sipping whiskey when his phone vibrated.

A single response from Theo.

He smirked, expecting rage. Hatred. Helplessness.

But when he opened the message—his smirk vanished.

Theo Bennett: enjoy your last 24 hours.

A slow, dangerous chuckle rumbled in Elias's chest.

Theo thought he could threaten him?

How amusing.

Elias tossed his phone onto the table and glanced toward Evelyn's room.

She was still asleep, blissfully unaware of the chaos she had unknowingly ignited.

But she would learn soon enough.

Because this wasn't a fairytale.

And Elias had never been a prince.

---

Evelyn's Awakening

Evelyn stirred, blinking against the morning light.

Something felt off.

Her skin prickled with unease, and when she shifted—a weight beside her moved.

Her breath hitched.

Slowly, too slowly, she turned her head.

And froze.

Elias was lying next to her.

Her pulse stopped..

Her shirt—

Unbuttoned.

Panic slammed into her like a freight train.

She shot up, scrambling away from him.

"What—what the hell are you doing here?"

Elias propped himself up on his elbow, his expression lazy, amused.

"Good morning to you too, sweetheart."

Evelyn's hands shook as she clutched the fabric of her shirt. "Why are you in my bed?"

Elias sighed, stretching like a cat. "Relax. I didn't touch you."

She didn't believe him. Not for a second.

Her stomach twisted. "What did you do?"

Elias smirked. There it was.

That delicious fear.

That hesitation.

That moment of doubt.

He leaned closer, his breath warm against her ear.

"I just sent a little message to Theo," he murmured.

The air vanished from her lungs.

"What?"

Elias pulled back, watching as realization crashed into her like a tidal wave.

Her shaking fingers reached for her phone.

She unlocked it—only to find dozens of missed calls.

From Theo.

Her pulse skyrocketed.

She scrolled down—and then she saw it.

The picture.

Her breath caught violently.

"No."

The word barely escaped her lips.

Elias chuckled. "Oh yes."

She snapped her gaze to him. "You—"

"I didn't lie, Evelyn. I didn't touch you." He grinned, dangerous and satisfied. "But Theo doesn't know that."

Her hands curled into fists. "You're a monster."

Elias's smile didn't fade. "And yet, you're still here."

Her vision blurred. Theo.

Theo must have seen the picture.

He must have thought—

Her chest tightened painfully.

She pushed off the bed. "I need to fix this."

Elias's voice was silk and venom. "Fix what, sweetheart?"

She turned, glaring. "You know what."

Elias tilted his head, feigning innocence. "Oh? You mean Theo? The man you walked away from?"

She flinched.

Elias leaned forward, resting his chin on his palm. "Why bother? You already made your choice."

Evelyn's heart screamed.

But she forced herself to remain still.

She needed to get to Theo.

She needed to stop him before he did something reckless.

Before this turned into a bloodbath.

So she swallowed her fear—and ran.

---

Theo's Breaking Point

Theo was already on the move.

Kade tried to stop him. "Theo, don't be stupid—"

But Theo's mind was already made up.

His heart was a war zone.

And the only thing he knew for sure was—

He was going to end Elias Bennett.

Once and for all.

---

End of Chapter 54