The Talk

Theo's Apartment

The silence was suffocating.

Evelyn sat on the couch, her hands clasped together tightly. Her fingers were ice-cold, her mind still replaying everything that had happened.

Theo stood near the window, his back to her.

He hadn't spoken since they left Elias's place.

Hadn't even looked at her.

And that—

That hurt.

More than she expected.

More than it should.

She swallowed. "Theo—"

"Why did you go to him?"

His voice was quiet.

But there was something beneath it.

Something dark.

Evelyn's breath hitched.

She had expected this question.

But facing it?

That was different.

She hesitated. "I—"

"Don't lie to me."

He finally turned to face her.

And Evelyn's heart stopped.

His eyes—

They weren't just angry.

They were shattered

Completely, utterly broken.

"I need to know the truth," he said. "No more running. No more half-truths. Just tell me—" His voice cracked. "Why did you go to him?"

Evelyn clenched her fists.

Her throat burned.

She wanted to say it.

But how?

How was she supposed to tell him that she did it to save him?

To protect him?

That the only reason she shook hands with Elias was because Elias had made it very clear that if she didn't, Theo wouldn't walk away alive?

She looked at him, standing there—hurt, exhausted, furious.

And she broke.

"I did it for you," she whispered.

Theo stiffened.

Evelyn took a shaky breath. "Elias was going to kill you, Theo. Or worse. He wanted to destroy you, and I—" Her voice cracked. "I couldn't let that happen."

Theo's eyes darkened. "So you sold yourself to him instead?"

Evelyn flinched.

His words cut deep.

"That's not what happened," she said, voice trembling. "You don't know what he's capable of. He—he wasn't bluffing, Theo. If I hadn't agreed, he would've—"

"I don't care."

Evelyn's breath caught.

Theo stepped closer, his eyes burning into hers.

"I don't care what he would've done. I don't care about the consequences." His jaw clenched. "The only thing that matters is you. And you—" His voice dropped. "You let him win."

Her chest tightened.

"I wasn't trying to let him win," she whispered.

"But you did."

His words were a blade.

Sharp. Unforgiving.

"You left," Theo said, his voice barely above a whisper. "You walked away, and I—I couldn't do anything." He exhaled shakily. "Do you know what that did to me?"

Evelyn's vision blurred.

She knew.

Of course, she knew.

Because it had done the same to her.

"I'm sorry," she choked out.

Theo laughed.

But it wasn't a laugh.

It was pain.

Raw, devastating pain.

"Sorry?" he repeated. His hands clenched. "You're sorry?"

Evelyn shut her eyes.

Tears slipped down her cheeks.

"I thought I lost you," he admitted, voice hoarse. "I thought you—" He inhaled sharply. "I thought you chose him over me."

Her heart shattered.

She stood up.

Crossed the space between them.

Took his hands in hers.

And held on tight.

"I would never choose him," she said fiercely. "Never."

Theo's breath hitched.

Evelyn squeezed his hands. "I don't care what it looked like. I don't care what Elias made it seem like. I never wanted to be with him. I never wanted to leave you."

She took a shaky breath.

"I just wanted to save you."

Theo's grip on her tightened.

Like he was scared to let go.

Like he was scared she'd disappear again.

"I thought I lost you," he whispered again.

Evelyn's heart ached.

She stepped even closer.

Her hands cupped his face.

"I'm right here," she whispered.

Theo swallowed hard.

His forehead rested against hers.

His breathing was uneven.

"I don't want to lose you again," he admitted.

Evelyn smiled, tears still falling..

Finally, finally—he pulled her into his arms.

And this time—

He didn't let go.

---

End of Chapter 57