Chapter 4: Evelyn's Dilemma

The Sinclair estate was quiet, the kind of quiet that felt heavy and oppressive. Evelyn sat in the sunroom, staring at the rain-soaked gardens, her mind racing. The day's events played on a loop in her head—the near-accident, the café, the way Liam had looked at her like she was someone worth knowing. And then there was Alexander's call, a stark reminder of the world she was expected to inhabit.

She sighed, running a hand through her hair. Her mother's words echoed in her mind: *"It's important to remember where you come from."* But what did that even mean? Was she supposed to ignore the way Liam made her feel, the way he saw her for who she truly was, not just the Sinclair heiress? Was she supposed to spend the rest of her life playing a role, smiling politely at charity galas and dinner parties, never genuinely living for herself?

The sound of footsteps pulled her from her thoughts. She turned to see her father standing in the doorway, his expression unreadable.

"Evelyn," he said, his voice calm but firm. "May I have a word?"

She nodded, her stomach twisting into knots. Her father wasn't one for small talk, and the look in his eyes told her this wouldn't be a casual conversation.

He sat across from her, folding his hands in his lap. "Your mother mentioned you had an… incident today."

Evelyn's heart skipped a beat, but she kept her expression neutral. "It was nothing. I'm just a little scared in the rain. I'm fine."

Her father studied her for a moment, his gaze piercing. "I'm glad to hear that. But I also heard you were seen with one of the staff members from the gala. Liam, I believe his name was."

Evelyn's chest tightened, but she forced herself to stay calm. "We had a conversation. That's all."

Her father leaned forward, his tone softening but still carrying an edge. "Evelyn, you know how important our family's reputation is. And while I'm sure this young man is… pleasant, it's important to be mindful of the company you keep. People will talk, and we can't afford any distractions now."

Evelyn clenched her fists in her lap, her nails digging into her palms. "He's not a distraction," she said, her voice trembling with suppressed emotion. "He's a good person. And he treats me like… like I'm a real person, not just a Sinclair."

Her father's expression softened, but there was a sadness in his eyes that made her chest ache. "I understand that, darling. But the world we live in is not always kind to those who don't follow the rules. And right now, your future is at stake. Alexander Whitmore is a good match for you. He comes from a respected family and can give you the life you deserve."

Evelyn looked down at her hands, tears stinging her eyes. "But what if I don't want the life you've planned for me? What if I want to choose my path?"

Her father sighed, reaching out to place a hand on hers. "I know it's hard to understand now, but someday, you'll see that we only want what's best for you. Trust us, Evelyn. We've been through this before and know how it ends."

Evelyn pulled her hand away, standing abruptly. "I need some air," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

Her father nodded, his expression resigned. "Take your time. But remember, Evelyn, the choices you make now will shape the rest of your life. Choose wisely."

She turned and walked out of the sunroom, her heart pounding. The weight of her father's words pressed down on her, suffocating and inescapable. But as she stepped outside into the cool evening air, she felt a flicker of defiance ignite within her.

She didn't want to live a life dictated by expectations and rules. She wanted to live for herself, to follow her heart, no matter where it led. And right now, her heart was leading her to Liam.

Later That Night

Evelyn sat on the edge of her bed, her phone in her hands. She stared at the screen, her finger hovering over Liam's number. She'd gotten it from the event coordinator earlier that day, telling herself it was just in case she needed to thank him for helping her. But now, as she sat in her room, she knew it was more than that.

Taking a deep breath, she typed out a message:

*Hey, it's Evelyn. I just wanted to say thank you again for today. And… I was wondering if you'd like to meet up sometime? No pressure, just if you're free.*

She hit send before she could second-guess herself, her heart racing as she waited for a response.

A few minutes later, her phone buzzed.

*Hey, Evelyn. No need to thank me—I'm just glad you're okay. And yeah, I'd like that. When and where?*

Evelyn smiled, a sense of relief washing over her. For the first time in a long time, she felt like she was taking control of her life. And no matter what her family or Alexander thought, she wouldn't let anyone take that away.