Chapter 16: What She Buried

Evelyn sat on the edge of the bed, the room dark except for the glow from the city bleeding through the windows. Her fingers trembled slightly as she peeled off her blazer, her mind no longer in the present.

Her phone sat beside her on the nightstand.

She glanced at it again.

The message was still there.

You don’t want me to publish your past, do you?

She hadn’t dared respond. Whoever it was—they knew enough.

Enough to destroy her.

A disturbing memory resurfaced in Evelyn's mind.

“You should’ve stayed mine, Evelyn,” he whispered, brushing blood from her cheek.

The door creaked slightly, and she jolted upright.

Damien stood in the doorway, shirt sleeves rolled, eyes narrowed.

He had knocked.

She hadn’t heard.

“Evelyn?” His voice was careful. Concerned. “Are you alright?”

She nodded too quickly. “Yeah, I’m fine. Just tired.”

He stepped in, didn’t speak at first.

Then quietly: “You were crying.”

Her hand flew to her face. She hadn’t realized.