Thirteen

E V E L Y N

I sat in the passenger seat, staring out of the window, tears streaming down my face. The tension in the car was palpable, and I could feel Lucas's anger radiating off him in waves. I knew he was mad at me, but I didn't know how to fix it.

Lucas drove with a firm and pissed expression, his hands gripping the steering wheel tightly. He didn't say a word, but I could see his jaw clenched and his eyes narrowed. I could feel his anger directed at me, and it made me even more scared.

The drive was silent, except for the sound of the car engine and occasional sighs from Lucas. I didn't dare to speak, afraid to make things worse. I just sat there, trying to hold back my tears and contemplating what I had done wrong.

As we drove through the winding roads, I couldn't help but feel like I was on a roller coaster ride. The car swerved left and right, and I could feel my heart pounding in my chest. I knew Lucas was a good driver, but his anger made me doubt his abilities.

Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, we arrived at our destination. Lucas parked the car and turned off the engine, but still didn't say a word. I opened the door, hesitated for a moment, then stepped out of the car.

I looked back at Lucas, hoping to see some sign that he is less upset, but he just stared straight ahead with a blank expression. I knew then that things were not going to be okay anytime soon.

Lucas cursed and banged on the steering wheel before getting out of the car and slamming the door shut. I followed suit, my lips numb and tears streaming down my face. I knew he was angry, but I didn't expect him to leave me there alone.

We entered the penthouse, and I could feel the tension between us. Lucas walked straight to his room without saying a word, leaving me standing in the living room, bursting into tears. I couldn't understand why he was so selfish.

I knew he still had feelings for my sister, Alice, and no matter what I did or said, he would never love me the same way. So why was he so angry when he saw me with another man? It wasn't fair.

I collapsed onto the couch, burying my face in my hands. I could hear my own sobs echoing through the room. I felt so alone and rejected.

After what seemed like hours, I finally got up and walked towards Lucas's room. I knocked gently on the door, but there was no response. I knew he was still angry with me.

I went back to the living room and sat there, staring into space. I couldn't stop thinking about Lucas and how he had treated me. I knew I deserved better than this.

I sat in the living room, lost in my thoughts, when I heard a loud bang coming from Lucas's room. My heart skipped a beat as I rushed towards his room, fearing the worst. As I burst open the door, I was met with a dismantled room. The furniture was overturned, and the walls were covered in scuff marks.

I spotted Lucas seething with fury in the corner, his knuckles bloodied and bruised. My heart sank as I realized the extent of his anger. I knew I had to tread carefully.

"Lucas, what happened?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

"Get out of my room, Evelyn," he growled, his eyes blazing with fury.

I took a step back, afraid of his anger. "Please, just tell me what happened," I pleaded.

"I said get out!" he yelled, his voice echoing through the room.

I could feel my own anger rising, but I knew I had to stay calm. "Lucas, you can't keep pushing me away like this. We need to talk about what's going on between us," I said, my voice steady.

He glared at me, his fists clenched. "What's going on between us? You know damn well what's going on. You and your damn sister are tearing me apart," he spat.

I could feel tears welling up in my eyes. "Lucas, I'm sorry. I never meant to hurt you," I said, my voice shaking.

He just laughed bitterly. "Sorry? That's all you have to say? You and Alice have been playing with my heart for too long. I can't take it anymore," he said, his voice breaking.

I could see the pain in his eyes, and it broke my heart. "Lucas, please don't shut me out like this," I said, reaching out to touch his arm.

He pulled away from me, his eyes dark with anger. "I can't do this, Evelyn. Not anymore. Get out of my room," he said, his voice cold.

I knew then that I had lost him. The man I loved was gone, replaced by someone consumed by anger and hurt. As I walked out of the room, my heart shattered into a million pieces.

I stopped by the door, looking back at Lucas with tears streaming down my face. I knew I had to tell him the truth, no matter how painful it was.

"Lucas, I deserve better than this. I didn't want to be married to you, but I was compelled to. I knew from the start that you loved Alice, and you always will," I said, my voice shaking.

He cut me off, his eyes blazing with anger. "Don't you dare talk about her to me again," he growled.

I took a deep breath, my heart racing. "Lucas, I'm not trying to hurt you. I just need you to understand that no matter what I do or say, I can't change the fact that you love her," I said, my voice steady.

He stared at me for a moment before speaking. "You're married to me, Evelyn. You have no damn right to be with any other guy," he said, his voice cold.

I felt a pang of guilt in my chest. He was right. I was married to him, and I had no right to be with anyone else. But the thought of spending the rest of my life with him, knowing that he would never love me the same way he loved Alice, was suffocating.

"I know, Lucas--" he cut me off.

"The one thing I hate more than anything is having to share. What belongs to me is mine and no one else's," he said, his voice low.

Lucas's words cut like a knife, and I felt a surge of anger and frustration. "Stuck with you? I never wanted to be stuck with you!" I shouted, my voice shaking with emotion.

Lucas's eyes narrowed, and I could see the anger building up inside him. "Watch your mouth, Evelyn. You're married to me, and I won't tolerate you being with other men. So help me god," he growled.

I could feel my own anger rising, and I took a step forward. "You think you can dictate my life, Lucas? You think just because we're married, you have the right to control me?" I said, my voice rising.

Lucas's eyes softened, and I could see the confusion in his face. "What are you talking about, Evelyn? What's going on?" he asked, his voice low.

I hesitated for a moment, feeling the weight of my secret. "There are things you don't know, Lucas. Things that are better left unsaid," I said, my voice barely above a whisper.

Lucas's eyes searched mine, and I could see the pain and hurt in his face. "Evelyn, please. I need to know. I can't take this anymore," he said, his voice breaking.

I took a deep breath, feeling the tears welling up in my eyes. "I didn't choose to be stuck with you, Lucas. It was never my choice," I said, my voice shaking.

Lucas's eyes widened, and I could see the shock in his face. "What do you mean? Evelyn, what are you talking about?" he asked, his voice urgent.

I took another deep breath, feeling the weight of my secret lifting off my chest. "Alex, my father. He sold me to Alex" I said, my voice barely above a whisper.

Lucas just stared at me for a moment, his face blank. "What!? Evelyn, why didn't you tell me this before?" he asked, his voice filled with confusion.

I shook my head, feeling the tears streaming down my face. "I just found out recently. I am afraid. Alex is a monster." I said, my voice cracking.

Lucas walked towards me, and I could feel my heart racing. He wrapped his arms around me, and I broke down completely, falling into his embrace.

"I'm sorry, Evelyn. I had no idea. I had no idea what you were going through," he said, his voice soothing.

I just clung to him, feeling the warmth of his embrace. For the first time in a long time, I felt safe and loved. And I knew that no matter what came our way, we would face it together.

Lucas held me tightly in his arms, his warmth and strength enveloping me as I cried into his chest. He had just assured me that Alex would never lay a finger on me again, and that he would make him regret everything he had done to me. It was a promise that I desperately needed to hear, and one that brought a small glimmer of hope to my broken heart.

"I promise you, he will never hurt you again," Lucas whispered, his voice filled with determination. "I'll make sure of it."

I sniffled, wiping away the tears that had stained my cheeks. "Thank you," I whispered, my voice barely audible.

Lucas pulled back slightly, cupping my face in his hands and looking deeply into my eyes. "I'm so sorry for everything you've been through," he said, his voice filled with genuine remorse. "I promise you, I'll take away your pain. I'll make it my mission to make you happy again."

I couldn't help but cuddle more into his embrace, feeling safe and loved for the first time in what felt like forever. Lucas had always been there for me, even when I didn't realize I needed him. He was my rock, my protector, and my friend.

As we held each other, I felt a sense of peace wash over me. For the first time in a long time, I felt like everything was going to be okay. With Lucas by my side, I knew that I could face whatever the future held.

As we pulled away from the hug, I looked up at Lucas and saw the kindness in his eyes. I knew that he meant every word he had said, and I was grateful to have him in my life.

"Thank you," I said, my voice filled with emotion. "Thank you for everything."

Lucas smiled down at me, the corners of his eyes crinkling with warmth. "Of course, Evelyn. You know I'll always be here for you."

I took a deep breath, summoning the courage to ask him the question that had been on my mind for weeks. "Lucas, I have to ask you something. What is...what is our relationship? What level is it on now?"

Lucas looked at me for a moment, his expression thoughtful. "Honestly, Evelyn, I don't know. I didn't expect to feel this way about you, and I don't know where this is going. But I'm willing to give it a try, if you are."

I felt my heart race at his words, a sense of excitement and anticipation filling me. Could it be possible that we could have something more than friendship? Could we be something more than just two people who had been through so much together?

"I'm willing to give it a try," I said, my voice barely above a whisper.

Lucas grinned, his smile lighting up his face. "Then let's see where this takes us. I promise, Evelyn, I'll be here for you every step of the way."

As he spoke, I felt a sense of peace wash over me. With Lucas by my side, I knew that I could face whatever the future held. And maybe, just maybe, we could heal each other's broken hearts and find love in the most unexpected of places.