Chapter 68 CHAPTER 68

Chapter 68 CHAPTER 68
Alina's POV

"Evan!" My voice rang through the hallway as I halted midway, my footsteps echoing to a stop. Evan's name tore from my lips with anguish.

My voice trembled, a mixture of anguish and raw anger. I had no idea why I was angry. I was even more devastated than the anger I felt coursing through my veins. No, I must be mistaken. This shouldn't be. I was overreacting. The letter, this pendant, they meant nothing. I wanted to believe that, so I knew I had to check the pendant again to be sure.

My fingers traced the intricate design of the pendant. I held my breath as I carefully removed the pendant I had on my own necklace and aligned it with the one I found in Evan's room. My eyes widened when the two pieces clicked together perfectly and seamlessly.

A shiver danced in my spine as I looked at the fitted pendant. This was my mother's pendant. I had kept this other half without any hope of finding the other half. It was rare; it wasn't what anyone would just get at a jewellery store; it was priceless; it was one of a kind.

Why did Evan have this? How did this end up in his possession? Where did he get it from?

My thoughts swirled with questions, each one threatening to

consume me. I felt like a glass cup, teething at the edge of shattering into a billion pieces. The hallway blurred around me, leaving me with questions rather than answers.

I turned the pendant over in my hand, studying it as if it could answer my question. My gaze drifted back to Evan's door, wondering what more he had locked in the corners of his room. Doubts gnawed at my soul like a weary, starved traveller. I took a deep breath and turned back. I would wait until he got back.

I sat on Evan's bed, surrounded by the feeling of solace I've always loved about his room. His room was tidy, except for a few scattered books on his desk. He had picked the books out to return back to the library. I didn't know what to think about what I had found in his room, but all I needed was his explanation. He wouldn't lie to me; I was sure of that.

After about five minutes of waiting for him, the door creaked open and Evan entered. He smiled when he saw me. I held up the pendant, and his expression changed from happiness to confusion, then to caution.

"Alina," he began, "why are you looking at me like that?" He asked. His voice was measured, something he had never done before. It was like he weighed what to say and how to look at me.

I turned the pendant over so he could see. "I found this in your room." I started and went on, "What is this?"

I wanted to be composed, but my voice had betrayed my ability to do that. Evan's eyes darted around the room like a trapped animal before settling on me. "Where did you get that?"

I chuckled and held the pendant up so he could see it. "It was right where anyone would have seen it. It's exquisite, isn't it?"

Evan's shoulders sagged like a deflated balloon and he rubbed his neck. "It is."

Ask him the next question, Alina; he is acting weird, I thought. I swallowed hard and kept my eyes fixed on him. "Where did you get this?

Evan took a deep breath and answered. "I must have brought it out when I was searching for my watch; it's something I don't want to see again." He paused and went on, "It's a reminder of a mistake I made."

"A mistake?" I repeated, my mind racing at what I heard.

Evan's eyes darkened, and he looked away. "It's been long. I hate to talk about it. Let's just forget." He said. "We have to go to the library now; it's late."

My gaze didn't waver; I wanted to know how he got this. "I am not interested in going to the library again. What mistake is that, Evan?"

This time he looked at me, his eyes sorrowful. "I was involved in something terrible. It's been a long time. A woman died. And I..." His voice cracked.

I swallowed hard, my vision blurring. "What did you do?"

Evan's gaze snapped back to mine, filled with a deep regret. "I am not supposed to say this because I hate to talk about it."

"Tell me." I urged.

"I killed her."

The words hung in the air like hot stones, waiting to be dropped. The pendant slipped from my hand, landing with a soft click on the marvel floor.

"You killed the owner of the perfume?"

He nodded, and the words that came to my mind were, "No, no, no. This can't be."

Tears burst forth, soaking my cheek. I couldn't contain the sobs that ravaged my body. Evan's face blurred; his confession felt like a curse to my mind.

He killed someone. He killed a woman. He killed the owner of the pendant. The room scattered into chaos; colours blended together. I got up, ready to ask him more questions. I couldn't control the kind of pain in my mind. I didn't even understand how I felt.

The woman Evan killed owned the pendant, and my own mother too had something like this. The realisation set into my mind like a tidal wave, and it knocked me off my ability to breathe.

"Alina, what is it? Why are you crying?" Evan called out to me as he reached my side. "I did intentionally kill the woman. I don't even know her; it was a mistake."

"Don't touch me!" I snapped and moved away from him. "Don't come close to me; you hear me?"

Memories crashed together, and I felt like I was drowning. I had to leave here; I had to think. I stormed out of Evan's room with tears streaming down my face.

"Alina!" Evan's voice echoed behind me, laced with concern. "What is wrong with you, Alina?"

I didn't turn back. My legs were faster, and they carried me away from the toxic truth.

"Alina, wait!" Evan's call echoed, and my heart raced, fuelling my anger and betrayal. I burst into my room and slammed the door shut. Evan had almost reached the door, but he wasn't fast enough. I slammed it just before he could reach the knob.

"Go away!" I screamed. "Just leave!"

Evan's fists pounded on the door, making me jump. He is a murderer! He killed my mother!

"Alina, please open up! What's wrong? Why are you like this? Open the door and talk to me."

"Go!" I declared. I went to lay on the bed, wrapping my arms around my knees. How could he ask me what was wrong? He knew. He knew he killed my mother. He knew all along.

I buried my face in my hands, sobbing into them. How could I live with someone capable of such horror? He would see me around, and still something wouldn't make him feel uneasy about my presence. How could he do that?

"Alina! Please talk to me! I'll break down the door." Evan threatened. I scoffed. "I will kill myself if you do that."

"Alina!" He cried out.

He wouldn't break down the door. He knew I was capable of doing that to myself. What was even the use? His brothers, himself, they all betrayed me. I couldn't stay one day in this place anymore. I had lost everything; there was nothing left for me here.

I was up immediately, and I went to my wardrobe. With a resolute sigh, I flung the door open and looked at my arranged clothes. I was leaving. I couldn't bear to stay here anymore.

I grabbed my box and began to fold the clothes into it. I was fast. My mind and hands moved with a life of their own, packing the clothes with urgency that amazed me. I've lost it all-love, trust, and even my innocence. I went into one trouble after the other. I had had enough.

Amidst the ruins, I would hold one thing in position: myself. I wouldn't lose myself to anyone's web of lies and deceit again.

I waited till nightfall before sneaking out of my room. Xaden and Evan had come to knock on my door, but I didn't answer them. I was done with all of them.

I stepped out of the palace's grand entrance without looking back. The crisp air slapped my face as I stood still, wondering where I was going. I breathed deeply, letting go of the three xuc memories within.

I quickened my pace, leaving the palace height behind. I went straight into the forest; the whispering leaves and rustling creatures enveloped me. I was far from the palace when I heard a voice call out to me, piercing the serene atmosphere.

"Alina!"

I spun around, my heart skipping a beat. I came face-to-face with a young man. He had piercing eyes that locked onto mine. His rugged features and strong jawline soften into a fascinating frown.

We stared at each other for a while before he began to come closer. I didn't even want to know who he was; I didn't care. I immediately reached for the small knife I had with me to use for protection.