Chapter 41 Family Ritual
Evelyn’s POV
After every failed attempt to reach Nolan through the phone Lorenzo had just given me, I knew there was only one chance left for me to escape, and that was through the family ritual. I was certain that for Lorenzo to allow me to participate, he must have tightened his security. I could already imagine how possessive and watchful he’d be there. But no matter what, today was either the day I break free or never.
All it would take was moving smart and making sure I wasn’t caught. I knew better than to share my escape plan with anyone, not even my supposed family, because they were the very ones who sold me off.
I had already phoned Elena, we both agreed that I will be updating her, while she carries out Daisy’s medical transfer. Beyond that, I didn’t even know what would come next. I had no cash, no valuables. Lorenzo made sure of that the very night he dragged me here, stripping me of my phone and everything that could lead to my escape. My only hope now was the small amount Elena had managed to scrape together for me.
The moment we stepped inside, the air brushed my skin with something smoky, cheap perfume, and the faint tang of alcohol, the type that says you are not welcome here at all. Lorenzo’s hand curled around mine, firm, almost suffocating. My stomach twisted. Stay calm. Don’t make a scene. At least not for now.
From the corner of my eye, I saw her first….. Naomi, Uncle Charles’ wife, perched at the edge of the sofa, sipping coldly from a glass. Her eyes widened, and a sharp gasp escaped her lips at the sight of me.
“Well… well, well,” she said, her voice brittle, almost fragile, but edged with a razor. “Look who we have here.”
The murmur in the hall died at once. Every guest, robed in ritual white, turned toward us. A few women gasped softly, their faces caught between disbelief and unease. I guessed none of them expected to see me. Their expressions said it all….the widening eyes, the half-open mouths. They must have thought I was gone for good, buried somewhere by Lorenzo himself, the devil they all feared, the man they believed would never let me walk free again.
A smug smile lingered on Naomi’s face as she walked up to us. “Evelyn…. my, my. I didn’t expect to see you here.”
I forced a polite smile, but my hand twitched in Lorenzo’s grip. I hated how protective he was.
Lorenzo’s jaw tightened. He stepped slightly in front of me, shoulder brushing mine, possessive and solid. “She’s here because I choose to bring her,” he said, his voice low, warning. “No funny movement.”
Naomi’s lips curled into a knowing smile, masked with a fear she was trying so hard to hide. “Ah…. of course, Lucifer.” She bowed before meeting my gaze again. “Eve, darling…. I never thought that you would make it. I would have prepared something special for you.”
Something special? I thought bitterly, holding back the irritation growing in my stomach. Naomi was the last person I’d ever expect to do something special for me, unless it involved watching me suffer.
I could still remember how cruelly she treated me when Uncle Charles married her. She was the driving force behind his decision to divorce his first wife, my aunt Nana, Nolan’s adoptive mother. From the moment she stepped into our lives, she seized control of the house as if it had always belonged to her. Every rule, every breath was all in her hands. She dictated what was right, what was wrong, and who deserved to stay. It wasn’t long before she demanded that Nolan be sent away to Aunt Nana, dismissing him coldly as just an adopted son. And Uncle Charles didn’t even hesitate.
Noami’s voice snapped me out of thoughts. “Come with me, Eve. I have a lot to tell you.” I tried to follow her immediately, but Lorenzo’s hand shot up, resting lightly, at the same time threateningly on my hip.
“Do not touch her.” His presence was iron against my side, and I felt myself relax despite knowing that it would not last.
The last thing I wanted to do was engage in any conversation with Naomi because I knew it would never turn out well. She stared at us both with a sudden flash of anger before giving up. “Well, see you during prayers.”
I watched her vanish into thin air, hips swaying sideways, hair flipping, and her heels clicking aggressively on the marble floor.
I leaned closer to Lorenzo, my voice barely a whisper. “You…..don’t have to hold me all the time.”
His thumb brushed my hip. “Don’t fight it, Eve.” His deep voice came out stern and firm. “I know what these greedy motherfuckers are capable of doing.”
My pulse drummed against my throat. His weight was all over me, his presence pressing into every inch of space I tried to claim for myself. He stood beside me, eyes fixed on the altar, as if nothing was happening. No one saw it, but I felt it burning through me.
From the hallway, I heard Uncle Charles’ voice….slurred, sharp, dangerous. “Ah! There you are. Finally, my little investment.”
My stomach flipped, anger coiling tight inside me. My head filled with reckless thoughts, storm across the room, force him to taste the hell I’d lived these past days, spit on his face and curse him, but I knew better than to act. So I swallowed every anger, letting the fury burn quietly under my skin.
Lorenzo stiffened, his dark eyes flicking toward him. I could feel the tension radiating from his body, possessive, protective, until…… little by little, he masked it with something calm yet cold before finally turning away. He didn’t bother exchanging pleasantries, and Uncle Charles, reading the silence, didn’t dare insist.
The ritual was about to start, everyone now ready. Some clutched their beads tighter, while we all sat on the mat, facing the altar.
The chandelier flickered, as if anticipating the events to start.
The priest began by sprinkling holy water around the temple, while soft prayers drifted from every corner, mingling with the faint, haunting ring of bells.
Lorenzo’s attention was on the event now, yet the weight of his possessiveness still clung to me. That was when Uncle Charles sidled closer. I felt his shadow before I heard his voice.
“Evelyn,” he started, leaning down so close that I could smell the whiskey on his breath. “Do you know…. if you can’t handle him, I could…..”
My eyes flashed at him. “What do you mean?”
“Hmm…” He hummed, eyes still fixed at the altar. “Have you tried asking him for money?”
“Who…?” I snapped.
He tilted his head. “Lucifer, of course.”
Anger surged deep inside me, burning hotter than ever, setting every nerve in my body ablaze with the need to scream, to fight, destroy anything around me. But I held it down, refusing to do anything that would make Lorenzo cut this visit short.
I clenched my fist.
Remain calm, Eve. It’s just a matter of time. Don’t let anyone spoil your plans.
Finally, I forced the corner of my head on Uncle Charles. “No.”
He scoffed dryly, disappointed. “Don’t tell me that you have not been making money from him.”
“Aren’t you ashamed?” I said through my gritted teeth, low enough for Lorenzo not to hear us. “After selling me for such a huge amount of money to our family enemy, you are still here demanding that I get more money from him?”
He rolled his eyes, shrugging. “Don’t be an ungrateful brat, Eve. I did that for Daisy too.”
“Don’t even dare.” My voice went higher than intended. this time I could no longer tell if Lorenzo was still absent-minded or if he chose to pretend dumb.
“Don’t even try to bring Daisy into this,” I added, bringing my voice low. “Because everything you did was for your selfish interest. You never had the intention to protect any of us.”
Lorenzo snapped his head around, eyes dark, dangerous, sharp enough to cut glass. “Charles Martins…” His growl was low, venomous. Hands firmly sliding around my waist again. “If you are planning on taking her away from me… I will advise that you rethink.”
Uncle Charles laughed, wet and taunting. “Oh no, Lucifer. I wouldn’t dare near your property.” He nudged the small corner of my shoulder. “She is all yours. You paid in full. I’m never taking her again.”
I could feel the panic rising. My mind raced. He is never going to save me from Lorenzo. I can’t even seek help from him. God. I have to do something.
Lorenzo’s hand came up to cover mine, still pressing on my side. His presence steadied me, but only barely enough to remind me that there is no escaping from him.
“I’ve got a bad feeling you’re planning something daft today,” he growled into my ear, still not looking at me. “This is your last warning, there will be severe punishment for any foolishness.”
A tremor ran through me, fear clawing at my skin. I have known him to be clever, sensitive, always watching. Still, I would risk it, no matter the cost.
Then came the sound that made my heart leap, a movement at the entrance. Sunlight came from outside blocking my eyesight as a figure strode in, commanding, angry, familiar.
His broad body now blocked the natural light revealing his face.
And that was when I saw him.
Nolan.