Chapter 66 Mixed Feelings
Evelyn’s POV
“Oh my God, Nolan.” The words stumbled out of my mouth before I could even breathe. My head turned quickly, scanning every corner, checking if anyone, any guard or any shadow had followed him or watched him appear out of nowhere.
But no one was there.
I rose instantly, throwing my arms around his in a tight, desperate hug, fighting back a sob. “Nolan, who let you out…? How did you even get out?”
He pulled away softly, just enough to break free from my grip, but not enough to distance himself entirely.
“You have to calm down Eve.” He said quietly, “Lorenzo gave orders to allow me walk around. But I’m not totally free to leave.”
My shoulders sagged. Relief washed through me so hard my knees almost buckled. At least they weren’t chaining him, starving him or torturing him anymore.
“I’m glad that you are out.” I breathed.
He nodded once, but the look in his eyes wasn’t simple relief. It was layered, heavy, mixed with something he was trying to hide.
His eyes searched my face like he was trying to read every unspoken thing I’d been pretending didn’t exist.
“You look…..off,” he said softly. “What’s going on?”
I forced a tiny smile, something shaky and dishonest. “I’m fine, Nolan. Just… tired.”
He didn’t look convinced. Not even close. But he nodded anyway, the way he always did when he didn’t want to push me.
“Come on,” he said, tilting his head toward the garden path. “Walk with me.”
We stepped out into the open space, the air warm and quiet, the flowers brushing softly against the breeze as though listening. Nolan walked beside me like he used to when we were kids, hands in his pockets, shoulders relaxed, always one step behind like he was guarding me without making it obvious.
We drifted into small talk, the harmless kind that didn’t hurt. Childhood things. Stupid things. The good days.
We joked about high school, the times when Nolan acted like a personal bodyguard and punched any random guy who dared look at me for too long. The day he fell into the pond and came out cursing the fish, claiming one of them dragged him down by the leg.
I found myself laughing a little. Not much, but enough for him to notice.
“That’s the sound I miss,” he murmured with a smooth grin.
I looked at him, and he was already staring at me, like he was trying to remind me the version of me I had forgotten how to be.
Then he stopped walking, just silent. Nolan faced me as if deliberately whether to pour out his thoughts or not. But he did.
“Evelyn…..” His voice dipped, tugging something deep inside me. “I need to tell you something.”
My heart stuttered in my chest. “What is it?”
He exhaled, a slow shaky breath, and ran a hand through his hair. “I don’t know when it happened…… or how long I’ve been fighting it. But I can’t keep pretending anymore.”
My pulse throbbed in my ears as I went speechless hoping that it isn’t what I have imagined.
“I’m in love with you, Eve.” He dropped the words like it was the most normal thing to say in the world.
Everything inside me froze.
He took a step closer, eyes soft but certain. “Not like a brother anymore....not like a childhood friend. And definitely not like anything I can define without sounding stupid. I’m just….. in love with you, Eve.”
I didn’t breathe. I couldn’t.
“I’m sure you know this by now,” he continued, his voice low but steady. “We’ve spent years pretending….. lying to ourselves that whatever this is shouldn’t exist. But Eve, I can’t help it anymore. And I’m telling you now because God help me, I might end up doing the craziest things just to free the only woman I’ve ever loved from the devil himself.”
I stared at him, fully stunned. I had always loved him too. Quietly. Carefully. Wrongly. But I buried the feeling because he was Nolan. My uncle’s adopted son. My almost-brother. The one guy I convinced myself that I’d never allow myself to look at twice.
My breath trembled. “Nolan….. um....I…..”
He stood, waiting patiently that I felt guilty instantly.
I couldn’t. Not now.
I can’t tell him that the man he thought was the devil, the man he wanted to save me from, was the same man I was starting to fall for. He is the same man that I’m starting to see as an angel. My angel even though he doesn’t care about me.
I stepped back.
“I need….. I need a minute,” I whispered.
“Eve……” he tried to reach out for my hands but I stepped far away from him even before he could reach for me or say another word. Then, I turned and walked away. My legs felt like dry wood, stiff and lifeless, but I kept moving. I climbed the stairs, my heartbeat tangled with everything unspoken.
How do I come out from this mixed feelings?
I can't deny the fact that I still feel something for Nolan, but having Lorenzo beside me everyday makes it very difficult to think of any other man.
When I reached the room, I grabbed the doorknob and pushed the door open and then I froze.
Because Kim was there, not just there but on top of Lorenzo, on the same bed that we both share.
Her legs caged him on both sides, her lips pressed against his like she wanted to swallow him whole. She dug her fingers in his hair, clutching him, pulling him closer.
And the worst part…..Lorenzo wasn’t pushing her away. If I hadn’t known him for a while I would have assumed that he was naturally calm. I couldn’t place my head on the sudden act of surrendering to Kim, letting her take control of him.
They both turned, the moment they noticed my presence, guilt lingered on his face yet he was still quiet.
My fingers slipped from the doorknob, feeling betrayed even when I know I shouldn’t have felt this way. He first made it clear to me that he only wanted sex from women, nothing else.
But my case was different, I couldn’t even offer him anything. Maybe that’s why he is now going for Kim.
Kim strikes with a gasp, tracing a finger in Lorenzo’s chest. “Oh, Eve. I forgot you stayed in this room too.” She said sarcastically. “But not to worry we will get another room next time. Today’s events just happened.”
I shook my head with my blurry vision. “No.” My voice cracked. “I will give you two space.”
I spun around to leave, but Lorenzo’s voice stopped me from behind. “Wait!”
My legs stopped, but I didn’t turn.
“Kim.” He called out. “Leave us.”
I turned immediately and found Kim fuming. “Don’t tell me you are walking me out because of this thing?” She said.
“Watch it!” Lorenzo growled.
Kim squeezed her face, hesitated for a second before dragging herself out of the room.