Chapter 141 141

Chapter 141 141
EVA

I stared at Nico after a moment. "Can you drive me to my apartment? I need to get Lily's stuff."

He nodded and pulled out the car keys from his pocket. I kissed Lily's forehead and with the maid's help I followed him down the flight of stairs.

He then led me to the car and helped into the back seat.

The ride was quiet, the city blurring past the window, the buildings I passed every day looking the same but feeling different somehow. I haven't been home in what felt like forever. I wondered if anything changed, or if my neighbors even noticed that I was gone.

Only the old lady with the cat might. That's if one of her cats went missing again and she came to my place to ask.

Nico parked close to my building and killed the engine. 

We climbed out and walked toward the building, with his help. For some reason my heart just wouldn't stop pounding, a strange unease settling in my stomach. The building looked the same as always, except for the whole new walls. I stopped in my tracks and so did Nico.

The walls of my building were covered in words, all sorts of cuss and slurs I've seen and never seen before in my life.

Slut. 

Homewrecker. 

Whore. 

Even in languages I couldn't read, asking with poorly drawn images that left little to imagination.

They were all written in black spray paint, in thick, angry letters. The letters smeared like whoever did it was in a rush. Red paint dripped down like blood in some places. 

All of my neighbors' doors were untouched. This seemed to be just for me, and for everyone who passed by to see.

My heart sank further as I tried to get every word in the wall 

Who would do this?

Certainly not a kid or a teen, I have no business whatsoever with them. I've never offended a teen before to get this. What do they even know about being a slut, a whore, crazy bitch, a witch, a sucker, a…homewrecker?

Is it Blair?

She has every reason to want to humiliate me but again, she wouldn't stoop so low. Blair liked to fight head to head, she finds satisfaction watching you realize you're losing in real time, rather than going behind your back to draw explicit art and words that's definitely going to get me evicted.

Is this person somehow the same person who got me into the accident? Or that's all one person hired to kill or ruin my life.

I just fucking survived an accident that almost took my life, a little rest is all I'm fucking asking for!

I tried to act like I didn't see it and let Nico take me to the door but when we got there the key was broken.

"What the heck?"

He opened my door and waited for me to climb out. I limped after him, my heart pounding harder with each step. The broken lock and spot were splintered wood scattered on the floor. I stepped inside and froze.

But when we fully walked in, it was a full-on disaster. My couch cushions were slashed, stuffing spilling out like guts. The kitchen cabinets were open, plates and glasses shattered on the floor. My clothes were thrown everywhere, my drawers emptied, my books ripped apart, pages torn and scattered like confetti. Even the walls inside weren't spared.

It has the same drawing and the walls.

I stood there, staring at the destruction. 

Seriously, who is this that wants me humiliated this much? Or are they looking for something? What can I possibly have?

Nico walked through the rooms, checking corners, checking closets. His footsteps echoed in the silence and after a moment of searching he rounded and came back.

Nico glanced at me. "Clear. You can check if anything's missing."

I glanced around and stared at the words on the wall, the slashed cushions, the shattered glass. Then I started limping through the mess, stepping over broken plates and torn fabric, my good feet careful not to step on the glass. I checked my drawers, my closet, and the small safe I kept under my bed. But there was nothing missing.

At least none that I know of.

But it seems like they only came to turn everything inside out, and make me spend the rest of the year cleaning and fixing.

“Nothing, I think.”

He nodded. “I'll be outside if you need me.”

I nodded and began limping around the course, grabbing a few things from Lily's room, changing her habit, a change of clothes, her favorite blanket. I shoved them into a bag and limped back to the door.

I exhaled. The landlords will definitely call me out for this. 

Nico suddenly appeared in the doorway again and stretched out his hand. Holding out a Samsung phone. "Boss wants to speak with you." He held out his phone with both hands.

Dante?

I slowly took the phone and pressed it to my ear. Did Nico call him?

“Hey.” I called out softly and limped to what's left of the sofa and sat down.

"Are you certain nothing's missing?" He asked. I could hear shuffling from his end background and low voices, whimpers.

Where is he?

I shook my head as if he could see me. “Nothing. They just ruined my house.” I looked up and blinked back the hot tears threatening to fall.

It's not even a new thing anymore, Eva.

Certain people have a lot of time to want to ruin my life. Scattering my house almost seemed like they just wanting to be petty

"Grab a few of your things Nicholas will take you back."

To where? His house?

I was only staying there until Lily's discharged, not moving in. He was getting married and although I hate this, I have a reputation to keep clean now. With so many socialites around me, I can't afford to be dragged into the news with them. Who knows what then would happen that time?

The teachers would start to bully Lily, and her schoolmates would call daughter of a slut.

I'd then get ousted, stopped from getting coffee, humiliated and pointed at every where I go. I'd be called a whore and a homewrecker. My reputation would fall deeper and deeper into the ground, like it's on a sinking sand. And Jace, Jace would finally get the opportunity to take me to court over Lily again. 

This time they’d gladly give her to him. I mean, he's been under the radar these days, while I? I would be everywhere on the internet.

I glanced around at the destruction, the slashed cushions, the shattered glass, and the words on the wall. "You're getting married, Dante. It's enough being seen going in and out of your house, what do you think will happen if I start living there?”

"I'm sorry, What?”

I hesitantly ended the call and handed the phone back to Nico. I grabbed a few things from Lily's room, her favorite book, a small framed photo of us at the park, and a change of clothes and I shoved them into the bag. I gathered the rest of the important stuff and shoved them into a bigger box, sealed it shut, then another, and another. With Nico's help I carried it next door to the cat lady's house.

“Oh my goodness! Eva, what happened to you?!” She screamed the second she saw us and rushed to circle us like she just found a stray and wounded cat.

There really isn't that much different anyway.

“Long story. Please can I keep these with you? As you may have noticed, some kids broke into my place, I just want to make sure these are safe until I change the lock. Any of my friends or I, will stop by tomorrow to come get it.”

She shook her head, sniffling. “Oh dear, you've gone through so much.” She patted my good arm and sighed. “Come on, what are neighbors for?”

I exhaled in relief and nodded at Nico to carry them inside. “Thank you.”

“Keep them in the hallway! And be careful not to step on my kittens.” She shouted after him.

He soon returned after setting them inside. 

“Don’t worry, I'll give you a recap once I get back. Thank you so much.”

“Please take care of yourself. Be safe out there.”

I nodded and went back down the stairs. We were already making it to the car when I saw a familiar car pull up in front of us. 

Nico tensed beside me, and I slowly let go of his arm. 

Jace climbed out of the car, adjusting his jacket, and looking around the street like a mayor.

I've noticed I have the ability to speak and think terrible things to existence.

Maybe if I'd just minded my business and thought about anything else, he wouldn't be here. I don't know if that's a gift or a curse.

"What's he doing here now?" I muttered.

His eyes landed on Nico first, then on me, and his face twisted into disgust.

"Got a new boyfriend I see." He tilted his head, studying Nico. "Oh wait. That's my brother's employee, right? I didn't think he'd still keep you around till now."

I almost scoffed but that'll only hurt my ribs.

He continued. "Not that it's any of my business, anyway. You can whore around all you want. I don't care. All I care about is my daughter. I don't want her influenced by whatever this is."

My jaw tightened. "Please shut up. What are you doing here?"

I can't even hear myself losing the will to live over the sound of his cocky voice, and that infuriating stance.

He took a step closer. "Where's Lily?"