Chapter 7 - They Thought Evelyn Was The Weak Link—They Were Wrong
The message was not a threat.
It was an invitation.
Gabriel Hawthorne wanted Evelyn.
Not Matteo.
Not her father.
Her.
Matteo refused to let her leave the safe house.
For three days, Evelyn stayed in a guarded estate outside the city.
She hated every second.
She hated being protected.
She hated being treated like fragile glass.
On the fourth morning, Matteo found her in the kitchen sharpening tailoring scissors.
He stared.
"What are you doing?"
"Preparing."
"For what?"
"To stop being helpless."
He folded his arms.
"You were never helpless."
"Then stop locking me in rooms."
He looked at her for a long time.
Finally, he sat down.
"You want the truth?"
"Always."
"The Hawthornes killed people I couldn't save."
Evelyn's expression softened.
"My brother."
"What happened?"
"He was nineteen."
Matteo stared at the floor.
"They took him to get to my father."
Evelyn reached across the table.
"I'm sorry."
He looked at her hand.
Then took it.
"I don't want to lose you."
She swallowed.
"You won't."
A knock came.
A guard entered.
"Boss, Vanessa is here."
Matteo looked up.
Vanessa walked in.
She had changed.
No designer gown.
No perfect hair.
Just jeans and a coat.
She looked exhausted.
"I found something."
She placed a flash drive on the table.
"The Hawthornes kept records."
"Of what?"
"Everything."
Vanessa looked at Evelyn.
"Your mother's death. Arthur Bell. Richard. Me."
Evelyn stared.
"How did you get this?"
"I stole it."
"Why?"
"Because I spent my whole life trying to become someone people wouldn't hurt."
She looked at her cousin.
"And I became someone who hurt people first."
Evelyn was silent.
Vanessa continued.
"There's an auction tonight."
Matteo frowned.
"What auction?"
"The Hawthornes are selling access to the remaining evidence."
"Where?"
Vanessa smiled bitterly.
"At the Winter Crest."
Evelyn felt cold.
The same gala.
The same hotel.
The same room where her dress had been sabotaged.
Matteo looked at her.
"You're not going."
Evelyn stood.
"Yes, I am."
"No."
"I know their weakness."
"What?"
"They think I'm afraid."
She opened a garment bag.
Inside was a black dress.
She had made it herself.
No labels.
No jewels.
Perfect tailoring.
Matteo stared.
"You made that?"
"Yes."
"For tonight?"
"Yes."
"Why?"
Evelyn smiled.
"Because they mocked the seamstress."
She held up the scissors.
"And they forgot who understands what holds a garment together."
The auction began at midnight.
Evelyn entered on Matteo's arm.
Every person in the ballroom turned.
She was no longer invisible.
She walked like she belonged there.
Gabriel Hawthorne stood at the far end.
He was seventy.
Silver-haired.
Elegant.
Smiling.
He raised his glass.
"Miss Hart."
Evelyn stopped.
"You know me."
"I've known you since you were born."
Her stomach dropped.
"You killed my mother."
Gabriel's smile faded.
"Your mother was inconvenient."
Matteo moved forward.
Evelyn stopped him.
"No."
She faced Gabriel.
"You wanted me here."
"Yes."
"Then speak."
Gabriel gestured toward the stage.
A screen lit up.
Old photographs appeared.
Evelyn's mother.
Arthur.
Richard.
Then a photograph Evelyn had never seen.
Her mother standing beside Gabriel.
And beside them was Matteo's father.
Evelyn stared.
Matteo's face hardened.
Gabriel smiled.
"Your family didn't know the full story."
"What story?"
"Your mother and my son planned to expose us."
Evelyn looked at Matteo.
His father had been involved.
Gabriel continued.
"But your mother loved your father."
He leaned closer.
"That is why she died."
A gunshot rang out.
The lights went black.
May you like
When they came back on, Gabriel was gone.
And Matteo was bleeding.
