Chapter 4 - The Woman in His Past Returned With a Secret
The next morning, a woman arrived at Hawthorne Manor.
Her name was Celia Hart.
Vincent knew her.
Evelyn could tell by the way his entire body went still.
Celia stepped from the car wearing a white coat, black boots, and an expression of absolute confidence.
She looked directly at Evelyn.
“So you're her.”
Evelyn raised an eyebrow.
“I'm sorry?”
Celia smiled.
“I've heard a lot about you.”
“That's unfortunate.”
Vincent stepped between them.
“Why are you here?”
Celia ignored him.
She studied Evelyn.
“You don't look like the woman described in the files.”
Evelyn blinked.
“What files?”
Vincent's voice turned cold.
“Celia.”
Celia smiled.
“Oh, don't look so frightened.”
“I am not frightened.”
“No?”
Celia's gaze moved over him.
“You look terrified.”
Evelyn glanced at Vincent.
He said nothing.
Celia finally handed him an envelope.
“Victor has someone inside your organization.”
Vincent opened it.
His expression changed.
“Who?”
“I don't know yet.”
“Then why come here?”
“Because the traitor has access to the Hawthorne files.”
Evelyn frowned.
“What files?”
Vincent looked at her.
Celia answered.
“Your medical records.”
Evelyn's blood went cold.
“Why would anyone care about those?”
Celia's smile disappeared.
“Because someone has spent months trying to convince Vincent that you are dying.”
Evelyn stared at Vincent.
He looked away.
“What?”
Celia folded her arms.
“Didn't he tell you?”
“Tell me what?”
Vincent said, “Evelyn, I never believed those reports.”
“Reports?”
“Someone sent me information claiming your illness was worsening.”
She stared at him.
“You knew?”
“I knew someone was manipulating information.”
“But you still left me here.”
Vincent's silence was answer enough.
Evelyn's voice broke.
“You thought I was going to die?”
“No.”
“You thought I might.”
He swallowed.
“Yes.”
“And you still left.”
He didn't defend himself.
That made it worse.
“Why?”
His answer came quietly.
“Because I was afraid.”
“Of me?”
“Of caring about you.”
Evelyn stared at him.
Celia looked away.
Evelyn whispered, “That's the worst excuse I've ever heard.”
“I know.”
“No.”
She wiped her eyes.
“You don't.”
She left.
Vincent followed.
She slammed the bedroom door.
He stopped outside.
“I won't come in.”
“Good.”
“I'll stay here.”
“You don't have to.”
“I know.”
Silence.
Then Evelyn heard him lower himself to the floor.
He stayed.
For hours.
At dawn, she opened the door.
Vincent was still there.
He looked up.
Evelyn sat beside him.
“I don't forgive you.”
“I don't expect you to.”
“I don't trust you.”
“You shouldn't.”
“But I'm willing to listen.”
He nodded.
“That's enough.”
Meanwhile, Celia and Mason traced the false medical reports.
The documents had originated from a private clinic.
The clinic belonged to Harold Mercer.
Evelyn's father.
She felt physically sick.
Her father had not only sold her into the marriage.
He had apparently been manipulating Vincent behind her back.
When Evelyn confronted Harold, he denied everything.
“You're confused.”
“My medical records don't lie.”
“People can alter them.”
“You told Vincent I was getting worse.”
Harold looked away.
“You needed him afraid enough to keep supporting the family.”
Evelyn stared at him.
“You used my illness.”
“I was trying to protect you.”
“No.”
Her voice shook.
“You were protecting yourself.”
She hung up.
Then she cried.
Not because she missed her father.
Because she realized she had spent her entire life mistaking control for love.
When Vincent found her, he did not touch her.
He sat nearby.
“You don't have to say anything,” he said.
Evelyn looked at him.
“I spent my whole life being someone's burden.”
“You were never mine.”
She laughed through tears.
“I was your debt payment.”
“That was before I knew you.”
“And now?”
Vincent met her eyes.
“Now you're the only person in my life I would choose without being forced.”
Her breath caught.
Neither spoke.
Then Evelyn reached for his hand.
May you like
He took it carefully.
As though it were something breakable.
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