Chapter 8

The bodyguards had come for Evelyn?

She stared at the sleek black helicopter, its blades slicing through the air. Margaret's words echoed in her mind—her real family had been searching for her.

Margaret.

Had they truly sent these men?

Evelyn pinched her wrist, wincing at the sharp pain. This couldn't be real. A helicopter? For her?

Twenty years of longing. Was it finally over?

Victoria scoffed, her voice dripping with disdain. "What a performance, Evelyn. Where did you hire these actors? Not bad for amateurs." She smirked. "But no matter how hard you try, you'll always be that pathetic orphan."

Her laugh was sharp. "A helicopter? Bet this is your first time seeing one up close, you little nobody!"

Before Evelyn could respond, the nearest bodyguard moved. A crisp slap cracked through the air, sending Victoria stumbling back.

She shrieked, clutching her cheek. "How dare you! Do you know who my brothers are? I'll ruin you!"

Evelyn tilted her head, amused. "Funny. My brother's the devil himself."

Without another glance, she turned toward the helicopter. Behind her, Nathaniel's voice cut through the chaos. "Evelyn! Stop!"

She hesitated—just for a second—then kept walking.

Nathaniel lunged forward, but Victoria clung to his arm. "Look at her! She had her thug hit me!"

He didn't even glance at her. His gaze was locked on Evelyn, cold and unreadable, as she climbed into the aircraft. She was really leaving.

"Face it, Nate," Victoria sneered. "She already replaced you. Why else would some rich bastard send a helicopter the second the divorce was final?"

"Enough." His jaw tightened. He'd thought this was just another one of her games—a desperate attempt to get under his skin. But this... this was real.

Snatching his phone, he barked at his assistant. "Evelyn Carter just left in a private helicopter. Track it. Now."

Victoria scoffed. "Why bother? She's clearly moved on."

Nathaniel's voice dropped to a dangerous whisper. "Shut your mouth. This is for Eleanor. Evelyn's life means nothing to me."

Victoria bit her tongue. Right. The old woman adored Evelyn.

From above, Evelyn watched the city lights blur into streaks of gold. A quiet laugh escaped her.

Free.

Thirty minutes later, the helicopter touched down atop a glittering skyscraper.

Evelyn stepped out to find two lines of black-suited guards flanking her path. In perfect unison, they bowed. "Welcome home, Ms. Carter."

She blinked. Okay, this was... excessive.

At the end of the procession stood two figures—Margaret, and a tall, severe-looking man in a tailored suit.

Her brother? Margaret had mentioned four brothers.

"Oh, darling!" Margaret rushed forward, pulling her into a hug. "You're safe now. That awful marriage is over."

Evelyn nodded, throat tight. "Yeah."

Margaret beamed. "Come, meet Alexander. Your eldest brother."

The man stepped forward, his icy demeanor mirroring Nathaniel's. Power rolled off him in waves.

His gaze swept over Evelyn—too thin, too pale. Something twisted in his chest.

Awkward silence stretched.

Evelyn cleared her throat. "Hi. Nice to meet you?"

Alexander flinched at the formality. Was she afraid of him?

Normally, he commanded boardrooms without breaking a sweat. Now, he fumbled. "Is there... anything you want?"

Evelyn frowned. "Want?"

"Anything at all."

She looked down. "I just want to go home."

Alexander's hands clenched. Home. She meant that dingy apartment.

If he hadn't failed her all those years ago...

(To be continued)