Elias's Penthouse
Evelyn sat across from Elias, her hands gripping the edge of her dress.
She knew what she had to do.
But she also knew Elias never let her go without a price.
Elias sipped his whiskey, eyes studying her like a predator watching its prey. "You want to see him."
Evelyn exhaled. "Yes."
He set his glass down. "Why?"
She hesitated. "I need closure."
His smirk was slow, knowing. "And yet, you never asked for closure before."
Her fingers curled into her lap. "Please."
Elias leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. "Are you coming back?"
Her heart stumbled.
Because the answer should have been yes.
But she wasn't sure anymore.
Elias chuckled. "Ah. So you're already slipping."
Evelyn forced herself to meet his gaze. "I made my choice, Elias. I just need to say goodbye properly."
A beat of silence.
Then—
Elias leaned back, swirling the whiskey in his glass. "Midnight. That's all you get."
Relief crashed into her. "Thank you."
Elias smirked. "You're mine, Evelyn. Don't forget that."
Her stomach twisted.
She nodded once—then turned and walked away.
---
Kade's Apartment
The city was quiet.
The streets empty.
And yet, Evelyn's heart was anything but still.
She stood outside the apartment door, fingers trembling against the handle.
She had walked away from Theo to save him.
Because if she stayed—Elias would kill him.
She had done this for him.
So why did it feel like she had lost everything?
She forced a breath and knocked.
A pause.
Then—the door opened.
And there he was.
Theo Bennett.
Shirt slightly rumpled. Hair messier than usual.
But his eyes—his eyes were still the same.
Dark. Intense.
And filled with something she wasn't ready for.
He stared at her, unmoving.
She swallowed. "Theo—"
He pulled her inside.
Kade was asleep in the next room.
The only sound in the apartment was the rain outside and the beating of her heart.
Theo didn't speak.
He just stood there, staring at her like he was afraid she wasn't real.
Like if he blinked, she'd disappear again.
Evelyn's throat tightened. "I—"
"You left."
His voice was quiet. But it carried a storm.
Evelyn clenched her hands. "I had to."
Theo's jaw locked. "Why?"
She hesitated. "Because—"
Because Elias was going to kill you.
Because I had to make a choice, and I chose your life over my own heart.
But she couldn't say that.
Not if she wanted him to let go.
Not if she wanted him to move on.
So she lied.
"I just did."
Theo exhaled sharply. His hand ran through his hair, frustration bleeding through his every movement.
Then, suddenly—
He laughed.
A broken, hollow laugh.
Evelyn stiffened. "Theo—"
"Do you know what's funny, Evelyn?"
She didn't answer.
He stepped closer. "I tried. I tried to hate you. I tried to let you go."
Her breath caught.
His voice dropped lower, more raw.
"But I can't."
Evelyn's heart stopped.
"I love you."
The words hit her like a wrecking ball.
She felt like she couldn't breathe.
Like the world had just shifted beneath her feet.
Theo took another step. So close now.
"Say something," he whispered.
Evelyn opened her mouth.
Nothing came out.
Because what was she supposed to say?
That she loved him too? That she had never stopped?
That she had made the most painful choice of her life to protect him?
Theo swallowed, his fingers twitching at his sides. "Evelyn."
She met his gaze, and for a second—
Just one second—
She let herself believe that maybe, just maybe, they could still have a chance.
And then—
He whispered, "Be mine."
Her lungs collapsed.
Be his.
Just two words.
Two words that meant everything.
Two words that shattered every wall she had built.
Two words she had dreamed of hearing.
Tears burned her eyes.
Her lips parted—the truth aching to spill out.
But then—
She thought of Elias.
Thought of what would happen to Theo if she stayed.
And suddenly, the ache in her chest became unbearable.
Because she had already made her choice.
And it wasn't her heart.
It was his life.
She stepped back.
Theo's expression flickered. "Evelyn—"
She forced a breath.
"I—"
The words died in her throat.
Because the truth was—
She wasn't sure how much longer she could lie.
She wasn't sure how much longer she could fight against the one thing she wanted most.
But for now—
She had to.
So she swallowed the sob threatening to escape.
And whispered—
"I have to go."
Theo's face fell.
The moment shattered.
And Evelyn—with every ounce of strength she had left—
Turned.
And walked away.
---
Elias's Penthouse
She stepped inside.
Elias was waiting.
He smirked. "Well?"
Evelyn met his gaze.
And did what she had been doing since the beginning.
She lied.
"It's over."
Elias studied her for a moment. Then he nodded. "Good."
Evelyn forced a smile.
And ignored the way her heart was breaking all over again..
---
End of Chapter 53