Chapter Sixty
Evelyn’s POV
Inside, I was tied to a chair, her eyes wide with fear and confusion. I looked up as Charles was pushed into the room, my heart sinking at the sight of him. The men shoved him to the floor and tied him up next to her, ensuring he couldn’t escape.
I faced Charles with gritted teeth, feeling the rage coursing through my veins. “See what you have gotten us into,” I spat out, my voice dripping with contempt. “Can you see? You wanted me to be in trouble with Antonio, but now you are tied up with me. If only you had listened to me, you fool. I hate you, and I promise you if anything happens to me, my spirit will haunt you. In fact, what am I saying? You’re dying with me.” The fury in my blood surged with every word, my body trembling with the intensity of my emotions.
Charles stared back at me, his expression unyielding, and said with no remorse, “I wanted us to get our revenge.”
“Us? Did you just say us?” I could hardly believe his audacity. “Didn’t you remember when I broke up with you? Didn’t you remember when I said I didn’t want to have anything to do with you? Huh? Did you suddenly get amnesia?” My anger boiled over, and I took it out on the rope tied around my hands, yanking and twisting in a desperate bid for freedom.
“I wanted us to get our revenge and for you to get back to me,” Charles repeated, his voice devoid of any emotion.
“Did you hear what you just said? Get back to you?” I couldn’t suppress my incredulity. “Did you ever love me? All you loved was my body and sex, or am I wrong? You know what? I don’t know why I’m talking to you. Go rot in hell!” The realization hit me hard as I felt the rope around my hands loosening. My breath caught in my throat, and I muttered under my breath, “Oh my God,” as I started working frantically to free myself completely.
I scanned the room, my eyes darting around for any means of escape. The window caught my attention-it was just about low enough to jump from, thank goodness we were on the first floor. My fingers worked faster, adrenaline fueling my determination. As I tugged at the final knot, I glanced at Charles, who wore a look of shock mixed with confusion.
“How did you…” he began, but I wasn’t about to stick around for explanations. I bolted to the window, flinging it open with a swift motion. My eyes scanned the outside, searching for any signs of danger. The coast seemed clear, and without a second thought, I launched myself through the opening, my heart pounding in my chest.
I hit the ground with a thud, my body rolling to absorb the impact. Ignoring the pain that shot through me, I scrambled to my feet and took off running, not daring to look back. Charles’ voice echoed faintly in my ears, his words lost to the wind as I put as much distance as possible between us.
Every step I took, every breath I drew, fueled my resolve. I had to survive, to escape the nightmare that Charles had dragged me into. The thought of him still tied up, struggling to free himself, gave me a twisted sense of satisfaction. He deserved to be left behind, to face the consequences of his actions alone.
My mind raced as I navigated through the unfamiliar terrain, my senses on high alert for any signs of pursuit. I knew I couldn’t stop, couldn’t rest until I was far away from this place, from Charles, from the chaos that had become my life. The memory of his betrayal, his callous disregard for my feelings, fueled my determination.
As I ran, my thoughts shifted to the future, to what lay ahead. I couldn’t let my guard down, not even for a moment. I had to be strong, had to stay focused. Charles had wanted revenge, but all he had done was to put us in trouble with Antonio. And I intended to make the most of my freedom, to ensure that I never found myself in such a situation again. I just prayed Antonio wouldn’t find me.
My muscles burned with the effort, my lungs screamed for air, but I pushed on, driven by the unrelenting need to escape. The landscape blurred around me, the world a hazy backdrop to my singular focus. I had to keep moving, had to stay one step ahead. The night air was cool against my skin, a stark contrast to the heat of my anger and determination.
I didn’t know how long I had been running, but eventually, I slowed, my body demanding rest. I found a small clearing, hidden from view, and collapsed to the ground, my breath coming in ragged gasps. For the first time since our capture, I allowed myself a moment of respite, my mind racing with thoughts of what had just transpired.
Charles had wanted revenge, but he had put both of us in trouble . He had thought he could control me, manipulate me, but I was happy about where I was right now. . I had escaped, and now it was up to me to ensure that I stayed free. The road ahead was uncertain, but I was ready to face whatever challenges came my way. I had survived this ordeal, and I would continue to survive, no matter what.
I had run so far that my legs felt like lead, and my stomach gnawed at me with a relentless and wicked hunger. As I stumbled through the dark streets, I saw the distant glow of neon lights. An eatery. The thought of food spurred me on, and I pushed myself forward, determined to reach it. I had some amount of money in my pocket, so, I could pay for the food.
The small diner was a beacon of warmth and light in the otherwise desolate night. I pushed open the door, the bell above it chiming softly. The few patrons inside barely glanced up as I entered. I made my way to the counter, every step feeling like a monumental effort.
A young man sat at the far end of the counter, nursing a cup of coffee. He looked up as I approached, his eyes curious but not unkind. I ordered a sandwich and a cup of tea, my hands trembling as I reached for the mug when it arrived. The warmth seeped into my fingers, calming my nerves slightly.
As I ate, I couldn’t help but notice the man watching me. His gaze wasn’t intrusive, just mildly interested. When our eyes met, he offered a small, friendly smile.
“You look like you’ve been through a lot,” he said softly, his voice carrying a note of concern. “Are you okay?”Material © NôvelDrama.Org.
I hesitated for a moment, the urge to trust someone battling with my instinct for self-preservation. “I’m fine,” I replied, forcing a smile. “Just a rough night.”
He nodded, accepting my answer without pressing for details. “My name’s Alex,” he introduced himself. “I live nearby. If you need a place to stay, you’re welcome to crash at my place.”
His offer was tempting, but I knew I couldn’t trust anyone with my real identity. “Thank you, Alex. That’s really kind of you,” I said, carefully crafting my story. “I’m Emily. I’m just passing through and ran into some trouble.”
He nodded again, seemingly satisfied with my explanation. “Well, Emily, the offer stands. It’s not much, but it’s safe.”
I weighed my options, knowing I needed rest and a place to regroup. “I appreciate it,” I said, my voice sincere. “I could use a safe place for the night.”
Alex finished his coffee and stood up, gesturing for me to follow. “Come on, it’s not far.”
We walked through the quiet streets, the only sound the occasional rustle of leaves in the wind. Alex’s apartment was a small, modest place, but it felt safe and welcoming. He showed me to the spare room, where a simple bed awaited.
“Make yourself at home,” he said, giving me a reassuring smile. “If you need anything, just let me know.”
“Thank you, Alex,” I said, my voice filled with genuine gratitude. “You’ve been a lifesaver.”
He nodded and left me to settle in. I closed the door behind me, my mind racing with the events of the night. I had escaped, but I knew I couldn’t let my guard down. I would have to be careful, to ensure that my lie held up, and that I stayed one step ahead of anyone looking for me.
As I lay down on the bed, exhaustion finally overtook me. I closed my eyes, my body relaxing into the mattress. For the first time in what felt like forever, I allowed myself to rest, knowing that tomorrow would bring new challenges and that I would need all my strength to face them.