Chapter Three: I Am Done

Evenly’s POV

“Oh and there is our couple,” his mother's voice made me pause, and he finally pulled away. I couldn't be any less thankful for the timely interruption. Being in his arms felt suffocating, I nearly puked. 

She wore a black dress and behind her was Caleb’s father, matching her outfit. “I heard you were down yesterday,” she pointed out. I had always felt this extreme hate oozing from her but always ignored it: and the few times i’d spilled it to Caleb, he merely waved me off . Perhaps it was time I face the truth without ignoring it. 

“I'm better now, thank you,” I smiled faintly at her. I wanted it to end already because the memories of Caleb hitting my head with a rod multiple times with eyes glaring at me had began seething into my head. I felt angry, irritated and hurt at my naivety with every moment Caleb stayed beside me. 

Suddenly, it became too hard to breathe as the emotions weighed on my chest, making it impossible to breathe or think properly. I immediately excused myself before rushing out of the building. I went to the garden and the warmth of the sun rays greased my skin.

But as the minutes passed without any sign of relief, a sense of unease crept over me, and so did the strong smell of cigarette. 

Someone was smoking in the garden. Looking around for the source, I found a tall man standing from afar smoking. I stood there for a while, contemplating, but I finally moved towards him. As I drew closer, I realized it was Caleb's uncle. 

“Hey,” I said, inhaling the smell of the cigarette. I hated it and could barely stand it. He slowly turned to look at me and his dark brown eyes bore into mine. “You know smoking is bad for your health right?” I asked immediately.

He slowly tilted his head to the side with a curious gaze. Something about his movements slightly terrified me… “Alright. Since you know what's good for my health,” he replied, and I couldn't depict the meaning of those words. 

Was he mocking me or actually listening? “I believe you know already about the consequences,” I said, crossing my arms over my chest.

He bit down on his lips before slowly releasing it. My gaze was stuck on him and I failed to realize that he had put the cigarette out. “Is it better now, Ms. Hawthorne,” he drawled, drawing my attention.

I clenched my jaw, hearing the name that irked my skin. “Don't call me Hawthorne. We're not married yet,” I retorted, causing him to raise a brow.

I bit my lips, realizing that I had let my anger out. He suddenly narrowed his gaze at me, and he seemed to be in a deep thought. “You don't want his name?” He asked, startling me. I swallowed, finding it difficult to reply when he added. “Or maybe you don't want this wedding as well,” he face was blank and unreadable. 

“I only stated what was the logical truth." I was being careful with my words because this was Caleb’s uncle and an enigmatic stranger. I couldn't fathom his expression or read his thoughts.

“You don't love him,” he said immediately. I stared at him to know if he was angry, but he looked unbothered and seemingly curious to know my thoughts.

“I don't know,” I replied. 

He was quiet for a while and only stared at me without saying a word. I was about to speak, but he beat me to it. “If you can't be with him then why don't you do the both of you a favor by speaking your mind to him?” he said thoughtfully. 

I was left in shock. He wanted me to call off the wedding instead of being furious with the fact that I was going to break his nephew's heart… that was if he even had one to begin with. 

“Just do as your heart pleases,” he said, tucking his hands into his pocket before walking away. 

Doing as my heart pleased…The words echoed in my head as I stood still in one position. Getting killed by the man I had unquestioningly loved for so many years hurt more than I had ever imagined. The pain of getting hit over and over again and seeing that one particular face that you had once viewed as your salvation. The pain of never getting to meet your first ever baby. The pain of hearing him confidently talk about how he had murdered your own father, whom he termed an obstacle to getting his hands on your father’s company – a company his greedy hands didn't labour for. 

The tears welled up in my eyes, struggling to break free but I hastily blinked them back inside where they belonged. This was no time to cry, I had cried enough and I planned to let it stay that way. What was more important right now was getting my revenge on Caleb and Dana. 

This time ought to be different. I would never allow them succeed in breaking me. I'd make sure they pay for their disloyalty. Finally muttering my courage, I walked back to the living room.

“Where have you been? Have been looking everywhere for you. Do you know how worried we were?!” Caleb scolded me, gripping my arms roughly. He looked angry, and I could've been scared before, but now I felt disgusted, just seeing how controlling he was. 

I glared at him, tearing my arm away from his devilish grip, “Worried enough that the first thing you could do after finally seeing me was to grip my hands roughly, rather than ask if I was okay or not?”

He cleared his throat, casting his eyes at the guests who looked curious as hell. “We can’t do this here, Evelyn.” he whispered hoarsely.

Of course not. He was a selfish bastard that only cared about himself. Forcing a smile at him, I wrapped my hand around his. “Alright babe, I'm here now so why don't we continue with the phase?” I said sweetly. 

He wrinkled his brows but said nothing. Instead, he picked up a drink and a spoon. He hit the silver spoon on the glass, heightening the people's attention immediately. He cleared his throat as he wore that despicable smile on his face. 

“Good day everyone. Firstly, I want to thank you for choosing to celebrate this wonderful day with us, and I'd also like to appreciate your gifts, wishes, and patience. Thank you for being part of our special moments. We've already arranged the day of the wedding,” he said with a smile. 

My stomach churned as I realized the meaning behind those smiles. He was going to get his hands on everything my father worked hard for before he died. His plans were finally going to be successful, and I was speechlessly watching, a bit terrified by the suddenness of the situation.

But then the words of Caleb’s uncle reeled into my head again, ‘Do as your heart pleases.’ My heart immediately soared with a new determination and I made to speak, until Caleb beat me to it.

“And the wedding date is--” but he was cut off.

“I believe the woman would also like to say a word,” someone said among the crowd. Moving my gaze swiftly, I found his uncle looking at him blankly. 

Caleb frowned, clearly displeased by the interruption but didn't have the guts to say a word. I found it quite amusing to watch as he struggled to hide his irritation. 

Everyone's eyes turned to me, and I straightened my shoulders confidently as I moved my eyes, scanning the sea of bodies.

I could see the anticipation on their faces as they waited for me to confirm the date with smiles on their faces. Eventually, my gaze landed on his uncle, his name I could barely remember, but his face was stuck in my memory like a tattoo. 

He gave me a nod to go ahead, but it felt more like a reassurance that I could speak my mind without fear. 

Exhaling sharply, I finally parted my lips to speak. “Once again, I want to thank you for the effort you put in just to be here. Today was supposed to be the happiest day of my life, but sadly, it's not. Therefore, the wedding will not be held any longer. I hope you all understand, and I apologize for any inconvenience,” I said sternly with a raised chin. 

I didn't have to wait for their reaction as they all gasped in utter shock. They looked at me with shock on their faces. 

“What did you say?” Caleb's voice rang from beside me. His tone was enough to imagine his reaction. Without bothering to look at him, I turned to my dad. “Dad, I'm sorry, but I have to go now. Please help me see them off,” I quickly said while he stared at me with his mouth agape and a deep frown etched on his face. 

I really wish I could explain things to him, but that would blow everything out of proportion. I was certain of that.

I hurried through the crowd and straight to the entrance as I ignored the calls behind me. I was so done listening to them telling me what to do. It was time to be in charge of my life and make them pay for what they did to me in my now past life. Caleb, Dana, my father’s doctor….every single one

of them who’s connected to him and helped him commit his treacherous desires.