Chapter 3

Evelina’s POV

I returned to the Draycott Manor late at night.

Didn’t want to hear any more whispers. Any more moans through the walls.

The house was quiet. The Draycotts weren’t home. And it looked like Kaelen hadn’t come back yet either.

Good.

I slipped into my room and started packing. I figured I’d begin with the closet.

But the moment I opened it, the past came rushing in.

Nearly three-quarters of the dresses inside had been bought by Kaelen. One of his favorite things back then was going on a business trip and coming home with gifts—for the couple, and always, always for me.

I remembered the time Mrs. Draycott saw the pile of dresses Kaelen had brought back and teased him, “Hard to believe the little boy who cried over not getting a popsicle now spoils our Eve like this.”

Kaelen had blushed. But he didn’t deny it. “Eve’s special,” he said. “What else would I do but spoil her?”

Mrs. Draycott just laughed and hugged us both. “Of course she is. Everyone should spoil our Eve.”

My fingers grazed the fabric, one dress at a time. Some were from his trip to France, where he’d gone to negotiate an arms deal. Others from Italy—he'd gone there to sign a contract with the local mafia.

Once, when I called him during one of those trips, I heard a man’s voice shout through the phone, laughing, “Calling your little girlfriend again? Is that why you dragged me to shop for dresses? I swear, Mr. Draycott—you’re the first man bold enough to take me shopping. But I respect that. That’s love!”

I don’t remember what came after that. But that line stuck.

Do I hate Kaelen for what he did? For rejecting me?

No.

But do I still love him…?

I shook my head. Focused on the packing.

…

The next morning, I got up early. Finished everything I hadn’t the night before. Stacked the boxes. Then sat and waited for the moving company to arrive.

Just as I opened my door to step out, Kaelen opened his.

We both paused, caught off guard.

I recovered first. “Morning,” I said quietly, then turned to go.

His voice followed me. “You’re moving out already? I thought you said a few more days.”

I kept my tone light. “I packed last night. Sometimes when you wait too long to do something… you lose the energy to finish it at all.”

One of the maids walked over. “Miss Frost, will you be having breakfast? Or just coffee?”

“Just coffee,” I told her with a small smile.

Kaelen stepped closer. “Do you need help?”

I glanced at him. “Shouldn’t you be with Lilith today?” Then, softer, “It’s Valentine’s Day.”

He blinked. “Huh?”

I smiled, turning away. “I heard you put a set of couture jewelry in the casino vault. Are those for Lilith?”

Kaelen stiffened. “They were for—”

His ringtone cut him off. He picked up the call, and I took the chance to head downstairs.

By the time the maid brought over my coffee, Kaelen had followed and sat across from me.

“I can’t be at the casino today,” he said. “Can you supervise it during the day for me?”

I hesitated, then nodded. “Alright. I’ll call the moving company, rearrange the time.”

“I’ll drive you,” he added quickly.

I didn’t respond. Just went back to my coffee.

A while later, there was a knock at the front door.

Then Lilith’s voice: “Kaelen, babe?”

My fingers paused around the mug.

I’d accepted the engagement—at least on the surface—but whenever Lilith was here, it felt like she was putting up a performance for me. A deliberate one.

She walked in, straight to Kaelen’s lap, kissing him like no one else was in the room.

Classy.

“Hey, Eve,” she turned to me mid-smooch. “Got any plans today? Did you finally get yourself a little boyfriend?”

“Yep,” I said smoothly. “I have a date tonight. But first, I’m covering Kaelen’s shift at the casino.”

Kaelen’s jaw tightened. He stood abruptly, nearly knocking Lilith off his lap. “We have plans. Let’s go.”

I grabbed my bag and followed them out.

The car ride was unbearable—filled with their loud kisses and honeymoon plans.

The wedding was five days away. Also my birthday.

How poetic.

Did he really need to slice my heart open just to make a point?

I got it, Kaelen. I got it loud and clear.

Then Lilith’s phone rang. “Hey, girl. Yeah, I’m with Kaelen. Sure, we can stop by… He’s driving the Range Rover today—plenty of room for three. Oh wait, two. Kaelen’s little sister is in the car.”

I saw it coming before it even happened.

Kaelen spoke without turning. “I can drop Evelina off now. She can grab a cab, right?”

Lilith smiled sweetly. “Wouldn’t that be a bother, dear Eve?”

“Not at all,” I replied, matching her tone with practiced perfection. “You can drop me here. I’m not heading straight to the casino anyway.”

Kaelen glanced at me through the rearview mirror. His mouth was a tight, flat line.

The car stopped. I stepped out fast.

Before I could close the door completely, the Range Rover roared off, leaving behind a cloud of dust.

I didn’t linger.

Waved down a cab, got in, and kept moving.

Getting to the casino was easy.

Riding in Kaelen’s car wasn’t the only way.

…

Since that day, Kaelen disappeared from my life.

I assumed he was either knee-deep in wedding plans or tangled up with Lilith somewhere. Probably both.

Luckily, I didn’t have much time to dwell on it. I was too busy moving. It took five trips for the movers to clear everything out.

On the day I came back for the last suitcase, Kaelen and Lilith had returned.

The moment I stepped through the door, I heard laughter from the living room.

“Stop it, babe. You’re making me itchy,” Lilith giggled.

“I can make you itchier,” Kaelen teased back.

I didn’t hesitate. I turned, ready to walk out. That suitcase could wait. I wasn’t in the mood to witness another one of their love scenes.

But before I could slip away, Lilith appeared at my side, looping her arm through mine.

“Eve! Where have you been? I was thinking of inviting you on our pre-wedding trip, but you never answered your phone!”

I noticed her earrings and bracelet—gleaming under the light. The same set Kaelen had locked away in the casino vault.

They looked better on her. Brighter. Even shinier than the night I’d secretly tried them on.

Just like Kaelen’s love—meant to be worn in the light. But I only ever held it in the dark.

“Are you coming to our joint bachelor and bachelorette party?” Lilith asked, nudging me. “We’re hosting it at the casino. You know—it’s got everything. A ballroom, games, liquor, pretty girls. Wild fun before I’m officially tied to Mr. Draycott for life.”

I hesitated.

Kaelen added, “Come. It’ll be interesting.”

It was rare he asked me to join anything these days.

So I nodded.

If he wanted me there to witness his happiness—fine. I’d grant him that.