A War in Silence

Evelyn’s POV

Louis’s lips crushed against mine, rough and demanding. His grip on my wrist tightened as he tried to pull me closer, as if he had the right to claim me after everything. My body stiffened, panic surging through me like a wave. My free hand shot up, shoving against his chest, but he barely budged.

I had to think fast.

My heart pounded as I lifted my knee and slammed it between his legs—hard.

Louis let out a strangled groan, his body jerking back as pain overtook him. He stumbled, releasing me, his hands flying to his groin. "You little—"

I didn’t wait. I turned and ran.

My bare feet slapped against the cold marble floor as I bolted down the hall. My pulse roared in my ears, drowning out everything else. I didn’t look back. I didn’t care if he was coming after me.

I reached my bedroom, yanked the door open, and slammed it shut behind me, locking it. My breath came in sharp, uneven gasps as I pressed my back against the door, my fingers trembling against the wood.

Bang!

Louis’s fist crashed against the door. "Evelyn! Open this damn door!"

I squeezed my eyes shut, my chest rising and falling rapidly. My hands shot up to my ears, blocking out his voice.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

"Don’t make me break this door down!"

I clenched my jaw, sinking to the floor. I couldn’t let him see me like this—shaking, vulnerable, small. He didn’t deserve to see my fear.

Minutes passed. Maybe an hour.

Then, silence.

I stayed put, waiting, listening.

Nothing.

Slowly, I rose to my feet and cracked the door open, peeking out. The hallway was empty.

I stepped out cautiously, my body still tense, my heart still hammering.

When I reached the living room, I found him sitting on the couch, a newspaper in his hands. As if nothing had happened. As if he hadn’t just tried to force himself on me.

His eyes flicked up when he noticed me.

"If you really have a boyfriend," he said, his tone unreadable, "then show him to me."

I frowned, my grip tightening on my iPad. I typed quickly.

Why do you care? He’s my boyfriend, not yours.

Louis folded the newspaper and set it aside, leaning forward. "I want to see him. I need to approve."

I scoffed. Approved? Like he had any right to approve anything in my life.

He watched me, waiting for my response.

I forced myself to nod.

I typed, Fine. I’ll show him to you soon.

His eyes darkened slightly, but he nodded.

Without another word, I turned and rushed back to my room, slamming the door behind me. My hands gripped my iPad tightly as I paced back and forth.

What the hell was I supposed to do now?

I didn’t have a boyfriend.

I had only said it to hurt him, to wipe that smug look off his face. But now… now he wanted proof.

I needed a plan.

My fingers curled into fists as frustration bubbled inside me.

If I wanted to get out of this marriage, if I wanted him to finally let me go, I had to make him believe I belonged to someone else.

But how?

As I stood there, my mind racing, my phone vibrated on the nightstand.

I grabbed it without thinking, my breath catching when I saw the caller ID.

The kidnapper.

My fingers hovered over the screen before I swiped to answer.

I didn’t speak—I couldn’t—but he spoke first.

"You okay, princess?" His voice was low, casual, almost amused.

I swallowed hard, gripping my iPad tightly. I typed quickly and sent him a message.

I need your help.

A chuckle came through the line. "Oh? And here I thought you’d never want to hear from me again."

I took a deep breath, then typed again. Meet me. Now.

There was a pause.

Then, "Alright, princess. Tell me where."

I gave him the address.

After ending the call, I grabbed my coat and slipped out of my room.

As I made my way to the front door, I saw Louis standing in the hallway, arms crossed. His sharp gaze locked onto me immediately.

"Where are you going?"

I didn’t answer. I didn’t owe him one.

I stepped past him, but he grabbed my wrist, stopping me.

Even after everything, he still thought he could control me.

His grip wasn’t tight, but it was firm. "Even if you have a boyfriend, it doesn’t change anything." His voice was calm, but there was something darker beneath it. "I’m never divorcing you, Evelyn."

A chill ran down my spine.

I yanked my arm free and stormed out of the house, my heart hammering as I made my way to the meeting spot.

I didn’t know what I was doing. I didn’t know if this was the right move.

But I knew one thing.

I was done being his puppet.

The moment I reached the meeting spot, I saw him leaning against a sleek black car, arms crossed, a lazy smirk on his lips.

The kidnapper.

His dark eyes studied me as I approached, but I didn’t hesitate.

I lifted my iPad and typed.

I need the phone. The one you used to blackmail Louis in the past. Name your price.

He raised a brow, amusement flashing in his gaze. "You’re getting bold, princess."

I'm sure he was shocked to know that I'm aware he's been the one blackmailing Louis.

I didn’t react. I didn’t have time for his games.

He let out a low chuckle before reaching into his pocket and pulling out the phone. He held it up, letting the street lights reflect off the screen.

"This phone?"

I nodded.

He twirled it between his fingers, watching me carefully. "And what exactly do you plan to do with it?"

I hesitated for a brief moment before typing.

That’s none of your business. Just tell me how much.

He grinned. "Oh, princess, I don’t want your money."

I stiffened.

"What I want," he continued, stepping closer, "is something far more interesting."

My fingers hovered over the screen, my pulse quickening.

"What do you say?" he murmured, holding the phone just out of reach.

I swallowed hard, my mind racing.

“I need it” I typed and he chuckled.

“What do you need it for?” He asked, his gaze fixed on me.

“Or can you talk?”