The Humiliation

As footsteps rang out against the marble floor, Evelyn’s breath caught.

‘.….unacceptable.’ Lucien’s voice. It was low, sharp and controlled. Evelyn listened intently from where she was.

There was something beneath that voice, similar to irritation. She didn’t move, trying to conceal her prescence as much as possible and she didn’t know why. Maybe instinct or fear.

She stepped back quietly slipping further into the adjoining sitting area where the wall partially shielded her from view as the two advanced.

‘I don’t tolerate mistakes, Alex,’ Lucien continued, his tone clipped. ‘If someone can get close enough to tamper with my drink, then I have a security problem.’

‘Yes, sir. I’ve already started reviewing access logs…..’

‘Not started,’ Lucien cut in. ‘Finished.’

Silence. Then, ‘Yes, sir.’

Evelyn presses her fingers lightly against her arm, grounding herself as she listened. This was him. The lucien she had read from the tabloids and seen all over the news. Nothing like the man from last night. Completely different from the one whose touch had been unsteady against her skin last night.

‘There’s another matter,’ the assistant added carefully. It was followed by a pause and Evelyn’s heart skipped.

‘The Sterling situation,’ Alex continued. Evelyn’s heart skipped a beat, her whole body tensing up as she heard Lucien mutter profanities under his breath.

‘Your father has taken over negotiations. He believes extending the contract would be…..beneficial.’

Evelyn felt her whole body stiffen as he lets out a quiet, humorless laugh.

‘Of course he does,’ he said. The words laced with quiet disdain

Her chest tightened at his remark, the whole plan she had that had forced her on to the plane and into his house was a waste.

‘The company is barely holding itself together,’ Lucien went on, his voice cool, detached. ‘Arthur Sterling should have let it collapse the first time instead of dragging it out like this.’

The words landed harder than they should have. Evelyn’s fingers curled tighter, her nails pressing faintly into her skin. A flicker of defensiveness rose instinctively but she forced it down. She couldn’t react.

‘He’s requesting further assistance,’ Alex said.

A beat of silence followed, Evelyn held her breath without realizing it.

‘And what is he offering this time?’ Lucien asked.

Evelyn felt something sink in her chest. Something about the question made her chest tighten.

‘The extension of your marriage contract,’ Alex replied. ‘Three additional years. Cohabitation, a potential….’

Lucien let out a short dry laugh.

‘An heir?’

The word was almost mocking,Evelyn felt something twist painfully in her chest.

‘I’m supposed to tie myself to a failing company for another three years,’ Lucien continued, his tone hardening, ‘because Arthur Sterling can’t manage his own businesses?’

Silence stretched, Evelyn’s heart racing.

‘Arthur Sterling was reportedly very insistent,’ Alex added quietly. ‘He claimed it was the only way to ensure family stability during the transition.’

Her mind raced, searching for somethng, anything, to push back against what she was hearing.

‘That marriage was a transaction. Nothing more.’

Evelyn felt it this time, not like before. This time it was more personal.

‘I’ve already paid for it once,’ Lucien added, his voice dropping. ‘I’m not interested in extending charity.’

Her vision blurred for a second. Paid. The word echoed louder than the rest.

‘Then your decision, Sir?’ Alex asked carefully. There was a pause, just long for it to set her heart into overdrive.

‘I’ll consider it,’ Lucien said at last. ‘But make one thing clear……..’ his voice hardening. ‘I’m not interested in the girl.’

Everything inside Evelyn stilled, competely.

‘If my father wants to play savior, that’s his business,’ Lucien continued. ‘But I won’t be dragged into another obligation because her family can’t stand on its own.’

The silence that followed was both heavy and final. Evelyn didn’t realize she had stopped breathing until her lungs burned. The girl. That is what she is to him. Not his wife, not someone worth knowing, not even someone worth remebering.

Just ‘the girl’. Her chest felt tight, too tight, like there wasn’t enough space for air. And suddenly, waiting felt ridiculous. What exactly had she been waitin for? An explanation? An appology?

A bitter, quiet realization settled over her. He hadn’t even looked at her.

Not last night, not now. She didn’t exist to him. Her vision blurred slightly, but she blinked it away quickly.

‘No, not here’ she thought wistfully. Footsteps shifted closerand she moved before she could think. Quiet and carefully, she slipped further back, keeping to the edges of the room, her movements soundless against the thick carpet, despite the storm building in her chest.

Her pulse pounded in her ears, but her expression remained still and controlled. She couldn’t let him see her like this

Wouldn’t give him the chance to dismiss her twice. Not after everything she had just heard.

The side exit. Her eyes locked onto it.

She had noticed it earlier and without hesitation, she turned towards it. Behind her Lucien’s voice continued, distant now and unimportant.

‘I want the matter handled discreetly,’ he said. ‘No unnecessary complications.’

Her hand reached the handle and she paused momentarily, her fingers tightened then loosened. And just like that, her decision was made. She opened the door and stepped out, silently and unseen. Just as she had been the entire time. The door closed behind her with a soft click, and inside the room, Lucien Thorne continued speaking, completely unaware that the woman he had just dismissed so easily had heard every word.