LOGINChapter 24Eva's PovI wasn't going to cry anymore. If the world decides to be cruel to me? Then so be it. I accept the cruelty of the world.The bus station went dark. The lights were out and only one thing kept me standing. Anger. Revenge. Zee's heels clicked away. How she had deceived me. I always thought we could be best of friends, but I was shocked by the act she just displayed.I stayed on the cold concrete. My phone screen still glowed with the photo of my mother. Tied to that chair. The knife at her throat.I had until midnight tomorrow to save her life. Thirty thousand dollars, all had been stolen from me today.I had nothing. Not even cab fare.A car suddenly pulled up. I didn't look up. I didn't care anymore. The door opened and footsteps walked towards me. A flashlight in my face."Eva." It was Luca. He crouched beside me. His hand touched my shoulder."I called your line over and over, you didn't answer. So I guessed something was wrong."I couldn't speak. I didn't know
Chapter 23 Eva's PovThe taxi horn blared again, bringing me to. I waved it off. The driver cursed and sped away.Fifteen thousand dollars. Gone. Like that. Was I cursed? Why was the universe against me?“You're a blessed child." My mum's voice rang out in my head. I shook the thoughts off. What had come over me? I felt bad that I even had a doubt that she wasn't my mum.I fell on the cold floor by the road and sobbed.My hands patted down my hoodie. My jeans. The pockets inside my jacket. Everywhere, but there was nothing. Just the crumpled receipt from the diner and Luca's card. I spun around. Now, the alley was empty.I walked to the side door that Luca disappeared through and it was locked."Luca!" I banged on the metal. But there was no answer.My phone buzzed again. Same unknown number. "Tick tock."A sob caught in my throat. I swallowed it down.Think, Eva. Think.I dried my tears, and walked to the front of the hospital and knocked on the door. It opened slowly and a woman w
Chapter 22Eva's PovThe breeze of the night brushed my face. I stood on the sidewalk.Different thoughts in my mind. Could I trust Victor or not? What was in the delivery? What was he making me do? And why was my name in the letter? I saw it clearly and Luca's reaction. How were they connected? I flagged a taxi down, but none stopped and the street was already getting cleared. Night was approaching faster. I leaned against the cold brick wall, my arms crossed tight over my chest. The thoughts beclouded my chest. For three days. I hadn’t stepped foot in my apartment. Had the landlord finally changed the locks or thrown me out. Did mum return? I was still in thought, when a hand closed around my upper arm, pulling me sideways into the narrow alley between the clinic and the laundromat next door before I could even yelp.The darkness covered us and when I raised my eyes, it was Luca. His face was inches from mine, his reading glasses still perched on his nose. “Luca, it's just yo
Chapter 21Eva's Pov That night, I didn't sleep. I couldn't. Adrian left a new phone by my bed. And I just stared at it, contemplating whether to accept it or leave it behind.I lay on the bed, staring at the ceiling, counting the hours until 6 a.m.The moonflower sat on the nightstand. I should have thrown it away. Instead, I left it there. I don't know why I did. The threats were already getting too much and out of hand. I walked towards the table in the center of the room, there was a note and an envelope.The note read. “Please accept this, I'm not forcing it on you. No strings attached, just friendship." I dropped the card and reached for the envelope. A small smile escaped my lips and as fast as it came. It also vanished.I shrugged, cleared my throat and looked away. Then I grabbed the phone and requested some outfits. I pulled on the jeans. A hoodie and sunglasses I didn't need. The Uber pulled up at 7:15. Late, but better. The eatery was tucked between a laundromat and a
Chapter 20Adrian's PovThe morning sun filtered in from the window. It took me a moment to register where I was. The wind brushed against my skin, I looked down to grab a duvet and realised I was naked. Marisa lay beside me. Also naked, and smiling."Good morning, husband." I sat up, stepping out of the bed. My head pounded. My stomach turned."What did you do to me?""I saved you." She stretched. The bed sheet fell, exposing her body. I looked away. "Hmm." I cleared my throat uncomfortably. "You were so drunk, Adrian. You came to my room, and you were insistent.""I don't remember. That didn't happen.”"Of course you don't. That's what happens when you drink too much." I looked at her closely and wrapped myself tightly with the duvet. "Well, there's no need to—" Her eyes traveled down my body. A blush crept up her face."I've already seen everything.” I rubbed my neck and looked at her. "What did you put in the room last night?" Her smile didn't waver. "I don't know what you m
Chapter 19 Adrian's Pov The door clicked shut. I didn't move. I stood in the hallway staring at the wood grain, like it had answers to my questions. I couldn't name this feeling and why I felt this way. My hands pressed into my temples.She was there. Crying and lying to my face about who hurt her, about her phone and everything. Why can't Eva be honest with me? Shit. My hands went to my hair. And then, a random memory hit me.Bullshit. She never lost anything. She left things on purpose, but never lost anything, she was very meticulous. I walked to my room. My phone buzzed. I looked at the sender and a small smile lit my face. Marisa.“Coming home tonight?” She asked with an emoji. I typed back. “Later.” The dots for typing returned and then.“Miss you.” But now, I didn't respond to it.I turned to the window. The city glittered below, indifferent.My hands on my temple. There was one thing I couldn't say out loud. The thing rotted inside my chest, I just found out now, and I
Chapter 18 Eva's PovThe car hummed slowly as we drove around the city. Everything about Adrian Moretti was expensive. Once again, I was in his car after the night when he shot a man. My mind went back to the image I had received. The sender hadn't reached out again, but that was the last thing o
Chapter 8Evelyn's POV (In Rita's Body)Now, the hall had descended into chaos. It smelled of blood and spilled wine. None was permitted to leave the room. A thin smile crept across my lips. Watching Seraphine, the woman who had swung a sword at my child…lose hers gave me a twisted sense of peace.
Chapter 16Eva's Pov I swung again. But, someone's leg hooked my ankle, tilting me forward and the tar caught my ribs, bruising me. I gasped, and couldn't breathe. Get up. Get the fuck up. I won't let her control my life anymore. My fingers searched blindly and hit plastic. My earphones, it wasn'
Eva's Pov The ceiling had seventeen cracks. I counted them. Twice. Three times, well if you're counting the one that looked like a chicken foot, eighteen, which I did because my brain had apparently decided that tonight we hyperfixate on my imperfections and mistake, instead of, you know, sleeping







