Chapter 3

Evelyn’s POV

Charlie looked at her with such worship it made my stomach turn. He leaned down and kissed her forehead, his eyes never leaving mine as he adored her right in front of me.

“We have a lot to talk about, baby. I need to know all that has happened.” Charlie breathed.

“Yes baby, I’ll tell you about it when we’re alone.”

"Get out of my sight, Evelyn," he ordered immediately. "Go to your room and stay there. I want to celebrate my wife’s return without looking at the woman who tried to destroy her."

As I walked up the stairs, a wave of nausea hit me as their mocking laughs filled my ears but I didn’t allow them to see me break.

I couldn’t breathe as I returned to my room and silently waited for the worst to happen. I sat on the edge of the mattress, my hands trembling as I stared at the door, but I didn't have to wait long. Less than an hour had passed before the heavy thud of Charlie’s footsteps signaled his arrival and like always, he didn’t knock. He threw the door open, followed closely by a man in a suit who was carrying a briefcase.

Charlie didn't even look at me as he snatched a thick stack of papers from the lawyer and tossed them onto the table violently.

"Sign them," Charlie commanded. His voice was flat and devoid of any emotion. He sounded bored, as if he were finally discarding a piece of furniture that had cluttered his home for too long. "I’m done playing house with a villain. Serena is back, and she is the only one who deserves to be by my side. With that said, I want you out of this house and out of my life before the sun sets."

"Charlie, please, just listen—"

"I’m done listening to your lies, Evelyn!" he roared, making me flinch away in fear. "The woman I love was out there suffering through experimental surgeries because of your malicious acts, while you were here, eating my food and sleeping in my bed. You’re a curse!"

The door behind him opened again and my heart sank further. My parents walked in, but they weren't looking at me. They were doting on Serena, who was draped over my mother’s arm like a fragile, precious doll.

"Oh, our sweet Serena," my mother cooed, smoothing my sister’s hair. She finally spared me a glance and her eyes instantly filled with irritation. "Evelyn, don't make this difficult, so sign the papers. The family has suffered enough scandal because of your jealousy and it’s time we all moved on."

"Move on?" I stood up, my voice cracking. "She was never paralyzed! Look at her! She’s perfectly fine!"

"That’s enough!" my father barked. He turned to Charlie and his tone immediately softened. "Charlie, please excuse us for a moment. We need to speak with our daughter privately to... ensure she understands the gravity of the situation."

Charlie didn't hesitate. He only threw one last look at me before heading for the door. "Make it fast. I want her gone in minutes."

The moment the door shut, the atmosphere changed immediately. The fragile Serena straightened her posture and her innocent look vanished before I could blink. She walked over to my vanity and picked up a gold lipstick with a smirk.

"You really have no taste, Evelyn," Serena remarked, her voice dripping with mockery.

"How could you do this?" I whispered, looking at my parents. "You knew? You knew she was walking this whole time?"

My mother let out a tired sigh, crossing her arms. "We knew where she was, yes. Serena needed a break from the pressure, and she deserved to be happy. If that meant letting Charlie believe his own theories about the accident, then so be it."

"You let him break me!" I screamed, the betrayal cutting deeper than any of Charlie’s insults. "He treated me like a criminal for three years! He hated me because he thought I was behind all this and you just… watched?"

"It was for the best, Evelyn," my father said coldly. "Serena was always the one with the future. Charlie’s obsession with her kept our business ties with the Thornes strong. You were always the black sheep, the quiet one no one would miss. It was a small price to pay for your sister’s happiness."

Serena laughed happily as she walked towards me. "I told them I wouldn't come back until I was ready to be a bride, not a patient. I wanted to see if you could actually make him love you, but look at you. You’re pathetic. You spent three years being my shadow, and he still couldn't wait to throw you away the second I stood up."

The weight of their combined hatred pressed down on me so bad that I struggled to breathe. I had always thought that perhaps my family would grow to love me, but now I got the message clearly. All the pain I had nursed since I was small slowly began to dull as I accepted my fate. They hadn't just used me. They had sacrificed me and felt no remorse.

With a shaky breath, I walked over to the table and grabbed the pen that was attached to the document. With one last look at my family, I signed my name without caring to read the divorce.

"There," I said, tossing the pen on the floor. "I hope you all get exactly what you deserve."

“You’re going to thank us for this one day, you just watch.” My dad said, like they didn't just betray me. “You’re doing this for family and it’s actually a privilege—”

“I don’t want to hear any more of your words,” I said with a coldness that made everyone stunned. My whole life, I never dared to talk back to them or even justify myself, but not anymore.

Without wasting more time, I reached for the suitcase I had packed earlier, took one last look at them, and walked out of the door with a mind of my own.

This was far from over.