Semua Bab My Stepbrother, My Ruin: Bab 141 - Bab 150

The warehouse smelled like rust, the decay of blood and piss. My mother had gotten back to us earlier than we thought on the precise location of Evie. She had said she was going back to Alexander to work as undercover for Victor as planned and he had been pleased.d Indeed his arrogance is his flaw. I pressed my back against the corrugated metal wall, trying to ignore the screaming pain in my shoulder as Dad's voice crackled through my earpiece."Ryder, you need to wait for backup," he said. "The tactical team is two minutes out.""Two minutes might be too long," I whispered back, checking my weapon. "I can hear voices inside. One of them sounds like Sienna.""Son, please—""Dad, if Victor realizes we're here, he might kill her before your team gets into position. I'm going in."I cut the comm line before he could argue further.The side door was unlocked—too easy, probably a trap, but I didn't have time to care. Every second I waited was another second Evie suffered.The interior w

Evie's POVAll I heard was Maya's voice playing like a radio station in my head.Your baby. I'm sorry about your baby.The words kept looping, over and over, until they became meaningless sounds that somehow carried the weight of the world."What baby?" I whispered, my voice barely audible over the pounding of my own heart.Ryder groaned, his head falling into his hands. "Maya, Nate—you need to leave. Now.""But I—" Maya started, her face pale with the realization of what she'd done."Now," Ryder said again, his voice harsh with urgency.They scrambled toward the door, Maya still clutching the balloon strings, Nate's hand on her shoulder as he guided her out. The door closed with a soft click, leaving us alone."Ryder," I said, my chest starting to tighten. "What baby was she talking about?"He moved closer to the bed, his good hand reaching for mine. "Evie, I can explain. But you need to calm down, okay? Unless you want the doctors rushing in here worried about your vitals rather tha

Evie's POVRyder looked rough, his eyes were sunken deep into his face, dark circles making him look years older than he was. He stood just inside the door like he wasn't sure he had permission to come any closer."You look terrible," I said."So do you."Despite everything, I chuckled. "Why thank you, Mr. Pot calling the kettle black.”"I try." He took a hesitant step forward. His eyes searching mine. He bit his lips, unsure of what to say. "Evie…” he said, his adam apple bobbed as he gulped, “I need to say something before you kick me out.""I'm not going to kick you out.""You should. God knows I deserve it." He ran his good hand through his hair, a gesture I'd seen him do a thousand times when he was stressed. "I made a terrible decision. The doctors told me about the pregnancy loss right after you were rescued, and I thought... I thought I was protecting you from the hurt by waiting.""You were wrong.""I know."“I had a right to know, Ryder. It was my body, my loss, my grief to

The press conference was a circus.Camera flashes exploded like fireworks as Alexander stepped up to the podium, Mom and Ryder flanking him on either side. I stood slightly behind them, my hands clasped to keep them from shaking."Thank you all for coming," Alexander began, his voice steady despite the chaos. "I've called this conference to address the recent media coverage regarding my family, and to set the record straight on several matters."A reporter shouted a question, but Alexander raised his hand."I'll take questions after my statement. First, I want to speak about my son Ryder and my stepdaughter Evie. The media has portrayed their relationship as scandalous, inappropriate, even immoral. I'm here to tell you that narrative is false."More camera flashes. I could see reporters leaning forward, hungry for details."Ryder and Evie met as adults. They developed feelings for each other before my marriage to Lorelei Hayes was finalized. They share no blood relation, no legal sibl

Evie's POVIt's surprising how fast I was at decoding something that would probably take police officers weeks to finish up.Maybe I really am in the wrong career.The thought made me laugh, though it came out more like a cough. I was sitting in Alexander's office, watching the news coverage of Victor's arrest on three different screens."Federal agents, working in coordination with Cayman Island authorities, have successfully apprehended billionaire Victor Langston at his private estate in Grand Cayman," the reporter announced. "Langston is facing multiple charges including kidnapping, conspiracy to commit murder, and racketeering."On another screen, footage showed Victor being led away in handcuffs, his face twisted with rage. He'd fought the arrest, apparently. Took six agents to subdue him.Good."In related news, Sienna Monroe has been convicted on charges of first-degree murder in the death of Elara Dovan, as well as conspiracy and assault charges related to the kidnapping of E