Chapter 2

Evelyn POV

The screen of my phone illuminated the darkness of my bedroom as I waited for Cassidy's reply. After catching Bryce with Serena, I'd texted my best friend immediately. My fingers trembled slightly as Cassidy's reply appeared.

[So, you actually saw them together on video call?]

I typed quickly, my fingers hitting the keys with nervous energy: [Yes. I tried to FaceTime Bryce to ask when he'd be home. Serena answered his phone. She showed me Bryce naked beside her in bed, sound asleep.]

[That woman must have insulted you. Don't take her words to heart, and don't be sad over a man like Bryce,] Cassidy texted back, her concern evident even through the digital interface.

[Don't worry, I'm not that fragile,] I responded, though my heart told a different story. Despite our marriage being arranged between families, I had fallen for Bryce the moment I first saw him as a young girl. The reality of his betrayal cut deeper than I would ever admit, even to Cassidy.

[Perfect... Remember our plan. Connor says this video evidence could be crucial for the settlement.]

[Don't worry, I understand,] I responded, a tear sliding down my cheek as I typed.

[Tomorrow when I come over to accompany you.]

[Thank you,] I typed, clutching the phone to my chest for a moment in gratitude.

[Don't thank me. That's what friends are for. Get some rest now.]

I set my phone down and exhaled deeply, my shoulders slumping forward. The image of Bryce's peaceful face as he slept beside another woman burned in my mind. My fingers dug into the bedsheets as silent sobs shook my body. Tomorrow couldn't come soon enough.

As I lay in bed, I hugged my pillow tightly to my chest, imagining it was Bryce—the Bryce I had once believed in, not the man who had become my tormentor. For countless nights, I had wished for his companionship, for his arms around me, for the warmth of someone who cared. Instead, I had this cold, empty bed and a pillow that couldn't hug back.

Eventually, I drifted into an uneasy sleep, my dreams filled with running down endless corridors, my mouth open in silent screams. In these nightmares, I searched desperately for someone—anyone—but the hallways remained empty, echoing back only the silence of my own voiceless cries.

The sound of running water woke me. Bryce was home, showering in the master bathroom. I bolted upright, heart racing. My hands fumbled with my hair, smoothing it down as I hurried to the kitchen to prepare his breakfast.

Five minutes later, he appeared, freshly showered and dressed in a suit. He sat down without acknowledging me and began eating while scrolling through his phone. A stupid smile played on his lips—probably texting Serena. My stomach twisted at the sight.

I moved into his line of vision and signed: [Good morning.] My hands formed the gestures with a hopeful hesitancy that disgusted even me.

He glanced up for a second, then looked back at his phone, deliberately ignoring me. My hands fell limply to my sides. I sighed and lowered my head, pushing the food around my plate without appetite, my throat too tight to swallow.

When Bryce finished eating, he stood to leave. I also stood and approached him, my heart hammering with anxiety at the proximity.

"What do you want, Evelyn?" he asked irritably, his voice sharp enough to make me flinch. When he realized I was only adjusting his tie, he just sighed.

I signed: [Have a good day.] My fingers trembled slightly, betraying my nervousness.

"I always have a good day when you're not around," he replied sarcastically, then turned and walked away coldly, not even bothering to look at me again.

My eyes filled with tears as I watched his retreating back. Even now, after all his cruelty, some foolish part of me still yearned for his approval, his affection. I raised my hands again, signing to his departing figure: [Goodbye, Bryce.] A gesture he would never see, words he would never care about.

The doorbell rang just as I was composing myself. It was Cassidy, my friend and senior editor at Potomac Fashion magazine. Seeing her familiar face sent a wave of relief through me so intense I nearly staggered.

[Hello, Cass,] I signed.

"Hi, Evie. That bastard's gone, right?" She hugged me and kissed my cheek, then pulled back, her hands on my shoulders as she studied my face carefully. "You look pale. Are you okay? Your eyes are red."

I shook my head dismissively, not wanting to worry her, and signed: [Yes. Just tired.]

"Good that he's gone. I couldn't bear to see him this early—it'd ruin my whole day," she said, revealing bags of brunch from my favorite Georgetown restaurant. Her voice softened. "Oh, and sorry for the late 'happy birthday', my dear friend!"

I smiled and hugged her tightly, my body trembling slightly against hers as I fought back tears of gratitude. She was the only person who remembered, who cared enough to celebrate with me.

We settled at the dining table, and as Cassidy unpacked the food, I retrieved the encrypted USB drive from my desk drawer.

[Here, these are the recordings,] I signed, placing it in her hand.

"Excellent," Cassidy smiled, squeezing my hand reassuringly. "I'll give these to Connor so we can finish preparing your divorce papers. You're doing the right thing, Evie. I'm so proud of you for standing up for yourself."

We ate while Cassidy told me about the latest fashion industry gossip, her animated stories bringing a genuine smile to my face for the first time in days. The food was delicious—so different from the meals I prepared according to Bryce's exacting standards.

"What do you say we go for a walk by the river after this?" Cassidy suggested. "It's beautiful outside today."

I hesitated, then nodded eagerly. [That sounds wonderful. I haven't been out to enjoy life for quite a long time.]

"That's exactly the problem," Cassidy said, putting down her fork. "You shouldn't always stay in this apartment that Bryce barely spends time in. You deserve to live your life, Evelyn."

The park along the Potomac River was indeed beautiful. The gentle breeze carried the scent of flowering trees, and sunlight danced on the water's surface. For a moment, I felt something close to peace.

[This is nice,] I signed to Cassidy as we walked along the riverbank. [I'd forgotten how good it feels to just be outside.]

"You should do this more often," Cassidy replied. "You've been cooped up in that apartment like it's a cage. Life exists beyond those walls, beyond Bryce's control."

Her words resonated with something deep inside me—a longing for freedom I had almost forgotten. But as I turned to respond, a sudden wave of dizziness washed over me. The world tilted alarmingly, and a sharp pain twisted in my abdomen. I reached out blindly for Cassidy, my vision darkening at the edges.

"Evelyn?" Cassidy's voice sounded distant, concerned.

I tried to sign that I was fine, but my hands wouldn't cooperate. The last thing I heard was Cassidy's panicked voice calling my name as the ground rushed up to meet me.

"Evelyn—!"