“Mr. Finck, I’ve already prepared a gift for Grandpa Marcel. And your stomach’s been acting up lately don’t drink at the party, okay?”
Seraphina had said everything I, as Mrs. Finck, should’ve said. So, I stayed silent.
When we arrived, Seraphina got out of the car with us and was the first to greet Grandpa Marcel. He looked at her with clear fondness, his face lighting up when he saw the scroll she’d brought–an elaborate longevity painting. It was obvious this wasn’t her first time visiting.
As for me, I didn’t want to force myself into a scene I didn’t belong in.
Grandpa Marcel had never liked me. He believed I’d tricked Magnus into marrying me. That
belief had never wavered.
The painting was large–delicate and detailed.
As Seraphina pulled down its cover for Grandpa, she slowly stepped back to give him a full
view.
I tried to step out of her way, but she moved faster and bumped straight into me.
With a startled cry, she stumbled and fell down the stone steps, dragging the painting with her. The painting fell and tore in half.
Magnus immediately rushed to her side. “Sera! Are you okay?”
Seraphina clutched her arm, wincing in pain–but her gaze locked on me. She didn’t even have to say a word.
That was enough for Magnus. So, he turned to me. “Evelyn, I didn’t know you were capable of something this cruel. Apologize to Sera! Now!”
Grandpa Marcel was furious, his face turning red. The ruined painting had clearly upset him. Grandma Bella turned on me with scorn.
“Evelyn, what is wrong with you? Do you really hate this family so much that you’d make a scene at your grandfather–in–law on his birthday?”
Soon as Magnus helped Seraphina back up the steps, he approached and slapped my
-face.
I didn’t even have time to react.
His voice was icy. “I should never have spoiled you the way I did. It’s made you completely out of control. Apologize.”
I held my cheek and slowly looked up–only to catch the faint, triumphant smile on Seraphina’s lips.
I didn’t even want to defend myself anymore.
I lifted my head and looked directly at Magnus. “I’m sorry. It was my fault.” Then I added,
“Well? Are you all satisfied now?”
With that, I walked away.
:
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Magnus’s expression faltered. His lips parted slightly, like he wanted to say something, bu
he didn’t.
I made it alone to the front gate, but just as I was stepping outside, a car pulled up in front of me, blocking my way.
The back window rolled down.
It was Sven. His voice was low, “Get in.”
Before I could respond, I heard Magnus calling from behind me. “Evelyn!”
I turned to see him standing a few feet away, his expression cold, dark.
“I dare you to get in that car.‘
Chapter 6
I hesitated at first then opened the door and got in.
Behind me, Magnus‘ voice grew louder. “Evelyn! Get out of that car right now!”
I didn’t move.
Sven suddenly leaned in close. He gently turned my face toward the light, his fingers brushing the side of my cheek.
His brows knitted together when he saw the mark. “He hit you?” His voice was quiet, but full of restrained anger.
He suddenly unbuckled his seatbelt, clearly ready to get out of the car.
I grabbed his arm. “What are you doing?”
He turned back to look at me, his face tense. “What do you think?”
God–was he really going to fight Magnus? For me?
I kept my voice low. “Just drive. I don’t want to be here anymore.”
And I really didn’t want to see Magnus again.
Sven paused, but then finally turned the key and pulled away.
In the rearview mirror, I saw Magnus striding toward the car. “Evelyn! If you leave now, don’t bother coming back!”
uss ning
His voice rang out behind us like a final warning.
I turned in my seat and looked back at Magnus. “Fine.”
Not sure if he heard it, but I meant every word.
I had already made up my mind. I was going to divorce Magnus. I didn’t plan on going back to that house ever again.
Sven drove fast the entire way. He seemed filled with anger, though I had no idea where it was coming from. He’d always been calm and collected; this was the first time I’d seen him so on edge.
I pulled a cigarette from my bag and held it up toward him. “Mind if I smoke?”
Sven shook his head.
I lit it and rolled the window halfway down. As soon as I did, he eased off the gas. Cold wind rushed in and hit me square in the face.
I exhaled a long trail of smoke before speaking. “You got a place I can crash? I’ve just been kicked out and need somewhere to stay–for now.”
He glanced over at me briefly. “Yeah.”
Just one word.
By the time I finished my cigarette, Sven had already pulled over.
“I’ve got a small apartment,” he said. “I use it sometimes when work keeps me too busy to go home. Someone comes by to clean it regularly. You can stay there.”
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go home, someone comes by to clean it regularly. You can stay there
He led me upstairs.
On the way, I asked him, “Sven, why did you decide to become a lawyer?”
Considering his background, he should’ve been set to take over the family business.
He held the elevator for me, then stepped in and turned to face me. “Wasn’t that your dream?”
His words froze the smile on my face. I looked down and let out a bitter laugh. “Yeah. I almost forgot.”
Besides being Mrs. Finck, I was still Evelyn.
I’d studied law and political science in college. I did well–so well that one of my professors had suggested I go into the judicial system.
Unfortunately, I was young and foolish. Right after graduation, I stepped into the role everyone envied–Mrs. Finck.
Just like that, my entire world began to revolve around Magnus. Ten years of my life spent serving him, only to be treated as trash in the end.
Well, maybe Magnus was right. Looking back now, I kind of agree.
Out of habit, I reached into my bag for another cigarette, but the elevator dinged and opened before I could light it. I ended up just fiddling with it in my hand.
Sven, who stood nearly a head taller than me, looked down and caught the motion. “Craving one already?”
I didn’t really know. So, probably I did.
Sven then opened the room’s door and stepped inside.
The place wasn’t big, but it was spotless–neatly kept, everything in its place.
Sven told me to sit down, then disappeared for a moment and came back with a first–aid
kit.
“The swelling’s pretty bad. You need something on it.”
He sat down beside me, opened the kit and started rummaging through it for disinfectant and some anti–inflammatory ointment.
“I can do it myself,” I said, reaching out–but he didn’t let go.
He interjected, “Can you even see it clearly? Let me.”
I leaned back slightly into the couch and he naturally moved in closer. With his face so near, I could feel his breath brushing against my cheek.
Our eyes met. I tensed up instantly. “Seriously, I can handle it.”
“Don’t move,” he said, still focused, dabbing the disinfectant gently onto the bruise. When he finished cleaning the wound, he applied the ointment with the same careful touch. His fingertips were cool against my skin and it startled me–made me a little
nervous.
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Don’t move he said, still focused, dabbing the disinfectant gently onto the bree
When he finished cleaning the wound, he applied the ointment with the same careful touch. His fingertips were cool against my skin and it startled me–made me a little
nervous.
Just as he finished, he suddenly looked up at me. “You didn’t fight back?”
I turned my head, avoiding his gaze and gave a half–hearted smile. “I’ll go get a medical report later–file a domestic abuse complaint.”
Sven’s expression turned serious. “You mean that? If you’re serious, I can help you.”
I let out a short laugh and reminded him, “Sven, have you forgotten? He’s your best friend.
I pointed back and forth between the two of us. “You and me, what even is this?”
I added jokingly, “You’re not even married. Don’t let me take advantage of you.”
Sven’s face didn’t waver. There was a steadiness in his eyes. “You and I,” he said, “we were something too.”
He meant a life together. A real one.
I didn’t know how to respond.
He was too sure and that certainty made me nervous.
My phone started ringing again in my bag. It hadn’t stopped all this time.
