hapter 20
Brandon Caldwell’s black sedan followed the white SUV from a distance, not too close, not too far. Rain streaked down the windshield in uneven waves, but his eyes never left that car–his knuckles white against
the steering wheel.
The SUV turned into a gated apartment complex and came to a stop at the base of a six–story residential
building.
He saw Evelyn Parker step out of the car, and Ryan Hays circled around with an umbrella. The umbrella tilted instinctively toward her, like muscle memory, like he’d done it a hundred times before.
It wasn’t just the umbrella.
It was the ease.
The intimacy.
What made Brandon’s blood boil was the next scene–Evelyn took the keys and unlocked the entry door
with ease.
They live together?
Brandon slammed the door and sprinted through the rain, his clothes instantly drenched.
“Evelyn!”
The two of them turned at the same time, caught mid–step on their way upstairs.
Evelyn’s lips pressed into a hard, silent line the moment she saw him.
“You’re living with him now?” Brandon’s voice boomed through the rain. “Barely a few months apart and you’re already shacking up with this guy?”
Ryan stepped forward, calm but firm. “Mr. Caldwell, I think you need to calm down.”
“Get the hell out of my way!” Brandon snapped–and swung.
His fist landed squarely on Ryan’s jaw.
The umbrella fell to the ground with a splash.
“Brandon!” Evelyn shoved him back, crouching beside Ryan, “Are you okay?”
Ryan wiped the blood from his mouth and shook his head. “It’s fine. I’ve had worse.”
Rain streamed down Brandon’s face, dripping from his soaked hair. He stood at the foot of the stairwell, watching Evelyn help Ryan up
Chapter 20
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SHE IS LIVE NOW ON tango
“Have you lost your damn mind?” Evelyn stood protectively in front of Ryan. “Does throwing punches make you right?”
Her voice was sharp, unwavering.
“Is that all you’ve got left?”
Brandon panted heavily. “Are you two living together?”
“And what if we were?” Evelyn pulled a key from her pocket. “Take a good look. This is Claire’s apartment. I’m in the guest room. Ryan’s crashing at his sister’s place. Still want to be jealous?”
Ryan tugged on Evelyn’s sleeve gently. “Come on, let’s just go upstairs.”
Brandon gripped the stair railing. “Evelyn. Please. We need to talk.”
“Talk about what?” She turned on him, eyes blazing. “About how you tricked me into signing those divorce papers? About how your mother made my life hell for two years? Or about how you swore there was nothing between you and Vanessa–right before you slept with her?”
“I know I messed up!” Brandon’s voice cracked. “I never wanted a real divorce. I was going to rescind the filing–I swear I was.”
Evelyn let out a sharp, bitter laugh. “Then why didn’t you?”
His mouth opened–but no words came out.
“Let me tell you why,” she descended the stairs slowly, one step at a time. “Because back then, listening to your mother was easier. Because you thought I would never leave. Because-”
She paused on the final step, face level with his. “Because you never cared enough.”
From above, Ryan called down, “Evelyn? They’re locking the hallway door soon.”
“I’m coming,” she replied without looking back.
She turned to Brandon. “Leave. Don’t come looking for me again.”
Brandon reached out, desperate, and grabbed her wrist.
“I can’t live without you,”
“Let go.” Her tone turned to ice.
“No.”
Ryan came flying down the stairs. “She said let go.” Brandon lunged again.
This time, Ryan dodged, and the two of them crashed into each other, grappling beneath the pounding rain.
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“Stop it!” Evelyn shoved herself between them. “Brandon, that’s enough!”
Brandon glared at her, soaked and furious. “So that’s it? You’re really choosing him? Seven years together, and now I’m nothing compared to some guy you’ve known a few months?”
“Seven years?” Evelyn let out a cold laugh. “The last two, your mother spilled boiling water on my hands- and you told me to endure it. I got four hours of sleep a night taking care of her–and you said it was my
duty.”
Her voice trembled, but her eyes never left his. “And now you want to talk about love?”
A window above creaked open. A neighbor stuck their head out and shouted, “Hey! It’s the middle of the night! Shut up already!”
Ryan gently took Evelyn’s hand. “Come on.”
She pulled her wrist free from Brandon’s grip. “I’m tired. I really am. These past two years drained every last
ounce of love I had for you.”
“I’m tired, Brandon. Really tired.”
She turned away and climbed the stairs, her voice trailing behind her.
“Don’t come back.”
Brandon stood in place, watching the hallway lights flicker on floor by floor… until they stopped on the
third.
Then darkness again. The rain poured harder.
He stayed there, soaked to the bone, eyes fixed on that dark window above.
It was a long time before he finally turned…
and walked back to his car, alone..
Chapter 20
King or Clown Move aside! I’ll show you my crown!
