Chapter 106
Charles stood rooted to the spot, his face a mask of icy calm, as if he were carved from stone. He didn’t flinch when Evelyn’s first whip cracked against him. Instead, he turned slightly, his deep, inscrutable eyes fixing on her pale face and the tears of anger welling in her eyes.
His gaze held a storm of emotions too complex to unravel. He let Evelyn continue her action as if oblivious to the pain, allowing her to release her fury. Rosa sat nearby, watching silently, choosing not to intervene.
From the first strike, Rosa’s heart felt heavy. She couldn’t believe Evelyn had it in her to lash out at Charles and so harshly at that. More than anyone, Rosa knew how deeply Evelyn loved Charles. She watched Evelyn’s anger-fueled strikes and remembered Evelyn’s early days with the Jenkins family. She’s so cautious and on edge back then.
Rosa was worried Evelyn would be mistreated, so she’d asked Charles to look after her. Charles, ever obedient, agreed. Initially, Evelyn was terrified of Charles, but when Sena trapped her in the basement, and Charles rescued her, everything changed. Evelyn started trailing after him.
Charles, who had grown withdrawn after turning ten, rarely let anyone close. But with Evelyn, he was different-more protective and caring than Rosa had ever expected. As they grew older, Evelyn’s admiration for Charles evolved into something deeper, more akin to the stirrings of first love.
Evelyn thought she hid her feelings well, but every glance at Charles gave her away. She didn’t care about family status or background. Rosa had watched Evelyn grow up into a sweet, kind-hearted girl who loved Charles fiercely. In Rosa’s eyes, Evelyn was perfect for him. Back then, Evelyn was the only girl who could get close to Charles, and Rosa hoped for their relationship to blossom.
Then Dahlia came into the picture, and Charles changed. Evelyn, however, remained constant. Even as Charles hurt her time and again for Dahlia, Evelyn’s love for him stayed strong. Now, Evelyn’s eyes no longer held love. They were resentful. She hated Charles after he locked her in the dreaded basement for Dahlia’s sake, breaking her heart completely.
Evelyn was truly ready to give up on him, and Rosa felt a deep sadness.
As another lash ended, the whip fell from Evelyn’s trembling hand. She had pushed herself beyond her limits. Her heart didn’t want to stop, but her body had given out. Her chest heaved with exertion, and she struggled to catch her breath. Exhausted, she couldn’t lift her arm anymore.
Charles, who had been watching her intently, spoke softly, “Are you done? Can we move past this?”
Evelyn understood what he meant he wanted to free Dahlia. No wonder he let her strike him. It was all for Dahlia. Her grip on the whip tightened. Move past it? Not a chance.
With all her remaining strength, she tried to lash out again, but dizziness overtook her. The whip slipped from her grasp as her legs buckled and darkness closed in.
“Eve!” Rosa cried out as Charles
instinctively reached for Evelyn.
Despite the pain in his back, he had
no hesitation. He caught her just before she hit the ground, pulling her into his arms. The weight of her frail body made his brow crease imperceptibly. She felt lighter than before.
Ignoring his own bleeding wounds, Charles carried Evelyn into his room and gently laid her on the bed. Rosa had already called for Dr. Nelson, who arrived swiftly.
“Mr. Charles, let me tend to your wounds,” Dr. Nelson said, his eyes filled with concern as he saw Charles’ blood-stained shirt.
“See to her first,” Charles replied, stepping aside to reveal Evelyn lying unconscious.
“Yes, sir,” Dr. Nelson said, though
worried about Charles, he obeyed
and examined Evelyn. “Ms. E net
fainted due to prolonged heart arrhythmia and emotional stress. Her body needs time to recover.”
Rosa’s anger flared at the reminder of Evelyn’s condition. She struck Charles’ leg.with her cane. Her voice sounded sharp with reprimand. “This is your doing! You let that woman Dahlia lead you astray, locked Eve up, and nearly caused her death!”