Chapter 242

The familiar scent of my lavender-scented candles enveloped my apartment as I stepped through the door. It had been a long night, and despite the long shower, the fatigue still clung to me. Still, I wanted to do anything but stay home.

As I walked into the kitchen to grab an apple from the fruit bowl on the counter, I heard Aria’s teasing voice coming from the living room.

"Look who decided to grace us with her presence," Aria chimed, lounging on the couch with a mischievous grin.

I rolled my eyes playfully, setting my bag down by the door. "Yeah, yeah, laugh it up. I’ll have you know that we had a really productive discussion."

Aria's smirk turned into a knowing grin. "Mm-hmm, 'discussion’. I’m sure Timothy is a great communicator.”

I cut her off with an exasperated laugh. "Oh, shut up, Aria. You already know what happened."

“Yeah," she teased, wiggling her eyebrows suggestively. “But you never give me the juicy details!”

I chuckled, shaking my head. "You have your own love life, Aria! You don’t need to live through mine."

But then Aria's expression shifted, the playful glint in her eyes softening into concern. I wondered briefly if I’d said something wrong, but her expression was more pensive than hurt.

"Hey, are you really okay, though?"

Her question caught me off guard, the weight of her words sinking in. Aria wasn't just poking fun at me now; she genuinely wanted to know how I was holding up. The thoughtfulness in her voice tugged at my heart.

"I... I'm trying to be," I admitted, my gaze dropping to the floor. "It's been strange, you know, with Bruce… gone."

Aria sat up, concern etched across her features. "Evie, I'm sorry. I know it probably feels weird, but at least he can’t harm you anymore."

I nodded, grateful for her empathy. "Yeah, he can’t. But I just want to move past it, focus on work, and forget everything that happened."

Aria reached out, placing a comforting hand on my shoulder. "You don't have to pretend with me, you know. I'm here for you."

I managed a small smile, touched by her sincerity. "Thanks, Aria. I appreciate it more than you know."

For a moment, the weight on my shoulders seemed a little lighter, knowing I had someone like Aria by my side. But the solemn atmosphere was swiftly disrupted by her mischievous grin returning.

"Okay, serious talk over. So, spill it! Did Timothy at least bring coffee in the morning? You know, after all that ‘conversation’?" she teased, nudging me playfully.

I rolled my eyes, but a genuine laugh escaped my lips. "Yes, there was coffee. Also, a little shower time…"

Aria raised her eyebrows and squealed. "Ooo, steamy!"

The banter between us continued, the light-hearted conversation serving as a temporary escape. I allowed her to indulge in the less explicit details, and she enjoyed every second of it.

When I stepped through the revolving doors and into the office lobby, the usual hum of professional chatter seemed different.

"Evie, wait up!"

I turned to see Sarah hurrying toward me, a look of concern etched on her face. "Ugh, I’m so glad you’re alright! We heard all about what happened with your stepbrother."

My heart skipped a beat, confusion clouding my thoughts. "What are you talking about? T-That was on the news?"

Sarah's expression turned grim. "It's all over the headlines. Your stepbrother… the incident. Everyone's talking about it."

My stomach churned with unease, a mix of shock and dread flooding through me. I hadn't expected word of what happened with my stepbrother to spread so quickly, let alone make the news. Panic clawed at the edges of my mind as I tried to process the implications of this unwelcome attention it would bring.

As I made my way to my office, the atmosphere in the corridors felt different. Whispers followed me like an unwelcome shadow. Colleagues I passed glanced at me with a mix of curiosity and concern, their hushed conversations fading into a soft murmur behind me.

Once inside my office, I closed the door behind me, the click echoing louder than usual in the silence. The gentle hum of the air conditioner was the only sound in the room, a stark contrast to the chaos I felt outside. I sank into my chair, trying to steady my racing thoughts.

This wasn't how I envisioned my morning. The last thing I needed was the entire office speculating about my personal life. But the truth was out there, plastered across news outlets, exposing a part of my life I had tried so hard to keep private.

With a deep breath, I forced myself to focus on the case files sprawled across my desk. I tried to lose myself in legal jargon, in the intricacies of the cases I was handling. But the constant buzzing of my phone and the distant chatter outside my door made concentration an impossible task.

My mind raced, replaying the events of the previous night with my stepbrother, the chaos and the struggle to contain the situation. I hadn't realized how quickly the news had spread, how it had become a spectacle for the public eye.

The door creaked open, and I braced myself for another barrage of inquiries or sympathetic words, but to my surprise, it was my colleague, Thomas.

"Hey, Evie," Thomas said, stepping inside cautiously. "I heard what happened. Are you okay?"

I managed a weak smile, grateful for his concern. "I'm hanging in there, trying to focus on work."

Thomas nodded, understanding evident in his eyes. "If you need anything or want to talk, I'm here."

"Thanks, Thomas. I appreciate it."

As he left, I felt a pang of gratitude for his understanding. But the weight of the situation lingered, making it impossible to shake off the intrusive thoughts that threatened to overwhelm me.

Despite the chaos swirling around me, I forced myself to delve back into the case files, willing my mind to concentrate on the legal intricacies. The hours dragged by, each passing minute feeling like an eternity as I attempted to bury myself in my work, seeking refuge in the familiarity of legal documents and statutes.

Eventually, the office began to quiet down as the day wore on, the chatter outside my door fading into a muted murmur. I yearned for the tranquility that had eluded me all day.

Despite my efforts, the day had been a futile attempt at normalcy amidst the storm. I packed my belongings, longing for the solace of home, hoping that the chaos of the office wouldn't follow me there.

Eventually, the day had stretched into the evening. I rubbed my temples, trying to ease the tension that had settled there as I stared at the legal documents scattered on my desk.

With a heavy sigh, I admitted defeat. The strained hours had taken their toll, and I needed a break. Pushing back my chair, I gathered my belongings and shut down my computer, the screen flickering into darkness.

As I made my way out of the law firm, the echoes of my footsteps reverberated in the empty corridors. The city outside was draped in darkness, only the glow of the streetlights casting long shadows along the deserted streets.

The air felt heavy with a sense of foreboding as I stepped onto the pavement. The city never slept, but most people were sane enough not to wander the streets alone, opting to stay inside if needed. A shiver ran down my spine, an inexplicable unease settling within me as I scanned the surroundings.

My pace quickened, the desire to reach the safety of my home urging me forward. I could still smell the chloroform filling my nostrils, and the phantom hand wrapping around my neck as it pulled me away from civilization.

The sound of my own footsteps echoed louder in the eerie silence, each step resonating with an unsettling rhythm.

As I turned the corner, my heart skipped a beat. A figure stood beneath the flickering streetlight, shrouded in darkness, waiting. My breath caught in my throat, and a wave of fear washed over me.

I hesitated, uncertainty gripping me. Should I turn back? Should I call out for help? But before I could act, the figure started to move towards me, slow and deliberate steps echoing on the pavement.

I tightened my grip on my bag, trying to steady my nerves. My mind raced with possibilities, my pulse quickening with each passing second.

As the figure drew closer, the dim light revealed a silhouette—a man, tall and imposing, his features obscured by the darkness. My heart pounded in my chest, my every instinct screaming for me to flee.

"Evie," a voice called out.