- 5.
Chad was partying hard at the club, Sierra
giggling in his arms, but for the first time, it
all felt empty.
Something about Evie’s eyes before she left
made him uneasy.
They’d fought, they’d screamed, they’d broken
things.
Chad always knew how to win Evie back.
But this time, she was too calm.
Chad wanted to call, but he remembered
she’d blocked his number.
<
The feeling of unease grew stronger, and he
lost interest in the party.
He was about to head home when Sierra
grabbed his arm.
“Where are you going so early? There are so
many fun things we haven’t tried yet!”
“I have to take Evie to see her mom
tomorrow, need to get some rest.”
Chad had just gotten up when one of his
friends looked up, curious.
“Her mom? You mean Mrs. Jiang? Didn’t she
die a month ago? I saw Evie at the hospital,
crying her eyes out. It broke my heart.”
Sierra pouted, glaring at Chad.
“You’re lying. You just want to be with that
bitch. You’re making excuses!”
“No, I’m not! I swear!” Chad got up but Sierra
held him and pleaded, holding Chad’s arm as
she whined.
Chad shoved her away, grabbed his friend by
the collar.
“What did you say? Say it again!”
“I… I didn’t say anything…”
The flashing lights hid Chad’s face, made it
hard to see what he was really thinking.
Then Chad smashed a bottle, told the DJ to
shut off the music.
He practically growled, “Say it again!”
Everyone was startled by Chad’s reaction.
His friend stuttered, “I said Mrs. Jiang died a
month ago. Evie was really upset.”
A month ago…
Chad felt like he’d been struck by lightning.
Evie had been acting weird since then.
The unease turned into something deeper, a
fear that went all the way to his bones.
Chad grabbed his keys and stormed out.
Sierra begged, cried, did everything she
could, but Chad didn’t even look at her.
He drove home, his heart pounding, terrified.
<
And when he got there, his worst fears were
confirmed.
Evie wasn’t there.
And everything he’d ever given her was gone.
Chad frantically searched the house.
He looked in every room, found nothing but
the divorce papers and the lawsuit.
He saw his name, “Chad Lancaster,” written
on those papers.
The man who never feared anything suddenly
felt his legs give out.
He collapsed.
A month ago, he’d signed those divorce
papers.
He’d been so smug, thinking he’d calmed Evie
down.
But with every stroke of the pen, he’d cut
their connection.
After a moment of shock, Chad grabbed his
phone and called Evie.
L
He used different numbers, asked friends for
help, but he always got the same answer.
“I’m sorry, the number you have reached is no
longer in service.”
Chad’s hands shook uncontrollably.
Tears streamed down his face.
He looked around, lost, not knowing where to
find Evie.
He’d fallen for her instantly, a purely physical
attraction.
But over time, it had become something he
couldn’t let go.
He knew Evie loved him more than anything.
That’s why he’d thought he could get away
with the open marriage.
He knew Evie would never betray him.
He knew, with her mom around, Evie would
never leave.
But fate had other plans.
Mrs. Jiang died, and Evie’s heart broke.
く
She left, hurt, but determined.
Chad trashed the house, smashing everything
he could find.
Then he called in every favor he had.
He gave one order.
“Find Evie. No matter what it takes, find her.”
