Chapter 102

In the days that followed, I made a conscious effort to regain my sense of agency. I threw myself into my work, channeling my

frustration into every task I tackled. Aria and Lucas were by my side, offering unwavering support as I navigated the aftermath of

the revelations.

Bruce was still in the hospital, and the authorities were waiting to question him. whenever he woke up.

If he woke up, of course. It was slowly occurring to me that Timothy had indeed. hit him with his car, causing spinal damage and

a head fracture. Whether those would be crippling in the near future was a consequence I didn’t entirely reject.

One evening, as the sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in shades of orange and pink, I found myself standing by the

window, lost in thought.

Aria joined me at the window, offering a mug of hot chocolate. “You've been cooped up all day. Have you been out at all, besides

for work?”

I shook my head, a mixture of emotions churning within me. “I’m trying. It’s just...

hard.”

On the couch, Lucas took a sip of his mug, whipped cream rubbing off on his lips. “Evie, you need to find yourself. You can’t hide

forever.”

“I'm not hiding.” I said, my fingers tracing patterns on the edge of my cup. “I’ve just been busy.”

Lucas leaned forward, his gaze intense. “You shouldn't even be at work right now. Do they not give out vacations at your firm?”

“Not like she’d take them,” Aria retorted. “You need to get out there, Evie.”

Lucas nodded in agreement. “Yeah! Get dolled up, go to a bar, and just have a good. time. Maybe even meet some strapping

men on your way?”

I hesitated, the thought of stepping into the world again a daunting one. Even meeting another man out there, when Timothy had

taken up so much of my focus, was slightly terrifying. More discretely, I wasn’t exactly enthusiastic about shifting that focus.

But the resolve in their eyes mirrored the determination growing within me.

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Ultimately, I felt myself break under the pressure of it.

The next evening, I stood in front of my mirror, a mixture of excitement and uncertainty swirling within me. My reflection stared

back, though she was more polished than she felt. My lipstick was a striking red and my eyes were outlined with a dusky

eyeshadow.

As I got ready, I scrolled through my social media feed, the images of Timothy’s newfound hero status glaring back at me. It was

a bitter pill to swallow-the realization that he was being celebrated while I was still grappling with the aftermath of his betrayal.

Something shifted within me when I looked at those images. The irritation I had felt before transformed into a simmering

determination. If Timothy could reinvent himself, then I could do the same.

With a newfound sense of purpose, I headed to the bar that Aria had

recommended. The place was alive with laughter, music, and the energy of people seeking to escape their own realities. The air

was thick.

with possibility, and I was determined to seize it.

As I entered the bar, my heart raced. I felt a mixture of excitement and anxiety, the sensation of being in an unfamiliar territory

after being cocooned in misery for several days.

my own

But then, as if fate was testing me, I spotted him. Timothy. He was there, his presence like a ghost from my past. My pulse

quickened, and my fingers tightened around the strap of my purse.

I took a deep breath, my resolve firming. This was my chance-to show him, and myself, that I was not defined by the role he had

cast me in.

sat at the bar and ordered a drink to start the night out. Hopefully some liquor would help me case my way into the night. I

planned on being more spontaneous.

As the night wore on, I felt the glances, the curiosity of those around me. It was as if they sensed the

change in me, the transformation that was unfolding beneath the surface. The bust of my dress dipped low enough to expose a

good amount of cleavage, and curious eyes certainly lingered there whenever I greeted passing patrons.

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A

Chapter 102

Timothy was one of those curious eyes. He was seated at a table across the room, surrounded by hockey friends and likely

female fans of his. They were draped over him, but he kept his eyes trained on me with an amusing intensity.

And then, just as I had hoped, Timothy slid out of his seat and started approaching me. His expression was strained as he

tapped me on the shoulder. “Evie?”

I turned to face him, attempting to keep my voice low and seductive. Timothy. When did you get here?” He shifted uncomfortably,

his guilt evident in the lines of his face. “I thought you saw me.”

I shrugged, my gaze steady. “Well, you kind of blended in. There's already a lot to look at in this bar

His eyebrow twitched and I felt a smirk emerge on my lips. Pushing his buttons had a surprising draw to it. It was liberating,

reminding him of the pain he had caused.

“This bar is okay, but I wouldn’t say it’s the best in terms of quality,” he mumbled, narrowing his eyes. “Hopefully you weren’t

looking for that here.”

I was prepared to shoot down his assumptions, but then I spotted him—a man. sitting at the bar, his eyes locked onto mine. He

was attractive, his blonde hair tousled just enough to be intentional, and his eyes a striking blue. Most importantly, he was very

interested in me.

I felt a smile tugging at the corners of my lips as I turned back to Timothy. “I think it’s time for me to move on,” I said, my voice

laced with a challenge.

He watched me, a mixture of emotions flickering in his eyes. “Evie, please...

I held his gaze for a moment, not feeling the closure that I had been desperate to reach. Right as I felt myself wavering beneath

his gaze, I shut it down.

“I've got better things to do right now,” I said, my voice low and hoarse.

With that, I turned away, my heart racing as I walked toward the man at the bar. I felt his eyes on me, an unspoken invitation that

drew me closer.

As I reached him, a smile formed on his lips. “Mind if I join you?” I asked.

He shook his head with a smile. “Not at all.”

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