Chapter 110

Evelyn's fingernails dug into her palms the moment Ethan uttered the name "Vincent Lowell."

Her gaze turned glacial. "That entire family deserves to die."

Ethan studied her reaction carefully. "Do you need me to handle them for you?"

"No." Her refusal was absolute. "I'll settle this debt with them personally."

The warm restaurant lights cast shadows across her tense profile.

Ethan swallowed hard. "Did they...treat you badly?"

A cold laugh escaped her lips as she stared into the darkness beyond the window.

Suddenly, exhaustion weighed on her—perhaps from the exquisite steak, or maybe Ethan's uncharacteristically gentle expression.

"I'll never forgive them." Her voice was feather-light. "Why should I have endured all that?"

His fingers tightened unconsciously. "Can you tell me...about your childhood?"

Evelyn leaned back against the sofa, her hollow eyes fixed on the ceiling.

"Just the tired old tale of favoring sons over daughters." Her tone was eerily calm. "Brandon was their golden child, while I...was worth less than a dog."

Ethan's heart constricted painfully.

"Your claustrophobia..." He struggled to form the words. "Was it from that kidnapping?"

Her head snapped toward him, eyes sharp as daggers.

"I don't remember." Her lips twisted. "But I'll never forget being locked in that psychiatric ward's solitary confinement."

Her fingers began trembling uncontrollably.

That episode in the pitch-black bathroom had confirmed one thing—the terror never truly left.

Ethan's breathing grew ragged. "You were actually...kidnapped?"

"Five days." Her voice could freeze hell itself. "When I finally escaped, they said..."

Her nails drew blood from her own arms. "They wished I'd died out there."

The restaurant lights suddenly felt blinding. Evelyn narrowed her eyes.

"That day, I made a vow." Each word was measured and lethal. "I'll make them repay what they owe me—tenfold."