“Do you really love me, Evelyn? Or is this just a game to you?” Adrian asked softly.

Evelyn looked at him, her eyes wide. “Adrian… why would you say that?”

“I need to know” he said. “Because I don’t have a lot to give. No big family. No money. Just me.”

She reached across the table and took his hand. “That’s all I want”

Adrian Voss had never believed in love until he met her. Evelyn Hart. She was smart, kind and full of fire. 

Her smile could melt walls and her eyes could silence a room.

She came from a rich and powerful family. The Harts were known for money, politics and pride. 

But Evelyn… Evelyn was different.

Adrian was a trained soldier. He worked for a private security company tough jobs, quiet missions. 

He was good with his hands even better with his head. But around Evelyn, he felt like a boy with no armor.

They met on a job.

He had been hired to protect the Senator’s family during a political event. Evelyn had slipped away from the crowd, annoyed by the cameras.

“I hate fake smiles” she told him that night.

“You’re good at them” he said.

She raised a brow. “That’s not a compliment.”

“It wasn’t meant to be” he replied.

She laughed.

They sat on a rooftop weeks later, eating fast food and watching the stars.

“I don’t understand you,” Evelyn said, sipping her drink.

“What’s there to understand?” Adrian asked.

“You don’t care about the things other guys care about. Money. Cars. Fame.”

Adrian shrugged. “I care about loyalty. Truth. Silence.”

“Silence?” she smiled.

“Sometimes silence says more than words.”

She leaned her head on his shoulder. “Then I guess I’ll stop talking.”

They sat there, quiet, but the air between them was loud with something real.

Time passed. They got closer.

Evelyn started calling him every night. She told him about her day, her dreams, her fears.

“My dad wants me to marry someone from a good family” she once whispered.

“Then I guess I’m not on the list” Adrian replied, trying to joke.

But she didn’t laugh.

“No. But I want you, not them,” she said. “Will you stay, Adrian? Even if my family doesn’t want you?”

He answered without thinking. “Yes.”

“Why?”

He looked her straight in the eyes. “Because you’re the only person who ever made me feel like I’m more than just a weapon.”

Her family didn’t like him.

The Senator called him “a low-class protector.”

Her mother barely looked at him.

But Evelyn didn’t care.

“You’ll see,” she said one night. “One day they’ll understand. We’ll leave if we have to.”

He kissed her hand. “Wherever you go, I’ll follow.”

She smiled. “Even if it means giving up everything?”

Adrian nodded. “Even that.”

One morning, Evelyn called him in a panic.

“I need you. Now. Meet me at the lakeside cabin.”

Adrian grabbed his jacket and rushed out. When he got there, she was pacing.

“What’s wrong?” he asked.

“My dad... he’s in trouble,” she said.

“What kind of trouble?”

“Something about a leak. A threat. He says everything could fall apart.”

Adrian frowned. “You want me to help him?”

“I want you to help us,” she said. “This could ruin everything. And if that happens, he’ll never let me be with you.”

Adrian didn’t answer for a second. He was thinking. Slowly. Carefully.

“I’ll do whatever you need,” he said finally. “But promise me something.”

“Anything.”

“Don’t let me regret this.”

She stepped close, placing a hand on his chest. “You won’t. I swear”

Later that night, Adrian sat with Evelyn by the fire.

“I’ve never trusted anyone like this before,” he told her.

“I’ve never needed anyone like this before,” she replied.

He looked into her eyes. 

“If I have to fight for you, I will. If I have to leave everything behind, I’ll do it. Just say the word.”

Her voice was soft. “I already said it.”

And they kissed.

The next day, Adrian stood outside the Hart mansion, waiting.

Senator Marcus Hart opened the door himself.

“You again” he said coldly.

“I’m not here for your blessing,” Adrian replied. “I’m here because Evelyn asked for my help.”

The senator stepped aside slowly. “Come in.”

Inside the house, everything was quiet. Tense.

Adrian noticed papers on the table. Security files. Names. Maps.

“I understand you need a problem solved,” Adrian said.

The senator narrowed his eyes. “Are you sure you’re ready for what I’m going to ask?”

“If it’s for her, yes.”

Marcus nodded once. “We’ll talk tomorrow. I need time to think.”

Adrian turned to leave.

“Wait,” the senator said.

Adrian stopped.

Marcus looked at him with something close to respect or maybe just calculation.

“You’d give up everything for my daughter?”

Adrian answered without blinking. “Yes. Even my freedom.”

“You’d give up everything for my daughter?”

“Yes. Even my freedom,” Adrian replied, his voice steady.

Senator Marcus stared at him for a long moment. Then he smiled but it wasn’t warm.

“Good,” he said. “Because I’m going to ask you to prove it.”

The next morning, Adrian returned to the mansion. The senator had left instructions.

Evelyn wasn’t there. That felt strange.

One of the guards met him at the gate. “He’s waiting in the back room.”

Adrian followed. The guard didn’t speak. The silence felt heavy.

Inside the room, Marcus sat with two other men. One had sharp eyes. The other looked like he’d broken bones for fun.

“Sit down” Marcus said.

Adrian didn’t sit. “Where’s Evelyn?”

“She’s safe,” Marcus replied. “This isn’t about her. Not right now.”

Adrian crossed his arms. “Then what is this about?”

Marcus leaned forward. “You say you love her. You say you’d give up your freedom.”

“I would.”

“Then I have a job for you.”

Adrian’s eyes narrowed. “What kind of job?”

The man with sharp eyes handed him a brown file. “We have a leak. Someone’s been feeding our enemies information. 

If this gets out, Evelyn’s name will be ruined. Our whole legacy will fall”

Adrian opened the file. Names, pictures, locations.

“This looks like military work,” he said. “Dangerous work.”

Marcus smiled again. “That’s why I called you.”

“You want me to find this person?”

“Find him. Stop him. Silence him if you must.”

Adrian looked up. “You want me to kill him?”

“Would you rather see Evelyn dragged through the mud?” Marcus asked coldly. “You said you’d protect her. This is how.”

Adrian stared at the file. Then he nodded once. “I’ll do it.”

Marcus stood up. “Good. Your first trip is tomorrow. Pack light. Don’t ask questions. Do the job and return clean.”

The door opened behind Adrian. Two guards stepped in.

“They’ll show you your room,” Marcus said. “We’ll take care of your ID, flight, and cover story.”

Adrian didn’t move. “Tell Evelyn I said goodbye.”

Marcus paused. “She knows.”

That night, Adrian lay on the guest bed, staring at the ceiling.

He remembered Evelyn’s voice.

“You won’t regret it.”

 But something inside him felt... off.

He pulled out his phone and texted her.

 ADRIAN: Are you okay? This feels weird. Call me.

No reply.

He tried calling. No answer.

His chest tightened. He sat up and grabbed his bag. He wasn’t going to leave without seeing her.

He walked down the hallway, quiet. Guards stood near her door. He stopped a few feet away.

“I need to see Evelyn,” he said.

The guard shook his head. “She’s resting. Senator’s orders.”

Adrian frowned. “She’s not allowed to talk to me now?”

“Sorry. Go back to your room.”

Adrian stared at the door for a long moment.

Something was wrong. He could feel it.

The next morning, they flew him out to a remote town near the border.

There, he met a contact who gave him a truck, a radio, and more instructions.

The mission was real.

He found the leak. The man had been paid by a rival senator to feed information.

Adrian didn’t kill him but he made sure the man would never speak again. 

He took pictures, destroyed the files and sent everything back.

It felt dirty. But he did it. For Evelyn.

Weeks passed. New missions came.

One after the other. Tougher. Riskier.

He was no longer just protecting a family. He was doing their dirty work.

Each time he returned, they gave him more praise. But he never saw Evelyn. Not even once.

He asked for her.

“She’s traveling.”

“She’s sick.”

“She’s resting.”

Too many excuses.

One night, he cornered one of the house staff.

“Where is Evelyn? Tell me the truth.”

The maid looked scared. “She’s here, sir. But… she’s not allowed to see anyone.”

“Why not?” Adrian’s voice was sharp.

“I don’t know. The senator doesn’t want her distracted.”

Adrian stepped back. His heart beat faster.

Distracted? From what?

He needed answers.

The next day, he stormed into Marcus’s study.

“I want to see her. Now.”

Marcus looked up calmly. “You were gone for a month. What’s the rush?”

Adrian clenched his fists. “Don’t play games with me. You’ve kept me away from her.”

Marcus leaned back in his chair. “You said you’d give up your freedom. You didn’t ask for love in return.”

Adrian stepped forward. “You used me.”

“You let yourself be used,” Marcus said coldly. “You were so desperate to be accepted. You forgot to ask why we wanted you.”

Adrian’s chest tightened. “So where is she? What did you do?”

“She’s fine. But she’s not yours.”

Adrian froze.

“What?”

“You heard me,” Marcus said. “She made her choice.”

Adrian’s voice dropped. “That’s not true.”

“Oh, but it is,” Marcus said. “She’s marrying the ambassador’s son next week. Someone worthy.”

Adrian took a step back like he’d been slapped. His mouth opened, but no words came out.

Marcus stood up, slow and calm.

“You did well, soldier. But your time here is over.”

Adrian walked out of the mansion in silence. The sky was gray. His hands trembled.

He tried calling Evelyn one last time.

Still no answer.

He sat on the stone steps and looked at the house he’d once thought he belonged to.

He had given them everything.

His skill. His time. His heart.

And in return... they gave him lies.

He was about to get up when someone walked toward him from the side gate.

It was Evelyn.

She looked thinner. Her eyes tired. But she was still her.

“Adrian,” she whispered.

He stood up fast. “You’re here.”

“I’m sorry,” she said quickly, eyes filling with tears.

“You didn’t choose me?” he asked, voice cracking.

“I didn’t have a choice,” she replied. “They locked me in. Took my phone. Threatened me.”

Adrian stepped closer. “Tell me you didn’t mean it. Tell me what we had was real.”

She held his hands tightly.

“It was real,” she whispered. “But it’s too late now. They’re watching. You have to leave. Please.”

“I’m not leaving without you.”

Evelyn shook her head quickly. “Adrian no, they’ll kill you.”

He held her face. “Then come with me. Right now.”

She looked back at the house, then back at him.

“But where would we go?” she asked.

Adrian’s jaw tightened. His voice was low.

“Anywhere they can’t find us.”

“Anywhere they can’t find us,” Adrian whispered.

Evelyn looked around nervously. “We don’t have time, Adrian. I don’t even know where my passport is. They’ve locked everything.”

“I can get us out,” he said. “Trust me, just come ”

Suddenly, a sharp voice cut through the shadows.

“Not another step.”

They both turned. Senator Marcus stood by the back gate. Behind him, guards appeared from the trees ten, maybe more.

Adrian moved in front of Evelyn instinctively. “Don’t do this.”

“Oh, I’m not doing anything,” Marcus said with a mocking smile. “You already did enough.”

The guards rushed in. Evelyn screamed as Adrian was grabbed, kicked to his knees.

“What are you talking about?” Adrian shouted.

Marcus stepped forward, voice colder than ice. “You thought you could fool me? I know what you’ve done. You sold confidential data. To my enemies.”

“What?! That’s a lie!” Adrian barked. “I served you I served your family!”

“Funny,” Marcus replied, holding up a tablet. “Because we have all the proof we need.”

The next morning, Adrian was dragged into an underground room.

Evelyn wasn’t there. His hands were tied behind him. Blood trickled from his mouth. His knees ached from the kicks.

A man in uniform entered. “Name?”

“You already know it.”

The man slammed a folder on the table. 

“You’re being charged with high treason selling classified missions, leaking names, endangering national security.”

“That’s insane,” Adrian shouted. “I didn’t leak anything!”

“We found your fingerprints on the drive. And the payments ten different accounts. All connected to your name.”

“I don’t even have ten accounts!”

“You do now,” the officer said coldly. “You were sloppy, soldier.”

Adrian’s heart raced. “You’re framing me. This is all fake.”

“Tell that to the judge.”

They didn’t let him see Evelyn.

For three days, he was locked in a dark cell. No windows. Just the echo of dripping water and rats scratching nearby.

He begged to speak with her. No one listened.

On the fourth day, they dragged him to court.

It wasn’t a trial. It was a show.

Cameras. Press. People whispering.

He stood in chains.

The judge entered, stone-faced. 

“Case Number 842 – Adrian Kane. Accused of treason, conspiracy, and aiding enemies of the state.”

Adrian looked around.

And then he saw her.

Evelyn.

She sat in the last row, wrapped in black. Her eyes swollen. She didn’t look up.

His heart shattered.

“Evelyn!” he called out. “Tell them! Tell them I didn’t do this!”

The guards shoved him down.

Marcus took the stand.

“My family trusted him,” Marcus began. “We gave him shelter. A future. And he used that to harm us.”

“You liar!” Adrian shouted.

The crowd murmured. The judge slammed the gavel.

“Control your prisoner!”

Marcus continued, placing documents on the desk. 

“These transfers prove he accepted payment from our political rivals.

 These drives match his mission logs. He betrayed every order we gave him.”

Another man walked in a banker.

“Yes,” he confirmed. 

“All ten accounts were traced back to Adrian Kane. Fingerprint secured. Voice print confirmed.”

Adrian shook his head. “I never opened those accounts! This is all fake!”

The judge turned to him. “Do you deny receiving money?”

“I swear, I never touched any of it! I don’t even know where it came from!”

The judge flipped through the documents. “And yet your prints are everywhere.”

Adrian looked at Evelyn again. She was crying now, silently.

“Please” he whispered. “Say something.”

She slowly raised her eyes and met his.

And then... she looked away.

Adrian’s knees buckled. It felt worse than a bullet.

“I’m innocent,” he said quietly. “I’m innocent.”

But no one heard him.

The courtroom was already turning away.

They didn’t sentence him to prison.

That would be too easy.

Instead, they sent him to a place that didn’t officially exist.

The soldiers called it "Blackstone."

No cameras. No outside letters. No light.

A torture camp disguised as a punishment unit.

Only criminals with no future ended up there.

People said you went there to disappear.

The truck was cold and smelled like death.

Adrian sat between two guards, both silent. The road stretched endlessly.

“How long is the ride?” he asked.

No answer.

“Where are we going?”

Still nothing.

He looked out the window. The sky was gray again.

Was that how the world would always feel now?

Gray and cold?

The gates of Blackstone were iron. Rusted. Tall.

The guard at the post looked at the file and smirked. “So this is the traitor.”

Adrian clenched his jaw. “I’m not a traitor.”

“That’s what they all say,” the man said, slamming the gate shut behind him.

Inside, it was worse than Adrian imagined.

Men screamed behind steel doors.

Some were tied to posts, beaten until they passed out.

A loudspeaker echoed through the yard:

“Pain is the price of betrayal. Scream if you must. No one is listening.”

They shoved Adrian into a stone cell.

His hands were still in cuffs.

The smell of blood and mildew filled the air.

There was no bed. Just a wet floor and a metal bowl.

The guard dropped a bag. “Your food.”

Adrian opened it. Rotten bread. A half-eaten apple.

“This is it?”

The guard laughed. “You’re lucky to get that.”

As the door slammed shut, Adrian collapsed in the corner.

He touched his bruised cheek. His ribs ached.

He had no idea how they framed him.

How they got his prints. How they moved money.

None of it made sense.

And Evelyn…

She saw him. She heard everything.

Yet she said nothing.

He closed his eyes and whispered to himself,

 “I’m innocent… but no one will believe me.”