4.

The Choice of Her Heart

Episode 4: A Heart That Remembers

The penthouse was silent when Evelyn stepped inside.

The soft glow of the city lights filtered through the massive glass windows, casting elongated shadows across the marble floor. She slipped off her heels, the cool surface grounding her as she exhaled slowly.

Damian hadn’t followed her up. After the car ride, he had simply said, “I have business to attend to,” before leaving in another direction. She didn’t ask where—she never did. Damian always had business, but tonight was different.

Tonight, he was giving her space.

Or maybe, he needed space himself.

Evelyn walked toward the living room, but instead of settling onto the luxurious cream sofa, she found herself drifting toward the bar. She poured herself a glass of wine, the deep red liquid swirling under the dim light.

She took a slow sip, letting the taste linger on her tongue. Anything to distract herself.

But distractions never worked for long.

Because the moment she closed her eyes, she saw him.

Lucian.

The way he had looked at her in the boardroom. Unwavering. Certain.

She set her glass down with a little more force than necessary.

Twelve years. Twelve years of silence.

And now, he had walked back into her life like he had never been gone.

A bitter smile touched her lips. Did he expect her to fall apart? To still be the girl who had once waited for him?

She wasn’t.

That girl had died the night she had realized he was never coming back.

She had rebuilt herself, piece by piece. She had learned how to be strong, how to survive. And now, she was Evelyn Whitmore, a name that meant power, a name that stood beside one of the most influential men in the world.

So why… why did her heart still ache?

She pressed her fingers against her temples. This is useless.

She wouldn’t go down this road again.

She turned, intending to walk away from the thoughts clawing at her, but then—

Her phone vibrated.

She hesitated before reaching for it.

A single message flashed across the screen.

Unknown Number: Did you really think I wouldn’t come back for you?

Her breath hitched.

She didn’t need to ask who it was. She already knew.

Lucian.

She stared at the message for a long moment, her fingers hovering over the screen.