CHAPTER 3

Evan's POV

It was him. The same man I’d seen in the car, the same one who had stood outside my room.

My heart pounded wildly as he leaned closer, his eyes gleaming with something dangerous. His lips curved faintly, and when he licked them while staring at me, a shiver ran through my spine.

“Sir… who are you? Why are you sitting here?” I asked, trying to push his hand away.

But instead, his arm slid around my waist, pulling my chair flush against his.

“You’re trembling like a little hamster. Do you know how badly I want to devour you?” His low voice slithered into my ears.

My eyes widened. His grip tightened at my waist, making me flinch. I tried to get up, but his hold was unyielding. Even with only one hand, I couldn’t escape.

People were sitting everywhere, eating and drinking, yet he touched me openly—as if no one else existed.

“Why are you doing this? Let me go!” My voice cracked as I pried at his fingers, but he didn’t budge.

He leaned closer until his breath brushed my ear. “If you’re done eating… then it’s my turn.”

A chill ripped through me.

I shoved back my chair, glaring at him. “Are you insane? What kind of pervert are you?” My voice shook, but I tried to sound brave. I was a boy, after all—why should I fear another man?

He tilted his head, resting his chin on his fist as if amused. That cold expression, those predator’s eyes—they pinned me where I stood.

Panic surged. I ran.

Back in my room, I slammed the door shut, locked it, and pulled the curtains closed. My chest rose and fell with ragged breaths. Still, dread gnawed at me. What if he came? What if he didn’t stop?

I pressed my back against the wall, whispering to myself, “It’s just fear. He won’t come. He won’t—”

A knock rattled the door.

I jumped. The knock grew louder, harder—until it was banging. I clutched my ears, eyes squeezed shut. Then suddenly… silence.

When I dared to peek from the curtain, my breath caught.

He was standing there. Outside my window. Watching me.

Before I could move, the lock clicked from the other side. The door swung open, and two bodyguards filled the doorway.

“No… no, no!” I backed away, but it was useless.

The last thing I saw was him stepping inside, shadows stretching behind him.

And then—darkness swallowed everything.

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When I woke the next morning, I was lying on the bed. My whole body ached. Bruises and marks covered my skin, and my lips trembled as the memories crashed back.

He had left me shattered.

I dragged myself into the bathroom. The mirror reflected a boy I barely recognized—red, swollen eyes, bruises on my neck, bite marks trailing down my skin. Tears blurred my reflection.

I scrubbed at my body until my skin burned, but I couldn’t wash away the feeling of his touch.

“Hic… why me? Why?” My knees gave out, and I collapsed on the cold tiles, sobbing until my voice broke.

Fear gnawed at me. What if he came back? I couldn’t stay here. With trembling hands, I packed my luggage.

When I slipped out, I saw his car still parked outside. My heart lurched, but I forced myself into a taxi and didn’t look back.

By the time I reached home, I was hollow.

Mom’s voice cut through the haze. “Evan? Why are you back so soon?”

I hadn’t planned to tell anyone. I thought I’d bury it all deep inside. But when I saw her face, the dam broke.

I collapsed into her arms, sobbing. “Mom… did I do something wrong? Why did that man do this to me?”

Her body stiffened, then she held me tightly. “What happened?”

Through broken words, I told her everything.

She wanted to go to the police, but how? We didn’t even know his name. Still, she took me to the hospital.

Even afterward, I couldn’t step outside. Fear kept me locked in my room. Every night, nightmares jolted me awake—his shadow, his eyes, his voice whispering in my ear.

A week passed. Nothing changed.

Then, one night, I gathered my courage to step out. Mom and Dad were in the living room, the TV playing louder than usual. Maybe they thought it would comfort me.

But as I walked in, I froze.

Dozens of bodyguards stood there.

My blood ran cold.

And on the sofa, sitting like he owned the world, was the man. A cigarette burned between his fingers. His eyes lifted—and locked on me.

The moment my eyes met his, my legs gave out and I collapsed to the floor.

“Evan!” Mom cried, rushing toward me.

She and Dad lifted me up, and I clung tightly to Mom’s arm, trembling.

“What do you want? How dare you barge into someone’s house like this?” Dad shouted.

But the man’s eyes never left me. He took another drag of his cigarette, exhaling slowly, as if nothing else existed but me.

“Didn’t you miss me?” he asked, his gaze locked on mine.

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