Bennett Enterprises – 6:10 AM
Elias laughed.
Blood dripped from the corner of his mouth, but he wiped it away like it was nothing.
Theo was breathing heavily, fists still clenched from the punch he had just thrown. His entire body was rigid, every muscle locked in fury.
Evelyn wasn't sure she had ever seen him like this.
And Elias?
He looked amused.
"Finally," he sighed, rolling his shoulders. "I was wondering how long it would take before you snapped."
Theo didn't speak.
Didn't move.
Elias smirked. "Tell me, brother, do you feel better now? Did that help ease the sting of betrayal?"
Theo's jaw ticked. "You don't get to call me that."
Elias raised a brow. "What, ' brother'? But that's what you are, aren't you?" He gave an exaggerated shrug. "Or at least, you were."
Evelyn's breath hitched.
Theo stiffened.
Elias smiled. "Ah. I see Kade didn't tell you the full truth."
Theo's voice was dangerously low. "What the hell are you talking about?"
Elias tilted his head, dragging out the silence before he spoke. Then, finally, he said,
"You were never supposed to be a Bennett."
Silence.
Evelyn's pulse pounded.
Theo's entire body stilled.
Elias exhaled dramatically. "See, our dear father? He had a little… moment of weakness. A mistake." He smiled cruelly. "And that mistake? Well—that was you."
Evelyn's stomach twisted.
Theo was shaking. Not with fear. Not even with rage.
But with something far worse.
Realization.
Elias continued, "Oh, don't look so shocked, Theo. You must have known, deep down. Did you really think you belonged? Did you think our father actually wanted you?" He let out a short laugh. "He didn't. But our mother? Oh, she was just so… kind. And stupid that she left u the freaking enterprise and not me so i took it or should i say snatched it"
Evelyn froze.
Elias's smirk deepened. "She raised you like one of us, didn't she? Gave you the name. The wealth. The protection. But it was all a lie."
Theo's fists clenched. His breathing was uneven, his composure cracking.
Elias took a step closer, lowering his voice.
"And when she died? Well…" His expression darkened. "There was no reason for you to exist anymore."
Theo moved so fast that Evelyn barely had time to react.
He grabbed Elias by the collar, slamming him against the desk.
Elias barely flinched. "There it is."
Theo's voice was like ice. "You are going to regret every word you just said."
Elias chuckled. "Oh, I doubt that."
Evelyn swallowed hard.
She could see it—the war raging inside Theo.
He had always been composed. Controlled. But this? This was tearing him apart.
Elias leaned closer. "Come on, Theo. You want to hit me again? Go ahead. Give in to the anger." His smile widened. "Just like our father did."
Theo's grip tightened.
Evelyn acted on instinct.
"Theo."
Her voice was soft. A whisper.
Theo didn't look at her, but his grip loosened. Just a little.
Elias sighed. "Oh, Evelyn. You ruin all the fun but no worries that is making me obsessed."
Evelyn ignored him. She stepped closer, placing a hesitant hand on Theo's arm. "This isn't you."
Theo's breathing was harsh, his eyes locked onto Elias with pure hatred.
Evelyn squeezed his arm. "He wants you to lose control."
Theo exhaled sharply.
For a long moment, he didn't move.
Then, slowly, he let go.
Elias straightened his suit, unfazed. "Smart girl. Theo u found a good ms.author and she might be mine"
Theo's voice was cold. "SHUT UP...AND I don't need to hit you to destroy you."
Elias smirked. "Now, that's the Bennett in you talking."
Evelyn clenched her fists. "You think you've won?"
Elias chuckled. "Oh, darling. I don't think. I know."
He turned back toward his desk, completely unbothered.
Then, as if it were an afterthought, he said, "Oh. And I wouldn't bother running."
Evelyn stiffened. "What?"
Elias smiled. "Because while we've been having this little chat…" He gestured toward the window. "Your escape routes? They're gone."
Theo and Evelyn turned sharply.
Outside, black SUVs lined the street. Armed men. Waiting.
Elias sighed. "It's almost impressive, Theo. You always did have a habit of walking straight into traps."
Theo's voice was quiet. "You planned this."
Elias nodded. "Of course."
Evelyn's mind raced. "What do you want?"
Elias smiled. "Isn't it obvious?"
He looked Theo straight in the eye.
"I want you to disappear."
---
Rooftop – 6:25 AM
They ran.
The second Elias's men stormed the building, Theo grabbed Evelyn's hand, pulling her through the emergency exits.
Now, they were cornered.
The rooftop stretched before them, the city below far too high to jump.
Evelyn's chest heaved. "Great plan."
Theo's jaw was clenched. "I'm working on it."
Footsteps.
Loud. Close.
Evelyn's heart pounded.
Then, she felt Theo's grip tighten.
She turned to look at him—only to find him already looking at her.
And suddenly, everything else faded.
For a moment, it was just them.
Theo's gaze softened. Just a little. "Evelyn."
She swallowed. "Yeah?"
A pause.
Then, with deadly certainty, he said,
"Trust me."
Before she could ask what he meant, he moved.
And jumped.
Evelyn's breath caught. "Theo!"
But then—a rope.
A zipline.
Evelyn's eyes widened as Theo landed onto the next building..
He turned back, extending a hand. "Jump."
Her stomach flipped.
But she didn't hesitate.
She ran.
And jumped.
For one terrifying second, she was weightless—air rushing past her.
Then—Theo caught her.
They tumbled onto the rooftop, breathing hard.
Evelyn stared at him. "That was insane."
Theo smirked. "Yeah."
Silence.
Then—laughter.
Not from Elias.
From Theo.
A low chuckle, breathless and real.
Evelyn blinked. "Did you just—"
Theo shook his head, grinning despite everything. "Guess almost dying is hilarious now."
Evelyn let out a breathless laugh. "You're impossible."
Theo smirked. "And yet, you're still here."
Evelyn rolled her eyes. "Shut up."
But she was smiling.
And for just a second—despite the danger, despite everything—it felt like they had already won.
---
End of Chapter 43