Days turned into painful silence, leaving Evelyn to pace the halls of Hart Manor in despair. She had never encountered anything like this before—her heart was heavy with longing and regret. Samuel's absence left a void that echoed through every corner of her life.
It wasn't long before she encountered a familiar face—a friend from her past who had pursued her before Samuel. James, charming and charismatic, returned to town and offered her solace amidst her heartache, rekindling a spark of attention she had missed.
Though she knew she was vulnerable, a part of her craved the attention he lavished upon her, filling the gaps left by Samuel. Late-night chats turned into stolen moments, and although nothing crossed the line, the line began to blur.
Heart pounding, Evelyn found herself caught between her past and the present—her hurt over Samuel and the comforting familiarity of James began to merge into a dangerous dance.
Meanwhile, Samuel struggled in silence. Although he sought to reconnect with Evelyn, disbelief clouded his mind. Each moment apart felt heavier, and the jealousy became a monstrous reflection of his fears.
One fateful evening, Samuel discovered Evelyn and James laughing together in the garden, a scene that shattered whatever remained of his composure. Resentment blended with agony, igniting a fierce protectiveness. Unable to contain his emotions any longer, he stormed toward them, determination etched on his face.
"Evelyn, we need to talk," he demanded, fury simmering beneath the surface.
Evelyn's heart plummeted as she saw the hurt and anger in his eyes. "Samuel, I—"
"Don't," he interrupted, his voice a low growl. "I know how you feel, and it's not justifiable. Why are you letting him in?"
"Letting him in?" she echoed, incredulous. "You're the one who pushed me away!"
"Perhaps you should have considered our relationship before chasing after old flames!" he retorted, his voice rising, causing a hush to settle over the garden.
James stepped back, sensing the storm brewing, while Evelyn battled between the urge to defend herself and the overwhelming hurt from Samuel's accusation.
"Don't you dare call him a flame!" she shouted, her voice filled with helplessness. "You've been so suffocating that I needed someone to remind me I'm more than the role you've placed me in!"
Samuel's face paled as the weight of her words struck him like a blow. "So you chose to betray me?" he said, his voice cold.
"I haven't betrayed you!" Evelyn cried, her heart aching at the misunderstanding.
"This isn't just another fight, Evelyn," he said, emotion thick in his voice. "This is about trust—about what we mean to each other."
Seeing the pain in his eyes brought her back to reality. She had been reckless. With tears streaming down her cheeks, she reached for him, but he stepped back, the distance becoming a chasm.
"Perhaps we should take a break," he said, chest heaving. "I can't do this anymore."
Her heart dropped, and with that, Samuel turned away, leaving her standing in the garden, lost and shattered.