FROM SHADOWS TO LOVE

, her chest seemed to ease just a little bit. There was no clear reason why he had stepped in for her that day. She had never been part

e that meant more to her than she could fully comprehend. No one had ever spoken to her like that before. No one had ever treated her with kindness simply

in her presence, but Evelyn knew better than to believe that the whispers and mocking would ever truly stop. It wasn't just the cowor

e of work in front of her, her phone buzzed. It was a text from Damien. She

nference call in fifteen mi

oubt. She had a job to do, and she was expected to do it perfectly, just like always. She

m his desk. His back was turned to her as he mut

g ago that the less she existed in Damien's world, the better. But that morning, as she placed the file on hi

be punctual, have you?" His

er heart racing. "I-I'm so

. His gaze moved over her face, lingering for longer than it should have. He said noth

ned. Isabella stepped in, her presence filling the room like a breath of fresh air. She was all conf

"Are we still on for tonight? I've been look

at her sides. She was used to their public displays of affection. She had long ago come to terms

thing genuine in it, a warmth that Evelyn would never see aimed her way. Isabella moved closer, brushing a lock of hair

, then," he said, voi

d into fists at her sides, but she stayed silent. The words she longed to say, the anger and hurt, swirled inside her like a storm

"Enjoy your evening, Evelyn ," she said sweetly, but the words were

t clear that Evelyn 's life was anything but. The jabs, t

ds lingering long after they had gone. She took a deep breath, blinking back th

the clear affection they shared. Every glance they exchanged was a painful reminder of what she would never have,

und herself alone in the quiet space. The sounds of distant footsteps echoed through the halls, but all she could focus on was

, the door to her office opened. She looked up in surprise to see Ethan st

voice free of the usual harshness

line for her, someone who, for reasons she didn't fully understand, seemed to care. The simplicity of his presence made t

ue. There were too many thoughts, too many emotions swirling in her head

ou don't have to say anything," he said quietly. "I ju

thing was fine, but the words wouldn't come. He was right.

id, the words bare

look okay," he said, his tone soft but insistent. "But you don't have to be

pill. "I don't... I don't know how to explain it. I just feel like I'm su

voice thoughtful, as though he was carefully choosing his words. "You deser

evel of care from anyone. Not in her life, not here. But someth

w to proceed. "I've never had anyo

eassuring smile. "

of hope rise within her. It was a fragile thing, but it was t

r phone buzzed again. It was a message fro

a meeting tomorrow. B

feel. Damien would never see her as anything more than a tool, a means to an end. No matter w

won't keep you," he said softly, standing up

o through t

omething she didn't quite understand. "Thank you,"

at the screen of her phone, the message from Dami

ng time, the weight of those w

mien gave her whenever he passed her in the hallway, nor by the way Isabella's subtle smirks seemed to taunt her at every turn. The world she inhabited had b

taunts, and the loneliness that pervaded her existence-there was one thing that remained co

ither of them spoke about it openly. He had an uncanny way of showing up at just the right moments-at the

concern was a lifeline she clung to, even if she didn't fully understand why. In a world where no one seemed to notice

small comfort

eel the weight of his dominance pressing down on her. She hated how much power he held over her, hated the way he coul

st. She had woken up feeling a sense of dread, as if something was about to happen, something that would push her fu

seen nor heard. As she made her way to the office, the elevator doors opened to reveal an unusually crowded lobby. Evelyn

ed into the conference r

lled the room, his eyes as cold and calculating as ever. But what caught Evelyn off guard was the sight of Isabella sitting besi

cold and commanding. He motioned for her to sit at the far end o

was told, sitting down in the empty seat as her colleag

hority, his voice the only one that mattered in the room. Isabella smiled and nodded at his words, her

ternity, but she had long since learned to tune out the endless discussions about profits, clients, and upcom

d by her thoughts, Etha

uit that suited him well, his usual easygoing smile absent as his eyes searched the room. The moment he saw her,

look away, focusing instead on the papers in front of her. She was

She felt the weight of his stare, even though it was subtle, as if he was silently reminding her that she wasn't alone. But in the same breath, she f

was engaged, discussing numbers and projections, but Evelyn couldn't focus. She was acutely aware of Damien's p

ho always seemed to have a cruel edge to her smile-leaned over and whispered

't dare. Jessica's words stung, but they were not

t to start learning how to behave if you want Damien's attention. Though I wo

into her palms. Her heart pounded in her chest, but she didn't let th

on unreadable. Evelyn knew what was comi

e was calm, almost detached, but there was something

act. "I'm sorry, Damien. I'm just..." She trailed off,

curling into a smirk. "Just wha

ust not used to the spotlight, Damien. It must be so hard for her to be around all of u

The walls seemed to press in, the air growing thick with the weight of their judgment. Evelyn 's breath quickened,

never amount to anything

resent moment. The pain of her past was bleedi

ng thoughts. His hand was on her arm now, gentle but fi

forced herself to look at him. His face was filled w

e barely audible. But even she coul

r in the moment. "You don't have to pretend with me, y

and all she could focus on was the sincerity in Ethan's eyes. He wasn't like the

t then, just as quickly, she remembered. She was still trapped. And no matter how kind Ethan was, no matter

take comfort in Ethan's quiet suppor