FROM SHADOWS TO LOVE

d spent most of the night tossing and turning, unable to escape the constant loop of thoughts swirling in her mind. Every word from Damien, every gla

ot even paying attention, are you?"* He had made her feel so small, so insignificant

m break her, not without a fight. And maybe, just maybe, Ethan's quiet kindness was the spark that could ignite that fight. She wasn't sure if she was r

er bones. It was another day, another round of meetings, another chance to shrink into the backgr

ristine marble floors, the lifeless hallways-it was all too much. She hated this place. She hated that it was now her p

through this day.

urt nod, not bothering to hide the judgment in her eyes. The other maids barely acknowledged her presence as they set the table. Evelyn

eat in silence, a sharp voi

prised you're even awake this early. Isn't Damie

orway with a smug smile plastered on her face. Clara was one of the more outspoken staff members, known for her sharp

ust make sure to keep your head down today, Mrs. Blackwood. We wouldn

fixed on her plate. She didn't want to dignify Clara's cruel

to the dining room swung open, and to Evelyn 's surprise, Ethan stepped inside. He was

sence. She hesitated, her smug smile fading as she looked between him and Evelyn . Ethan

e, Clara?" Ethan asked,

, forcing a smile. "No, Mr. Kensington. Ju

hat's enough. Don't speak

re he was, standing up for her in front of everyone. She felt an unfamiliar warmth spread thr

red an apology before exiting the room, lea

ening. "Are you okay?" he asked quietly, his voice a s

ing at the corners of her eyes. "I'm fine," she whisp

ll smile, one that made her heart ache with gratitude

to lift just slightly. In that moment, with Ethan sitting across from her, it f

oment was

ning the room before settling on Evelyn . The change in atmosphere was immediate. The warmth that had fille

feet, his expression unreadable. "Mr. Blackw

of irritation flashing across his face. "I trust there's no

thly, though Evelyn could sense t

velyn , his gaze cold and piercing. "I need you in the office today," he

d creep up her spine. She hated how easily he cou

look. "I trust you'll keep your distance, Kensing

course," he replied, hi

ity settling back in. She wasn't sure how much longer she could endure this, the constant bullying, the control, the cruelty. But as Ethan

like a lifeline, it also came with its own set of dangers. She couldn't afford

e tiny flicker of defiance that had ignited within her was growing stronger, and though she was terrified of wh

ating atmosphere in the mansion or from Damien's icy, disdainful presence. Her role in Damien's world had been cemented-nothing more than his shadow, the wife who wasn't s

thoughts te

uences. The memories of how easily he had broken her down over the years-mocking her, belittling her, treating her as though she didn't matter-were still fresh in her m

there w

ord, every small gesture of support, chipped away at the walls she had built around herself. He never pushed her for answers, never questi

make sure she was okay. She knew she was walking a fine line. She couldn't let herself get too close to him

e in the break room, sipping her coffee in an attempt to gather her thoughts. The office had been unusually quiet,

pected to see

f I joi

tanding by the doorway, his hands tucked into the pockets of his suit. He s

I-uh-don't mind," she said softly,

lming her. He didn't speak at first, allowing the silence to settle between them. It wasn't unco

n finally said, his vo

ine," she said quickly, but her words were hollow. S

ening with concern. "I can tell. You d

rything, to unload all the hurt and frustration she had bottled up inside. But t

y," she finally admitted,

is voice gentle but firm. "But you do need to take

o believe that she could find a way out of this suffocating life. But it all felt

, her voice trembling with the vuln

er leaving hers. "It starts with small steps," he said quietly. "You don't have to do

, not for a single moment. She had always felt like she wasn't enough, like she w

warm and steady. "You deserve to live your life on y

cry, afraid of what her tears would mean. She had cried so many times in the past, but it had never helped. But with E

k room opened, and a cold, familiar voice br

p as ever, cutting through the room l

him, that she could experience a small bit of normalcy. But the reality of her life

respectful. "I was just checking in with her," he said

n in his eyes. "Is that so?" he asked, his voice dripping with thinly v

k down. "Of course, Mr. Blackwood," he said, his

r a brief, encouraging smile. "Take care of yourself, Evelyn ," h

n the air, but the cold weight of Damien's presence quickly replaced

nd, Evelyn ?" Damien asked,

dry. "I'm not pretending," she rep

n my world, that you can get close to anyone here?" His eyes glinted with something da

r a moment, all she could do was nod. He was right. S

a flicker of something deep inside her. It was a feeling she hadn't allowed herself

e, it was the beginn