Chapter 18 Taking Evelyn Down With Me
Zaid was Evelyn’s dad. He was a full 20 years older than her.
But right now, he was completely thrown off by the look she gave him.
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He’d seen plenty during his time in the military and dealt with all sorts of people at work, but never anything like that gaze.
It chilled him to the bone and left him feeling like his blood had turned cold.
He stood there, stunned, with nothing to say.
When he snapped back to reality, he realized Evelyn had already gone back to her room without making a sound.
If not for the half of a sandwich still sitting on the table, Zaid might’ve believed he’d imagined the whole thing.
It felt unreal, like seeing a ghost.
He lingered in the entryway, unsure whether to go upstairs and talk. In the end, he didn’t. He turned and walked out the front door, climbed into his gray Jeep, and drove away.
Upstairs, Evelyn stood by her bedroom window, watching as the Jeep pulled out of the driveway.
He was heading toward the hospital.
Just like before. In her past life, she couldn’t rely on him either.
She let her forehead rest against the cold glass and closed her eyes, breathing out slowly.
Living in this house always felt like fighting alone. And once in a while, that did weigh on her.
Still, she didn’t stay down for long. After a moment, she sat back down at her desk and picked up her book.
Her thesis defense was already done. In two months, she’d be reporting for her hospital internship at the military base.
She still had a lot to review, especially the things she wasn’t solid on.
As for Zaid–just like she expected–he really did go to the hospital.
He spotted Yvonne outside the patient room the second he got
there.
His once–fragile, pampered wife was now standing in front of him with puffy, swollen eyes.
She opened her mouth to say something, but no sound came out.
Zaid’s heart immediately softened.
He had lost his temper the day before and couldn’t think straight. But now that his head was clear, the old tenderness came back.
He was always weak when Yvonne cried.
“Yvonne,” he said softly.
She burst into tears and flung herself into his arms. “I thought you were done with me and Alice.” She sobbed.
“Of course not. I’m here now, aren’t I?” he murmured, trying to soothe her.
They found a bench in the hallway and sat down.
Yvonne stayed in his arms, crying for a long while before finally calming down.
Her eyes were still red as she sniffled and asked, “You came here because of Alice, didn’t you?”
She was sure Evelyn wouldn’t be able to change his mind, especially over something like this.
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Chapter 18 Taking Evelyn Down With Me
Zaid had his reputation to think about. He wouldn’t let it slide.
And she was partly right–but only partly.
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“I need her papers,” Zaid said. “I’m heading to the school to get her withdrawn. Better we handle it now than let it blow up into something embarrassing.”
Get her withdrawn?
Yvonne froze.
This was not the outcome she’d pictured.
Everything was supposed to end smoothly–graduation, internship, all going according to plan.
The smile on her face faltered. “Hubby, you must be joking. Alice is this close to finishing school. If she quits now, doesn’t tha waste everything she’s done?”
Zaid stayed firm. “If she didn’t take it seriously, she’s the one to blame.”
yvonne
Yvonne leaned in, trying again. “It’s Evelyn, isn’t it? Is she refusing to forgive Alice?”
That was the truth.
But Zaid couldn’t admit it out loud.
He was over 40, and a few pointed words from a young girl had shaken him enough to change his mind. That alone made him feel humiliated.
If people found out, what pride would he have left?
Yvonne’s questioning started to wear on him. His face hardened. He stood up suddenly. “Alice brought this on herself. She should be grateful I didn’t give her a beating. I’ll be heading to her school this afternoon to complete her withdrawal. Don’t stop me. After she’s discharged, she’ll start work at the factory we’re connected with. After a few years, she can settle down and get married.”
He didn’t look back.
He was done with this place.
Yvonne chased after him, but she bumped into a patient on the way. By the time she turned around, Zaid was already gone.
She returned to the hospital room, dragging her feet.
Inside, she found Alice, her face buried in her hands, completely broken.
She’d heard everything from the hallway.
It’s over. My life has been destroyed.
And this is all Evelyn’s fault. If she’d just spoken up yesterday–even said one thing to help–none of this would’ve happened.
“Alice, don’t cry. I’ll come up with something,” Yvonne said quickly, rushing to comfort her.
But Alice shoved her away without hesitation.
“You’re gonna fix it? How?” she screamed, eyes blazing. “He’s already said he’ll pull me out by noon! You didn’t even stop him! What’s the point of pretending now? I studied for four years, and now I’m walking away with nothing? Do you know how embarrassing that is?”
It wasn’t that Yvonne didn’t want to help.
She just knew Zaid too well.
Arguing with him now would only make things worse. She might end up in trouble too.
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Chapter 18 Taking Evelyn Down With Me
Then there really wouldn’t be a way out.
Tll think of something,” she said softly. “Just calm down. I’ll fix this.”
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Alice cried through the entire morning.
It was around 3:00 p.m. when Seth showed up.
He was out of breath and clearly panicked.
He’d come with news.
But it wasn’t what she wanted to hear.
Alice had been expelled. There was no official announcement, but the situation had gotten too big. The school couldn’t keep it quiet.
Even if Bethany had hoped to handle it quietly, the rumors were already everywhere.
Alice’s hands clenthed so hard they shook. Her voice was full of rage. “Professor Lloyd never wanted to keep it quiet. She and Evelyn planned this. I bet Professor Lloyd’s the one who spread the story!”
Her head was spinning. It felt like her chest was being crushed by a hundred–pound weight. She couldn’t even feel the pain
anymore.
After what felt like forever, she found her voice again. “Did my dad go to the school?”
Seth nodded.
But after Zaid heard she’d been expelled–not withdrawn like he wanted–he blew up and stormed off.
Seth had followed him for a while, asking over and over, until he learned Alice was in the hospital.
That was when he ran straight over.
“Alice, what now? Your dad said he’s sending you to work at that factory.”
That filthy, noisy place full of people who never even finished school.
She felt sick just thinking about it–there was no way she’d set foot in that dump.
I’m only in this mess because of Evelyn.
Why?
Why does she get to move forward, land a great job, and walk into a perfect future… while I’m being dragged through the mud?
That life was supposed to be mine.
It should’ve been her life that was ruined.
If I have to go down, then she is coming with me.
No way I’m letting her off the hook.
Alice’s nails dug into her skin, but she didn’t feel it. Her heart was full of hate.
Finally, she turned to Seth. “Seth,” she said coldly, “do me one more favor. I’m taking Evelyn down with me.”
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