Chapter 20 Settling for Second Best
Evelyn had completely blacked out.
To make sure the ether really kicked in, the cloth stayed over her mouth a little longer than needed.
Then, the guy scooped her up and carried her to a budget motel right next to the banquet venue.
It was the kind of sketchy place college couples used when they wanted privacy.
So when he walked in carrying her, no one paid attention. The clerk didn’t even look up.
He booked a room without trouble.
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The room itself was tiny and worn out. The walls were so thin you could hear every sound from next door, especially the bed banging against the wall.
He set Evelyn down on the bed.
Not long after, there was a knock.
Alice slipped through the barely open door, holding a camera tight in her hand.
She’d rented it from a local shop downtown, and the deposit had cost her a small fortune.
Seeing Evelyn still dressed and untouched made Alice clench her jaw.
“What’s taking so long?” she hissed at Seth.
She’d planned this down to the smallest detail.
She’d made sure Evelyn wore the flashiest red dress. At the banquet, Evelyn would get swarmed by attention and drinks. Once tipsy, she’d be easy to trick into stepping outside.
Then Seth would knock her out with the ether and bring her here.
After that, they’d do things to her and take photos before leaking them.
Evelyn’s name would be ruined.
And once the rumors started spreading, she’d be forced to marry Seth just to save face.
No one would want to hire someone involved in a scandal like that. Her degree would be worthless.
No internship. No future. Just stuck at home doing nothing.
That was Alice’s goal. IfI have to crash, I’m dragging Evelyn down with me.
“I–I don’t even know how to begin,” Seth muttered, looking completely lost.
What does Alice think–that I magically know how to do this?
Alice’s eyes blazed. She stomped across the room and snapped, “Start by undressing her. Get into bed. I’ll take a few shots for evidence, then I’ll head out so you can finish it.”
Seth nodded stiffly and leaned over to unbutton Evelyn’s shirt.
But the second his fingers touched the fabric, Evelyn’s face twitched, and she puked all over him.
Seth had been too close and didn’t see it coming. His shirt was soaked.
Totally disgusted, he jumped back and bolted from the room, heading down the hallway to the shared bathroom to clean up.
It took forever to scrub off the smell and mess.
Whatever dumb fantasy he had about tonight was totally ruined. All that was left was the disgusting stench still clinging to
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He cursed under his breath the whole way back.
But just as he reached the stairs, he ran into the motel owner.
“The light in the hallway broke, so your friend left,” the guy said offhandedly. “She told me you’d be finishing things on your
own.
Seth froze. Wait. What?
She left? She really ditched me? And now what–I’m supposed to finish this alone?
Seth took a deep breath and walked back into the room.
A little red light blinked steadily on the camera.
He wasn’t dumb. He knew exactly what that meant. The camera was recording.
The moonlight slipped in through the window, just enough for him to see Evelyn lying still on the bed, dressed in that bright red gown.
That was all it took to wipe out the last bit of hesitation he had.
His breathing turned heavy. He ripped off his clothes, climbed into bed, and got straight to it.
This isn’t on me.” he mumbled while moving. “If your grandpa hadn’t played favorites, if he’d just treated Alice a little better… we wouldn’t have to do this.”
Because of the drug, Evelyn didn’t respond at all. She was limp and lifeless, like a body without a soul.
The only sound she made was a quiet groan when it first started. After that–nothing.
Seth kept going until he wore himself out, then rolled over and passed out.
When he woke again, sunlight was pouring into the room.
It was already late morning. He reached out, expecting to find her still there.
But the bed was empty. Evelyn was gone.
And so was the camera.
His heart dropped.
Did she wake up, realize what happened, and take off with the camera?
If that’s true… everything’s ruined.
His hands started shaking as he threw on his clothes. He rushed downstairs and begged the motel owner to use the phone at the front desk, then punched in the Schmidts‘ number over and over.
No one picked up.
Zaid and Yvonne had probably already left for the day.
Alice wasn’t home either.
He had no way to reach her. No idea where she was.
If Alice finds out what happened… I’m toast.
Completely defeated. Seth dragged himself back upstairs and sat on the edge of the bed, eyes locked on the crumpled sheets.
He didn’t move until the motel owner knocked to remind him it was time to check out.
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Chapter 20 Settling for Second Best
Seth slowly got up and started to gather his stuff.
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But before he could leave, the motel owner pointed at the bed and said, “Hey, wait. You wrecked the sheets. That stain’s not coming out–you’ll have to pay for them.”
Seth turned and saw it. Dried red patches dotted the sheets. They stood out clearly.
Right. How could I forget?
Even if Evelyn took the camera … this is still evidence.
He grabbed the sheet and asked, “How much to keep it?”
The motel owner paused.
He hadn’t expected a college kid to actually want the dirty thing.
Still, he kept his cool. “That’s cotton. Good quality. Five bucks.”
Seth didn’t blink. He handed the money over right away. After all, it was the only evidence he had left.
The speed caught the owner off guard. Damn it. I should’ve asked for more. Maybe ten bucks.
But it was too late.
He just stood there, stunned, as Seth walked out hugging that stained sheet like it was worth gold.
Seth made a beeline to the Schmidts‘ house.
Just like he thought, no one was there.
So he sat down on the front step, still holding the sheet, and waited.
His weird behavior caught the eye of the neighbors.
People started whispering and pointing.
More people came. Some left. Others stayed to gawk.
The sun started to set. Then, finally, Zaid and Yvonne.pulled into the driveway after work.
From down the street, they could already see Seth waiting.
Zaid frowned. “What the hell is that kid doing here?”
He parked the car, but before he could step out, Seth dropped to his knees on the pavement.
His face was pale, filled with panic and guilt. “Mr. and Mrs. Schmidt, I’m sorry. Last night was my fault. Please let me take responsibility. I want to marry Evelyn!”
As soon as the words left his mouth, the crowd around them started buzzing.
Anyone with common sense could put it together.
Clearly, something had happened between them the night before. And that sheet in his hands? It spoke volumes.
Zaid’s face went from flushed to pale to dark with anger.
The whole neighborhood is going to think my daughter fooled around before marriage!
Furious, Zaid jumped out of the car. “What did you just say?! Get out of here!”
But Seth stayed put. He clenched his fists and stayed on his knees. “I’m serious. I mean every word. Just give me a chance.”
Today, he wasn’t giving up. He had to marry Evelyn.
Chapter 20 Setting for Second Best
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He was so locked in on his plan that he didn’t notice the girl standing quietly at the edge of the crowd. Her deep–set eyes sparkled with cold amusement, watching everything with a hint of scorn.
And they were aimed right at him.
