The cold Russian air brushed against Evelyn's face as she stood on the balcony of her family's grand estate. The night was clear, with only the stars dotting the dark sky. The weight of her world—the Maxwell legacy, her unborn child, and Nickolas's ever-looming presence—pressed on her like an invisible force, one that was inescapable. She thought returning to her family in Russia would provide peace, a shield against the storm brewing within her life. But she was learning that even here, safety was only an illusion.
Behind her, the door creaked open. She didn't need to turn to know who it was. Zie Xin's presence was as familiar and grounding as ever.
"Miss Evelyn, you should come inside. It's freezing out here," Zie Xin urged, though her tone carried more concern than command.
Evelyn didn't move right away. She closed her eyes, inhaling deeply, letting the crisp air fill her lungs. "It's never really quiet, is it?" she murmured.
Zie Xin's silence was telling. She, too, had felt the tension simmering beneath the surface ever since Evelyn had returned to Moscow. There was no escaping Nickolas. His reach was too long, his obsession too consuming.
"We'll figure it out," Zie Xin finally said, stepping beside Evelyn. "No matter what Nickolas plans, your family will stand with you. Dmitry is already making preparations."
Evelyn turned, her hand instinctively resting on her growing belly. "It's not just about me anymore. I have to protect this child." Her voice wavered slightly, betraying the fierce resolve she was trying to hold onto.
Zie Xin placed a reassuring hand on Evelyn's shoulder. "You're stronger than you think. You've faced him before, and you will again. This time, you're not alone."
A soft knock at the door interrupted their conversation. Evelyn's older brother, Dmitry De Maxwell, entered with his usual commanding presence. He glanced at Zie Xin, then shifted his gaze to Evelyn. "We need to talk," he said gravely.
Evelyn's heart skipped a beat. She knew this conversation was inevitable. Dmitry had been her protector, but even his resources could only stretch so far.
"What is it?" Evelyn asked, bracing herself for whatever news he was about to deliver.
"Nickolas is still in Moscow," Dmitry said, cutting straight to the point. His eyes darkened with frustration. "He's already making moves to reach you. We've doubled security, but..." He trailed off, clearly weighing his words.
Evelyn felt her stomach twist. "But?"
"But he's not acting alone. We've intercepted communications that suggest some of our business allies are being swayed to his side. He's leveraging the Maxwell name against you."
Evelyn's eyes widened. Nickolas was a master at manipulation, but to use her own family's legacy against her? It was a new level of cruelty.
Zie Xin's expression tightened. "What's our next step, Sir?"
Dmitry ran a hand through his hair, a rare sign of his internal conflict. "I'm taking Evelyn to a secure location, somewhere outside Moscow. Nickolas can't be allowed to get close to her. Not now. Not when..." He glanced down at her belly, a protective glint in his eyes.
Evelyn stiffened. "No. I won't run away. Not again." Her voice was firm, but the fear lurking beneath it was undeniable.
Dmitry took a step forward, his expression softening. "You're not running. You're regrouping. We need time to think and plan. Nickolas won't stop until he has you in his grasp, and I won't let that happen."
Zie Xin interjected gently. "It's not forever, Miss Evelyn. Just until we can figure out our next move."
Evelyn clenched her fists at her sides, the weight of their words sinking in. She hated the thought of hiding, of being forced into a corner by Nickolas's obsession. But she couldn't risk her child's safety.
Meanwhile, across town.
Nickolas Alexander Jr. sat in a dimly lit room, the air tense. Edward Noel, his ever-loyal butler, stood by his side, watching him with quiet concern.
"They're making plans to move her," Edward said cautiously.
Nickolas's eyes narrowed, his grip tightening around the glass of whiskey in his hand. "They think they can hide her from me?" His voice was cold, laced with the kind of rage that simmered just beneath the surface.
"They're buying time. They know you won't stop," Edward continued, his tone careful. He had seen Nickolas like this before—calm but deadly.
Nickolas stood abruptly, setting his glass down with a sharp clink. "Time is a luxury they don't have. Evelyn belongs to me. She always has."
Edward hesitated for a moment. "Perhaps... a different approach is needed. You've always been one for strategy."
Nickolas glanced at him, a calculating gleam in his eye. "What are you suggesting?"
"If you push too hard, she'll run. But if you give her the illusion of choice..." Edward's voice trailed off, letting the implication hang in the air.
Nickolas smirked. "You're right, Edward. Evelyn's greatest weakness is her heart. She'll come to me willingly if she believes it's the only way to protect those she loves."
Back at the Maxwell estate.
Evelyn paced her room, her mind racing. Nickolas was closer than ever, and despite her family's efforts, she could feel his presence tightening around her like a noose. The idea of leaving, of retreating, gnawed at her pride.
Suddenly, there was a knock at the door. Zie Xin entered, her expression unreadable. "Miss Evelyn, there's a call for you. It's... him."
Evelyn froze. Her heart pounded in her chest as she stared at the phone in Zie Xin's hand.
"I don't want to talk to him," Evelyn whispered, her voice shaky.
Zie Xin stepped closer. "You don't have to. But maybe... maybe this is your chance to take control."
Evelyn's eyes flickered with uncertainty, but she nodded. She couldn't avoid him forever. She needed to face him.
Taking the phone from Zie Xin, Evelyn pressed it to her ear, her voice steady despite the storm raging inside her. "Nickolas."
"Evelyn," Nickolas's voice purred through the phone, smooth and dangerous. "You didn't think you could hide from me forever, did you?"
"I'm not hiding," Evelyn said firmly, though her pulse quickened. "But I won't let you control me. Not anymore."
Nickolas chuckled, the sound sending a chill down her spine. "You and I both know that's not true. You'll come to me, Evelyn. It's only a matter of time."
Evelyn's jaw clenched. "You don't know me as well as you think, Nickolas. I'm stronger than you give me credit for."
There was a pause at the other end of the line before Nickolas's voice dropped to a low, possessive whisper. "You're mine, Evelyn. No one else will ever have you. And soon, you'll see that you belong by my side. Whether you want to or not."
Evelyn's breath hitched, but she refused to let him see her fear. "Goodbye, Nickolas," she said, her voice cold as she ended the call.
As the phone clicked off, Evelyn stared at it in her hand, a mixture of dread and determination settling in her chest. Nickolas's words had shaken her but also steeled her resolve.
She would fight. She was free from Nickolas's grasp, not just for herself but also for her child and for the future she wanted to create.
The steady hum of the wind echoed through the grand halls of the Maxwell mansion. Outside, a storm was brewing—both literally and metaphorically. Inside the mansion, Zhou Qin Ran, now Evelyn De Maxwell, stood at the threshold of her fate, torn between past regrets and an uncertain future. Despite the power she had regained by returning to her family, the looming presence of Nickolas Alexander Jr. cast a shadow over her newfound strength.
Her family gathered for dinner in the dining room, but the air was thick with unspoken tensions. Her older brother, Zhou Fang Yue, also known as Dmitry De Maxwell, sat at the head of the table, his face a mask of calm. The twins, Nikaia and Nikolai, were seated across from each other, exchanging quiet words that Evelyn couldn't hear. Even with her family's formidable presence, she felt alone—caught between the life she had escaped and the danger that still followed her.
As she sipped her tea, Dmitry's gaze met hers. "We need to discuss your next steps, Evelyn," he said, his tone firm yet protective. "Nickolas won't stop until he has you."
Evelyn's fingers tightened around her cup. The very mention of Nickolas's name made her stomach churn with fear and an unsettling sense of inevitability. "I can't keep running," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "He'll find me no matter where I go."
"That's why we need to take control of the situation before he makes his move," Nikaia interjected, her sharp eyes scanning Evelyn's face.
Nikolai, always more reserved, nodded in agreement. "We've gathered our networks, but Nickolas is resourceful. We can't underestimate him."
Evelyn's heart pounded in her chest. She knew her family would do anything to protect her, but she also knew the cost. Nickolas was ruthless, and he had already shown that he was willing to destroy anyone who stood in his way—including her family.
"I don't want any more bloodshed," Evelyn said, her voice trembling. "I don't want to lose anyone else because of me."
Dmitry leaned forward, his gaze softening. "We're prepared for whatever comes, Evelyn. But you need to understand—this isn't just about you anymore. It's about the Maxwell family. You are our strength; we won't let him take that away."
Before Evelyn could respond, Lin Zie Xin, her trusted aide, entered the room, her expression unreadable. "Miss Evelyn," she said softly, "there's someone here to see you."
Evelyn's blood ran cold. "Who?"
Zie Xin hesitated for a moment before answering. "It's Edward Noel. He says he's here with a message from his master."
Edward Noel stood patiently in the dimly lit foyer, his posture rigid but respectful. His eyes softened slightly as Evelyn approached, flanked by Dmitry and the twins. He had always been loyal to Nickolas, but there was a hint of regret in his gaze now—a man torn between duty and morality.
"Miss Evelyn," Edward greeted, his voice calm. "I've come on behalf of Mr. Alexander."
Evelyn's chest tightened. She had known this moment would come, but it didn't make it any easier. "What does Nickolas want?"
Edward's eyes flickered with hesitation. "He wants to see you. He's giving you one last chance to come willingly—before things go further."
Dmitry stepped forward, his protective instincts flaring. "She's not going anywhere near him."
Edward remained composed, though his expression grew more solemn. "Mr. Nickolas had made it clear that he would come here if Miss Evelyn didn't come to him. And when he does, it won't be on peaceful terms."
A heavy silence fell over the room. Evelyn felt as though the walls were closing in on her. She knew Nickolas's threats were never empty. If she refused to go, he would bring the full weight of his power down on her family—and she couldn't bear the thought of more people getting hurt because of her.
"Evelyn," Dmitry's voice broke through her thoughts, "you don't have to do this. We'll fight him, no matter what."
But Evelyn's heart was torn. She had always been strong, always fought for herself—but this was different. This was Nickolas, and he wasn't just after her. He was after everything she held dearly.
Slowly, she turned to Edward. "Tell Nickolas I'll meet him," she said quietly. "But on my terms."
Edward's eyebrows raised slightly, clearly surprised by her response. "Your terms?"
Evelyn straightened her shoulders, her gaze hardening. "Yes. I'll go to him only if he agrees to meet me in neutral territory. No tricks, no violence. Just him and me."
Dmitry's jaw clenched. "Evelyn, you can't—"
"I have to," she interrupted, her voice steady. "If I don't, he'll never stop. I need to face him, once and for all."
Edward nodded, understanding the gravity of her decision. "I'll relay your message," he said before bowing slightly and turning to leave.
As the door closed behind him, Evelyn felt a weight lift from her shoulders—only to be replaced by the crushing realization of what lay ahead. She would have to face Nickolas, and there was no guarantee that she would come out unscathed.
Later that night, Evelyn stood alone in her room, staring out the window at the storm raging outside. Her reflection in the glass looked like a stranger—someone caught between worlds, between the past and the future, between love and obsession.
Zie Xin entered quietly, her footsteps barely audible on the carpet. "Are you sure about this, Miss Evelyn?"
Evelyn didn't turn around. "No," she admitted. "But I don't see any other way."
Zie Xin approached, placing a comforting hand on Evelyn's arm. "Whatever happens, we'll be by your side. You're not alone in this."
Evelyn's eyes filled with unshed tears. "I know. But this is something I have to do on my own."
Zie Xin didn't argue. She knew that Evelyn's strength came from within, from the years of pain and resilience that had shaped her into the woman she is today. But even the strongest warriors needed allies.
"Just promise me," Zie Xin said softly, "that you'll be careful. Nickolas is dangerous, and he won't play by the rules."
Evelyn nodded, though her heart was heavy with uncertainty. "I know. But I must believe I can end this—before it's too late."
Nickolas Alexander Jr. stood by the large windows at a private villa near the coast, watching the waves crash against the shore. The tension in his posture betrayed his calm demeanor. He had waited for this moment, to finally have Evelyn back in his arms. His obsession with her had only grown stronger over her, festering into a dangerous need to possess her completely.
Edward Noel, his loyal butler, stood nearby, watching his master closely. He had served the Alexander family for decades, but even he couldn't shake the unease that had settled in his gut since Nickolas's obsession with Evelyn had peaked.
"Sir," Edward said quietly, "Miss Evelyn has agreed to meet you. She'll be arriving shortly."
Nickolas's lips curved into a slow smile. "Good. This time, she won't be able to run."
But Edward, ever the loyal servant, couldn't help but feel conflicted. He had seen the toll Nickolas's obsession had taken on both of them—Evelyn's fear and Nickolas's growing instability. But Edward had made his choice long ago. His duty was to Nickolas, and no matter how dangerous the game became, he would stand by his master.
"Make sure everything is ready," Nickolas ordered, his gaze never leaving the horizon. "I want tonight to be perfect."
Edward nodded, his heart heavy, knowing what was to come.
As Evelyn arrived at the villa, the air was so-so tense. The wind had picked up, howling through the trees as she stepped out of the car. Dmitry, Nikolai, and Nikaia had insisted on accompanying her, though they remained hidden, ready to step in if things went south.
Zie Xin gave her a reassuring nod. "You don't have to do this, Miss Evelyn."
"I do," Evelyn replied, her voice calm but resolute. "But thank you for everything, Zie Xin."
Zie Xin squeezed her hand briefly before stepping back, allowing Evelyn to walk towards the entrance alone. Each step felt heavier than the last, but Evelyn kept her head high. She was no longer the vulnerable woman who had fled her marriage in fear. She was Evelyn De Maxwell, queen of a global empire, and she wouldn't let Nickolas take that from her.
When she entered the villa, Nickolas was waiting for her, his gaze intense as he watched her approach. His tall, imposing figure contrasted sharply with the lavish surroundings, but Evelyn saw through the polished exterior. Beneath the charm, Nickolas was a man consumed by his obsession—a dangerous force that had driven him to extremes.
"Evelyn," Nickolas greeted her, his voice smooth and almost tender. "You came."
"I said I would," she replied, keeping her distance. "But this ends tonight, Nickolas."
Nickolas's eyes darkened, the smile fading from his lips. "What do you mean?"
"I'm done running," Evelyn said, her voice unwavering. "But I won't be your prisoner. If you truly love me, you'll let me go."
Nickolas's expression hardened, his jaw tightening. "You don't understand, Evelyn. I can't let you go. You belong to me."
"No," Evelyn said firmly. "I don't belong to anyone."
The tension in the room thickened, and for a moment, it felt as though the walls were closing in. Nickolas took a step closer, his eyes burning with intensity. "I've waited too long for this. You're mine, Evelyn, and nothing will change that."
Evelyn stood her ground, her heart pounding in her chest. "You don't love me, Nickolas. You love the idea of controlling me, of owning me. But that's not love—it's obsession."
Nickolas's hand twitched at his side, his expression twisting with a mix of anger and desperation. "I love you more than you'll ever know. I'd do anything for you. I'll make you happy again—just give me a chance."
But Evelyn shook her head, her voice soft but firm. "You can't make me happy by keeping me in a cage."
The words hung in the air like a challenge, daring Nickolas to face the truth. For a moment, he faltered, his resolve cracking under the weight of Evelyn's defiance. But the darkness in his eyes returned, stronger than before.
"If you don't stay willingly," Nickolas said, his voice cold, "then I'll make sure you never leave."
Evelyn's heart raced, but she didn't back down. "I'm not afraid of you, Nickolas. And you'll never control me again."