Chapter 8: Beneath the Surface
Evelyn couldn't shake the feeling that something about Alexander's world didn't add up. The night of Damian's visit replayed in her mind on a loop—the smugness in his voice, the confidence in his gaze.
What was he holding over Alexander?
The following day, Evelyn decided to do something she hadn't dared before: explore the mansion beyond the rooms she frequented.
She started with Alexander's office. It was a sprawling space filled with dark wood furniture, towering bookshelves, and the faint smell of leather. The desk was impeccably organized, as if its owner refused to let even chaos creep into his personal domain.
Her heart pounded as she moved closer, her fingers brushing against the polished surface of the desk. She wasn't sure what she was looking for—something to make sense of Damian's cryptic warnings, perhaps—but the thought of being caught made her pulse race.
A locked drawer caught her eye.
"Of course," she muttered under her breath.
Her gaze darted to the bookshelves, scanning for anything that might hide a key. It was almost comically predictable—until she spotted a hollowed-out book tucked between volumes on mergers and acquisitions.
Inside was a small silver key.
Evelyn hesitated, a voice in her head warning her to stop. But curiosity—and a deep-seated need to know—propelled her forward.
The key fit perfectly, and the drawer slid open with a soft click.
Inside were files. Dozens of them, neatly labeled and dated. She pulled out the first one, her breath catching as she skimmed the contents.
It wasn't just business dealings. These were reports—on people. Associates, rivals, even employees. Alexander's empire wasn't just built on strategic acquisitions and clever investments. It was built on secrets, leverage, and manipulation.
Her stomach turned.
"What are you doing?"
The cold voice behind her sent a chill down her spine.
Evelyn turned slowly, clutching the file to her chest. Alexander stood in the doorway, his expression a mask of fury and disappointment.
"I…" She struggled to find the words. "I needed to understand."
He crossed the room in three long strides, snatching the file from her hands and slamming the drawer shut.
"Understand what?" he demanded, his voice low and dangerous. "That you don't trust me?"
Evelyn met his gaze, her own anger bubbling to the surface. "How can I trust you when you keep me in the dark? You say Damian is dangerous, but from where I'm standing, you're no better!"
Alexander's jaw tightened, his eyes flashing with something between anger and hurt. "You don't know what you're talking about."
"Then explain it to me!" she shot back. "Because right now, all I see is a man willing to ruin lives to get what he wants."
For a moment, neither of them spoke. The air between them crackled with tension.
Finally, Alexander let out a heavy sigh, running a hand through his hair. "You think this is easy for me? You think I want to play these games?"
"I don't know what you want," Evelyn said quietly.
Alexander sank into his chair, the anger draining from his face. "Everything I do, I do to protect what's mine. My company, my family… you. Damian doesn't play by the rules. If I don't fight back, he'll destroy everything."
Evelyn's resolve faltered. She wanted to believe him, but the secrets he kept made it impossible to know what was real.
"Then let me in," she said softly. "If you want me to stand by your side, you have to let me in."
Alexander looked at her, his expression unreadable. Finally, he nodded. "Fine. But if you're going to know the truth, you have to be prepared for what comes next."
The next few days were a whirlwind of revelations. Alexander began sharing pieces of his world—his rivalry with Damian, the deals he'd had to make, and the lengths he'd gone to protect his empire.
It was overwhelming, but it also gave Evelyn a sense of purpose. She started to see Alexander not just as a cold, calculating businessman, but as a man fighting to survive in a world that demanded constant sacrifice.
Still, the question lingered in the back of her mind: How far was he willing to go?
Meanwhile, Damian was far from idle. He hadn't missed the tension between Alexander and Evelyn, and he intended to exploit it.
At a high-profile event a week later, Damian made his move.
"Evelyn," he said smoothly, intercepting her as she stepped away from Alexander to grab a drink. "You're looking radiant tonight."
She stiffened, her grip tightening on her glass. "What do you want?"
"Just a friendly conversation," Damian said, his smile predatory. "Tell me, how does it feel knowing you're married to a man who's willing to burn the world to protect his empire?"
Evelyn's heart raced. "I don't know what you're talking about."
"Don't you?" Damian leaned in, his voice a whisper. "Be careful, Evelyn. Men like Alexander don't stop at enemies. They destroy anything—and anyone—that threatens them."
Before she could respond, Alexander appeared, his presence like a thundercloud.
"Is there a problem?" he asked, his tone icy.
"Not at all," Damian said, stepping back with a smirk. "Just catching up with your lovely wife."
As Damian walked away, Alexander turned to Evelyn, his expression hard. "What did he say to you?"
Evelyn hesitated. "He's trying to get in my head. That's all."
Alexander's jaw tightened. "Stay away from him."
"I didn't seek him out," she said, her frustration bubbling over. "Maybe if you dealt with him instead of playing these games, he wouldn't have the chance to come after us."
For a moment, Alexander said nothing. Then he nodded. "You're right. It's time to end this."