"Knock, knock!"


    Just as their lips were about to meet, a loud rapping on the car window startled them.


    Brooks jumped, pulling away from the kiss. He nced up.


    It was Charles, looking none too pleased.


    The noise woke Evelyn too. She blinked awake, following the sound with her eyes.


    Through the ss, she locked eyes with Charles, who was clearly fuming.


    Instantly, Evelyn was wide awake.


    "Brooks, you should head home and get some rest," she said calmly, handing him his jacket.


    This was her way of telling him to steer clear of the drama between her and Charles. It was a quiet nudge for him to leave.


    With that, she opened the car door and stepped out, offering Brooks a small, reassuring smile to signal his exit.


    She shut the door behind her and walked straight inside, not even ncing at Charles.


    "What were you two doing in the car?" Charles demanded, matching her stride and searching her face for answers.


    Evelyn didn''t give him the time of day. She was drained and all she wanted was a hot shower and some shut-eye.


    But Charles wasn''t about to let her off the hook so easily.


    The moment they were inside, Charles pinned her against the door.


    Grabbing her chin, he nted a sudden kiss on her.


    Evelyn turned her head, dodging him. Charles'' lips grazed her cheek instead.


    Their breaths mingled heavily in the air.


    Evelyn was tense all over, her resistance in as day.


    Charles reyed the smile she''d given Brooks and how long the car had stayed parked, and his chest tightened with frustration.


    He didn''t push for another kiss. Instead, he backed off slightly.


    Evelyn let out a breath of relief and was about to shove Charles away when his deep, raspy voice whispered in her ear, "Kiss me, like you used to."


    He was talking about the old days.


    During those five years together, every time he came home, she''d eagerly greet him with a kiss.


    Back for


    was head over heels


    sperately to hotd


    Charlie''s sake and for


    She''d cast aside her shyness, tried her hardest to win him over.


    Dreaming that one day, he''d see her worth and recognize how wonderful Charlie


    was.


    That they could be a happy little family, giving Charlie the loving home he deserved.


    But in the end, all she got was heartache, losing Charlie to him and Dahlia.


    Night after night, she''d wake up seething with hatred.


    Hatred for Charles, for Dahlia, and for herself.


    "Eve, don''t make me remind you again," Charles murmured, his thumb tracing her face as he leaned


    in, their lips almost toucov


    He waited, expecting Evelyn to make the first move.


    Evelyn recognized the threat in his words—he was using her mother as leverage again.


    Her hands clenched into fists at her sides, nails biting into her palms to drown out the inner turmoil.


    With a resigned sigh, she closed her eyes and kissed him.


    The kiss was mechanical, more of a bite than a kiss, with the coppery taste of blood seeping in.


    Charles'' breathing grew heavier, unable to resist turning passive into active.


    Evelyn had no choice but to endure it, her back pressed against the door, her body rigid.


    Eventually, Charles released her, not pushing things too far, and headed to the bathroom for a cold shower.


    Evelyn went to the sink, picking up her toothbrush and scrubbing away any trace of Charles'' presence.


    When Charles came out of the shower, he found Evelyn still brushing her teeth.


    His expression darkened, and he stormed over, snatching the toothbrush from her. "That''s enough."