Charles felt it deeply. The metaphorical knife twisted sharply into his heart, leaving his soul raw and bleeding. The pain made him tremble, yet he held onto Evelyn, refusing to let go.


    "Eve, let''s have another child. Charlie would have wanted us to. He''lle back to us," he pleaded, his words a mix of a desperate promise to Evelyn and an attempt to convince himself.


    Overwhelmed by his emotions, Charles kissed Evelyn, unable to hold back any longer. Despite Evelyn''s resistance, his instincts took over. Even though it had been ages since they were close, Charles remembered every detail about her.


    He gently carried her into the bedroom,ying her softly onto the bed''sforting embrace.


    "Charles, if you touch me today, I swear I''ll kill you!" Evelyn shouted, pinned in his arms, her hands tied behind her back with a tie, rendering her defenseless. Her legs were trapped beneath him, and as she realized how serious he was, fury rose within her.


    There was no turning back now. Evelyn fought with every ounce of strength, but no matter her efforts, Charles slowly overcame her defenses.


    Panic surged through Evelyn. As Charles lifted her, pulling her close, fear overwhelmed her, and she finally cried out, "Charles, please don''t!"


    The words she had been unable to speak remained trapped inside, but the fear and emotional copse unleashed a torrent of tears. Charles''s eyes, once a furious crimson, softened momentarily as rity returned, and he hesitated.


    An internal battle raged within him, stretching seconds into what felt like centuries.


    A voice urged him to reim Evelyn, to start anew with another child, forging a new bond between them, offering a fresh start. Yet another voice questioned how he could bear to force her when she was so unhappy.


    In his heart, she was his Debbie, the girl he had vowed to protect since he was ten. Sweating from the internal struggle, Charles watched Evelyn, Her mind was nk, unable to feel anything but an endless chill until a gentle kissnded on her


    tear-stained eyes.


    Unlike the earlier aggression, this kiss was tender, filled with emotion, making her feel cherished. Evelyn, puzzled by the unexpected warmth, instinctively met


    Charles''s gaze, his eyes deep and steady.


    "Eve, I was wrong. I won''t force you.


    Please don''t cry," Charles''s voice was hoarse;den with regret. Fighting the burning desire within, he summoned thest of his willpower to let her go, rolling off the bed and rushing into the bathroom,


    With a loud bang, the bathroom door closed, and soon the sound of running water filled the room. Released, Evelyn copsed onto the bed, her strength gone. It took several moments for her to realize Charles had truly stopped.


    Listening to the shower, Evelyn knew Charles was trying to cool down, but fear lingered that it wouldn''t be enough, that he might return, seeking sce in her once more. Despite her shaky legs, she forced herself to stand.


    As her feet touched the floor, her trembling legs gave way, causing her to stumble forward. Her knee collided with the vanity stool, sharp pain turning her face pale. Ignoring the pain, Evelyn stumbled toward the wardrobe.


    Her clothes were torn and useless.


    She couldn''t leave like this. With


    trembling hands, she flung open the wardrobe, frantically grabbing clothes and dressing herself, all the while attuned to the bathroom sounds, hyper-aware like a startled bird.


    Once dressed, Evelyn grabbed her phone and made a dash for the door. Just as she reached the bathroom, she heard a click. Charles opened the door, and their eyes met.


    Evelyn looked into his bloodshot eyes, still burning with an intense, unquenchable desire. The color drained from her face.