Vivian’s scream rang out from the other end of the phone a second later.
*Julian, your face–it looks terrible! Don’t scare me!”
Julian forced out one final breath.
“I believe the curse now… Evelyn, only you can save me. Come to the Fletcher estate immediately.“}
Then, silence.
Lucas looked at me from the side.
“Going to the Fletcher estate? But you already saved me. Helping him now won’t change anything.”
I curled my lips into a smile.
“Of course I’m going. I imagine the Fletcher house is in chaos right now.“>
‘T’ll go with you.”
Watching Lucas head off to get dressed, I was surprised. His father, Darius Fletcher, and Donald had been brothers once, but they’d fallen out decades ago over a business split that ended in a bitter family feud.
Their families hadn’t spoken in over thirty years.
Seeing my confusion, Lucas returned with a suit jacket and gently ruffled my hair.
“Evelyn, as your husband, it’s my duty to protect you. I won’t let any man lay claim to my wife.”>
My face flushed.[
Earlier that day, after I left the Fletcher estate, Lucas had been waiting for me outside.}
He offered me everything he owned as a dowry–and asked me to marry him.
Moved by his sincerity, I said yes. We’d gone straight to the registry office and got our marriage license.”
By the time we arrived at the Fletcher estate, Maddie was already rushing out to greet us. She yanked open the car door and pulled me inside.
“Evelyn, Julian’s only hope is you. Whatever you want–just say it. If it’s within our power, we’ll agree.“}
Inside, the room was filled with medical equipment. Two doctors hovered at Julian’s bed–side, their expressions grim.}
“Maddie, one of them said, “his body shows no diagnosable issues, but his pulse keeps weakening.”
“We’ve administered what we can. He may last three more days–at most.“}
Mr. Fletcher paced nervously.
“Where is Evelyn? Didn’t Julian call her already?”
Julian slowly turned his head. When he saw me enter, a spark of hope lit up his eyes.}
“Evelyn… I knew you’d come. I knew you’d save me.“2
“Just one night–if you stay with me and lift the curse, I won’t die…“}
Maddie hurried to push me closer to the bed.
*Julian, she’s here. You’re saved now!“}
Vivian, who had been sitting beside the bed, jumped up in disbelief.
“What?! That can’t be right. Didn’t they say the family curse was just superstition? Lies?”
“Dad, Mom–don’t fall for Evelyn’s act again!“2
Maddie slapped her across the face.
“You still have the nerve to speak? If you hadn’t seduced Julian, none of this would’ve happened.“>
“That wedding today? It means nothing. There’s no license. We only recognize Evelyn as Julian’s wife.”
Vivian clutched her reddened cheek and looked at Julian with teary eyes.>
*Julian, your mom hit me–for her! How could she? Please, say something. Help me!”
But Julian only had eyes for me.>
*Evelyn, I know I was wrong. I promise, once I recover, I’ll plan a proper wedding for you. You’ll be the mistress of the Fletcher Family.”
“Vivian and the child can live elsewhere. They won’t interfere with you. I swear.”
*Julian Fletcher, Lucas’s voice rang out sharply as he stepped into the room, pushing past the bodyguard at the door.
“You think it’s appropriate to talk about marrying my wife right in front of me?“?
Everyone froze, turning toward the stranger who had just appeared.
