"What?" Elena nearly shouted.
"Shh... Keep your voice down."
Elena immediately covered her mouth with both hands. Shock and disbelief flashed across her face.
’Didn’t she hate him?’
Then she remembered Evelyn admitting that she still loved Ian. "Are you planning to reconcile with him?"
"What? No... I was dru..."
Evelyn turned away. Her face paled. She almost told her the truth. But she stopped herself.
"I was drunk last night," she said instead. "I didn’t know what I was doing. Ian found me and took me to his place."
She couldn’t tell Elena that someone had drugged her. Her family had already been through enough.
If they learned what had happened, Elias would turn the entire city upside down searching for whoever was responsible.
Evelyn didn’t want to put another burden on her brother.
"Please don’t tell Elias anything about it," she pleaded. "He has already been disturbed enough."
Elena sighed.
Elias had searched for Evelyn throughout the entire night. By now, he might already have learned where she had been.
"Go freshen up," Elena said gently. "I’ll tell Elias that you’ve returned."
Evelyn nodded and hurried toward her room without looking back. The moment she entered, she closed the door and leaned against it.
Her heart was beating wildly.
’I can’t believe I actually slept with Ian.’
She pressed a hand against her chest.
The memory of his kisses returned. Her cheeks flushed again. Almost unconsciously, her fingers touched her lips.
’Does he really feel something for me?’
Hope flickered. But then she remembered his cold attitude over the years. He had been indifferent toward her, maintaining a distance from her.
And then Maya.
How could she forget about his secret affair?
’He doesn’t have feelings for me. He only helped me because I begged him. Nothing else.’
The faint hope inside her died almost immediately.
’It was just a one-night thing. It won’t happen again.’
Her fingers curled into fists. She felt anger slowly replacing her embarrassment.
None of this would have happened if she hadn’t been drugged. Her expression hardened with resolve.
’I’ll find out who dared to do this to me. I won’t spare them.’
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
At Elias’s office...
Elias lay stretched out on the sofa, his eyes closed. He hadn’t slept for even a moment the previous night. His head throbbed painfully.
The office door opened.
"Sir..."
Elias opened his bloodshot eyes.
Owen stood at the entrance. "There is an update about Miss Evelyn."
Elias immediately sat upright. "Did you find her?"
"Yes. I received an update from the guards. She arrived at the mansion a while ago."
Relief washed over Elias. He dragged a hand down his face.
"Where was she last night? Did you find anything?"
Owen hesitated briefly. "Yes. She was with Dr. Whitmore."
Elias’s head snapped up. "What? She was with Ian?"
"Yes, sir," Owen continued carefully.
"She was spotted leaving Dr. Whitmore’s condominium this morning."
Elias fell silent. He had imagined countless possibilities throughout the night. He had feared that Evelyn had been kidnapped. But it had never crossed his mind that she might have been with Ian.
Strangely, relief washed over him.
’Maybe they are going to reconcile. Maybe this time Ian will treat her well.’
His lips curled into a faint smile. He knew his sister better than anyone. He knew she wasn’t completely over Ian. If she found happiness with him again, Elias wouldn’t interfere.
"Alright. I understand." He leaned back against the sofa. "Don’t pursue this matter any further."
"Understood, sir." Owen watched him for a moment. "You didn’t sleep last night. You should go home and rest."
Before Elias could reply, his phone rang.
Elena.
A smile immediately appeared on his face. He waved a hand, signaling Owen to leave.
Owen nodded and walked out.
The moment he was alone, Elias answered the call.
"Hello."
"Evelyn came home," Elena said. "She is fine. She was with Ian last night."
"I know."
Elena wasn’t surprised. She had already guessed he would know.
"Are you alright?" She sighed softly. "You didn’t rest at all last night. Why don’t you come home?"
Elias chuckled. His tired eyes softened.
"Since you want me home, how can I say no? I’ll go home."
Elena couldn’t help smiling. "I’m waiting."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
When Elias finally returned home, Elena immediately noticed how exhausted he looked.
His usually sharp eyes were bloodshot, and there were faint shadows beneath them. His shoulders seemed heavier than usual, as though the tension of the entire night had settled over him.
"You look terrible," Elena murmured.
Elias gave her a tired smile. "Thank you for the compliment."
She couldn’t help smiling. "Come here."
He obediently followed her into the bedroom.
"Sit."
"Elena, I’m fine."
"You haven’t slept the entire night."
"I’ve survived worse."
She gave him a pointed look. "Sit down."
Elias sighed and sat on the edge of the bed.
Elena disappeared into the bathroom and returned a moment later with a warm towel. She gently placed it over his forehead.
Elias closed his eyes. The warmth immediately eased some of the tension in his face.
"Better?" she asked softly.
"A little."
Elena sat beside him and began massaging his temples with her fingertips.
Elias remained silent.
Her touch was gentle and rhythmic, slowly working away the tension that had built up through the sleepless night.
She wanted to ask if he was angry with Ian for taking Evelyn with him.
"You are still worried about Evelyn?" she asked quietly.
His muscles of his body stiffened. If anything bad had happened to Evelyn, he didn’t know what he would have done.
"I was terrified something had happened to her," he said honestly. "I imagined the worst."
Elena’s expression softened. "She is home now. She is safe. You don’t have to worry anymore."
"I know."
She hesitated for a moment before saying, "She was drunk last night and stumbled with Ian. He took her to his place."
She didn’t tell him the rest. "Are you angry with him?"
Elias opened his eyes and looked at her.
"He could have told you she was with him. Do you blame him?"
Elias was relieved that his sister was fine. He had no complaints. He shook his head, letting out a tired sigh.
"No... If this is what Eve wants, I have no issues. Her happiness is what matters to me."
"Hmm. Wait here. I will be back in a while."
Elena walked out of the bedroom.
Elias lay down.
After a few minutes, she returned with a glass of warm milk.
"Drink this."
He opened one eye. "Are you treating me like a child?"
"You need this. Come on. Sit up and drink."
He chuckled softly as he sat up and took the glass from her.
Meanwhile, his phone buzzed. He was about to check the phone when she snatched it from his hand.
"No work. No calls. No checking messages." She placed the phone on the bedside table.
"What if something important happens?"
"Then I’ll handle it."
Elias stared at her for a moment before surrendering. "Fine."
She drew the curtains, leaving the bedroom dim and peaceful. Then she returned to the bed and pulled the blanket over him.
Elias caught her wrist before she could move away. "Stay."
Elena looked at him.
His eyes were already growing heavy.
She shook her head affectionately and sat beside him.
Elias shifted closer and wrapped his arms around her waist.
Elena gently ran her fingers through his hair.
The tension slowly left his body. His breathing became steadier.
"Elias?"
There was no response. She looked down and realized he had already fallen asleep. A tender smile touched her lips.
For all his strength, confidence, and intimidating presence, at that moment he looked completely vulnerable.
She continued stroking his hair. "Sleep," she whispered. "I’m here."