Let Go Of Me!

Dominic stood frozen, his fists clenched as Evangeline's harsh words echoed in his mind. "You're a shame to the family, Dominic Brusward..." Her voice was a painful reminder of his mother's final, bitter words to him. For a moment, his face was unreadable, but inside, the old wounds were reopened, raw and fresh.

Without another thought, he snapped into action. He stripped off his Viceroy shirt and placed it on a nearby bench, revealing his broad chest. His long hair, damp from the humidity, fell loose around his shoulders as he ran toward the river.

"She doesn't care about her life as long as she has those ballet shoes… They must mean a great deal to her," Dominic thought, shaking his head in disbelief. "I need to calm her down before she does something even more reckless."

With a swift dive, he plunged into the cold water, the current pressing against him as he swam deeper, searching for Evangeline.

He spotted her below, her body limp as she sank farther into the depths. Gritting his teeth, Dominic pushed himself harder, slicing through the water until he reached her.

Without hesitation, he dived into the river, the cold water rushing over him as he swam toward Evangeline, whose body was overtaken against the powerful current and lifeless.

As he neared her, he could see her arms flailing weakly, her body sinking deeper into the water as she held onto her ballet shoes for dear life. "She's dying," he realized, pushing harder through the water. Reaching her just in time, he wrapped one arm firmly around her waist, pulling her up to the surface. With his other hand, he grabbed the ballet shoes from her grasp, making sure she wouldn't risk losing them again.

Gasping for breath, Dominic powered through the water, holding Evangeline tightly against him. He could feel her body growing limp in his arms, her strength completely drained as she barely held on.Dominic gasped for air, his heart racing as he swam back to shore, Evangeline's unconscious form cradled in his arms. He hauled her out of the water and laid her gently on the bench where his shirt had been. His eyes flicked to Richard, who had just arrived, standing a few feet away.

Richard's fists were clenched, his face tight with anger as he saw Evangeline's soaked and lifeless figure. Their eyes met—Dominic's dark and unwavering, Richard's full of fury. But despite his desire to fight, Richard knew he couldn't. Not now. Not with Evangeline like this. He lowered his fists and, with a frustrated shake of his head, turned and walked away, leaving Dominic alone with her.

Dominic stared at Evangeline's face which was pale, her eyes closed as water dripped from her soaked hair and clothes. Without wasting a second, Dominic leaned down, breathing air into her lungs, his hands pressing rhythmically on her chest. "Come on, breathe," he muttered under his breath, his expression tense.

After several moments, she finally coughed, sputtering up water. Her eyes fluttered open, disoriented at first, but when her vision cleared and she saw Dominic leaning over her, her face hardened.

Fury blazed in her eyes as she reached out and grabbed a handful of his long, wet hair. "Let go... of me," she hissed, her voice weak but determined.

Dominic caught her wrist before she could do any damage, his grip firm yet careful. "Calm down," he said in a low voice, but she yanked her hand free and pushed him back, standing up on unsteady legs.

She blinked a few times, her eyes adjusting to the sight of him. But as her focus sharpened and she remembered what had happened, her face twisted with anger. "You… you let me drown!" she snapped, her voice raspy but filled with fury.

Dominic raised an eyebrow, his lips curving into a slight smile despite the accusation. "If I had let you drown, you wouldn't be yelling at me right now," he replied coolly.

Evangeline's glare only intensified. "You threw my shoes into the river!" She tried to walk, but her limbs were still weak from the ordeal.

Dominic, unfazed by her anger, held up the ballet shoes, now soaked but still intact."These? I saved them for you"He teased her but it made her more angrier.

Her expression faltered for a moment as she looked at the shoes, then back at him. She was about to lash out again when Dominic stood up, his long hair dripping water as he ran his fingers through it. "You should rest. You've had enough for one day," he said, his tone light but carrying an underlying seriousness.

Evangeline's fists clenched around the ballet shoes. She opened her mouth to argue but stopped herself, realizing she was too exhausted to keep fighting. Instead, she looked away, still breathing heavily, her anger simmering but her energy depleted.

Still dripping with water, Evangeline bent down to snatch up her ballet shoes, clutching them tightly to her chest. "When I'm done with the review, I'll let you know," she spat, her voice seething with anger. "For now, stay out of my business and don't touch anything at the Eastward!" She stormed off, her wet dress clinging to her as she marched back toward the building, leaving the garden without looking back.

Dominic watched her go, an amused smile playing on his lips despite the tension. He squeezed his hair, letting the water drain out, then picked up his Viceroy shirt and slipped it back on, leaving the top buttons undone, exposing his chest. His gaze followed Evangeline as she disappeared into the entrance, his expression unreadable. He let out a small sigh before heading back toward the building, his long strides calm and measured, as though the events of the last few moments had barely fazed him.

In Evangeline's bedroom, she sat wrapped in a large towel, trembling from the cold. Richard carefully draped the blanket tighter around her shivering body, but her hands still clenched it as if trying to steady herself.

"Who does that bastard think he is?" she muttered under her breath, teeth gritted in anger. "First, he took everything from me, and now he's after my precious belongings?" Her fingers tightened around the blanket, frustration bubbling up inside her. "I swear, Dominic... I'll take your life before you take mine," she thought darkly, her throat dry from coughing.

Richard handed her a cup of hot chocolate, his concern evident. She accepted it but walked briskly toward her study table, trying to compose herself despite the fury simmering beneath her calm exterior.

"I asked you before if you'd be safe with him," Richard began, his tone firm. "You said you'd be fine, but he just stood there and watched you drown. Isn't it time to consider another way to—"

Before he could finish, Evangeline slammed her hand down on the study table with a resounding thud. "Richard!" she snapped, her voice sharp and filled with frustration. "I told you I'll be fine. You don't need to intervene. I can handle myself."

Her fists tightened against the table, knuckles white, as she took a quick sip from the cup. "Ugh!" she groaned, the scorching liquid burning her tongue. Startled, the cup slipped from her grip, but Richard was quicker. He lunged forward, catching the cup just before it crashed to the floor and set it down safely on the table.

"Evangeline," Richard said softly, his hand moving to stroke her damp hair as she winced from the pain, tears welling in her eyes. "Dominic is dangerous... You need to be more careful."

She looked up at him through her tears, her voice trembling with anger and pain. "Who says I don't already know that?!" she shouted, her voice breaking as she stomped her foot. "I know exactly who he is, Richard. I know exactly what I'm dealing with!"

Still clutching her burnt tongue, she tried to fan her mouth with her hand, but the pain was too intense. Richard, moved by her distress, gently grabbed her by the waist and kissed her. The coolness of his lips soothed the burn, and for a moment, she surrendered to the kiss, her fingers clutching his waist.

But just as quickly, a haunting memory surfaced—an intimate moment she shared with Dominic in the car under the effects of the aphrodisiac. It flashed vividly in her mind, and she abruptly pulled away from Richard, a conflicted look in her eyes. She reached for the cup of hot chocolate again, her hands shaking slightly as she tried to regain control.

"Richard..." Evangeline whispered, turning her back to him as she sipped cautiously from the cup. "I need to review some documents. I'll see you later tonight... maybe." Her voice softened, a trace of sadness hanging in the air as she adjusted the towel around her body.

Richard stood for a moment, watching her in silence, sensing the emotional distance between them. He nodded, his concern still lingering. "I'll leave you alone for now. Just... be safe," he said quietly, retreating toward the door.

Evangeline didn't respond. She kept her gaze fixed on the window, the weight of her thoughts pressing down on her. Richard paused for a moment, glancing back at her, but then quietly shut the door behind him as he left.

Alone, Evangeline stared at her reflection in the glass, her fist slowly tightening until the faint glint of her wedding ring caught her eye. Her thoughts drifted back to Dominic, her mind swirling with anger and the painful memories that came with him.

"For Dominic..." she whispered to herself. "I'll handle him on my own. Once I finish this training and get the divorce, I'll let George know. No matter how long it takes..." She trailed off, her resolve hardening as she sipped the hot chocolate again, her eyes cold and determined.

The Old Building - Cold Palace

Evangeline's Childhood Bedroom

Evangeline wrapped herself in a thin, transparent green dress, her straightened hair flowing gently past her shoulders. She slipped her feet into soft inner slippers, a blanket draped loosely over her shoulders. Around her neck hung the jade pendant, given to her by Dominic at her late brother's request. It rested lightly against her chest, a constant reminder of the past she was trying to navigate.

She sat at her childhood desk, flipping through the records in her hand, lost in thought. The quiet of the room was interrupted as Magdalene entered, pushing a trolley of food with one hand while balancing folded clothes in the other. The trolley rattled slightly as it rolled across the floor, laden with a small feast.

"My Lady, I brought everything you asked for," Magdalene said, her voice gentle but efficient. She set the clothes down neatly on a nearby chair before turning back to gesture toward the food. "I also added some extra blankets and desserts to sustain you through the day. The physician's words were clear—you need to eat regularly and well"

The trolley held an array of delightful dishes: a vibrant fruit salad glistening with fresh strawberries, blueberries, and slices of kiwi, their colors bright against the white bowl; a perfectly seared chicken steak, golden-brown and fragrant with herbs, rested beside a generous glass of freshly squeezed lemonade, the condensation dripping down its sides; delicate tea cakes sprinkled with powdered sugar lay alongside a slice of fluffy cake topped with a medley of berries, their juices pooling slightly on the plate.

"Please make sure to take a bite, Lady Evangeline. That's why I brought so much. Your strength is important," she urged, her tone filled with care.

Evangeline smiled at her, a rare moment of lightness. "I promise, I won't leave a crumb," she said with a soft giggle, her eyes closing briefly as she let the warmth of the moment wash over her. Magdalene, pleased to see her mistress in good spirits, nodded in satisfaction. "Seeing Lady Evangeline like this... It's reassuring," Magdalene thought. "As long as she trains under His Grace's supervision, she'll be safe."

"If you need anything else, my lady, just let me know," Magdalene continued. "I checked the old telephone in the building, and luckily, it still works. You can call the palace or my bedroom directly. The telephone is in the lobby." As she spoke, Evangeline had already moved to the trolley, picking up a fork and cutting into the cake. She took a small bite, the light sweetness of the cake melting in her mouth, momentarily distracting her from her worries.

"Did you get the water?" Evangeline asked between bites. Magdalene nodded and clapped her hands. A servant entered swiftly, carrying a bowl of water, which she handed to Magdalene before leaving just as quickly.

Magdalene, curious, handed the bowl to Evangeline. "May I ask what you intend to use this for, my lady?" she inquired cautiously.

Evangeline let out a quiet sigh. "To keep myself awake at all times," she replied with a sharp focus in her voice, her eyes distant as if contemplating something far beyond the room.

Magdalene frowned, puzzled by the request. "Awake at all times? She's pushing herself harder than usual..." Magdalene thought, her mind racing. "Could it be because Dominic invaded this building after his meeting? This determination... it's unlike her."

Evangeline's gaze shifted toward a drawer in the room, where her revolver lay hidden. Her thoughts darkened as she ran her hand over the edge of the desk. "I won't let him invade this place again. Not a third time," she vowed silently to herself. "I must keep my revolver close. This time, I'll be ready."

Magdalene noticed Evangeline's glance and understood the unspoken determination radiating from her. There was a change in Evangeline—something that had shifted within her since Dominic's last intrusion.

"I'll be taking my leave now. The office you requested is in process, and I'll install the new number on the telephone. I'll have to contact the line office," Magdalene said, her voice steady and professional. Evangeline nodded absentmindedly, dropping the fork onto her plate and leaving a half-eaten piece of fluffy cake untouched.

Magdalene walked away, leaving the room and closing the door softly behind her, which left Evangeline alone in her thoughts.

Evangeline walked towards the sofa, sinking into its cushions with a heavy sigh. She opened the record book in her lap, flipping through the pages with a furrowed brow. "I'm going to host the anniversary next week, and the coronation is next month. I'm almost done with this dreadful pile of books Dominic gave me," she thought, her frustration evident as she narrowed her eyes at the page. "Just watch and see, Brusward. I can be as perfect as my grandmother and mother. I won't give in to you."

She cast a glance toward the furnace in the corner of the room, its warm glow illuminating the space and providing a stark contrast to the chill that still lingered in the air. Evangeline wrapped her arms around herself, trying to find solace in the warmth, but the tension in her chest remained. Her resolve hardened as she reminded herself of her determination. She would not let Dominic's interference derail her plans.