Played Again?

Evelyn’s P.O.V.

The smugness on his face never wavered as he glared straight into my eyes as if challenging me to refuse.

Xander was trying to provoke me but all I felt was hurt.

He broke me.

Tears burned the back of my eyes and eventually cascaded down my face not waiting for my permission. That’s when his gaze flickered. His eyes followed the trails of my tears but neither he said anything nor I did. We both just stood in silence as if contemplating the whole situation.

“This had to be done, Evie.” Mom’s voice broke my trance. I didn’t look at her and continued staring at Xander who couldn’t hold the eye contact anymore and averted his gaze. I could feel a sense of discomfort rolling off him as if he was regretting making me cry. But he wouldn’t apologize, it hurt his male pride but I know that even if he did, I would never forgive him. Some mistakes can’t be forgiven with a simple sorry.

But what broke my heart more was my parents’ rooting for him. Like seriously, can’t they see what he has done? He humiliated me and left me ashamed and embarrassed in front of them and yet they are on his side.

Bubbling with rage, I drew a long breath and cleared my tears on my own because no one else was going to do it for me. I am alone, all alone and I realized it today. But that also doesn’t mean I can’t fight back.

I turned to Mom who was staring at me worriedly but I am done.

“Is my life a joke to you?”

My harsh words threw her for a loop, “What?”

I snickered while tamping down my sobs, “So according to you it’s right of Xander to capture my intimate moments and put them for an exhibition because,” I paused and turned to Dad, “you allowed him to breach your daughter’s privacy?”

“You’re damn right.” Dad shot back, shattering me more. I nodded with a straight face.

“Well, then it’s right of me to love Dylan. ” I snapped. If they are so hell-bent on justifying their wrongdoing then why do I have to cover mine? I might just peel away the care and fear in my chest and accept my heart.

“As if I will let you.” Xander suddenly hollered and gripped my forearm tightly. I hissed in pain and tried to pry away his fingers since he was cutting my blood supply. But he only tightened his hold and pulled me closer.

“You can’t use me and throw away whenever you want to. When you need to get rid of him you come crawling to me and when your dead love revives, you discard me as if I am nothing to you.” He spat, slicing my heart into two.

“How can you even say this to me?” I croaked out, more tears spilled out of my eyes. I can’t believe it was coming out of his mouth.

Is that what he thinks about me?

But unlike me who was bogged in despair, his face glowed red with the flame of vengeance, contempt, and fury. Gripping my forearms, Xander pulled me to his face level. A whimper escaped my mouth as my toes barely touched the ground.

“Because that’s the truth.” He thundered.

“All my life I had been looking for one girl who could turn me crazy. Whom I would desire and once she becomes mine, I would never let her go. I have never been in love with anyone Eve but only you. I know it was wrong but it only turned deeper and you’re responsible for this.” His voice dropped an octave as he roared in my face making me squeeze my eyes shut due to fear.

“You made me crave for more. Every time you rejected my feelings they only turned more potent and irresistible. I tried so hard to win you last time but you jerked me away. Went underground and I have to move heaven and earth to get to you. And now when everything started falling in the right place. Despite your resistance, I succeeded in winning your heart, you again spurned me.”

His voice was laden with pain. Morose swept his features and I surely felt guilty but it was wrong of him for turning everything on me.

Mustering up all my strength, I yanked him away from me. Xander didn’t expect that as his hold loosened abruptly which made me stumble but I quickly regained my balance.

“I never gave you any hope, Xander. I used you? When did I ever do that? I only relied on you because I trusted you. Trusted you more than Brandon more than anyone even more than myself.”

My throat clogged up as I clenched my shirt. The pain in my chest increased ten folds. His eyes turned moist but I was the one who was hurt the most.

“It’s not my fault that I considered you my friend when you were looking for a way to marry me. I was still married to Dylan and you fell for your best friend’s wife. I can understand that love is something that is not bound by conditions. It happens and I did tell you that I respect your feelings. But imposing your feelings on someone, and threatening them to accept it is totally wrong. Just because you always look after me that doesn’t give you the right to force me to accept you.” I shouted and glared at the trio. They are taking advantage of my silence.

Mom was taken aback but Dad was still pissed. And that enraged me.

“Your hatred for Dylan is not letting you see anything else, Dad. I can understand that you’re scared that I will be repeating the history but I want you to trust me.” I implored but only to be left disappointed because he chortled as if I had cracked a joke.

“Trust you? Did you go to Paris to attend a meeting or to reunite with that monster? If I remember you cut your ties with your mother because she was still supporting Dylan.” He spoke bitterly.

My shoulders slouched as I let out an exasperated sigh. I decided to clamp up because whatever I’ll say, it will fall deaf on his ears. He is still mad at me for choosing Dylan not at that guy who exposed my private photos.

Shaking my head, I spoke, “It’s pointless making you understand. Stick to your opinions and I would stick to mine.” Sneering I then shot a teary glare at Xander who was already looking at me, “But I wouldn’t let this slide. I would drag you down to the gates of Hell for breaching my privacy.”

Xander glared at me but then huffed and turned to Dad.

“Then I will have to accompany him,” Dad spoke, flat out. I didn’t answer him because honestly, I have nothing to say. So, I simply turned my heels to leave when Xander grasped my wrist. Repulsed, I jerked him harshly but it was a futile attempt as he brought me closer to his face level while boring holes into my face.

“Let me fucking go,” I sputtered out but he only smirked in return.

“Nope. Not this time,” he seethed back. Flushed with rage, I raised my hand to slap him but someone else beat me to it.

“Let him go,” Mom grated as she shot daggers at Xander and grabbed his hand. Xander flipped his gaze to her, his jaw clenching.

“I said let him go,” she reiterated, this time a bit harsher. My heart swelled while a smile rolled to my lips. I knew she would never abandon me. She didn’t let me down and that’s something you can expect from only someone who stayed by your side the whole time.

“And I would tell you to back off Miss.”

A gruff voice perked my ears. Frowning, I looked behind.

My eyes widened in horror.

There stood a group of men with their guns pointed at me and Mom. When did they even enter?

Shocked, I turned to Xander who was staring at me with amusement.

“What is the meaning of this?” I yelled in his face while my struggles amplified out of fear.

Is he a Mafia just like Dylan?

God, please don’t.

Enjoying my pathetic attempts at freedom, he pulled me closer and snaked his hand around my waist. His touch disgusted me. He disgusted me and I couldn’t bite it back because he is not the Xander whom I know.

That sick smile never left his face as he twirled a strand of my brown hair around his fingers and husked.

“Unlike your husband, I have a legal backup. Something which can’t be objected to and should only be accepted.”

I masked my confusion with annoyance and retorted, “You aren’t a cop so don’t give me this bullshit. You can’t threaten me with a bunch of your paid goons.”

“Goons?” He chuckled and placed that strand with which he was toying behind my left ear before answering my query, “They are police officers. Didn’t you see their badges?” He quipped.

Terror seized my heart. I instantly whipped my head in their direction. He was right, they were officers dressed in black suits. Their badges glared at me but what surprised me was...

Michael?

What was he doing here?

Michael caught my expression and so did... Xander.

“What? Surprised that I am using Hunter’s Dad for my benefit?” He said and chuckled darkly.

My breath hitched.

He knows.

Oh, my God.

Heaving a shaky breath, I slowly peeked at him with my heart drumming in my ears. Xander flashed me a complacent smirk.

I instantly jerked my head to the side when he caressed my right cheekbone with the back of his fingers. Xander chuckled at my action but his every move was only snowballing my fear.

“If you know so much about me then you should also know that Dylan would kill you.” Though I was shaking, my voice came out firm and confident. And I was so thankful to God for that.

But the evil glint in his eyes staggered my belief.

“You think so? Perhaps you need to take a better look. And make sure to look properly.” Xander mused and urged me to look again. I squinted my eyes but still, turned my head and made sure to look at each one of them. But my eyes halted at one familiar face and that was enough to suck the soul out of my body.

Shock would be a very small term to describe what I was feeling right now. I was fucking doomed.

“Hunter?”