Page 73 of Ruined

I move toward her, hands out like I'm approaching a wounded animal. The pain in her eyes cuts deeper than any knife.

"Evelyn—"

"Don't touch me!" she screams, backing away until she hits the wall. Her voice cracks with raw emotion. "Don't you fucking touch me!"

I freeze, watching her chest heave with each ragged breath. Tears streak down her face, her wet hair plastered against her cheeks.

"All of this is happening because of you," she spits. "You took me. You started this war with Ivan. And now innocent people are paying for it."

Her words hit like bullets, each one finding its mark.

"I hate you." Her voice drops to a whisper, more devastating than her screams. "I hate what you've done. I hate that I let myself feel anything for you."

I clench my jaw, fighting to keep my face blank. "You don't mean that."

"I do." She wipes her tears angrily with the back of her hand. "This is my mess. I signed that contract with Ivan. I'm the one who should face the consequences—not Jessica, not Michael, not anyone else."

"That's not how this works."

"Then make it work that way!" She pushes off the wall, getting right in my face. "Call Ivan. Tell him you'll trade me for Jessica and Michael. End this before anyone else gets hurt."

I shake my head. "Not happening."

"Why? Because I'm your property now?" She laughs bitterly. "You're no better than Ivan. You both think you own me."

"I'm trying to protect you."

"I don't want your protection!" She slams her palm against my chest. "I want my sister back! I want my friend safe! I can't live with myself knowing they're suffering because of me."

Her shoulders collapse inward as a fresh wave of sobs overtakes her. I reach for her again, unable to stop myself.

"I said don't touch me." She steps back, wrapping her arms around herself. "If you cared about me at all, you'd let me go. Let me face Ivan myself."

"So he can kill you?"

"If that's what it takes." Her eyes meet mine, resolute despite the tears. "Their lives are worth more than mine."

I stare at Evelyn, her words slicing through me like shrapnel. My chest tightens with each accusation she hurls. The whiskey in my system does nothing to dull the sting.

"You're not even close to the truth," I say, keeping my voice low and controlled despite the storm raging inside me. "Ivan doesn't give a fuck about your friend or your sister. He cares about power. About showing everyone he can take what he wants." She shakes her head, tears still streaming down her face. "They're missing because Ivan is a sadistic piece of shit who?—"

"Shut up!" She slams her hands against my chest, shoving me back. "Just shut up! You don't get to stand there and act like you're the hero in this story!"

I grab her wrists before she can hit me again. "I never claimed to be a hero."

"Let go of me." Her voice drops dangerously low.

I release her immediately, watching as she rubs her wrists, glaring at me with hatred burning in her eyes.

"You think you're protecting me?" She laughs bitterly. "You're just another man trying to control me. My father, Ivan, now you—different cages, same prison."

"That's not?—"

"I'm done listening to you." She cuts me off, backing away. "I'm done pretending that any of this is okay."

Before I can respond, she turns and storms toward the bedroom, her footsteps heavy with rage.

"Evelyn, wait?—"

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