Chapter 381

Evadne lay in the hospital bed, an IV drip attached to her arm. Exhausted in both body and mind, she stared blankly at the ceiling, unable to sleep.

Cassius sat beside her, cradling her foot in his lap as he carefully tended to the wound on her ankle with a cotton swab.

Only then did Evadne register the sting of pain. Her brows twitched slightly, but she remained silent.

"Evadne," Cassius murmured, his voice gentle but strained, "you didn’t come home to Elmsworth or Skyrim last night. Where were you?"

His hands trembled as he applied the ointment, but Evadne didn’t react.

"Did you go to see Thaddeus?"

The name hung in the air like a detonated bomb. Every time Cassius uttered it, he did so with caution. "Chasel said you took him to see Thaddeus yesterday, and it didn’t go well. Then you got a call and left alone. Did you go back to him?"

"Cassius."

After a long pause, Evadne finally turned her hollow gaze toward him, her voice raw. "I hate who I am right now. I feel so pathetic."

"Don’t say that."

Cassius’s chest tightened. He leaned in, pulling her into a fierce embrace. "No one gets to insult my sister. Not even you."

The bond between them was unbreakable.

All he wanted was for her to be happy.

Evadne buried her face in his shoulder, her body shaking with silent sobs. She didn’t understand why the sight of Thaddeus with Acacia had shattered her so completely.

It felt like her soul had been torn apart.

Just then, a nurse entered the room.

"President Ashbourne, it’s time to change Ms. Ashbourne’s dressing."

"Of course."

Cassius reluctantly released Evadne and stood, his expression heavy with worry.

The nurse helped Evadne out of her loose hospital gown, revealing a delicate silver silk slip beneath. Her skin was pale as porcelain, her arms fragile.

Though Cassius had cared for her when she was younger, she was a woman now, and he knew better than to stay during such a private moment.

As he turned to leave, his gaze caught on the vivid red marks trailing down her neck and collarbone.

His breath hitched.

In an instant, his entire body went rigid.

The nurse, sensing the shift in the air, quickly excused herself.

Cassius strode forward, gripping Evadne’s shoulders with bruising force.

"Did he touch you?" His voice was rough, barely controlled. "Did Thaddeus lay a hand on you? Did you two—?"

Evadne met his gaze, her lips dry and cracked.

Her silence was answer enough.

"Did he force you?" Cassius ground out.

"No." She swallowed hard. "I wanted to."

The words struck like a physical blow.

Cassius staggered back, his vision blurring.

When he finally left the room, his face was storm-dark.

News of Evadne’s accident had spread quickly. Arnold and Aaron, who had been working at Elmsworth, rushed to the hospital. Nydia, who had been in the middle of a meeting, dropped everything to come. Even Elvis, usually unshakable, arrived in record time.

For Evadne, the Ashbourne siblings rarely gathered like this. Only Bet, still stationed with the military, was missing.

"Cassius, how could Evadne have a car accident out of nowhere?" Nydia, the most sensitive of them all, was already on the verge of tears.

Jason watched her, aching to comfort her, but with the Ashbourne brothers present, he knew his place.

All he could do was stand silently, his gaze never leaving her.

"Exactly," Elvis muttered, running a hand through his hair. "Evadne’s a damn racing queen. She doesn’t rear-end people—people can’t even catch her taillights. Something’s off."

On the way here, his usual calm had deserted him. He’d faced criminals without flinching, but the thought of Evadne hurt left him paralyzed.

Arnold and Aaron exchanged uneasy glances, the tension in the hallway suffocating.

Cassius stood motionless, his jaw clenched so tight it looked painful.

"Cassius?" Arnold nudged him. "Say something."

"Evadne’s injuries aren’t serious," Cassius finally said, his voice flat. "Just some scrapes and bruises. She’s shaken, but she’ll be fine."

He took a slow breath, forcing himself to remain composed. "I need you all to take turns staying with her. Let’s not tell Dad or the others—they’re busy with Myra’s wedding. Evadne wouldn’t want to worry them."

"Cassius, cut the crap."

Elvis scowled. "She’s our sister. Of course we’re staying. You don’t even have to ask."

"Yeah," Arnold and Aaron chimed in immediately. "Nothing’s more important than Evadne."

"Arnold and Aaron, you both have work," Nydia said softly, glancing at Jason. "I don’t. I can stay with Jason to look after her. You guys should rest."

Their eyes met, an unspoken understanding passing between them.

"I’m free too," Aaron protested. "I already cleared my schedule."

He sighed, running a hand through his hair. "As her brother, I’ve never done enough for her. Now that she needs someone, I’m not leaving."

The Ashbourne siblings had never been like other wealthy families, tearing each other apart for power.

They stood together, their bond unshakable.

"Cassius," Arnold said slowly, his prosecutor’s instincts kicking in, "you’re asking us to stay, but what about you? Do you have something else to do?"

Something was off about Cassius. He was holding back fury.

"I have business to attend to."

Cassius glanced at the hospital room door, hesitating before stepping inside.

Evadne had been redressed and was lying still, eyes closed. It was impossible to tell if she was asleep.

Cassius’s throat tightened. He bent down, pressing a gentle kiss to her forehead.

"Rest, princess," he whispered. "I’ll be back soon."

"Cassius."

Evadne didn’t open her eyes, her voice barely audible. "I’m okay. Don’t worry about me."

Her forced strength cut deeper than any wound.

Cassius’s eyes burned, but he refused to let the tears fall.

He turned and strode toward the parking garage, his expression unreadable.

Just as he reached his car, Chasel’s voice stopped him.

"Cassius."

Cassius froze, then slowly turned.

The garage was dimly lit, but it was enough for Chasel to see the redness in Cassius’s eyes, the tears he couldn’t quite hide.

Something inside Chasel twisted.

Cassius, unaware of how devastatingly vulnerable he looked in that moment, straightened.

"What is it?"

Chasel stepped closer, his gaze intense.

Then, without warning, he reached up, brushing his fingers lightly over Cassius’s damp lashes.

Cassius’s breath caught.

"I get it," Chasel murmured, his voice low. "You’re worried about your sister. I understand."

His thumb traced Cassius’s cheekbone. "But don’t do anything stupid. Don’t make her worry about you. And don’t make me worry about you."

Cassius’s pulse roared in his ears.

"I know you’re busy," Chasel continued, stepping back with a smirk. "I won’t ask for a ride. I’ll just grab a rental. Know any good dealerships? Maybe you can hook me up with a discount."

Before he could finish, Cassius grabbed his wrist, yanking him forward.

Chasel’s eyes widened.

"I have time," Cassius growled, pulling him flush against his chest. "When we get back to Silveke Harbor, pick any car from the garage."

Thaddeus had been unconscious for two days, surviving on nothing but water.

Gordon hovered over him, frantic. He’d rather endure the pain himself than watch Thaddeus suffer like this.

Without Evadne, Thaddeus was a shell.

"Gordon, how is he?" Jareth’s voice crackled through the phone. "Is he awake? I’m coming over."

"Mr. Fairhaven, don’t bother. He took his meds and is sleeping."

"Are they meds or sleeping pills? He’s been out since he started. We need to get him to a hospital. I’ll arrange it—discreetly."

"No." Gordon’s voice was heavy. "Even Dr. Eve couldn’t help him. What can anyone else do?"

He stared at Thaddeus’s still form, his stomach churning. "I don’t know if these meds are worth it."

"What do you mean?"

"The side effects are brutal. They stop the shaking, but he vomits constantly, and he’s always drowsy. It’s just trading one hell for another. If this keeps up, he’ll be destroyed."

Jareth fell silent.

"Mr. Abernathy has done so much for Ms. Ashbourne," Gordon burst out, reckless in his frustration. "Why can’t she give him a chance?"

"Gordon."

Jareth sighed. "Evadne never wronged him. Thaddeus is paying for his sins. You saw those three years. You know what she endured. He should suffer for it."

Gordon’s chest ached.

He remembered Evadne—quiet, devoted, loving.

Tears spilled down his face.

Thaddeus was in agony.

But so was Evadne.

Gordon, unwilling to leave Thaddeus unattended, slept on the couch in his bedroom. The next morning, he jolted awake, his instincts screaming.

The bed was empty.

Thaddeus was gone.

"Mr. Abernathy?!"

Gordon bolted up, heart pounding, and tore through the house.

Then the bathroom door opened.

Thaddeus stepped out, impeccably dressed—tailored suit, polished shoes, every detail flawless.

He looked every inch the powerful CEO, nothing like the broken man of the night before.

"Something wrong?" Thaddeus adjusted his cufflinks, his voice rough but steady.

Gordon gaped. "Sir, you should be resting!"

"There’s a critical meeting today. I can’t miss it."

Gordon paled. "I forgot! But sir, you’re not well—"

Thaddeus silenced him with a look.

"I’m fine. Get the car."

At exactly ten a.m., a sleek Rolls-Royce pulled up to Abernathy Group’s headquarters.

The rare license plate drew whispers.

"That plate was auctioned for over two million!"

"Who the hell owns that?"

"Someone we’ll never meet."

Inside the car:

Cassius sat rigidly, a Bible open on his lap, a crucifix clutched in his hand.

When he finished praying, he closed the book with a quiet "Amen."

Then he looked up.

His eyes were bloodshot, burning with fury—like a demon unleashed.