Chapter 287

Evelyn's pulse hammered in her throat.

The heavy footsteps outside grew louder. They were at the door now. She had no time left.

She had to move.

Ignoring the sting of her bleeding palms, she dragged an old chair across the floor.

The lock rattled as someone fumbled with it. Clutching a jagged rock, Evelyn climbed onto the chair.

"Damn it! Didn't you just unlock this? Where's the key? Find it—now!" A furious voice barked from the hallway.

Evelyn's lips curled. This was her chance.

She swung the rock at the grimy window.

Crash!

Glass rained down in glittering shards.

Silence. Then—

"Shit! Did that bitch escape?"

"What? She got out?" A woman's shrill voice cut through the air. "Break the damn door down! You two—search outside! She can't have gone far!"

The door burst open with a splintering crack.

Victoria stormed in, flanked by two thugs. Their eyes locked onto the discarded ropes on the floor.

"Vivian Prescott!" Victoria's face twisted. Her gaze snapped to the broken window, where a scrap of fabric fluttered on a remaining shard. "She actually did it. Find her! If you don't, I'll skin you alive!"

"Move! Now!" The men bolted outside.

Victoria kicked the ropes in frustration before stalking out.

The room fell still.

Slowly, Evelyn emerged from behind a stack of crates. Her dark eyes scanned the space before settling on Victoria's retreating figure.

"I knew it was you, Victoria."

No surprise there.

Evelyn exhaled sharply. Her gamble had paid off.

After dying once, she refused to let anyone—especially Victoria—hurt her again.

But escaping wouldn't be easy. Victoria was still lurking outside.

Her phone was gone. No way to call for help.

Evelyn's fingers brushed the crystal bracelet on her wrist. The touch steadied her.

A faint smile curved her lips as Ethan's face flashed in her mind.

How could such a sweet boy have a monster like Victoria for a mother?

And Ethan—he looked nothing like her. Those sharp brows, that quiet intensity—all Alexander.

A growl from her stomach shattered the thought.

She'd been kidnapped before breakfast. The chloroform still fogged her brain.

She couldn't stay here. They'd find her eventually.

Alexander's knuckles whitened around the steering wheel.

The stolen van had been spotted speeding through red lights before vanishing into an alley.

He'd raced there immediately.

The van sat abandoned. No clues. No Evelyn.

They'd moved her.

The sky darkened, mirroring his mood.

Every minute stretched into agony.

He couldn't stop picturing her face—so like Madeline's. The thought of her hurt, afraid—

No.

He would find her.

Alexander prowled the pavement, searching for any sign. His heart pounded a frantic rhythm.

Time was running out.