Chapter 3 When Evelyn woke again , she was in a hospital bed . She slowly opened her eyes to find Callum sitting beside her , his face tense with worry . When she woke up , he let out a subtle breath of relief - though his cold , domineering air remained unchanged . " Evie , you really have to stop pushing me like this , " he said , voice firm but oddly soft . " You know I didn't want to punish you . " Evelyn turned her face away , eyes closing again . "I know . It won't happen again . " Her voice was quiet , detached . The calmness unsettled Callum more than any protest could have . He forced a smile , pulling her gently into his arms . " Come on , don't be mad . I've planned something to make it up to you . " " Next week , we're throwing you the most grandest birthday party , full venue booked at The Skylark . " The Skylark - an exclusive Michelin - starred restaurant perched atop the iconic Skylark Tower , known for hosting only the city's most elite . It had been privately booked only three times : once by the son of a tech billionaire , once by a Hollywood A - lister , and once … by Callum Rivers . When Evelyn arrived that night , the entire rooftop venue was blanketed in fresh flowers . Scented candles cast a golden glow , and outside the floor - to - ceiling windows , neon lights formed the words : I LOVE YOU . But staring at it all , Evelyn felt nothing . No warmth . No joy . Not even a flicker of emotion . She couldn't help but wonder - was this love meant for her ? Or was Callum using her birthday as a stage to express his love for Estelle ? The elevator dinged . And out stepped Estelle - Callum by her side . A bitter smile curved Evelyn's lips before she could stop it . Callum frowned and said quickly , " Evie , she just wanted to join the celebration . That's all . " Evelyn lowered her gaze, her eyes catching the way his fingers were interlaced with Estelle's . He seemed to realize it too . His hand jerked slightly , but instead of letting go , he straightened his back and shot her a warning look- Don't make a scene . " Thanks , " Evelyn said softly , politely . Pleased by her composure , Callum finally released Estelle's hand and drew Evelyn into his embrace . Estelle's expression dimmed for a second before she masked it with a smile and handed over her gift . Standing before the windows , Evelyn unwrapped the box . One glance and her entire body went rigid . Her blood ran cold , Inside was a cheap porcelain locket , faintly cracked , with a hand - painted rose on the front . Inexpensive . Fragile . But she recognized it instantly . It had belonged to her mother . She snatched Estelle's wrist , fury flashing in her eyes . " Where did you get this ? How dare you bring this to me as a gift ? " Estelle flinched , eyes glistening with sudden tears . " Evie , I - I just thought it was pretty . I found it in an antique shop downtown . I didn't mean anything by it . You're hurting me … " But Evelyn wasn't listening . In her mind , she could see her mother's body flying through the air , hitting the pavement , the blood- Her hands shook . Her chest heaved . Estelle reached for the box . " I'm sorry . If you don't like it , I'll pick something else- " Give it back ! " Evelyn lunged forward . The next moment , the locket slipped from Estelle's fingers . The porcelain shattered on the marble floor . " No ! " Evelyn gasped and threw herself to the ground , trying to gather the shards , ignoring everyone else . But in the scramble , Estelle lost her balance . She staggered , tripped on the edge of the spiral staircase , and tumbled backward . Her body rolled down the curved steps like a rag doll . " Estelle ! " Callum shouted . His pupils shrank . He shoved Evelyn aside and bolted down the stairs . The shattered locket pieces scattered everywhere - some tumbling down the endless spiral with Estelle , others skittering across the floor . " No … no ! " Evelyn knelt on the ground , frantically collecting what little remained of her mother's locket . One of the guards burst through the door - and in the chaos , someone stepped directly on her hand , grinding the pieces into her skin . She didn't even flinch . The pain was nothing compared to the ache inside her chest . She kept her head down , bleeding fingers trembling as she clutched each tiny piece of her mother's memory . Chapter 3