Chapter 4 It wasn't long before Callum returned - with his guards in tow . A sharp slap landed across Evelyn's face , her head snapping to the side . Before she could react , she was shoved to her knees . The blow came from one of his bodyguards - former military , now private muscle . The force behind his hand was terrifying . Her cheek flared up in red within seconds , swelling from the impact . Callum looked down at her from above , sighing in irritation . " Evie , how many times is this now ? " His voice was low and cold . " You know I don't lose my temper often , don't you ? " He leaned down from the leather sofa , interlacing his fingers as he brought his mouth close to her ear . " My patience is wearing thin . Why do you keep pushing me like this ? " Evelyn lifted her tear - blurred eyes , voice shaking . "Callum , I didn't push her . Can't you see it ? Estelle - she did it on purpose . " She still believed - naively - that the man who once loved her would believe the truth if she just explained it . But she was wrong . He closed his eyes briefly , his face twisting into a storm . " It doesn't matter how it happened . Estelle got hurt . That's the fact . " Evelyn stared at him , stunned . His favoritism toward Estelle ran deeper than she had imagined . Pain tightened in her chest . Her heart throbbed as if being wrung out from the inside . Callum raised his hand , signaling for his guards to drag her to the basement . But before they could move - She vomited blood . A sickening sound tore from her throat , red spilling onto the polished floor . Callum dropped down beside her in alarm . " Evie - what the hell ?! What's going on ? " She wiped her mouth with the back of her hand , slowly pushing him away . She was just a placeholder . A convenient stand - in for someone he truly loved . She should've stepped aside a long time ago . " If it's punishment you want , " she added hoarsely , " then do it . I'll take whatever you give me . " For the first time , something flickered in Callum's eyes - hesitation , perhaps . His hand twitched . " Maybe this time , we can- " His phone rang . He answered . Listened . And when he looked back at her , his eyes were hard and cold again . Chaker A 龍 " Estelle … broke her leg . The doctor says she'll never dance again . " Ballet . Her entire life had revolved around it . Evelyn understood . She held out her wrists , already expecting the chains - or worse . " You want to tie me up in front of her ? Drag me to the basement again ? Just do it . " But Callum grabbed her and forced her toward the car instead . The ride was fast . Furious . When they arrived , Evelyn stepped out into the pouring rain , instantly recognizing where they were . " No … " she whispered , panic rising . " Callum , don't do this . Please - don't touch my mother's grave . " He looked at her , impassive . " You're not listening , Evie . You're not learning . And I'm running out of options . " He motioned to the guards . " Dig . " " No ! Don't you dare - don't touch her ! " She fought , thrashed , screamed . But Callum held her down , one hand gripping her jaw , the other wrapped around her waist like a steel band . " Look carefully , sweetheart , " he said , voice venomous . " This is what happens when you disobey me . " The earth split open . Mud , stone , and then- Her mother's urn . Jet black Slick from the rain . Evelyn's screams were hoarse by then , her throat raw . " That's all I have left of her . Please , Callum - don't . " But he didn't even flinch . " You want to know what it feels like ? " he said quietly . " Estelle is all I had , too . Now she's back , I just want her to be happy . " And then- The urn hit the ground , shattering into pieces . Ash exploded outward , swirling into the stormy air before landing in wet clumps on the muddy earth . " You broke the gift Estelle gave you , " he said flatly . " So now I've broken yours . " Evelyn crumbled to the ground , sobs tearing from her chest as she tried to scoop up the wet ashes with her bare hands . Rain began to fall harder - like needles slicing through skin . " No … no , please - Mom , don't go , don't leave me . " She stripped off her coat , trying desperately to shield what she could . Her clothes soaked through in seconds . The ashes kept vanishing Chapter 4 12.07 % in the downpour , smearing between her fingers . She couldn't save them . She couldn't hold on . She curled over the last remnants of her mother's memory , crying harder than she ever had in her life . And the rain washed everything away . Chapter 4