Chapter 13 Callum stood frozen for a moment , his voice barely a whisper as he murmured her name . " Evie … " But Evelyn's expression was calm , her voice light and distant . " So you found me after all . What a terrible luck . " Those last words hit Callum like a punch to the gut . He stood rooted to the spot . She really didn't want to see him . She had gone to such lengths to disappear . And now , after everything he'd done to find her , all she could say was terrible luck ? But Evelyn meant every word . She had hoped for a few weeks of peace , a few quiet mornings by the sea , far away from Callum Rivers . She had underestimated him . Before she could even take another breath , he pulled her into his arms . His chin rested against the top of her head , his voice unusually gentle . " Sweetheart , do you have any idea what I went through to find you ? Come on , let's go home . " Her entire body stiffened . Having been controlled for so long , Evelyn instinctively trembled at his commanding tone . But she quickly steadied herself . She'd already resolved to break free from this madman - how could she waver now ? With sudden force , she shoved him away . He staggered back , stunned , eyes filled with disbelief . " Callum , you and I have nothing to do with each other anymore . You don't get to control me . Not now . Not ever again . " His voice rose , almost panicked . " How can you say that ? You're still my wife , aren't you ? " For the first time in his life , Callum sounded desperate . But Evelyn met his gaze with chilling calm . " Your wife ? That's ridiculous . Watching you marry another woman while I sat in the shadows like a discarded pet - yeah , that's some version of a wife . Maybe I was just the dog you kept around for show . " Tears welled in her eyes despite her best effort to stay composed . And Callum smiled . He thought it meant she still cared . He moved in again , arms reaching . But Evelyn stepped back before he could even touch her . Her voice dropped , cold and final . " That Evelyn is dead . I buried her . You need to leave now and stop chasing a ghost . " Callum felt something collapse inside him . She meant it . This wasn't one of her emotional outbursts or a temporary wall . He saw it in her eyes . The certainty . The distance . " Evie … you know how I feel about being defied- " Chapter 13 19.83 % LLERY MAN DUER 50 SHOULD 610 Your ACIL She cut him off with a bitter smile . " Then kill me . If that's what it takes . At least I won't have to live under your thumb . " " W - what ? " He was too stunned to react as she turned and disappeared inside . When she returned , there was a knife in her hand . " You won't do it ? Fine . I will ! " " No ! Don't ! " Callum stumbled forward , panic rising in his chest . The blade hovered at her throat , her grip unflinching . He gritted his teeth , forcing himself to swallow the command that was clawing its way out of him . " Evie , don't do this . I won't force you . I swear , I'll go . " Evelyn watched him , heart racing , eyes dead . She had finally gotten away . And yet he'd found her . The despair made her reckless . She couldn't go back to that suffocating mansion , to the cold marble floors and ever - present eyes . To being his possession , not a person . And Callum - seeing her like this , with the knife , trembling but resolved - he finally understood . For once , he didn't assert his usual domineering authority over her actions …. He returned to the hotel alone , exhausted and hollow . Mason was already waiting at the door . He had assumed Callum would bring Evelyn back with him . That was the kind of man Callum was - commanding , unstoppable . But as he scanned the hallway and found it empty , he frowned . " Where's your girl ? " Callum leaned against the wall and let out a dry , lifeless laugh . " Mason … she said she'd rather die than come back with me . " He looked up , eyes blank . " What the hell should I do now ? " Chapter 13