Chapter Forty-Two
Evelyn’s POV
I was cold, a bone-chilling cold that seeped deep into my marrow, numbing every inch of my body. It felt like I was dying. To be honest, I was already dying. The frigid air sliced through the tattered remnants of my clothing, a cruel reminder of my vulnerability. I tried to wrap my arms around myself, my hands trembling as I attempted to shield my body from the biting wind. My fingers, stiff and blue, could barely manage to hold the rags together. It was a futile effort, and I knew it.
The night was pitch black, the kind of darkness that swallowed everything whole, leaving nothing but an oppressive silence. I couldn’t sleep; my mind was a turbulent sea of thoughts and memories. My mind kept drifting back to the rich and powerful-looking man who had appeared out of nowhere, like a phantom. His presence had been almost surreal in this desolate place. He had said he was going to save me. His words, like a lifeline, had lodged themselves in my mind.
“Did he really mean it?” I wondered, the question gnawing at me relentlessly. “Was he a police officer?” His demeanor had been authoritative, but there was something about him that didn’t fit the usual mold of law enforcement. “Was he just a good man who felt pity for me?” That seemed too good to be true. “Was he sent by Antonio?” The thought sent a shiver down my spine, a different kind of cold that had nothing to do with the weather. Of course, Antonio has forgotten about me.
All these thoughts tumbled through my mind like a never-ending carousel. The man’s promise echoed in my head, a fragile thread of hope in the overwhelming darkness. “Lord, please save me,” I whispered into the void, my voice barely more than a breath. The prayer was instinctive, a desperate plea from a soul on the brink of despair.
The hours dragged on, each minute feeling like an eternity. The darkness seemed to grow thicker, pressing down on me, suffocating me. But somewhere in the back of my mind, the man’s words lingered. He promised. With those words as my anchor, I clung to the hope that maybe, just maybe, he would come back for me. My eyes grew heavy, the exhaustion of the night finally taking its toll. With these thoughts swirling in my mind, I drifted into a restless sleep.Exclusive © material by Nô(/v)elDrama.Org.
Ricardo had planned meticulously to save Evelyn from Reina’s clutches today, ensuring that nothing could go wrong. The previous night, Ricardo laid the groundwork for his daring rescue. He told Reina that he would be ordering a large number of men to guard the house where Evelyn was kept, under the pretense that the video he had sent to Antonio of them maltreating Evelyn would incite Antonio to retaliate, especially since Antonio already knew of his collaboration with Reina. Reina, believing Ricardo to be firmly on her side, was thrilled by this news. They spent the entire night in each other’s arms, making love until morning. By morning, Reina was too exhausted to even stand up, which played perfectly into Ricardo’s plan.
Early that morning, Ricardo discreetly instructed his men to act as though they were there to guard the house. He told them that once he gave the signal, they should strike and rescue Evelyn. Ricardo then suggested to Reina that they spend the day together. He proposed taking her out to buy whatever she desired, praising her for the pleasure she had given him the previous night. Reina, filled with pride and self-satisfaction, eagerly rushed to the bathroom to get dressed.
After a while, they were both dressed and ready to go. They spent the day indulging Reina’s whims: shopping for luxurious clothes, dining at the finest restaurants, relaxing at a high-end spa, and visiting various boutique stores. Ricardo’s actions were all calculated to reinforce the illusion that he was deeply infatuated with her. As the day progressed, he plied her with compliments and lavish gifts, each more extravagant than the last. He made sure to keep her in high spirits, never letting her suspect that he had an ulterior motive.
As evening approached, they decided to continue their escapade. Ricardo expertly maneuvered Reina into drinking copious amounts of alcohol, gradually getting her drunk and weakening her resolve. They went from seat to seat drinking as Reina was misbehaving , and each drink made Reina more uninhibited. Soon, she was completely intoxicated, her inhibitions gone. Her desire for Ricardo grew uncontrollable, and she made it clear that she wanted him. Ricardo, skilled in the art of seduction, complied, taking her back to his room where they could be alone.
He made love to her with such intensity that she eventually passed out, too drunk and exhausted to stay awake. Ricardo, satisfied that she was out for the count, quickly dressed and slipped outside. He had an important mission to complete. He dialed Antonio’s number and told him that the time had come. He instructed Antonio to send two of his men to transport Evelyn to his mansion after she was rescued. Ricardo provided the location where they should wait for his signal.
Antonio, recognizing the urgency, chose Jacob and another trusted man for the task. Jacob, eager to help, immediately called Debbie to inform her that Evelyn was going to be saved today. Debbie, who had been anxiously waiting for news of her friend, insisted on joining Jacob. She couldn’t bear to wait any longer and wanted to be there when Evelyn was finally rescued. Jacob agreed and gave her the location where they would meet.
Meanwhile, Ricardo’s men, who had been pretending to guard the house, were ready and waiting for his command. They were poised to act swiftly and decisively. Everyone involved knew their roles and understood the stakes. They all waited with bated breath, ready to spring into action the moment Ricardo gave the signal.
As night fell, the atmosphere grew tense with anticipation. Ricardo, hidden in the shadows, watched the house where Evelyn was held captive. He knew that timing was crucial. With a deep breath, he sent the signal, setting the rescue operation in motion. His men, trained and prepared, moved in with precision. They overpowered Reina’s guards quickly leaving the sounds of bullets everywhere.
Inside, Evelyn, unaware of the unfolding rescue, remained scared as she wondered what was going on outside. She had endured so much but clung to the belief that Ricardo would come for her as he said. Suddenly, the door burst open, and Ricardo’s men rushed in. They found Evelyn and assured her that she was safe now. As they escorted her out, Evelyn couldn’t believe her ordeal was finally over.
Outside, Jacob and the other man awaited their arrival. Debbie, seeing Evelyn, ran to her and embraced her tightly, tears streaming down her face. Evelyn, though weak and shaken, smiled with relief. Ricardo, watching from a distance, felt a sense of triumph. His plan had worked perfectly. As Evelyn was taken to safety, Ricardo knew that he had not only saved her but also made his friend happy too.
Reina, still unconscious and unaware of the the whole thing, remained in her drunken slumber, oblivious to the fact that her carefully constructed world was crumbling. Ricardo, ever the strategist, had outmaneuvered her completely. Today was a victory, Evelyn was safe, and that was all that mattered.
Jacob dropped Debbie off at her house, knowing it wouldn’t be appropriate for her to accompany them to Antonio’s mansion. She wanted to go with them, but Jacob insisted, promising to call her as soon as Evelyn was safe. As Jacob and his companion drove through the night towards Antonio’s estate, Evelyn drifted in and out of consciousness, her body finally succumbing to the exhaustion and trauma she had endured. By the time they reached the imposing gates of Antonio’s sprawling mansion, she had lost all awareness of her surroundings.
As they pulled up to the mansion, Jacob noticed that Evelyn had passed out completely. He gently lifted her from the car, her body limp and unresponsive. Carrying her carefully, he made his way toward the house. The grand entrance loomed before him, its massive doors opening to reveal the lavish interior of Antonio’s home. The halls were silent, the air thick with the gravity of the night’s events.
Antonio, having been alerted to their arrival, rushed out to meet them. The sight of Evelyn’s frail, unconscious form in Jacob’s arms brought an unexpected tear to his eye. Jacob, who had always seen Antonio as a stoic and unflinching figure, was taken aback. He had never imagined that the hardened mafia boss could show such raw emotion.
Antonio quickly took Evelyn from Jacob, his movements gentle yet urgent. He cradled her in his arms, the tear sliding down his cheek a testament to his deep feelings for her. Jacob watched in stunned silence as Antonio, his usual tough demeanor cracking, carried Evelyn inside with a tenderness that seemed almost out of character.