I kept staring at her for a long time when her eyes fluttered open and she got up from the bed and tried to reach for the glass of water I got up and held it to her. Immediately the color drained of her face changed and she ran to the other end of the bed and started yelling "Please don't hurt me".

I tried convincing her that I don't mean harm but seems like she didn't want to listen. I was about to move to her side when I noticed I was not alone with her and Richard signaled me to leave and I did. I knew that my actions have caused so much hurt and pain to her. I was disgusted at myself. I never forced myself on a woman. How could I treat her such? I had no answer to that. I hated myself, I really was disappointed with myself.

Eve's POV 

Dream#################################################

I felt myself stiff and opened my eyes to find my hands were tied to bed post and when I tried moving my legs it seemed my ankles were also tied up. I tried screaming but voice could not come out.

"Finally awake love" I heard a male voice and immediately I recognized Steven's presence in the room.

I  felt myself shivering and I struggled to get away from his approaching form. 

"Dear stop it won't work," He said grinning maliciously " I did this so I can have you this time without any interference" he chuckled and started tearing off my dress leaving me only in my inners.

His gaze turned wild when he saw me and I wanted to cover myself but the position I was in prevented me. My eyes held tears of shame and hopelessness and when I looked at his, they were determined and full of lust.

"Love I am going to give you so much pleasure, you would crave my touch and then you will be mine, only mine" He said smiling and moved to kiss my cheek and then jaw.

"I am removing this gag so I can hear the music from your lips when I pleasure you" he said while removing the gag.

"Please don't do this. Please leave me I am sorry. Please no ..." I yelled crying.

He wiped my tears and said "No love you need to be taught a lesson. You pushed me and kicked me and ran from me. I asked you to stop but you didn't and now that I have you where I wanted you. You think I will stop now" 

I shook my head in no while struggling to free myself from the binds but then I felt myself shaking wildly and when I open I found myself in strong male arms and so I begged  "Please leave me. I didn't do it deliberately. Please leave me alone". 

########################################################

Soon I felt lights and darkroom was lit  "Evelyn it's me your husband. Calm down"  He said while holding me in his arms. I looked at him and felt relief, I could not define how much safe I felt at that moment and when he tucked me and soon I drifted into sleep. 

I was in the dreamless sleep again when then I woke up, I felt my mouth parched and throat itchy and I tried to reach out for water a hand grabbed it and offered to me and when I looked at the owner I was terrified and so I begged him "Please don't hurt me".

"I don't mean any harm Evelyn. Please listen to me" He said.

But I knew he was just trying to calm me so he can hurt me as he did the other night. Soon I felt footsteps towards my bed and when I looked in front only to find Mr. Evans back and Steven disappearing from my room. I  breathed a moment of relief and right away I knew I could not let this moment slide and so I asked Mr. Evans "Please Mr. Evans I want divorce ASAP".

He sat near me on the bed and bent down to my level and held my forearms while holding an intense gaze on me, I was momentarily surprised and asked "What are you doing?".

"That's what I am asking you Evelyn what are you doing? What happened to you? I know after our talk you were happy but now here you are like a flickering leaf. What happened I want to know to get you so afraid" He asked.

I could not tell him about what happened because it involves his brother and I know he warned me and why would he trust me over his brother so I looked down after composing myself and said "Mr. Evans release me ".

"What ?" He said looking confused.

"You are hurting me your grip is tight" I told him while wincing in pain because of his tight grip

He immediately released my wrists and said "I am sorry Evelyn, but I want to know what happened?" 

I know he wanted to know what happened but I could not relieve the memory again so I said "Nothing Mr.Evans I.. I saw nightmare and I freaked out when there was no light and when I saw you entered I thought my nightmare was turning real and I could not hold it".

He looked at me for a while and then said "Sleep Evelyn we will talk tomorrow".

"Mr. Evans about divorce .." I tried asking but he cut me off saying  "Evelyn we will talk later not now" and went to get ready for bed in order to avoid talking. 

I didn't know what to feel after being with him for one and half month today he showed some emotions towards me but I knew soon his sympathy will die and I will be again the lonely wife I was. So I made my mind to talk to him tomorrow morning so that I can get my freedom the fastest way.

I woke up from my slumber and found that it was 7:30 AM and Mr. Evans was nowhere in sight. I refreshed myself and rushed to the breakfast table where I can catch him. When I reached down I found no one on the table.

When I was about to move to the kitchen I found Loyd coming out and when he saw me he smiled and bowed.

"Mam would you like some breakfast".

"Loyd where is Mr. Evans" I asked.

"Mam may I know which Mr. Evans you are referring to" He asked.

"I am asking about my husband" I replied.

"Well Mam Mr. Evans left for his office as he had some urgent meeting" He said.

Knowing that my attempt to catch Mr. Evans was futile I turned to go back to my room when Loyd interrupted me and said "Mam Mr. Evans said you need to have your breakfast as you have to take your medicines soon".

"I am not feeling hungry Loyd but thank you for telling me that" I said.

"Mam I will send some breakfast along with your medicines with Maria" I looked at him as if he didn't heard what I said before but he continued "Don't want Mr. Evans to lash out on us" he said smiling.

I understood that if Mr. Evans comes to know that he didn't do his job he will be lashing at him and knowing I have been always a cause of distress for him he would not spare this moment to say the most hateful things he wants it would be a good chance for him so in order to avoid all the drama, I said "ok fine Loyd" I said smiling.

I went to my room and looked around but there was nothing that I could do when I found the book I was reading before Steven and his mother came. I was reading it when I heard a knock and felt that someone kept the food on the tray. I knew Maria will not disturb me so I continued reading when I heard his voice "Love you can read later, Now it's time for food and medicine".

I removed my gaze from the book to the person and the book slipped from my hands. I flung myself to the right side of the bed when I was caught by him by my waist and he made me sit on the bed. I tried to run to the other side when he caught me and kept me firmly sitting on the bed and sat near me and held my face and said "Love I know you are scared of me but I want to tell you I am sorry. I was not in my senses, I would never do that you. Please love, forgive me. I don't know how to tell you that I have not had a moment of peace since I hurt you".

I had tears flowing from my eyes and though his voice seemed sincere. I was not sure when he will attack again. Just apologizing for the way he behaved was not enough for me to trust him and my past has taught me to not trust anyone so easily. He wiped my tears and asked again "Love will you forgive me". 

I looked at him and then my eyes at the door I came to know he has locked the door and there was no escape for me so if I want to keep him calm I need to agree with whatever he is saying so I nodded my head.

"Thank you, my love" He pulled me to him to hug me. He kept me like that and suddenly he said "Now that we are clear love I will feed you and then you will take your medicine and sleep".

He held a toast to my mouth and when I tried to grab it he slapped my hands saying "Love since I am the one who is the cause of your illness then I will take care of you". His gentle voice surprised me but I could not let my guards down when I was in the grip of a monster.

He kept feeding me even though I denied once I could not take more but one look at him and my refusal died on my lips. Once the whole plate was empty he brought medicines and I took them. Then he told me "Love these medicines will make you sleepy but don't worry I will stay here with you".

I felt myself losing consciousness all the while dreading now what he will do to me. He might have noticed my uneasiness when he said "Love don't worry I am not going to do anything to you while you are sleeping. I know you won't believe me now but soon you will".

I was woken up by hands shaking me gently and when I opened and once again Steven was in front of my eyes.

"Love it is time for lunch" He said smiling.

I gulped and got up to freshen up when he lifted me bridal style and took me to the bathroom. I looked at him to give me privacy when he said "Love I will be outside if you need anything, call me".

Momentarily I thought of locking myself in the bathroom came in my mind and soon I realized that he can easily unlock the door and if he did he won't be happy and I was very much afraid of his not being calm. 

I came out after refreshing myself and again he picked me up as if I weigh nothing and made me sit on the bed and brought food and started feeding me. I tried to eat soup myself when he glared at me and I gave in. Sitting with him was like torture and I was feeling if he could leave me be. 

As soon as he brought the spoon of soup to my mouth I heard doorknob turning and the door opened and there stood Mr. Evans.

He was shocked to see me and Steven together and this made me uncomfortable, I was waiting for him to lash out on me when he asked "Steven what are you doing in my bedroom with my wife".

"Well since you were not here I was taking care of her, after all, she and I have a relation" Steven replied. Hearing him say that made me cringe inside and I don't know what he was hinting at.

I felt Mr. Evans clenching his jaws as if he is angry and I didn't know on whom but when he said "Now I am here and I can take care of her and that means you can go". I didn't expect him to behave like this with Steven but maybe he wanted him to go away so he can take out his anger on me.

Steven got up and left without any word. I sighed in relief to be free of his unwanted company. But as soon as he left I waited for hateful words from Mr. Evans. I felt him looking intensely at me and then he came and sat where Steven was seated and asked "Did he do anything to make you uncomfortable Evelyn".

I was confused at his concern when I expected him to lash out on me. "No.. Nothing Mr. Evans" I said not meeting his eyes because this was the second time he caught me with Steven in a locked room.

He came near me and then he took the same spoon with which Steven was feeding me and asked me to open my mouth and he continued till I was done with lunch. I was surprised by this gesture but I knew not to dwell on it because maybe he is doing this after I told him I wanted to divorce him and soon he will get not only his money but rid of an unwanted wife.

I smiled at the situation when he frowned and asked "what is it, Evelyn".

"Nothing" I answered tersely.

"Take rest now" He said.

"I am not going to sleep now Mr. Evans, I have been sleeping since yesterday evening" I replied but unknowingly a yawn escaped my mouth.

He smirked and said "Precious these medicines will make you sleep".

His endearment shocked me and I tried asking "I..." when I felt myself dozing off.

Steven's POV

I was happy that she has forgiven me for what I did to her. I will make sure I will not repeat any mistakes now I want her to fall for me. I want not only her body but her heart and soul. She is my nemesis and I know she will cause my downfall but it also elated my heart to know that she is also the one who evoked emotions in Richards. 

Today when he interrupted my sweet moments with her, I was angry but now that I think I know he felt jealous and for the first time, Richards Evans felt jealous of me. 

Richard's POV

 I went to the office to finish off the meeting for this deal which I had been waiting to finish for so many days. Once I was done I rushed home to see how she was doing. Even though I was pretending to care I was a bit concerned about her health. When I went to our room (oh man I called her room as our room ) and tried to open it and found it locked. I thought might be Evelyn was sleeping due to medicines so I called Loyd for extra keys and opened the door and when I saw Steven sitting next to her, I felt a jolt of rage and jealousy evoking in me. I would have lashed out but after seeing her expression I composed myself. Him feeding her was not sitting well with me though I was just pretending to be a good husband. I could see from her expression Evelyn thought I would now yell at her but why would I ? she is not my real wife, after all, she is just a means to an end. But I knew Steven has stepped up his game of persuasion by taking care of her and I would be damned if I let him take my wife away from me before I get my hands on my inheritance.

"Steven what are you doing in my bedroom with my wife" I asked trying to control anger. I saw the surprise on Evelyn's face for a moment then again fear and I don't know what for, so far she has followed my orders.

"Well since you were not here I was taking care of her, after all, she and I have a relation" Steven replied. Automatically my jaw clenched I understood his Insuitation and could not stop myself from saying "Now that I am here I can take care of her and that means you can go"

Steven got up and left without any word. As soon as he left I composed myself before Evelyn and then I asked her question which was running in my mind since I saw them together "Did he do anything to make you uncomfortable Evelyn?"

She frowned and then said in a small voice "No.. Nothing Mr. Evans" not meeting my eyes. I sighed and felt that it is all because of me that she is afraid to share her thoughts with me so I took the place which Steven had taken and started feeding her. Initially, she looked surprised and hesitant but then she got comfortable. Probably me taking care of her didn't even cross her mind.

As I was feeding I found her smiling, but the smile didn't reach her eyes it was sad and I don't know I could feel it so I asked her "what is it, Evelyn".

"Nothing" she answered. I realized she was not going to share anything yet. I have to show her that we can be friends and she can share her thoughts with me. Would help me keep her with me for another 8 months. I don't want to deal with a whining woman and jealous brother together.

"Take rest now" I told her but she immediately replied "I am not going to sleep now Mr. Evans, I have been sleeping since yesterday evening" but a yawn from her at the end told me that sedatives are going to keep her sleepy.

It amused me that she looked so adorable and the next words slipped out of my mouth without thinking "Precious these medicines will make you sleep".

She didn't show any expression with my endearment but I stiffened because that one I used only for Rose. She wanted to say something but she failed to utter the words because she has already fallen to her blissful sleep.

As I watched her sleeping, I realized one thing that in another lifetime I would give my life to be able to have love of this beauty but I know I can't because I always loved Rose and will always love her.

I sat on the chair watching her fighting off the sleep but soon she succumbed due to medicines but for me the night was sleepless. I could not understand what was going on with me. I started feeling jealous that Steven taking care of her as if he was her husband. I don't know why I wanted to see her happy, smiling like how she did when she is with the staff.

Why are you feeling like this? You don't deserve her?

I know I don't

You already planned to play with her emotions. 

The feelings I was feeling now were quite contradictory to my plans. I wanted her to smile for me to be happy with me. I didn't like it. I knew that I can't love her like rose, my beautiful rose. And I remembered that I am just acting. I guess I have to play a game-- the game of hearts with her for some time. It would have been easy if I had not realized how pure and innocent like her, Evelyn is. I know I was so brutal and unjust to her in the past. I thought she was a conniving bitch like her father. I wish I don't have to play with her feelings.