Outside Selene's Apartment
The door opened.
Liam stepped out slowly, fixing the cuffs of his expensive coat like he'd done nothing wrong. He stopped when he saw Evan sitting against the wall, his back leaning on the wall, head down.
Liam (mocking, smug):"Still here? You think your ass can save her from the life she was born into?"
Evan stood up, jaw clenched, his eyes cold.
Liam (with a smirk):"She'll always come back to me. She has no choice. You're just… a vacation…"
Evan didn't say a word. He brushed past him, rushed to the door—still slightly open—and walked in.
[Inside Selene's Apartment]
Selene was sitting curled on the couch, her knees pulled to her chest, tears silently falling. Her face was flushed, her breathing uneven.
Evan (softly, panicked):
"Selene…"
She looked up at him, broken and vulnerable.
Without hesitation, Evan rushed to her and dropped to his knees in front of her, wrapping his arms around her tightly.
Evan (whispering):
"I'm here. I've got you… I've got you, Sel."
Selene buried her face in his shoulder, her hands clutching his shirt as if holding on for life. She didn't speak—just sobbed quietly as Evan held her tighter, his hand running up and down her back. Selene suddenly pulled back from the hug, wiping her face roughly with the back of her hand. Her breathing was shallow, panic returning in her eyes.
Selene (shaky, standing up fast):
"I have to go—I have to leave. I don't have time—"
Evan stood quickly, grabbing her hand gently but firmly, stopping her from pacing.
Evan: "Selene. Stop—look at me."
He stepped forward and cupped her face, his hands warm and steady as he gently lifted her chin, forcing her eyes to meet his.
Evan (softer): "You don't have to do this alone."
Selene tried to pull away, but he didn't let go. Her voice trembled as the truth cracked through her composure.
Selene: "You don't understand… He said he'll hurt my father if I don't listen. He'll come back. Evan, you don't know what he's capable of."
Evan's jaw tightened. He stepped closer, his voice calm but firm.
Evan: "Running won't solve it. He'll find you again."
She swallowed hard, her grip tightening on the bag at her side.
Evan: "You always run. From everything. But it's killing you, Selene."
Her breath caught. The bag slipped from her fingers and hit the floor with a soft thud. Her eyes glistened, full of tears she didn't want to shed.
Evan softened, lowering his voice as he reached out and placed his hand gently over hers.
Evan: "Don't run this time. I'm here. I'm not going to let anything happen to you."
Selene turned her face, but not fast enough to hide the way her lip quivered. Her shoulders rose with a deep, trembling breath.
Evan (quieter): "Stay. We'll figure it out — together."
She looked at him for a long time, her heart breaking and healing all at once in the silence between them.
Then finally, silently, she nodded.
Scene Shift — Evan's Apartment, Late Night
They sat on the floor, wrapped in a single blanket, shoulders touching. The soft amber glow of a table lamp bathed the room in warmth, while gentle rain tapped against the window like a lullaby.
Evan glanced at her, voice low.
Evan:
"So… tell me everything."
Selene was silent for a long moment. Her fingers played with the fringe of the blanket, as if untangling her thoughts. Then finally, she spoke — quiet, but steady.
Selene:
"My mother died when I was little. I don't remember much of her, but my dad… he was always there. A busy man — rich, respected — but he never missed a single moment when I needed him. I was his little girl. I never felt that emptiness people talk about when a parent is gone. It was just… us. And it was enough."
She swallowed hard.
Selene:
"Until he met her. Isabelle. My stepmother."
Evan's brow tightened. The name already sounded cruel.
Selene:
"She was never in love with him. She wanted the house. The name. The bank balance. And she played her game well. My dad remarried. And everything changed."
She tugged the blanket tighter around her shoulders.
Selene (softly):
"She hated me. I didn't even know why. Maybe because I reminded her that I was here first… that my dad loved me more. But she made sure that didn't last."
Her voice dropped lower, almost ashamed.
Selene:
"And Liam… he's her nephew."
Evan stiffened beside her, his gaze sharpening.
Selene:
"After Isabelle moved in, she did everything to erase me. Wouldn't let me near my dad unless she was in the room. She started punishing me. Look."
Selene slowly rolled up her sleeve. Faint marks, old and faded, ghosted across her skin.
Selene:
"She wouldn't let me have friends. Wouldn't let me go anywhere without her permission. If I disobeyed — even slightly — she'd lock me in my room. Hit me. I lived like a prisoner."
Her voice faltered, but she pushed through.
Selene:
"When I turned eighteen, she finally 'allowed' me to speak to Liam. He was the first man I ever talked to without her hovering. And at first… he was kind. Said he'd save me from her. Said I deserved more. I believed him."
Evan's hands curled into fists.
Selene:
"We told my parents we were together. He charmed everyone. Even my father trusted him. So when Liam offered to move me to Paris, my dad said yes. He thought Liam was protecting me."
She took a shaky breath.
Selene:
"But the moment we arrived… it changed. I told Liam I wasn't in love with him — that I saw him as a friend. That I wanted to live on my own. And that's when he showed me who he really was."
Her eyes filled with anger and sadness.
Selene:
"He was worse than Isabelle. Controlling. Violent. Possessive. I couldn't go out. I couldn't talk to anyone. I couldn't even ask for my own money. He hit me when I tried."
She stared blankly ahead.
Selene:
"It was all arranged. A deal. I was promised to him like a bargain. And when I said no, they used my father against me. Told me he was sick — dying. And I didn't believe them. I visited London to meet my dad and tell him everything, but he didn't believe me. I saw him weak he was sick. Maybe they made him sick with their lies."
She stopped to breathe, the air heavy around them.
Selene:
"The first time I ran, it was because I couldn't breathe. But they found me. Every time, they found me."
Evan nodded, his voice low.
Evan:
"So you kept running."
She nodded.
Selene:
"I thought distance would help. But Liam… he doesn't want me. He wants to own me. Like a thing. Like a cage he carries around."
Evan reached over and took her hand gently. Then, wordlessly, he leaned in and pressed a soft kiss to the scars on her arm — not pity, not apology. Just presence.
Evan:
"You're never going back to that. I won't let you. We'll figure something out, Selene.
I swear to you, I'll never let you walk back into that hell."
She looked at him — startled by how certain he sounded, how safe he felt.
Selene:
"I don't even know who I am anymore. I feel like I'm just… pieces. Scattered everywhere."
Evan's voice was barely above a whisper.
Evan:
"Then let's pick up the pieces together."
She gave a small, broken laugh, eyes glassy, and leaned into him, resting her head on his shoulder.
They stayed that way for hours, wrapped in the blanket and each other, while the rain sang its quiet song on the glass.
Scene Shift — Early Morning
Sunlight crept in. Selene stirred, curled against Evan's chest on his bed.
Selene (sleepily): "Where do we go now?"
Evan: "Not far. Just enough to breathe. Maybe a small coastal town near Marseille? Or Cassis?"
Selene (smiling faintly): "You and your oceans."
Evan (teasing): "They're peaceful."
Selene: "We should hurry. Liam will look. And I'm not ready to face him yet."
Evan (nodding): "Okay. Then we go. Together."
They shared a long look.
Selene (softly): "Thank you… for staying."
Evan: "You made it easy. I've never wanted to stay anywhere before."
They smiled.
She reached for his hand—it wasn't to run away.
It was to hold on.