She was a fool to have trusted him.

Nathanial Reed was never a man of his word.

The evidence she had given him was likely ashes by now.

But Evelyn refused to surrender to the crushing weight of despair.

One truth anchored her in the storm.

Alexander Blackwood was on her side.

She drew a sharp breath, forcing her pulse to slow.

Her fingers trembled as she tried to call Alexander.

The phone rang into silence.

She remembered his words before they parted.

He was occupied. Swamped.

Instead, she typed out a quick message, her thumb tapping against the screen.

Message sent.

She closed her eyes, organizing the chaos in her mind.

Her path forward was clear.

Her enemies were celebrating.

They expected her to be broken, defeated.

She would not give them that satisfaction.

She had to fight back.

Evelyn's fist tightened, her nails digging into her palm.

Her resolve was iron.