Heather was ushered into the confines of Swevia County under the cover of night.
Though blindfolded, she could sense the inky blackness enveloping her.
"Did you get my message through? | need to see Everett." "We did. Whether Everett decides to see you, well, you can just wait and see.” The guards were clearly impatient, shoving her roughly into the vehicle without a word more.
That was all she needed.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtHeather's only fear was that her message wouldn't reach him, that Everett would remain oblivious and she would meet her end without him ever knowing. But if he heard even a whisper about Dorothy, he would come. She was certain.
She braced herself for a long wait, but to her surprise, just a few hours later, at the crack of dawn, Everett appeared before her.
He was draped in a black trench coat, his towering 6'3" frame exuding a natural elegance with his lean waist and long legs.
Though leaner than before, his aristocratic aura remained as imposing as ever.
Heather knew why he had come at such an hour. She diverted her gaze and offered a wry smile. "Is Dorothy asleep?" "What's the story about Dorothy?" Everett was blunt, dispensing with pleasantries, focused solely on the matter at hand.
Huddled in the corner, Heather peered through the iron bars that caged her. "Everett, tell me, if Dorothy didn't exist, could there be a chance for you to like me?" He didn't answer, his eyes betraying a thinning patience.
It was always about Dorothy.
"Everett, answer me, and I'll tell you what you need to know." "Without Dorothy, there is no Everett. Your question has no answer." He wouldn't entertain the hypothetical, nor spare Heather a sliver of his attention.
"Ha, so | was doomed from the start, wasn't I? Back when we could be friends abroad, | actually believed that if | kept up with you, | could stand by your side." Heather realized how foolish she had been to think that Everett's affection for Dorothy was a mere youthful fancy, something that would falter with the slightest storm. That was why she had caused a scene, thinking there was an opening for her.
But during this time, Heather had reflected a great deal.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmMost importantly, she understood that Everett's intentions had always been clear-cut. Dorothy was the only one he wanted; there had never been room for anyone else.
"Why didn't you make it clear sooner. Why keep your feelings hidden for so many years? Why did you make me believe there was a chance!" Heather was clueless about the extent of Everett's machinations at home, unaware that he had never given up on Dorothy, and his plans for her had never wavered.
"You're the one with ulterior motives. You can't blame anyone else.” Everett had never offered her hope or promises.
"Yeah, I'm the villain." Heather's laugh turned into a bitter cackle. "In your eyes, I'm the worst, aren't I?" Slowly, she rose from the ground and approached him, her fingers curling around the rusted iron bars.
"Even though | can't have you, don't think you can have Dorothy. Ha-ha, you two will never be together.” A chill flashed in Everett's eyes. "What do you mean?" "Dorothy's mother died of a heart condition. You must have looked into it." At the mention of Dorothy's mother, Everett's expression grew gloomy.
"Does Dorothy also think her mother passed away from a heart attack triggered by some distressing news?"