Evelyn pressed the red call button taped to the bedrail.
A nurse hurried in. Evelyn held out her hand. "Take the IV out."
The nurse looked at Evelyn's pale face with deep concern. "Mrs. Harrison, Dr. Matthews strongly advised at least another twenty-four hours of observation."
Evelyn shook her head. "Take it out." She knew this room was no longer safe. Julian could send his people to force a medical intervention at any second.
The nurse sighed and carefully removed the needle. Evelyn pressed a cotton ball to the puncture mark. She put her trench coat back on over her clothes and walked to the nurses' station to sign the Against Medical Advice discharge forms.
Evelyn walked out of the hospital doors. The midday sun hit her face, forcing her to squint.
She hailed another cab and gave the driver the address to the Manhattan penthouse. She needed to pack her things and leave before Julian locked her out completely.
The cab stopped in front of the luxury high-rise. The doorman saw her approaching. His eyes darted away nervously, but he still reached out and pulled the heavy glass door open for her.
Evelyn pressed her thumb to the biometric scanner in the private elevator. The car shot upward smoothly. Inside, her chest felt hollow, her emotions completely flat.
The doors opened on the top floor. Evelyn stepped out and pushed open the massive double walnut doors of the penthouse.
Standing in the center of the living room was a woman in a sharp, tailored skirt suit. Her face was a mask of cold professionalism. It was Camila Shaw, Julian's ruthless personal lawyer and fixer, the woman who handled all of his most brutal private affairs.
Camila held an iPad. She was pointing and giving orders to two massive bodyguards who were taking photos of the artwork and furniture.
Camila turned and saw Evelyn. She didn't offer a greeting. "Julian has ordered the immediate execution of the prenuptial agreement," Camila said, her tone entirely robotic.
Evelyn gave her a freezing look. She didn't say a word. She walked straight past Camila and headed into the master bedroom.
She went to the back of the massive walk-in closet. She dragged out an old, scuffed suitcase from the bottom shelf. It was the same one she had brought with her three years ago.
Evelyn started pulling cheap knit sweaters and faded jeans off the velvet hangers. These were clothes she had bought with her own savings before the marriage.
Camila followed her into the closet like a shadow. Her sharp eyes watched Evelyn's every move.
Evelyn reached toward the vanity table to grab a wooden jewelry box. Camila stepped forward and physically blocked her path.
"According to clause three of the prenuptial agreement," Camila stated coldly, "all jewelry gifted by the husband during the marriage remains the property of the Harrison estate."
Evelyn took a deep breath. She reached around Camila, popped the latch on the box, and dumped the diamond necklaces Julian had given her onto the glass table. She reached into the empty felt bottom and pulled out a single, tarnished silver chain.
It was her late mother's necklace. Camila glanced at the cheap metal and took a half-step back in disgust.
Evelyn shoved the necklace into her pocket. She walked out of the closet and into the study. She opened the bottom drawer of the desk and pulled out a thick, black hardcover notebook.
This notebook contained three years of secret research and development formulas for Aura Beauty. It was her real lifeline.
Just then, Camila's cell phone rang. Camila answered it and deliberately tapped the speakerphone button.
Julian's voice, cold and sharp, echoed in the quiet study. "Have you thrown that greedy woman out yet?"
Evelyn's hands froze on the zipper of her suitcase. Her knuckles turned white.
"If she insists on having those bastards," Julian's voice continued through the speaker, dripping with venom, "tell her she'll be raising them in a gutter. The Harrison family will never acknowledge them, and I'll make sure no one in this city ever helps her."
A violent surge of pure hatred ignited in Evelyn's chest. She yanked the zipper of the suitcase closed with a loud, aggressive rip.
She marched right up to Camila. She leaned toward the phone in Camila's hand.
"In his dreams," Evelyn said, her voice dripping with absolute disgust.
Evelyn grabbed the handle of her suitcase. She turned her back on the study and walked toward the front door, not looking back once.
Camila ended the call. She gave a quick nod to the bodyguards standing by the entrance.
The two massive men stepped sideways, completely blocking the front door.
