Eva sat at table in the corner with her head held high, determined to remain composed and get through the day unscathed. The whispers began the moment she walked in, piercing the air like tiny daggers.

"She must be here to ruin the wedding," one guest murmured.

"Why would she even show up?" another replied.

Eva ignored the gossip and kept moving, finally settling at a quiet corner table. She focused her gaze on the decor, trying to tune out the judgmental stares. But her reprieve was short-lived as Jessica sauntered over, her smirk sharp enough to cut glass.

"Why are you here?" Jessica sneered, her eyes trailing over Eva's elegant navy-blue dress with thinly veiled disdain. Eva returned the favor, noting Jessica’s cheap, overly revealing outfit that screamed desperation.

"Eva, you made it!" Josh’s voice rang out as he approached with a fake smile plastered across his face. The lust in his eyes made Eva's stomach churn. "I didn’t think you’d come. But where’s your husband? Are you here alone?"

The guests nearby perked up at the mention of a husband, their whispers growing louder with curiosity.

"You all don’t know?" Jessica feigned innocence, her voice dripping with mock hurt. "Eva married my fiancé."

Gasps rippled through the crowd. "Are you serious?" one guest asked.

"That’s so shameful," another added.

Josh chimed in, smirking. "That’s why I broke up with her. She’s always been manipulative."

Anger bubbled within Eva. "That is not true!" she shot back, but her voice was drowned out by the cacophony of accusations from the guests. Their sharp words felt like knives slicing through her composure. She clenched her fists and closed her eyes, willing herself to stay calm.

The ceremony began, mercifully drawing attention away from Eva. She sat quietly, enduring the smug glances Jessica shot her way throughout the vows. When the food was served, Eva considered slipping out unnoticed. But as she rose, Celine approached her with a glass of wine.

"Here, let me make peace," Celine said with a sugary smile. Before Eva could respond, Celine stumbled, spilling the wine all over her dress.

"Oh no! I’m so sorry," Celine said insincerely.

"It’s fine," Eva said, forcing herself to remain calm as she walked to the bathroom to clean up. As she scrubbed at the stain, muttering to herself about how she should never have come, a shadow fell across the doorway.

Before she could react, everything went black.

When Eva awoke, she was lying on a bed in a dimly lit room. Her head throbbed as she blinked, trying to make sense of her surroundings. Her heart dropped when she saw Josh standing over her, shirtless, his predatory grin sending chills down her spine.

"Josh, what are you doing?" she croaked, fear tightening her throat.

"Relax, baby," he said, his voice oozing sleaze. "Celine gives me what I need, but you… you have what I want."

Eva’s eyes darted around the room, searching for an escape. "Josh, don’t do this. Please," she begged.

He responded with a cruel slap, his hand leaving a stinging red mark on her cheek. "You’re so weak," he taunted.

A knock on the door interrupted him. "Come in and take the photos," Josh called out.

Two men entered with cameras, snapping pictures as Eva struggled against Josh’s grip. "Proof is everything," Josh sneered.

Eva used the distraction to grab the bedside lamp and smash it over Josh’s head. He stumbled back, cursing, and she bolted from the bed. Her hands trembling, she locked herself in the bathroom.

Josh pounded on the door, shouting obscenities. Eva’s eyes fell on his phone lying on the counter. Desperate, she dialed the only familiar number she could find—Lucas.

"Hello?" Lucas’s voice came through, steady and calm.

"Lucas, it’s Eva," she sobbed. "Please help me."

"Eva? Where are you? What’s going on?" Lucas asked, alarmed.

She quickly explained what had happened, her voice shaking. "I’m at the wedding venue. Please hurry."

"Hang tight. I’m on my way," Lucas assured her before ending the call.

Josh ordered his men to find a spare key. Eva clutched the phone in one hand and the lamp in the other, bracing herself for the worst. The door burst open moments later, and Josh lunged toward her. She swung the lamp wildly, landing a few hits before he managed to grab it from her hands.

Just as he closed in on her, a loud thud echoed through the room. Josh crumpled to the floor, revealing Dahlia standing behind him with a wooden chair in her hands.

"Lucas sent me. Are you okay?" Dahlia asked, her voice steady but concerned.

Eva nodded shakily, tears streaming down her face. Lucas rushed into the room moments later, his fists clenched in anger.

"Eva, are you hurt?" he asked, his eyes scanning her for injuries.

"I just want to go home," Eva whispered.

Lucas and Dahlia exchanged a glance, silently agreeing to get her out of there as quickly as possible.

At Eva’s apartment, Lucas insisted they stay the night to ensure she felt safe.

"Eva, if you don’t mind, it’s late, and we’re exhausted," Lucas said, masking his concern.

"Of course," Eva said, her voice soft. "Thank you for everything."

As Dahlia settled into the spare room and Lucas took the couch, they quietly discussed the night’s events through text messages.

"Jessica is definitely involved," Dahlia texted. "She’s working with Josh and Celine."

Lucas texted back. "We need to tell her husband."

Dahlia glanced toward the loft where Eva was sleeping fitfully. "I hope Andrew understands how much danger she’s in. He can’t waste any more time."

Lucas sighed. "For now, we’ll protect her. No matter what it takes."