hapter 7 Evelyn slowly lifted her head , her voice trembling . " This whole thing ... you orchestrated it , didn't you ? " " So what if I did ? " Sophie sneered . " If you'd just stepped aside like a good girl , I wouldn't have had to use my own methods . " " Honestly , I didn't expect that after I almost died , all he'd give you was a few light lashes and one night in confinement . Compared to what I went through , that's nothing . So I figured I'd turn up the heat myself . " With that , Sophie somehow unleashed a swarm of rats into the room . " Ahh ! " Evelyn's worst fear was rats . The sight of those dark , squeaking creatures surging toward her made her blood run cold . She panicked , her screams shattering the silence of the night . " Sophie Monroe ! Aren't you afraid Graham will find out ? " Evelyn cried , stumbling back , terror twisting her voice . Sophie's smug laughter drifted from beyond the door . " Go ahead , tattle all you want . Let's see who he believes - you or me . " Evelyn's heart turned to ice . How certain was Sophie of Graham's love to be this brazen ? That night , surrounded by vermin and crushed by fear , Evelyn nearly lost her mind . When they finally released her , her face was ghostly pale , her eyes vacant , her body swaying with every step . Graham looked her over , frowning , a faint trace of concern hidden in his voice . " It was just one night in confinement . I told them to go easy with the whip , and they treated your wounds right after . How did you end up like this ? " Evelyn lifted her gaze to meet his , her voice hoarse and raw . "Last night ... Sophie let a bunch of rats into my cell- " " Enough ! " Graham's face darkened as he cut her off , his eyes flashing with irritation . " Even now , you're trying to blame Sophie ? She had a fever last night - I was with her the entire time . She never left her room . Evelyn , you never fail to disappoint me . " Evelyn stared at him , then let out a bitter laugh , tears streaming down her cheeks , the motion tearing at her wounds . Chapter 7 30.43 % What more could she say ? She had lost , utterly and completely . She didn't argue further , just staggered away , barely holding herself upright . Graham watched her faltering figure , a flicker of pity crossing his face . He waved to his aide . " Frank , take her to the hospital for another check - up . Evelyn spent several more days recovering in the hospital . Graham stayed with Sophie the entire time , never visiting her once . He only sent supplements and a silent nurse to tend to her needs . Evelyn made no complaints , no scenes . Her silence was unsettling . On the day she was discharged , it was Memorial Day . Graham appeared for once , saying he would accompany her to pay respects at her mother's grave . When Sophie heard , she spoke softly , almost tenderly . " I've been meaning to visit your mother's grave myself to pay my respects and apologize . Let's go together . " " No , thanks , " Evelyn said flatly , cutting her off . Graham shot her a disapproving look , his gaze carrying a sharp warning . A stabbing pain spread through Evelyn's chest , and she fell into numb silence once more . At the cemetery , a staff member approached with an apologetic look . " General Sterling , Ms. Hart , you've come at the right time . The recent heavy rains caused a landslide , and your mother's grave was affected . We need to relocate it soon . What do you think ... ? " Graham immediately stepped aside to handle the arrangements . The staff carefully unearthed her mother's urn . Evelyn's eyes reddened as she took it gently , clutching it to her chest as if it were the last piece of her mother she had left . Once the relocation process was complete , Evelyn held the urn , ready to leave . Sophie suddenly stepped forward , her voice dripping with false kindness . " Evelyn , sweetie , you're young , not very strong . Carrying that heavy urn down a mountain path isn't safe . Let me help you . " " No , I've got it , " Evelyn said quickly , backing away with suspicion . " Don't be shy , I'll ... " Sophie reached for the urn , ignoring Evelyn's protests . " What are you doing ? Let go ! " Evelyn clung desperately to her mother's urn , panic rising as she Chapter 7 30.43 % H5R backed away . In the struggle , a vicious glint flashed in Sophie's eyes . With a sudden yank , she wrenched the urn from Evelyn's grasp . " No- ! " Evelyn's cry came too late . She couldn't hold on . The heavy urn slipped from Sophie's hands and crashed to the ground . The lid popped open , white ashes spilling out . A light rain began to fall , cold droplets washing the ashes into the mud , erasing them before Evelyn's eyes . Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!