Chapter 39: Chapter 39

Evelyn's gaze landed on Mr. Swift who was standing in front of her along with the senior police officer, Detective Drake Anderson. Detective Anderson was a good friend of Dylan’s dad, Mr. Black.

Anderson gave a death glare to Dylan and his parents. He then walked towards Mr. Black and grabbed his arms, "You're under arrest for abusing, humiliating, blackmailing your daughter-in-law and also for trying to kill her parents. I am so shocked and also disappointed with you, Wills. Despite being a respected and famous business magnate of America, you committed such a disgusting crime. You should be ashamed of yourself. Your shameful and odious acts had not only me let down but had also brought a shame in our society." He spat in disgust and handcuffed him. A lady officer then handcuffed Mrs. Black who was weeping silently on her sordid life.

Dylan raised his hands in the air and let the cops handcuff him, his eyes never left Evelyn who was staring at everything in shock. He had a smile on his face, all the time while his eyes kept pouring unending tears.

As it is said, eyes are the mirror to one’s soul. Evelyn knew that this time Dylan was seriously remorseful but she had never imagined that the man for whom his ego, his reputation, his stature mattered more than anyone's life will confess his crimes that too in front of the whole world. He destroyed himself today, and for what? Just to bring justice to her.

Brandon and Xander somehow freed themselves from the hold of those muscular guards and ran towards Dylan.

“LEAVE HIM!! HOW DARE YOU ARREST HIM!!”, Brandon shouted and pushed the officer back harshly who was arresting Dylan. He then diverted his gaze back to Dylan whose eyes were still stuck on Evelyn.

“YOU CAN'T GET AWAY JUST LIKE THAT!! YOU COMMITTED A MISTAKE; WE ALL KNOW ABOUT THAT BUT IT'S TIME FOR YOUR REDEMPTION!! IF YOU'RE FUCKING SORRY THEN RETURN HER LOST SELF-RESPECT, HER DIGNITY, HER REPUTATION, HER LOST SELF-ESTEEM. RETURN HER ORIGINAL LIFE. FREE HER FROM YOUR CAGE AND THEN GET LOST!!”

He yelled while a few tears leaked from his eyes. He was also suffering watching his best friend getting humiliated and arrested in front of the whole world. Brandon always had a soft corner for Dylan. He loved him like his brother. After coming to know about his hideous crimes, he was enraged but most importantly hurt and broken. Although Brandon loved Dylan he can't be the one who will abet him in his crime. Dylan did wrong and he should be punished.

Xander also supported Brandon, “Exactly. What do you think? That you will plan all this drama and get arrested. Then what? A happy ending. What about the pain and torture you gave to her? Why won't you beg for her forgiveness? Eve will decide what should be done with a scumbag like you. You don't even have the right to decide everything yourself.”

He growled and snatched the shackles that were around his wrists and threw them on the ground. Brandon then strode towards Evelyn and gripped her right forearm.

“Evelyn, it's time. Tell us, what do you want to do with him? We won't pressurise you. Tell us your decision Evelyn and we will respect t-that.”

His voice broke at last. Evelyn looked at him but he immediately looked away from her because he didn't want to show her his weak side. He couldn't muster up the courage to beg her not to get him arrested. The same goes for Xander. His heart ached to watch his friend shackled like a prisoner and Evelyn could easily read their misery from their gloomy faces.

Although Dylan's best friends hated him to the core for ruining an innocent girl's life they wanted to end this matter in a way that won't harm both of them. Brandon and Xander were torn between friendship and love. Evelyn knew about their dilemma. They wanted to return her old life and happiness but not at the cost of Dylan's life. Dylan should get punished for hurting and abusing his wife but Evelyn knew that Brandon and Xander will never let her do that. They didn't want to put Dylan's reputation at stake to give her justice.

Evelyn slowly grabbed Brandon's shoulder and made her face him. His tear-stained face and wobbling chin easily gave her, her answers. Her lips curved down in a sad smile. She raised her hands and gently wiped his tears with her slender fingers.

“This is the thing which I like the most about you. You make no bones about hiding your emotions. I can easily see your pain and anxiety so there's no need for you to hide them,” she smiled. Brandon's throat clogged up. He then all of a sudden pulled her in his arms and broke down into loud sobs.

“I am sorry Cutiepie. I wanted to celebrate your birthday. I wanted to make this day special for you but everything got ruined. I failed to protect you; I failed as a friend today. I am ashamed of myself and I know you must be hating me right now for supporting my bastard friend who always brought tears in your eyes. I am sorry. Please forgive me.”

He cried on her shoulders like a child. Xander also looked down in shame. Tears kept rolling down his cheek like a waterfall.

“I am sorry Eve. I wanted to make you happy that's why I had planned to make you divorce Dylan today and then I will take you with me to Paris. Away from all the tribulations and tears. A new place which will give you a new status. Happiness will be at your door and you will be finally able to live a life that you always wanted to. But I, I failed. I wanted to end your misery but not by ruining Dylan's life.”

He finally confessed. Evelyn nodded in approval. She then broke the hug and wiped Brandon's tears with her fingers. Evelyn walked towards Xander and cupped her face. She made her look at him and sighed deeply.

“You don't need to make a clean breast of your feelings in front of me. I already knew everything from the start. And trust me, I am not at all angry at you. I can understand. The camaraderie which existed between you and Dylan always pulled you back from hurting him and the same goes for Dylan as well. The three of you have been friends since childhood while we had met just a few months ago so it's obvious that your bond with Dylan will be stronger than us. A true friend will always try to bring his friend on the right track even if he had to bear his hatred and rage. But he will never be able to see him in pain or will leave him to suffer alone. You and Brandon have fulfilled your duties of being a true friend. And I am proud of you both,” she said while caressing his cheeks. Xander's eyes widened in shock. Brandon and Dylan also looked at her in awe. Automatically, a smile made its way to their lips.

She was indeed a born angel.

Brandon rushed to Evelyn and grabbed her hands, “That means you forgive Dylan. You won't leave us. You will always stay-“

"No."

That mere word instantly sealed his lips. His words died in his mouth while Xander looked at Evelyn with a frown.

“W-What do you mean?”

He stuttered nervously. Her joyful expression immediately deserted her. Instead, they got replaced by an icy cold glare. Evelyn removed her hands from Brandon's hold. He again tried to hold her but she instantly retreated her steps back and raised a palm in front of his face making him startled.

“I can understand your pain but I can't forget my own to Brandon,” she said and then turned to Dylan who was watching her sadly. She pointed her index finger at him and shot him an accusatory look.

“This man ruined my life, snatched my happiness, and trampled on my feelings. He made fun of my love for him and made me lose my belief in love and faithfulness. You all are asking me to forgive him? Alright, I forgive him because to err is human, to forgive is divine. But you also need to remember that we can forget what has hurt us but we should never forget what it taught us. Even after getting endless heartbreaks, tolerating his insults, ignoring his scornful remarks, I gave him a chance to redeem and not once but twice. Still, he broke my heart. Now tell me, Brandon, will you have been able to forgive a person who had betrayed you the same way Dylan had betrayed me? Ask this question from your heart and tell me, Xander, will you still willingly accept someone who had snatched the soul out of your body? Will you, Dylan Black, again dare to give a chance to your tormentor who had made you doubt the decision of being in love with someone? CAN YOU DO THAT??”

Evelyn yelled. Her words rendered the three men speechless. Maria shot a glare to Mrs. Black who looked down as she was equally responsible for destroying Evelyn's life. She then headed towards Evelyn and stood beside her.

“Although after your arrival, Young Master had stopped tormenting Evie because a feeling of possessiveness, obsession, and jealousy started burgeoning in his heart which overpowered his lust of abusing my daughter. A new sick desire ingress his mind which was to claim Eve. But I have witnessed his cruel acts, I have seen her tears and helped her in overcoming her sufferings. I had expected the same from you both but you are just like your sick friend.”

Xander and Brandon: NO, WE ARE NOT!!

They both yelled in unison with tears streaming down their faces. But Maria just scoffed in response and looked away from them.

Evelyn then looked down and exhaled loudly. She was tired, tired of dealing with everyone. Dylan looked at her defeated form. He then took a few steps towards her and stood at a good distance from her.

“Eve.”

He called her in a hoarse voice. Evelyn squeezed her eyes shut and balled her fists in anger. Her blood boiled just by hearing that endearment. Dylan looked down and continued further.

“I know you hate me but I wanted to redeem myself. And not by begging you for forgiveness instead by my actions. You deserve the world and all the happiness of the universe. I am happily accepting my punishment but before leaving your life, I want you to listen to me just one last time.”

He implored her with joined hands. Evelyn shot her head up only to see him crying in front of her. The old Evelyn would have melted by his tears and would have hugged him. But today she stayed rooted on her spot and kept looking at him coldly. Dylan smiled when he noticed her approval. He then walked towards Mr. Swift who handed him a few papers.

Dylan then stood in front of Evelyn and placed those papers in her hand. She frowned.

“What's this?”, she whispered.

“I am returning your freedom and your happiness which I had confined with me. I have signed the divorce papers. You can also sign on to them and then we will be legally separated.  Also, I am handing you my empire to you. You will be the new CEO of Black Estates. I am giving you my entire property, my wealth, and my everything to you.”

He said calmly. Evelyn gasped in shock while her jaw dropped to the ground. She immediately started shaking her head vigorously in denial but Dylan held her shoulders.

“No Eve. I am not doing a favor to you. I am returning the things to their rightful owner. You are solely responsible for making what I am today, for making Black Estates the most successful company of America today. You deserve it, Evelyn. Please accept it so that I can happily go to jail. Please Eve, just please listen to me this time.” He begged her but all his pleadings fell deaf on her ear. Evelyn still didn’t budge. She jerked his hands away and took a few steps back.

“I know you did wrong Dylan but I am not that cruel to bring you or your parents on street. Yes, I brought Black Estates to new heights but that company had always belonged to you. I appreciate your efforts but if you’re sorry then just let me go and move on,” she said coldly. Dylan tried to deny but Evelyn beat him to it.

“No. I am ready to forgive everything but you have to promise me today that you will never come in front of me. We will never cross our paths in the future. The company which had always belonged to me is Clarke Enterprises, my cornerstone, my heart. Black Estates was never mine nor it will ever be. I don't want your wealth or property. I don't want to see you suffer even. All I want is my old life back. I want to get rid of this Black title and establish my identity as Evelyn Clarke. I want nothing to do with you nor with your friends. I want to start afresh and I expect the same from you.”

She said in a tone that held no room for argument further. Dylan immediately lost all his hopes of getting her back or earning her forgiveness. The hatred and bitterness he heard in her voice itself made it crystal clear for him how much he disgusts her. Even his mere presence was enough to suffocate and lose her sanity.

Dylan didn't say anything further and slowly retreated his steps back, “Alright then. I will do as you say.”

He mumbled. A fat tear rolled down his cheek and with that, he turned around, not able to face her anymore.

Evelyn then turned to the officers and told them to drop the case. Her eagerness to leave him and this house was hollowing Dylan from inside. His empty promises and brutality had completely eradicated the traces of love which she had for him in her heart and was now replaced with only sheer hatred and or rather say, she doesn't even feel anything for him.

“Let's go Mom.”

Evelyn then grabbed Maria's hand and started to leave. Brandon and Xander were watching them weaving their way through the crowd with pained eyes.

Dylan quietly watched Maria and Evelyn leave the entrance with sealed lips. Dylan could feel his heartbeat slowly dying with Evelyn’s every step. Not able to bear the pain anymore, he turned around and also left the place eventually. He could hear people gossiping and murmuring about him and his family but he completely ignored them. His eyes were red from crying and his face was blotched.

Dylan sighed and closed his eyes as he leaned on the wall for support, “I am sorry Eve.”

A tear rolled down his cheek as he whispered to himself sadly.

“But Dylan Black is born to break promises.”

All of a sudden, his lips curved up in a smirk. Dylan opened his bloodshot eyes as he started smiling to himself. His eyes glimmered with a new determination. There was a hue of desire and joy in his dark obsidian orbs while his heart started beating with a new hope which was….

‘A promise to win her back

“I might have freed you from my cage Eve but it's too tough for me to move on now as you have occupied my heart which only beats for you. I can’t move on now baby and neither I won’t let you move on. Go, Eve, live your life but remember you were my mine, you are mine and you'll remain mine only. I will come hell or high water to win you back but this time you will come to me yourself willingly. ‘Cause this time I don’t need a Genie but my soulmate, my wifey, my Eve."

*****