[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":10},["ShallowReactive",2],{"viewer-data-260322E1C3D0-257":3},{"id":4,"number":5,"name":6,"content":7,"isLocked":8,"price":9,"hasRead":8},257,43,"Chapter 43: Taking the Blow on His Knees","\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The next morning, Evangeline was jolted awake by the shrill ring of her phone. She groaned, clutching her throbbing temples.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">She nudged the man beside her with her foot. \"Answer it.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Marcellus grabbed the phone. \"Hello? What is it?\" He listened for a moment, his jaw tightening. \"Fine. I’ve got it. Do nothing for now.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">He hung up, his brow furrowed as he looked at the woman beside him, still thick with sleep. He slid back under the covers and pulled her into his arms. They drifted for another half-hour before Evangeline’s mind finally cleared.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Who was calling so early?\" she mumbled, rubbing her tired eyes.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Marcellus tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear, his voice calm. \"Someone posted online, claiming we have an 'improper relationship.'\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"What? Who’s playing games now?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Kara Dixon. She tried to hit on me a while back.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Evangeline chuckled, nestling into his chest. \"Well, who could blame her? I possess the most powerful man in the city. It’s only natural they’re green with envy.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Marcellus’s gaze softened. He looked at her, his voice hesitant. \"Evangeline, I want to go public. I want everyone to know we're together.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Is now really the right time?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">As the words left her lips, she saw the flicker of disappointment in his eyes, and a sharp, familiar ache gripped her heart. She had been given a second chance at life, not just for herself and her parents, but for him. She had to love him properly this time.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Evangeline grabbed his hand, her expression resolute as she smiled at him. \"Marcellus, let’s go home first. Mom and Dad shouldn't be the last to know.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"You... you agree?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Seeing his pupils dilate, his face alight with a rare, raw excitement, Evangeline knew she had made the right choice. His happiness was the only thing that mattered.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Of course! I’ve been your wife all along.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Marcellus hauled her into a crushing embrace, his joy too great for words.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Meanwhile, the internet was in a frenzy. A blogger had leaked a photo of Evangeline snuggled against a man—his face obscured, but his silhouette radiating raw, unbridled power. Paired with a suggestive caption, the keyboard warriors were already in full attack mode.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Don't look at it,\" Marcellus said, snatching the phone from her hands.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Evangeline gave him a reassuring smile. \"It's fine. None of what they’re saying is true. They aren’t talking about the real me; it won't affect me.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">A frantic knocking echoed through the room. \"Evangeline? Are you awake?\" Remi Crawford’s voice came through the door, sharp with worry.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Marcellus got up to let her in.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Have you seen Twitter? They’re tearing you apart!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Remi, don't worry. We’ll handle it. Let the chaos play out for a while,\" Evangeline said, her voice steady. Seeing her composure, Remi finally exhaled, her shoulders dropping.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Who’s behind this?\" Remi huffed. \"So petty!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Likely Kara Dixon. She probably couldn't handle losing the competition, so she resorted to rumors.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"What a pathetic clown,\" Remi spat.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Exactly,\" Evangeline agreed. \"Let’s get ready. We’re heading to the house.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">On the drive back, Evangeline called her father, insisting he come home for lunch. She had something monumental to say. When they arrived, Marilyn was pacing the porch, her face pale with anxiety.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Mom!\" Evangeline rushed over to hug her.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Sweetheart, why haven't you issued a statement? They're saying such horrible things!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"That’s why we’re here, Mom. Once Dad gets back, we have something important to discuss.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Marilyn looked between the two of them, her brow furrowed. They were acting far too serious.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">They waited until the family was gathered. When Edward arrived, Evangeline stood up, wearing her most persuasive expression. \"Dad...\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Evangeline, what did you do?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">A father always knows. Evangeline awkwardly rubbed her nose. \"Dad, Mom... please, sit down.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">They sat, looking at their daughter with growing dread. The silence in the room grew heavy.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Well? Out with it,\" Edward said.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Evangeline bit her lip. \"Dad... Marcellus and I are married. We already signed the papers.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"What?!\" Edward’s voice cracked. He shot to his feet, trembling.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Evangeline flinched, but Marcellus stepped forward, wrapping a protective arm around her. \"I’m sorry, sir.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The sound of him calling Edward \"Dad\" hit the older man like a physical blow. Edward pointed a shaking finger at him, unable to speak. Marilyn rushed to her husband’s side, rubbing his back to keep him from hyperventilating.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Evangeline, how could you?\" Marilyn whispered.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"I’m sorry, Mom, Dad. I know I acted impulsively.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Edward’s voice was a low, dangerous rumble. \"Tell me. Did he force you? Did this boy threaten you?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"No, Dad. I love him! I was the one who couldn't wait to be his wife.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Marcellus looked at her, stunned. She was using her own pride as a shield to protect him.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Evangeline Montgomery!\" Edward bellowed. \"You are our princess! You are the treasure we’ve guarded with our lives! To throw yourself away for a man like this...\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The word \"cheap\" died in his throat. He couldn't bring himself to say it to her. The look of profound disappointment and heartbreak on his father-in-law’s face was a blade through Marcellus’s chest. He had never felt more useless.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Sir,\" Marcellus said, his voice steady but heavy with regret. \"I am the one who coerced her into this. It’s my fault. Punish me however you see fit.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"I knew it! You absolute scoundrel!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">*CRACK.*\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Edward’s hand flashed out, a sharp slap that left a flaming red mark across Marcellus’s face. Evangeline’s hand flew to her own cheek, her heart shattering. She knew she had pushed her father to his breaking point.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">She caught Marcellus’s gaze and hissed, \"Kneel!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Without a second of hesitation, Marcellus dropped to his knees beside her. Evangeline knelt with him, her eyes fixed on the floor.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Oh, goodness! What are you doing? Get up!\" Marilyn cried, reaching for them. Evangeline pulled away, her eyes glistening.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Dad, Mom, I was wrong,\" she choked out.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Are you trying to hold me hostage with this display?\" Edward roared.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"No. I was impulsive. I didn't consider how this would affect you, and for that, I apologize. But I never intended to disrespect you.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Edward looked down. Marcellus, the man who held the city in his palm, the man everyone feared like a demon king, was kneeling at his feet for his daughter’s sake. His anger was still there, but a flicker of begrudging respect fought through the rage. He was still furious that this man had plucked his flower and walked away with the pot.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">He glared at Marcellus. \"Get up! You have no right to kneel before me!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"A son-in-law is half a son,\" Marcellus replied quietly. \"It is only right that I kneel before my father.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Edward was momentarily struck dumb, left sputtering, \"Shameless! Absolutely shameless!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Marilyn sighed, sensing the tension breaking. \"They know they were wrong, dear. Let them get up.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Nobody told them to kneel! If they want to stay there, let them! I’m going to eat!\" Edward turned and marched toward the dining room.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">He hesitated at the threshold, his back stiff. After a long, agonizing moment, he let out a jagged breath.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Get up and eat!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The order was gruff, but the ice had cracked. Evangeline beamed, pulling Marcellus to his feet. \"Thank you, Dad!\"\u003C/p>",false,0,1774272912667]