Chapter 8 - Evelyn’s Desperation
The public declaration destroyed Evelyn Shaw’s leverage, but it pushed her over the edge of sanity.
Three days after the press conference, the divorce papers between Luca and Evelyn were officially served to her legal team. Deprived of her corporate standing and humiliated on a global stage, Evelyn retreated to her family’s private estate in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin.
It was a quiet Tuesday evening. The kids were upstairs in my Oak Park house, sound asleep after a long day of playing in the backyard with the new golden retriever puppy Luca had bought them.
I was sitting in the living room, reviewing the final joint-custody agreement drafted by Arthur Vance. Luca was sitting across from me in an armchair, going over corporate reports on his laptop, maintaining a quiet, respectful presence.
Over the past week, we had formed an uneasy, effective rhythm. He stayed until the kids went to sleep, never pushing for more than I was willing to give, proving every single day that he was committed to being a present, loving father.
Suddenly, Luca’s phone vibrated violently against the side table.
He picked it up, answering calmly. "Luca."
Within three seconds, his face drained of all color. He sat up rigid, his dark eyes locking onto mine with sudden, terrifying intensity.
"Say that again, Mark," Luca ordered his security chief into the phone.
A pause.
"Where is she now?" Luca demanded, his voice dropping into a tone of absolute, murderous rage. "Intercept her before she reaches the perimeter. I'm coming down."
He ended the call, standing up so fast his laptop nearly slid onto the floor.
"What happened?" I asked, standing up instantly, panic flaring in my chest. "Luca, what is it?!"
"Evelyn," Luca spat, his fists clenching so hard his knuckles turned white. "My security team just intercepted her vehicle two blocks from this house. She paid a private investigator to track our daily routine. She had a bottle of industrial acid in her glove compartment, Nia."
My knees gave out. I stumbled back against the sofa, my hand flying to my mouth in sheer, paralyzing horror. "Acid?!"
Luca crossed the room in two strides, catching me by my arms, pulling me up against his chest. "She didn't reach the street, Nia. Mark’s team rammed her car and pinned her against a tree. The police are arresting her right now."
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I buried my face into his chest, shaking uncontrollably as the reality of what could have happened to my children washed over me. "She's insane... Luca, she wanted to hurt them!"
"She will never see the light of day again," Luca swore, holding me tightly, his arms wrapping around me like iron bands, his chin resting against the top of my head. "I will spend every penny I own to ensure she spends the rest of her life in a federal institution. You and the children are coming with me to the Lake Forest estate tonight. This house is no longer safe."
