"Take all your clothes and get out of this house!"

Selena's voice echoed through the grand living room. Her breath was ragged, her eyes ablaze with hatred. She threw Evelyn's suitcase and clothes one by one toward the front door. Dresses, nightgowns, and underwear scattered across the floor, now mixing with dirt and the rainwater beginning to soak the terrace.

Evelyn stood trembling on the doorstep. Her fists clenched tightly as she fought back the shame and heartbreak. She had just signed the divorce papers, and now, she was forced to watch her dignity be trampled like garbage.

"Julian, are you really throwing me out tonight? It's raining. Can you honestly watch me get drenched like a stray dog with no place to go?" Her voice was hoarse, nearly drowned by the pounding rain on the rooftop.

Julian stood behind Selena, his face expressionless but firm. Yet Evelyn could still see a flicker of doubt in his eyes.

Selena quickly stepped forward and grabbed Julian's arm. "If you still care about this woman, I'm leaving! Choose-her or me!"

Julian lifted his chin. "Leave, Evelyn. I can't hurt Selena just for someone like you."

Thud.

It was like a sledgehammer hit Evelyn's chest. Julian's words shattered every ounce of pride and every memory they had built together.

Selena let out a sharp breath. She strode over, yanked Evelyn's arm harshly, and shoved her past the gate. Evelyn fell to the ground, her clothes soaked and muddied.

"Get out of our lives, you pathetic beggar!"

The gate slammed shut behind her. Bang!

Evelyn slowly looked up. Her hair clung to her face, soaked by the rain, and tears streamed down, merging with the water running down her cheeks. She bit her lip, trying to stop the sobs threatening to burst out. Shivering, she began picking up her scattered clothes from the wet street.

She had no money, no cards. Home had become a place that rejected her. And the world felt so vast, yet not a single corner offered her shelter.

Her steps were unsteady. Her shoes were soaked, her stomach twisted in pain, her head pounded. The street was dark and muddy, and her weary body began to falter.

Thump! Evelyn collapsed, lying flat on the deserted road. The rain kept pouring, and her consciousness slowly faded.

In the distance, headlights reflected off puddles. A sleek black sedan screeched to a halt.

"Mr. William! There's a woman passed out on the road!" the driver shouted as he jumped out and rushed to check on Evelyn's limp, freezing body.

From inside the car, William Montgomery stared out the window, his gaze sharp and commanding. But when he saw the face of the woman lying there, his pupils widened in shock.

"That... it's her... the girl... the one who saved me ten years ago."

William's voice caught in his throat. He opened the car door himself and knelt beside Evelyn, gripping her shoulder tightly.

"Quick! Get her in the car. We're going to the hospital now!"

The driver nodded and helped him carry Evelyn's frail body into the car.

---

At the hospital...

Hours passed. Evelyn lay in a hospital bed, an IV drip in her hand, a blanket pulled over her cold body. Slowly, her eyes fluttered open.

A man was sitting beside her. A man in an expensive black suit with eyes as sharp as a hawk.

"Who... are you?" Evelyn murmured, her voice weak, her mind foggy.

The man stared directly into her eyes, his lips curling into a faint smile.

"My name is William Montgomery."

Evelyn frowned. The name meant nothing to her.

"Thank you for saving me, sir..."

William nodded, then asked in return, "Why were you lying in the middle of the road like that? What happened to you?"

Evelyn lowered her gaze. Her heart ached again. She swallowed hard, trying to keep her tears at bay.

"I... I just lost everything."

"Did your husband just throw you out of the house?"

Evelyn's heart skipped a beat. Her breath caught in her throat. How... how did this man know exactly what she was going through?

"Thank you, Sir. I'm sorry, but I have to go," Evelyn said with a trembling voice, her fingers clutching the edge of the hospital blanket.

Her steps were unsteady as she tried to get down from the bed. The cold floor met the soles of her feet, sending a slight shiver through her body. But it wasn't the chill that made her tremble-it was the crushing reality that she had nowhere to go... and no money to pay for any of this.

"Evelyn!"

William Montgomery's voice halted her in her tracks. Firm. Cold. But beneath it-there was a trace of concern.

He strode quickly to her bedside and caught her arm, stopping her from falling. Evelyn looked up, her eyes meeting his sharp gaze.

"You're not fully recovered, Miss. Stay here!" William commanded, his tone leaving no room for argument.

"But, Sir..." Evelyn lowered her gaze, her voice quivering. "I... I don't have any money. I'm not even sure I can afford this hospital bill." Her voice cracked, tears beginning to glimmer at the corners of her eyes.

William took a deep breath, something flickering behind his steady eyes. "You don't need to worry about the hospital expenses, Miss Evelyn. Just rest. I'll take care of everything."

Evelyn looked at him with doubt. "Sir, I have nothing. I'm afraid this will become a debt I can never repay."

William turned away briefly, then faced her again, arms crossed over his chest. "You don't need to think about repaying it now. Think about it later-when you're strong enough to stand on your own."

His words sounded light, but there was intensity in his eyes. Evelyn fell silent. A storm brewed inside her: her wounded pride, the shame of being a burden, and the overwhelming gratitude all fought for space in her heart.

At last, in a barely audible voice, she said, "Alright, then. But only until I'm strong enough to leave."

William gave a slight nod and walked out without another word.

---

The next day, the doctor came in with unexpected news.

"You're in better condition now, Miss Evelyn. You can be discharged today."

Evelyn froze. Instead of joy, her face went blank. After the doctor left, she collapsed onto the bed. Tears began to fall-quiet, but unstoppable.

"Go home?" she whispered. "Go home to where?"

No house. No family. No destination.

From across the room, William stood silently at the door, watching her fragile figure cry in silence. His expression shifted-usually unreadable, now taut, as though something inside him cracked.

"So pitiful, Evelyn..." he muttered quietly, before finally stepping inside.

The sound of his steady footsteps made Evelyn look up. She quickly wiped her tears, but it was too late. William had seen them.

Without a word, he extended his hand. Evelyn stared at it, hesitant, but eventually placed her own hand in his.

William gently pulled her up, then softly wiped the tears from her cheek. "You don't have to be afraid. If you don't know where to go, come with me."

Evelyn looked at him, confused.

"I own a company," William continued. "You can work there. As my personal assistant."

Thump. Evelyn's heart skipped a beat.

"Personal assistant?" she whispered. "But... but Sir, I've never worked in a position like that before..."

A faint smile touched William's lips. "Don't worry. You'll learn. What matters is that you stay by my side."

Stay by his side? The words echoed in Evelyn's mind. Her chest tightened. There was something strange in his tone. Too... personal?

His gaze had changed too. It wasn't just the look of an employer to an employee. It was as if he saw her as... something more.

Evelyn frowned slightly, taking a small step back. "I'm sorry, Sir... but what exactly do you mean by 'stay by your side'?"

William narrowed his eyes. "Why? Is there something wrong with what I said?"

Evelyn didn't answer right away. Questions churned in her mind. Who exactly was this man? Why did he offer her a job so easily? Why was he so attentive, as if they shared a connection deeper than that of two strangers?

And most frightening of all... why was she starting to feel safe around him?

Evelyn followed William's footsteps toward his house. The grand mansion, towering with classic European architecture, looked magnificent-and foreign-to her eyes. But as they stepped up the stairs toward the main entrance, unease began creeping into her mind.

She clutched her bag tightly, her breath coming in shallow bursts.

"Sir... what about your wife's feelings? Won't she be angry or jealous if she finds out you brought me here?" Evelyn asked in a low voice, barely more than a whisper. Her face betrayed her fear-she didn't want to be the cause of another woman's heartbreak.

William stopped for a moment. He turned to look at her with a bemused expression. Then, unexpectedly, he burst into laughter-his voice cutting through the quiet night.

"I've never even been married, Evelyn. Why are you talking about a 'wife'?" he said, his voice dropping to a whisper as he looked deeply into her eyes. "Or... are you hoping to earn that title from me?"

Evelyn's cheeks flushed instantly. Her heart thudded wildly. She lowered her gaze, trying to hide her embarrassment.

Amused by her discomfort, William held back a smirk. Then, with a commanding tone, he called out:

"Rosemary!"

A young woman with curly hair, dressed in a crisp uniform, hurried in from the kitchen.

"Yes, sir?"

"Treat this lady as you would treat me. Consider her my honored guest."

Rosemary's eyes widened. The words hit her like a slap. Her pride, which had long clung to silent hopes of gaining her master's affection, shattered in that instant.

Is this the woman Sir William loves? she thought, rage bubbling in her chest.

Her eyes raked over Evelyn from head to toe-plain. Not particularly pretty. Too simple. Nothing special. But why... why was she getting this kind of attention?

With a forced smile and a dagger hidden in her voice, Rosemary stepped forward. Her tone was sharp and cold.

"And who exactly are you?" she asked curtly, staring straight at Evelyn.

Evelyn gave a nervous glance, trying to stay polite.

"I'm... I'm Mr. William's personal assistant," she replied softly.

"Just a personal assistant? Then why is Mr. William treating you like his lover?" Rosemary's voice rose, her eyes stripping Evelyn bare.

"I... I don't know. I just met him," Evelyn answered, lowering her head, clearly uncomfortable.

Rosemary scoffed. She narrowed her eyes and sneered, "So... he picked you up off the street, huh?"

Thud.

The words struck Evelyn deep. She bit her lower lip, swallowing the hurt and shame.

Without waiting for a reply, Rosemary turned and marched off.

"You can sleep in the maid's quarters," she snapped.

Evelyn hesitated, watching the woman's back, but she had no choice. She followed her down a long corridor toward the back of the house.

When Rosemary opened the door to the room, a wave of stale air rushed out. The space was dark, cramped, dusty, and cluttered with old boxes. Tiny rats scurried along the corners. Evelyn stepped back instinctively.

"Are... are you serious about putting me in a room like this?" she asked, her voice trembling.

Rosemary spun around, face blazing with anger. "And where did you expect to sleep? In Mr. William's bed? Naked with him?!"

Evelyn quickly shook her head, holding her breath. She didn't dare argue. Rosemary's glare was terrifying.

"Just a personal assistant, yet already acting like you deserve everything? Don't get ahead of yourself!" Rosemary snapped, folding her arms. "Clean this room. Then sleep here!"

Evelyn stared at the room, her eyes glistening with tears. Her hands trembled as she reached for a mop and broom. Slowly, she began dusting, clearing boxes, sweeping up the filth.

A rat suddenly jumped from beneath a pile of cloth, making Evelyn scream and fall backward. Her face turned pale, her breath caught in her throat.

"I... I'm scared... Please, Miss Rosemary..." she pleaded.

But Rosemary simply looked on in satisfaction. She savored Evelyn's fear. A bitter smile curled on her lips.

"That's what you get for trying to seduce Mr. William. I've worked in this house for years, given everything I had... and he's never even looked at me!" Her voice cracked with fury and resentment.

Evelyn had no words. She could only cry silently.

But when she tried to get up and leave the room, the door suddenly slammed shut-and locked from the outside.

"No... Miss Rosemary! Please open the door! I beg you!"

No answer.

Evelyn grabbed the doorknob and shook it hard. "Please!! Miss Rosemary!"

Then, the lights went out.

Darkness. The squeaks of rats echoed from all directions. Evelyn sobbed in panic, her back pressed against the wall. Her body trembled violently.

"Miss Rosemary! Please! I'm scared... I-"

Her cries burst out. She screamed, bending over as if the fear was choking her. The darkness, the rats-it was all too much.

And just outside the door, Rosemary stood listening to her cries.

Her face showed no trace of pity.