Chapter 148

The moment Nathan processed what had just occurred, his expression darkened. His voice was low and commanding. "Get down."

"I—I can't! There are rats! They're everywhere!" Evelyn's voice trembled as she clung to him desperately, her body pressed tightly against his. Her fingers dug into his shoulders, as if letting go would mean being devoured by the scurrying creatures below.

Nathan frowned, glancing around the dimly lit room. Sure enough, small shadows darted across the floor. "They're just rodents," he muttered, baffled by her terror.

Before she could respond, the lights flickered—then died completely.

Evelyn let out a sharp cry, burying her face against his neck, her arms tightening around him like a vice. The warmth of her body, the faint floral scent of her hair—it all hit Nathan at once, stirring something unfamiliar in his chest.

For a moment, he froze. Then, irritation flickered across his features. "Evelyn. Get. Down." He reached to pry her legs from around his waist.

Her grip only tightened. "No! Please, Nathan—don't make me!" Her voice cracked, edged with genuine fear.

The raw panic in her tone made him pause. He exhaled sharply, studying her trembling form in the darkness. With a resigned sigh, he adjusted his hold on her, shifting her weight more securely in his arms.

Nathan moved toward the door, intending to leave—only to find it locked.

His jaw clenched. There was no doubt who was behind this. The rats, the power outage, the locked door—Leonard's doing, without question. Was the man really this petty?

"W-What's wrong?" Evelyn whispered, sensing his tension.

"The door's locked from the outside," Nathan said flatly.

Her breath hitched. "No—" The thought of being trapped here, with those creatures skittering around, sent a fresh wave of terror through her. She squeezed her eyes shut, her pulse racing.

Nathan had planned to set her down to make a call, but the sheer distress in her posture made him hesitate. Instead, he fished his phone from his pocket with one hand, dialing Leonard's number.

The line rang endlessly. No answer.

Of course.

Nathan exhaled, glancing down at Evelyn. "He's not picking up. Looks like we're stuck here for a while."

Evelyn bit her lip, frustration and fear warring in her expression. After a beat, she whispered, "Nathan… can you put me on the table?" She couldn't bear the thought of him holding her indefinitely, not knowing when they'd be freed.

Nathan hesitated, then turned on his phone's flashlight, illuminating the room. In one swift motion, he carried her to the dining table and set her down on a chair.

The moment her feet touched the surface, Evelyn curled into herself, hands clamping over her ears. The sound of tiny claws scratching against the floor echoed in her mind, dragging her back to a memory she'd fought to forget—elementary school, that day—

Her breath came in short gasps as panic clawed its way up her throat.