The days following Katherine’s confession were a storm of emotions for Augustus. He had built walls around his heart his entire life, allowing only a select few to penetrate them. Katherine had been one of those rare individuals, and she had obliterated the trust he had foolishly placed in her. Betrayal clung to him like a second skin, its sting more potent than any physical wound.

Augustus barely slept. His nights were consumed with an endless replay of Katherine’s words, her smug face, and the cold realization that he had been nothing more than a pawn in her game. He felt like a fool for not seeing it earlier, for allowing himself to be so easily manipulated. Trust—it was a fragile thing, and now, he doubted he could ever offer it to another soul. 

--- 

In the solitude of his study, Augustus sat hunched over his desk, a glass of whiskey in one hand and a pen in the other. Staring at the company reports, he tried to focus on his work, but the words blurred together. The betrayal had seeped into every corner of his life, poisoning even the things he had once found solace in. 

Samuel, his best friend and confidant, had tried to talk sense into him earlier that week. But Augustus had shut him down with a curt dismissal. 

“You can’t keep pushing everyone away,” Samuel had said, his voice heavy with concern. “Not everyone is Katherine.” 

Augustus had shot him a look so cold that Samuel had thrown his hands up in defeat and left. Since then, Augustus hadn’t heard from him. 

He had always been distant, but now, his cold demeanor bordered on unbearable. The staff at the mansion walked on eggshells around him, whispering about how he had become even more unapproachable than usual. And Evelyn... she was still there, despite everything. 

--- 

Evelyn noticed the change in Augustus immediately. He had always been aloof, but now, he was like an iceberg—impenetrable, emotionless, and freezing cold. Yet, she couldn’t bring herself to abandon him. She knew what it was like to have your heart shattered, to lose someone you trusted. 

Every morning, she prepared breakfast and left it on the table, even though she knew he wouldn’t eat it. She kept the house running smoothly, handling the staff and managing the mundane details of their shared life without complaint. 

At work, she tried to take on more responsibilities, hoping to ease his burden. She stayed late, double-checking reports and presentations, ensuring that nothing would slip through the cracks. Despite Augustus’s icy demeanor, she never stopped trying. 

--- 

One evening, as Evelyn worked late in the office they now shared, she noticed Augustus sitting by the window, staring into the darkness. His suit jacket hung loosely over the back of his chair, and his tie was undone—a rare sight for the usually meticulous man. 

“Augustus,” she said softly, approaching him with a cup of coffee. 

He didn’t respond, didn’t even look at her. She set the cup down on the desk beside him and hesitated for a moment before speaking again. 

“I know you don’t want to talk about it,” she said gently, “but I’m here if you need anything. Even if it’s just someone to sit with.” 

He finally turned to look at her, his gaze sharp and unyielding. “I don’t need your pity, Evelyn.” 

“It’s not pity,” she replied firmly. “It’s understanding. I know what it feels like to lose someone you thought you could trust.” 

For a fleeting moment, something softened in his expression. But it was gone as quickly as it had appeared. He turned back to the window, effectively dismissing her. 

Evelyn sighed but didn’t press him further. She returned to her desk, determined to continue working. If he wanted to push her away, so be it. But she wouldn’t abandon him—not yet. 

--- 

The next day, Samuel showed up unannounced at Augustus’s office. He barged in without knocking, his face a mask of frustration. 

“This has gone on long enough,” he said, slamming the door shut behind him. 

Augustus didn’t even look up from his desk. “What do you want, Samuel?” 

“I want you to stop being an idiot,” Samuel snapped. “You’re hurting everyone around you, including yourself. Evelyn has been bending over backward to help you, and you treat her like she doesn’t exist. Do you even realize what you’re doing to her?” 

“She’s my wife,” Augustus said flatly. “She’ll survive.” 

Samuel stared at him, incredulous. “Do you hear yourself? She’s not just your wife, Augustus—she’s a person. A person who’s trying to be there for you despite the fact that you’ve given her no reason to.” 

Augustus finally looked up, his eyes narrowing. “You don’t understand, Samuel. I trusted Katherine. I loved her. And look where that got me.” 

“And Evelyn isn’t Katherine!” Samuel shot back. “But you’ll never see that if you keep pushing her away.” 

---

That evening, Augustus returned home late, expecting the house to be silent and empty. But as he walked through the hallway, he heard faint music coming from the kitchen. 

Curious, he followed the sound and found Evelyn standing by the counter, humming softly as she prepared a late-night snack. She was wearing a simple sweater and jeans, her hair tied back in a loose ponytail. 

For a moment, Augustus simply watched her. She seemed so... normal, so unaffected by the chaos that had consumed his life. And yet, he knew that wasn’t true. She was trying—trying harder than anyone else ever had. 

When Evelyn noticed him, she quickly stopped humming and straightened up. “You’re home late,” she said, her tone polite but distant. 

“I had work,” he replied shortly. 

She nodded and turned back to her task, clearly not expecting any further conversation. But something in Augustus compelled him to speak. 

“Why do you keep doing this?” he asked suddenly. 

Evelyn paused, her hands stilling as she processed his question. “Doing what?” 

“Trying,” he said, his voice tinged with frustration. “Why do you keep trying to... care?” 

She turned to face him, her eyes steady and unwavering. “Because someone has to,” she said simply. “And because I know you’re not as heartless as you pretend to be.” 

Her words struck a chord deep within him, but he refused to let it show. Instead, he turned on his heel and walked away, leaving Evelyn alone in the kitchen. 

--- 

Despite Augustus’s continued coldness, Evelyn refused to give up. She knew it wasn’t her responsibility to fix him, but she also couldn’t stand by and watch him self-destruct. She took small steps, offering him coffee during meetings, leaving notes on his desk when she found something important for work, and quietly supporting him from the background. 

Her patience was tested daily, but she didn’t waver. And though Augustus didn’t show it, he noticed. Every kind gesture, every quiet word of encouragement—it all chipped away at the walls he had built around himself. 

For now, the distance between them remained vast. But Evelyn was determined to bridge it, one small act of kindness at a time. And deep down, Augustus began to wonder if he had been wrong about her all along.