As soon as I stepped out of the car, the doorman greeted me with a beaming smile. I gave a slight nod. "Thank you."

It felt a little strange this kind of treatment. After enduring constant bullying in prison, I wasn't quite used to being shown respect again.

Walking into the restaurant, I was struck by its serene elegance. Every corner exuded a sense of refined charm. Soft candlelight flickered, and the faint sounds of laughter from private dining rooms scattered throughout.

"Here, have a drink," Kevin said. He poured me a cup of whiskey.noveldrama

I downed it in one gulp, feeling the spicy liquid spread warmth through my body. "Another one!" I said, gesturing grandly.

Kevin obliged and refilled my cup. One cup turned into another, and before I knew it, my face was flushed. My head began to feel light.

"Evelyn, don't overdo it. You might get drunk," Lianne said. She looked at me, worried.

"Ha! What's a few measly cups of whiskey to me?" I declared with a laugh, even as the alcohol began to cloud my thoughts.

Caught up in the moment, fueled by the drinks and the excitement of freedom, I couldn't stop myself. I laughed loudly, rambled about grand ideas, and let my emotions spill.

Lianne and Kevin joined in my laughter and encouraged me. For a moment, it felt like the old days, back when we worked alongside, chasing dreams together. But slowly, a sense of sadness began to creep in, wrapping itself around my heart.

I looked around at the lively scene-glasses clinking, laughter echoing. And yet, the one person who should have been here with me was nowhere to be found.

"Zach... Ethan..." I murmured. Their names slipped from my lips as tears blurred my vision. Kevin and Lianne exchanged uneasy glances, clearly at a loss.

"Evelyn, don't think about that now. We're celebrating your freedom today. Let's not bring up anything that'll ruin the mood." Kevin quickly comforted me.

But I couldn't stop. The floodgates had opened, and I broke down completely.

"My child... my husband... they mean more to me than anything in this world. But now, where are they?" I cried. My voice trembled with

anguish. "Kevin, Lianne, you're my closest friends. Why are you hiding this from me? Where are Zach and Éthan? Tell me the truth!"

The two exchanged a long, heavy glance before Kevin sighed deeply. "Evelyn, it's a long story..." Lianne finally said. She lowered her gaze with visible regret.

I couldn't take it anymore. I stood abruptly. As I swayed, I made my way toward the door. "I'm going to find them! Don't you try to stop me!"

"Evelyn!" Kevin called out. He scrambled to his feet and grabbed my arm.

I jerked it away and shouted, "Let me go! They're my family. I'll find them myself!" With that, I stormed out

of the private dining room without looking back.

As I walked out the restaurant, the

early summer night breeze hit my face, clearing the haze in my mind but leaving me hollow inside. stood by the roadside. Tears were blurring my vision.

Where were Zachary and Ethan? I wandered aimlessly around the street. My sobs broke the stillness of the night. All the lies-about Vivian being in prison, the lawyer's reassurances-they were just lies.

The streetlights cast my shadow long and thin across the pavement. Passersby glanced at me curiously

and whispered among themselves.