Boxing Champ Rises, Fiancée Regrets Wildly
Her fist hit my face, eyes burning with rage. Evan Tinkcom, who let you vanish and become this?
I wiped blood from my lip, smiling coldly. Twenty thousand a punch, Ms. Stone. If thats not enough, keep going. I still need rent money.
Her fist shook, but her voice softened. Come home just apologize to Leo. Hes forgiven you.
Her gaze swept over my cuts and bruises. Look at yourself, covered in blood. Like a stray dog in an alley.
I shuddered. She didnt knowthese scars were how I survived prison.
Remember, she called sharply, Im still your fiance!
How could I forget?
Three years ago, at our engagement party, Leo drugged me and had me auctioned off to the elite. I was stripped of all dignity, turned into Port Stones joke.
And the one who signed the papers selling me off?
My fiance.
The sound of jeering laughter echoed behind me. Victoria was furious, mortified that I was embarrassing her. She was the richest woman in Port Stone, and her fianc was getting his face beaten in for a few thousand dollars in prize money.
I ignored her and headed back to the locker room.
When I stepped into the octagon again, the spotlights weren't on another fighter. They were on a reinforced steel cage, and from within came the guttural roar of a predator.
Tonights main event! Fighter number 67 versus a Bengal Tiger! Place your bets now!
The curtain was ripped away, and a cavernous, bloody maw lunged at the bars, inches from my face.
I sucked in a sharp breath.
Brother.
It was Leo.
I looked up. He was leaning against the railing of a VIP box, decked out in designer clothes, a smug smile plastered on his face.
I heard you were short on cash, he said, his tone a sickening mix of innocence and cruelty. So I arranged a special gift to help you earn a little extra.
I put a hundred grand on you to win. Dont let me down, okay?
A hundred grand.
My fists clenched. I thought of our family home, the one theyd sold out from under me, and I took a step forward without hesitation.
Just then, Victoria stormed into the prep area. Leo smoothly wrapped an arm around her waist.
Vicky, my brother has his pride. Lets let him win this hundred grand on his own. He added, with a sly glance at me, I hear hes been on quite a winning streak. The owner here seems to take good care of him
Disgust flickered in Victorias eyes.
If you get on your knees and apologize to Leo right now, in front of everyone, Ill give you the hundred thousand myself, she said, her voice like ice. Otherwise, you can try prying it from the tigers jaws.
Every eye was on me. They were all sure I would break.
Instead, I pulled on my gloves.
Victorias face went dark, her eyes practically shooting flames.
The tiger lunged. I somersaulted forward, dodging the attack, and landed a hard kick to its throat. But the difference in power was immense. Its jaws snapped shut inches from my skull more than once.
Victorias expression grew uglier with every passing second.
But I refused to give in. After a few brutal rounds, my arm was a shredded mess of flesh and blood.
BANG.
A tranquilizer dart hit the tigers flank, and the massive beast collapsed.
Victoria threw the rifle down and grabbed my mangled arm, her voice a raw scream. Are you trying to get yourself killed?
Blood dripped onto the canvas floor. Sweat beaded on my forehead, but I kept my jaw clenched. I didnt lose. Dont forget to send the money.
Her hand shot out, her fingers wrapping around my neck. Her eyes were cold steel. Youre hopeless. Since youre so desperate for money, maybe I should have just let them sell you for a good price at that auction!
My body convulsed. The world spun, and then everything went black.
As I lost consciousness, the secret Id overheard all those years ago whispered in my ear.
Ms. Stone, weve completely ruined his reputation tonight. That should be enough to satisfy Mr. Leo.
He brought it on himself. This is the price for smearing Leos name.
That auction was a nightmare I could never escape.
Leo had orchestrated the whole thing. Hed leaked a few doctored photos of himself to the tabloids to play the victim, then pointed the finger at me.
No matter how I tried to explain, Victoria wouldn't believe me.
On the night I thought was the happiest of my life, my engagement party, she had me dragged onto that stage. Through a thin black veil, I saw Leo embrace her from behind, whispering in her ear. The sight was a knife twisting in my gut.
Wealthy socialites in the audience stared at me, their eyes greedy and calculating.
The first night with the Tinkcom heir! Highest bidder takes all!
Clinging to one last sliver of hope, I looked at Victoria, my eyes pleading. I didnt do it
Through a haze of cigar smoke, her merciless eyes met mine. When you do wrong, you get punished.
The cold glares, the humiliating bids, the jeers they stripped me bare. Tears I didnt know I had fell, my body shaking with a pain deeper than any physical blow.
I never knew she could hate me that much.
By the time it was over, it was late. Photos of my humiliation were already all over the internet. And after I overheard her conversation with the event manager, something inside me snapped. I set the whole damned place on fire.
The flames that roared to the sky weren't just burning a building; they were burning our past.
The police arrested me on the spot. At the station, Victoria kicked me so hard I flew across the room.
Leo is in the hospital with smoke inhalation! Hes fighting for his life! How could you be so vicious, trying to burn him alive?
Just you wait. This time, I wont show you any mercy.
On the day I was sentenced, Victoria held a press conference. She officially named Leo as the new heir to the Tinkcom family fortune.
Just like that, I had nothing.
Three years in prison. I slept next to a toilet. My head was shoved into the bowl. I was beaten and degraded by the other inmates. To survive, I learned to fight. I fought my way through every day with my fists.
My only hope was getting out alive to buy back my parents home.
The day I was released, I scurried into the shadows of the underground fight scene like a rat, living a numb existence.
With that hundred thousand, I would have been one step closer to getting my home back.
The thought jolted me awake. My vision was a sea of white.
Did the money come through?
The club manager looked shocked that this was the first thing I asked.
He was silent.
It felt like a sledgehammer to the chest. Tears welled up, hot and unstoppable. Of course. It was a foolish dream. Victoria would never let me have what I wanted.
Forget it. Ill just fight a few more
Evan.
The manager cut me off, his eyes full of pity. You you cant come back here. Ms. Stone put the word out. Anyone who lets you fight will have their business ruined.
He dropped a bank card on the table and practically fled the room.
The air was sucked from my lungs. I stumbled out of the clinic and into a torrential downpour, the rain mixing with my tears until I couldn't see. I clutched the card so tight my knuckles were white. The dream of buying back my home was slipping even further away.
Without realizing it, I had walked to my old neighborhood.
There, through the curtain of rain, I saw her. Victoria was standing in front of my familys estate, holding Leos hand for a crowd of reporters.
From this day forward, I am officially gifting this estate to Leo! she announced. He is now the rightful master of the Tinkcom family!
At that moment, the world tilted on its axis.
I finally dialed the number I had saved for three years. Get me out of here.
Back at the estate, Leo feigned surprise for the cameras. But what about my brother?
Victorias expression flickered before hardening back into a cold mask. The moment he spread those rumors about you, he stopped being a Tinkcom.
On what grounds?
My voice, shaking with rage, cut through the noise. I stepped out from the shadows, a drenched and battered wreck.
Is that Evan Tinkcom?
It really is him! I thought hed be too ashamed to show his face.
Please. The guys done prison time. You think he cares about embarrassing the family name now?
Tsk, tsk. To think the Tinkcoms raised a gigolo who preys on rich women. What a disgrace to his fathers memory.
I froze, the insults pinning me in place.
Victoria rushed over and pulled me under her umbrella. Youre injured! You should be in the hospital. What are you doing making a scene?
I shoved her hand off me and faced her down. What gives you the right to give him our home?
Im the Tinkcom heir by blood. Hes just the adopted son. He has no right
CRACK.
My cheek exploded in pain. I stared at her, disbelieving. She had moved Leo behind her, shielding him like a precious treasure.
Before my uncle died, he entrusted both of you to my familys care. In my heart, Leo has never been just an adopted son! she spat. You, who have done nothing but frame him and hurt him, are the one who doesnt deserve to be a Tinkcom! What right do you have to object?
The whole situation felt absurd.
I remembered when Leo first came to live with us. I was ten. I offered him one of my favorite toys. He ignored it, but the moment I turned my back, he tumbled down the stairs.
Brother why did you push me? Is it because you dont like me?
My parents believed me, but from that day on, his tears became his sharpest weapon. My mothers missing jewelry, my fathers shattered antique vaseevery time, he would look pitiful and innocent, and I would be left speechless, unable to defend myself.
But back then, Victoria was always on my side.
I know Evan better than anyone. He would never do something like that.
So what if he has a bit of a temper? The Stones spoiled him that way, and Im happy to.
I was so naive. I thought she would stand by me forever.
Youve disappointed me so much, she said now, her cold voice merging with the memory of her crying with joy as she accepted my marriage proposal, promising to be with me for life.
I was lost in a daze.
Evan, Im giving you one last chance. Apologize to Leo, and the Tinkcom and Stone families will still have your back.
I looked at her hand, intertwined with Leos. And I laughed.
No, thank you.
Just give me the hundred thousand. After that, were done.
A dead silence fell over the crowd.
Victorias eyes were dark and dangerous. She stared at me, her jaw clenched. What did you say?
She saw the defiance in my eyes and for a split second, she looked stunned, as if she realized she had missed something vital.
Brother!
Sensing the shift, Leo rushed forward and fell to his knees in front of me. If youre going to blame someone, blame me! Its all my fault for coming into this family!
I dont want the house! Ill leave Port Stone today! Ill give it all back to you!
He scrambled up, sobbing, and ran down the stone steps. He "misstepped," his ankle twisting, and he went tumbling down to the bottom.
Leo!
Victoria screamed and ran to his side. When she saw the blood pooling beneath him, her voice changed. Doctor! Someone call an ambulance!
She glared at me, her face a mask of pure fury. Tie him up! If anything happens to Leo, hes going to pay!
At the hospital, the doctors words were grim. Mr. Tinkcom has a comminuted fracture of the femur. And his reproductive functions have been compromised. It will be very difficult for him to father children in the future.
What!
Leo was inconsolable, biting his lip until it bled. Vicky, what am I going to do?
Victoria fought to control her rage. She squeezed his hand, and after a long moment, she spoke. Its okay. Ill get you the best doctors in the world. Well fix this.
Besides She took his hand and placed it on her flat stomach. Youre already a father.
Have you forgotten? That night last month, when youd had too much to drink
The faint flutter of movement beneath his palm made Leo break down completely. Vicky, thank you. Thank you for making me a father! He shot a triumphant look over at me.
I stared at her stomach, stunned. I remembered all her excuses for not letting me touch her. Were still young, Evan. After were married, well have all the time in the world.
But now, she was willing to have Leos child.
It was never that she didn't want to. She just didnt want to with me.
A bitter, self-mocking laugh escaped me.
Youre a walking disaster, Evan Tinkcom! Look what youve done to Leo the moment you came back!
My laugh seemed to ignite her shame into rage. Her fist flew, catching me in the jaw. I spat out a mouthful of blood.
He deserved it, I mumbled. This is karma for what he did to me.
He faked his own injury. Id be careful if I were you. That baby in your belly might not even be his.
Before the words were fully out of my mouth, she backhanded me so hard my head slammed against the wall. Blood streamed down my face, blurring my vision. A sharp pain erupted on my scalp as she grabbed a fistful of my hair and dragged me to the window.
She shoved the upper half of my body out into the open air, floors above the street. One release of her grip, and Id be a smear on the pavement.
You really are insane, she hissed, her face inches from mine.
For three years, I thought about getting you out every single day. I was so afraid you were suffering, I called in every favor I had to make sure you were looked after in there.
But you! Youre so heartless! Three years without a word, and the moment youre out, you vanish!
Do you have any idea how long I looked for you? Do you know how much it killed me to see you destroying yourself in that fighting ring?
You dont know anything, Evan!
All you know how to do is hurt Leo, slander Leo! Youre a complete and utter madman!
Her eyes were bloodshot, and huge, hot tears fell from them, splashing onto my shoulder. I was hanging out of a window, but my heart was colder than the whistling wind.
Youre right, I said, my voice flat. Were done.
She threw me back onto the floor like a piece of garbage. Her voice was chillingly calm. But you made a mistake. And you have to be punished.
I slowly lifted my head.
If you publicly confess to everything youve done, and willingly renounce all claim to the Tinkcom family name and fortune, I will give you back the house.
A ringing filled my ears, and the taste of blood rose in my throat. You
She looked down at me, the picture of power. Think carefully. This is your last chance.
My fingers found the old photograph in my pocket, the last thing my father gave me. On the back of the faded family portrait, in his familiar script, were the words: Evan, when I get better, Ill take you to see the snow-capped mountains in Switzerland.
I remembered his frail arm in mine as he lay dying. A sob tore through me, and I bit down on my own arm to stifle it, my body shaking uncontrollably.
Fine, I choked out. I agree.
The next day, I knelt in front of the estate while the camera flashes went off, reading the confession she had prepared.
I am responsible for the injuries sustained by Mr. Leo Tinkcom. My actions were despicable
I admit to years of bullying and mistreating Mr. Leo Tinkcom. It was all my fault
The crowd was a furious mob, throwing trash at me.
Die, you piece of scum!
Why dont you just kill yourself and apologize properly!
Mr. Leo is a saint! This one is a venomous snake!
I curled into a ball on the ground as they beat me. Through the chaos, I saw Victoria step out of a luxury car, arm in arm with Leo.
In three days, Leo and I will be holding the wedding of the century, she announced to the press.
A little while later, security guards threw me into the back of a garbage truck.
As it drove away, my phone rang.
Evan Tinkcom. Im back. And Im here to get you your revenge.
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