THE MAN WHO RETURNED AS THORN

Evan smiled faintly as he looked down at a document in his hand. The heading read:

"This certifies that EVAN CALEUM has been discharged from the custody of the Department of Corrections on August 12th, 2024, after completing the sentence imposed by the court."

"What are you still doing here? You want to live here or what?" the warden barked.

"Thank you, sir. I just need to say goodbye to my companions first."

Evan bowed his head respectfully and stepped out of the warden's office, heading down a quiet corridor toward Block Ω 003 in the basement.

“Hahaha! There he is!”

He had barely reached the entrance when Marshall Whitaker’s voice echoed through the corridor, bringing a wide smile to Evan’s face.

Two guards at the door nodded to Evan and opened the gate.

“Look who’s gonna be free today!” quipped Travis, the second mentor.

Evan glanced at the two officers beside him. “I’d like to go in. There are some things I need to say to them.”

“I’m sorry, but—according to protocol—”

“Since when do we follow protocol in this place, Officer?” Marshall cut in.

The officer gulped and quickly opened the cell door.

“I’m gonna miss you, kiddo,” Marshall said, pulling Evan into a hug.

For the past three years, Evan had become both a student and surrogate son to Marshall, Travis, and Elliot—three of the most feared men in Ravencroft Federal Facility. Their reputation was so formidable that they had been placed in isolation in a special block.

Inmates before Evan had died trying to survive these three. Evan was the only one who had endured—and gained more than anyone expected.

“I hope you never forget everything you’ve learned from us,” said Travis. “You’re going back to a world where everyone’s out for themselves.”

Elliot handed Evan a small box, smiling as he did.

“What’s this?” Evan asked, puzzled.

His eyes widened as he opened it—a black card and an old silver ring lay inside.

“Wow… I don’t even know what to say. I thought getting all the lessons on the black market, survival, and power dynamics was more than enough,” Evan said, lifting the ring.

“Those two items might just save your life one day, Evan.”

Evan looked at Marshall for a moment, then shifted his attention to the silver ring—a worn, antique piece etched with a serpent biting its own tail. Inside the ring, barely visible up close, were the words:

"Vigilantia in Umbra."

“A bit ominous… What does the inscription mean?” Evan asked.

“It means ‘Vigilance in the shadows,’ Evan,” Marshall replied. “Never forget how you ended up here. Enemies exist—even in the darkest corners… And that black card is called the Prive Noir. You can use it anywhere, in any situation. It's not registered in any regular banking system. It was issued by the Mirevault family corporation.”

Marshall gave him a sly wink.

“Mirevault? You’re telling me I’m important enough to be granted access to privileges from the family that runs the global economy?”

“That card won’t just get you anything you want,” Marshall said. “It’ll make people kneel. Wherever you go. Your data has already been embedded in the system. You’re now the official holder of that card.”

“Well... what happens if I keep using it long-term? Will it kill me? This clearly isn’t a normal card,” Evan asked, half-joking, half-worried.

“Don’t talk nonsense. You’re now affiliated with House Mirevault and The Umbra. You’ll figure it out in time. You’ve been given a second chance at life—use everything we gave you wisely,” said Travis.

“Uhm… What?! Who are you really?”

Evan couldn’t believe what he’d been given. None of the three had ever shared much about their pasts.

All Evan had known was that they’d been involved in large-scale money laundering and weapons trafficking. He had no idea they had connections to the most powerful families in the world.

A cough sounded from the hallway. A guard gestured for Evan to leave.

Without delay, Elliot gave him a hug, followed by Travis and Marshall.

“Don’t get lost out there. Guard what we gave you. Don’t let anyone break you again,” Marshall said.

“Thank you… I’ll see you later.”

Escorted by two guards, Evan walked out—eyes fixed on the black ring in his hand.

“They never told me what this ring really means… Maybe it’s just a piece of jewelry?” he muttered.

But his curiosity faded as he reached the main gates of the prison—where he saw her.

A beautiful woman with chestnut-brown hair, cold eyes, and blood-red lips.

“Vivienne!”

Evan ran toward the woman in black, hugging her tightly as tears welled in his eyes.

“I missed you so much,” he whispered.

Nostalgia crashed over him like a wave. Their marriage had been rocky from the start—an arrangement born of necessity. Then came the event three years ago—the one that landed him in prison.

Flashback

“You have to help me, Evan! I can’t go to prison. This would ruin my family’s name!” pleaded Darian Voss.

“What do you want me to do?”

Darian leaned in and whispered, “You need to take the fall. Say you were the one who raped that woman. I’ll give you anything you want, Evan—anything!”

Evan hesitated. Darian wasn’t just anyone—he came from wealth and influence.

It was a crazy request. But the idea forming in Evan’s mind was even crazier.

“I’ll do it—on one condition. Help my wife rebuild her company. She’s all I care about.”

Darian smirked and nodded. “That’s an easy one. And not just that—I’ll make sure your wife becomes the new head of her family. Deal?”

He extended his hand. Evan shook it. The agreement was made.

Back to reality.

Vivienne pulled away from the hug and stared at Evan, disappointed.

“I don’t care how much you missed me. I just want the truth. Did you really do it, Evan? Did you rape that woman?!”

Evan looked at her for a beat, then said, “Let’s talk in the car. I’m sick of being near this place.”

He reached for her hand—she yanked it away and turned coldly, heading for the car.

Vivienne drove fast, so fast that Evan flinched.

“Trying to kill me?” he joked nervously.

“What’s your answer, Evan?”

He sighed. His agreement with Darian still shackled him. He nodded.

“Yes. The accusations are true.”

Vivienne gripped the steering wheel tighter. She didn’t say anything for a long moment.

“Then I want a divorce. I can’t stay married to someone guilty of such a disgusting act.”

Anger burned in her voice. She wiped away a tear, though more followed.

Evan remained silent, only nodding.

“So that’s it, huh? Just like that?! I’m the fool who kept believing there was more to this case—but now I’m hearing the confession from your own mouth!”

“I—”

“I don’t want to hear it, Evan!” she shouted. “Do you know how I defended you? While everyone screamed that you were a monster? I gave up my inheritance! Grandma Helena kicked me out of the company!”

“Wait… Did Darian Voss not help you?”

“What the hell are you talking about? I don’t know anyone named Darian Voss!”

“You’re telling me he never visited you? Never helped with the business?”

“No, Evan! Stop talking about some stranger who has nothing to do with me!”

“Fuck!” Evan slammed his fist against the car door. He rubbed his temples and stared at her.

“You need to know the truth. I never committed that crime. It was all Darian. I made a deal with him.”

“What deal?! Evan, what the hell is going on?!”

“I agreed to take the blame in exchange for him helping you rise again—but that bastard didn’t keep his word!”

Vivienne closed her eyes and exhaled shakily. “I don’t know whether to believe you or not…”

“Vivienne—watch out! Turn the wheel!”

A massive truck veered into their lane—out of control.

Vivienne froze.

The truck was nearly on top of them.

Without thinking, Evan leapt across the seat and pulled her into his arms.

“I’m scared, Evan,” she whispered.

Neither of them noticed the faint red glow radiating from the ring on Evan’s finger… encircling their bodies.