Chapter 127

Chapter ending.

Ethan Caldwell's voice sounded thick and nasal. Evelyn Carter suspected he might be coming down with something.

He moved closer, narrowing his eyes as if confirming her identity.

A flurry of thoughts raced through Ethan's mind.

"Evelyn must be full of regret."

"She didn’t show up at the wedding to sabotage it, and now she regrets it. That’s why she followed me to Whitmore Manor—she wants me back."

His fingers closed around Evelyn’s wrist, his grip tight as he glanced around nervously. He dragged her into a secluded alcove, away from prying eyes.

"Even if you wanted to reconcile, did you really think coming here was a good idea?" His voice was low, laced with condescension. "Do you have any idea what kind of event this is? You’re just setting yourself up for humiliation."

The sight of Evelyn seemed to lift the dark cloud that had hung over him all night. His headache even dulled slightly.

"Despite how irrational she’s been lately, deep down, she still cares."

"All that defiance was just an act—a desperate attempt to get my attention, to make me look at her."

His lips curled into a smug smile.

Evelyn remained silent, her expression unreadable.

Ethan leaned in, his breath warm against her ear. "If you wanted me back, you could have just said so. Was all this drama really necessary?"

She met his gaze, her eyes cool. "You’re mistaken."

His smirk faltered.

Before he could respond, a familiar voice cut through the tension.

"Evelyn?"

Alexander Whitmore stood a few feet away, his piercing gaze locked onto Ethan’s hand, still gripping Evelyn’s wrist.

Ethan stiffened.

Alexander’s presence was like a sudden storm—dark, commanding, impossible to ignore.

Evelyn pulled free, stepping toward Alexander.

Ethan’s chest tightened.

"No. She’s not leaving with him."

He reached for her again, but Alexander was faster. His arm slid around Evelyn’s waist, pulling her close.

"Problem?" Alexander’s voice was deceptively calm.

Ethan’s jaw clenched.

The air between them crackled with unspoken threats.

Evelyn exhaled softly.

This wasn’t the reunion Ethan had imagined.

Not at all.

She truly craved my affection.

Ethan Caldwell found himself undeniably drawn to Evelyn Carter. Over time, he realized his feelings for Vanessa Hart weren't as deep as he'd believed—his thoughts kept circling back to Evelyn, her every move commanding his attention.

A gentle breeze swept through, lifting the hem of Evelyn's dress. The sunlight caught the delicate embroidery of her pale yellow gown, making her glow like a vision.

Ethan's breath hitched.

She stood there, serene and poised, her calm demeanor turning everything around her into mere background noise. His gaze lingered, unable to pull away.

A memory flickered—the first time he'd seen her.