Chapter 221

Evelyn instinctively turned to look at Alexander.

He lounged against the sofa, that infuriatingly confident smirk curving his lips.

The realization struck her like lightning.

Just last night, she had insisted they take things slow.

Yet here he was, announcing their relationship to the world without hesitation.

Why was he in such a hurry?

Across the room, Ethan's face went rigid.

His chest tightened painfully as the truth settled in.

The pen in his grip snapped with a sharp crack.

As a man, Ethan recognized Alexander's game immediately.

By making their relationship public, Alexander had effectively claimed her—openly and irrevocably.

The air thickened with tension.

Evelyn's pulse raced.

She hadn't expected this.

Not so soon.

Not like this.

Alexander's gaze never wavered from hers, daring her to challenge him.

Evelyn swallowed hard.

This wasn't just a declaration.

It was a power play.

And she was caught right in the middle.

Since their wedding, any whispers about them only served to showcase their unbreakable bond.

Ethan Caldwell felt an uncomfortable twist in his chest.

After a brief respite in her private room, Evelyn Carter picked up her cello and made her way toward the backstage area.

Titan Capital Group’s annual gala was nothing short of spectacular—complete with celebrity hosts and a live broadcast for the entire company.

In the hotel hallway, Evelyn nearly collided with Natalie Brooks.

Spotting the cello in Evelyn’s hands, Natalie gasped dramatically, pressing her hands to her cheeks. “Now that’s a statement! Oh my god, my poetry reading last year… what was I even thinking?”

She pumped her fists excitedly. “The executive office is finally going to shine! That thing looks heavy—need a hand?”

Evelyn shook her head with a soft smile. “I’ve got it.”

Natalie nodded knowingly. “Figured. That cello probably costs more than my car…”

Just as Evelyn stepped out of the elevator, heading toward the backstage entrance, she was abruptly cornered by Ethan in a dimly lit alcove.

His eyes were bloodshot, his face gaunt—as if he hadn’t slept in days.

The moment was deliberate. He had positioned himself here, waiting for her with purpose burning in his chest.

Lately, Ethan Caldwell hadn’t slept. Not truly.

His nights stretched endlessly, dawn creeping in before exhaustion finally dragged him under for an hour or two. And when he did sleep, she haunted him.

Evelyn Carter—just as she had been years ago, her heart and gaze fixed solely on him.

In his dreams, they were students again.

Back when she had first returned to the Hawthorne Estate, motion sickness made the car rides unbearable, so she walked home instead.

He had followed her. Every day.

Not out of obligation, but fear—fear that someone might hurt her, might take her away.

One afternoon, she turned. Caught him.

His pulse had hammered so hard he thought she’d hear it.

Before she could speak, he spun on his heel and fled like a thief.

Cowardice. It was the first time he’d ever felt it.

Tonight, Evelyn would perform at the annual gala.

The knowledge clawed at him.

He had never heard her play the cello. Not once.

She had studied it for years, then abruptly stopped.

But Vanessa Hart?

Vanessa had suddenly taken an interest in—

The instrument.

A haunting melody echoed in Ethan Caldwell’s mind—the same one he’d heard on a colleague’s phone that day. His gaze locked onto Evelyn Carter’s, intense and searching.

"Was it you?" he demanded.

Evelyn blinked, confusion flickering across her face.

Ethan’s grip on her wrist tightened, his voice rough with urgency. "Years ago, after the accident—when I was in a coma—I heard a cello. Was it you playing?"

She stiffened, thrown by the sudden question.

"You’re being ridiculous," she muttered, trying to pull away.

But Ethan didn’t let go. Desperation darkened his eyes. "It was you, wasn’t it? Tell me!"

Evelyn’s pulse raced. Why was he fixated on this now?

She yanked her arm free. "I don’t know what you’re talking about."

His jaw clenched. "Don’t lie to me."

She scoffed. "You’re delusional."

Ethan’s expression twisted—part frustration, part something deeper. Something raw.

Evelyn didn’t wait for another accusation. She turned on her heel and walked away, leaving him standing there, haunted by a memory he couldn’t shake.