Chapter 223

Evelyn hesitated, her fingers lingering on the door handle as she turned back to Vanessa, confusion flickering in her gaze. "What do you mean? What position did you steal from me?"

Vanessa's voice trembled as the truth spilled out. "When Ethan was in a coma after the accident, it was your cello playing that woke him. When he came to, he was desperate to find the musician. I... I told him it was me."

Evelyn's breath caught in her throat.

"After that, he started paying attention to me—checking in, showing concern. We exchanged numbers, and eventually... we fell in love."

Vanessa had sworn to take this secret to her grave, but now, with Evelyn about to perform, the truth threatened to unravel everything.

If Ethan ever discovered their entire relationship was built on deception, she knew it would destroy him.

"Evelyn, you're married to Alexander now. Anyone can see how much he adores you. You have everything you could ever want."

Her voice cracked with desperation. "Please. Just this once. Don't play the cello in front of Ethan."

Vanessa had been living on borrowed time, sensing Ethan’s growing distance.

The truth was slipping through her fingers like sand.

If Ethan ever uncovered her deception, their marriage would shatter instantly.

Without a legitimate place in the Caldwell family, Vanessa clung to Ethan as her only lifeline.

As long as Evelyn remained silent, she still had a chance to reclaim him.

Tears streaked Vanessa’s face, smudging her meticulously applied makeup. "Evelyn, I’m begging you. Please, just let me have this."

Everything suddenly clicked into place for Evelyn.

No wonder Ethan had withdrawn so abruptly after the accident.

The answer was painfully obvious.

He had been idolizing the memory of his savior, elevating her to the status of his perfect love.

But what he didn’t realize was that his savior had been replaced.

All these years, he had been trapped in the lie Vanessa had woven.

Evelyn stared at her stepsister, her expression icy and unyielding.

"What’s the point of this charade? If Ethan truly loved you, it wouldn’t matter who played the cello that night. He would still—"

Her voice cut off as the weight of the deception settled between them.

Vanessa’s desperation was palpable, but Evelyn refused to be swayed.

The truth was a ticking time bomb, and when it exploded, nothing would remain the same.

Vanessa's fingers trembled as she clutched the edge of the table. "He loves me!" she blurted out, her voice cracking.

Evelyn arched a brow, unimpressed. "Then why are you here? Why beg me not to play?"

The words struck like a slap.

Vanessa's chest tightened. She was terrified—terrified that Ethan's love had always been an illusion, that she had never truly held his heart.

That fear had driven her to this moment, to grovel before the woman she had wronged.

Because if Evelyn played, if Ethan heard that melody… everything would unravel.

"You’re only pretending to be helpless because you need me to clean up your mess," Evelyn said coldly. "Does Ethan know your entire relationship is built on a lie? If you had the nerve to deceive him, you should face the consequences."

Vanessa's composure shattered. "Please, Evelyn! Just this once—"

"Why should I?" Evelyn cut in, her voice sharp. "You stole what was mine. Now you want me to protect you?"

A tear slipped down Vanessa's cheek.

Then another.

The truth was a blade, and Evelyn wielded it without mercy.

In a last-ditch effort, Vanessa Hart clutched the fabric of Evelyn Carter’s gown and collapsed onto the cold marble floor.

The backstage area buzzed with activity, and the sudden commotion instantly drew a crowd of onlookers.

Whispers spread like wildfire.

No one recognized Vanessa, but everyone knew Evelyn.

“What’s happening? Who is that woman?”

“Isn’t she Ethan Caldwell’s wife?”

The murmurs grew louder, filling the air with tension.

Evelyn stood frozen, her expression unreadable.

Vanessa’s fingers trembled as she tightened her grip, desperation burning in her eyes.

She had nothing left to lose.

The audience held their breath, waiting for the next explosive moment.

The truth was about to unravel.