Chapter 228

Darkness swallowed Ethan whole, pulling him into its endless void. Then came the music - a haunting cello melody that became his lifeline, tugging him back from death's doorstep.

Though his eyes remained shut, his ears became his only tether to the world. Each time those soulful notes reached him, scattered fragments of his consciousness stitched themselves together.

The melody was his lighthouse in the abyss.

During those hazy moments between life and death, Ethan became convinced he'd stepped inside the musician's soul. Their connection felt transcendental - as if their spirits had been forged from the same celestial fire.

The moment he regained consciousness, finding the mystery cellist became his obsession.

Vanessa claimed the honor. With her ability to flawlessly recreate the composition, he saw no reason to doubt her.

His heart softened toward her ever since.

Only now did the devastating truth reveal itself. Vanessa's deception ran deeper than he'd imagined. What began as a single lie had snowballed into years of manipulation.

The realization struck like a physical blow. That sacred connection he'd cherished? A carefully constructed illusion. The soulmate bond he'd felt? Nothing but smoke and mirrors.

Somewhere out there, the true musician waited. And Ethan would move heaven and earth to find them.

His heart shattered into pieces, leaving him feeling like the world's biggest fool.

He had mistaken the wrong woman all along.

Vanessa's tears spilled over as she clutched his sleeve. "Ethan, I've loved you for years. I know it was selfish, but I just wanted you to notice me."

Now that Ethan knew everything, there was no point in hiding anymore.

Her fingers trembled against his wrist. "It was my only chance to be close to you. Every day, I thought about telling you the truth, but I was terrified of losing you. Ethan, I love you. Is that so wrong?"

Her voice cracked. "Please, forgive me. Yes, I lied, but everything between us was real. You still care for me, don’t you?"

Ethan's expression wavered.

Vanessa had always been gentle, attentive—the perfect partner. She doted on him, admired him, made him feel like he was everything.

Her devotion had been unwavering.

But was this love?

Or just the illusion of it?

Perhaps he was merely addicted to the comfort Vanessa provided.

But Evelyn...

Just thinking about her made Ethan's blood boil with frustration.

She had been his first love, and lately, her face haunted his thoughts relentlessly.

Especially when he witnessed Alexander kissing her—something primal inside him snapped awake.

He desired Evelyn physically, yet even lying beside Vanessa, he felt an emptiness he couldn't ignore.

He didn’t want her. Not even when she initiated. Not even when she tried.

Was it her body? No. Vanessa had curves that turned heads, a face men admired.

Then what was it?

Ethan didn’t know. Or maybe he did—but admitting it terrified him.

He couldn’t face the truth: that Evelyn had always been the one he truly loved.

His fist slammed into the wall, knuckles splitting.

Would begging even work? Would Evelyn ever look at him again?

The thought clawed at him, sharp and unrelenting.

Vanessa's breath hitched as Ethan's sudden aggression sent chills down her spine.

She couldn't tell if he truly believed her fabricated story or if his temper had merely settled into something more dangerous.

But right now, none of that mattered.

The coffee laced with croton seeds churned violently in her stomach, sending sharp waves of pain through her abdomen.

She needed to get to the bathroom—now.

Spinning on her heel, she tried to bolt, but Ethan's fingers clamped around her wrist like a steel trap.

Before she could react, he shoved her against the wall, his lips crashing onto hers with bruising force.

It was a test—a desperate attempt to prove his desire wasn't solely reserved for Evelyn.

Under different circumstances, Vanessa would have melted into the kiss, savoring every second of his attention.

But not today.

Not when her body was screaming in protest.

She shoved him back with surprising strength, her face contorted in distress.

Ethan frowned, mistaking her resistance for some twisted game.

His grip tightened, and he yanked her closer, his mouth descending on hers again—harsher this time.

Vanessa's stomach twisted.

She was out of time.

The moment hung suspended between them, electric and fragile. Evelyn could feel Alexander's breath warm against her lips, her heart pounding so loudly she was certain he could hear it. The world had narrowed to just the two of them, the rest of the room fading into a blur.

Then—

A sharp, crackling sound shattered the silence, like fireworks exploding too close.

Evelyn jerked back, her pulse leaping into her throat. Alexander's grip on her waist tightened instinctively, his gaze snapping toward the source of the noise.

"What the hell—?"

Before he could finish, another series of pops erupted, followed by the distant sound of laughter and clinking glasses.

Evelyn exhaled shakily, pressing a hand to her chest. "Someone must have set off champagne corks."

Alexander's expression darkened, frustration flashing in his eyes. "Of all the damn timing."

She bit her lip, torn between amusement and lingering disappointment. The moment had been perfect—until it wasn't.

Then his thumb brushed her cheek, his voice lowering to a rough murmur. "We could always try again."

Her breath hitched.

But before she could respond, another round of cheers erupted from downstairs, followed by the unmistakable sound of footsteps approaching.

The door burst open.

"Alex! There you—oh." Lucas Bennett froze in the doorway, his grin faltering as he took in the scene. "Uh. Am I interrupting something?"

Alexander exhaled through his teeth, his grip on Evelyn loosening just enough to let her step back. "Yes."

Lucas winced. "Right. Sorry. But, uh—your mother's looking for you. Something about the investors arriving early?"

Evelyn smoothed her dress, willing her heartbeat to steady. The spell was well and truly broken.

Alexander shot Lucas a glare before turning back to her, his voice dropping to a whisper. "Later."

It wasn't a question.

She nodded, her lips curving despite herself.

Later.

But as she followed him out, she couldn't shake the thought—was this fluttering in her chest just nerves, or something far more dangerous?

Something like love.