Chapter 231

Ethan stood motionless, his gaze fixed on the horizon. Though he wasn’t one to dwell on emotions, an unbearable ache twisted inside him, as if an unseen force were crushing his heart.

Vanessa’s voice trembled as she spoke. "Ethan, do you still resent me? I know deceiving you was wrong, but I did it because I love you. Everything I’ve done was out of love for you."

She took a hesitant step closer. "Can’t we just move past this and start fresh? Are you really going to punish me forever over one lie?"

Her eyes shimmered with unshed tears, her expression fragile and pleading—just like the day he had rescued her three years ago from those ruthless criminals.

But now, the memory only filled him with bitter irony.

She was a master of masks.

Ethan turned abruptly, vaulting down from the railing before closing the distance between them in three swift strides.

Vanessa’s red-rimmed eyes met his, wide with hope.

Yet all he felt was disgust.

Did she truly believe love could excuse betrayal?

Ethan felt the bitter taste of betrayal coating his tongue.

She had played him for a fool all this time.

His jaw tightened as he studied Vanessa’s tear-streaked face, wondering if those glistening drops were just another calculated performance. A desperate act to manipulate his sympathy.

"Vanessa," he said, voice dangerously low. "Tell me the truth. Did Evelyn really sleep with that criminal three years ago?"

Her breath hitched at the sudden mention of the past.

Her gaze flickered away before she forced herself to meet his piercing stare.

Vanessa’s nails dug into her palms as she bit down on her lower lip.

She exhaled sharply before answering with forced conviction. "I swear I didn’t lie about this! Evelyn slept with him! Don’t you remember? You heard the man confess it yourself!"

Ethan’s eyes darkened. "And you didn’t orchestrate the kidnapping, did you?"

Her lips parted in shock. "You think I would stage something like that? Risk my own reputation just to frame her?" Her voice trembled. "Ethan, just because I lied once doesn’t mean everything I say is a lie."

When his expression remained unreadable, a tear slipped down her cheek.

She lifted her chin, voice breaking as she whispered, "I swear on my life—if I lied about the kidnapping, let me die a wretched death."

The silence between them was suffocating.

Ethan didn’t move.

Didn’t speak.

Just watched her, searching for any flicker of deceit in her desperate eyes.

Her solemn promise carried undeniable sincerity.

Yet for reasons he couldn't explain, Ethan found himself unable to trust her words.

He needed to see Evelyn—to hear the truth from her lips himself.

Ethan pulled away from Vanessa's grasp and turned toward the staircase without a word.

"Ethan, wait!" she called after him, stumbling slightly in her heels. "I can't keep up!"

She reached for his hand, desperate to stop him.

But he didn't slow down. Instead, he jerked his arm away, refusing to even glance back.

Vanessa froze, stunned by the coldness in his voice.

"Let's take some time apart," he said flatly.

Her breath hitched. "What?"

Tears welled in her eyes as she rushed after him, but he was already moving faster, his figure nearly vanishing down the hall.

Panic set in. She pushed forward, her heels clicking against the marble—until one caught in a crack.

A sharp gasp escaped her as she lurched forward, barely catching herself.

By the time she steadied herself, Ethan was gone.

Evelyn leaned forward, her balance faltering as her knees hit the hardwood floor with a sharp crack.

A gasp escaped her lips.

Pain shot through her legs, sharp and sudden.

She winced, clutching at the edge of the nearby table for support.

Alexander was beside her in an instant, his hands gripping her shoulders.

"Evelyn!" His voice was laced with alarm.

She bit her lip, blinking back the sting in her eyes.

"I'm fine," she lied, forcing a weak smile.

His fingers brushed against her cheek, warm and reassuring.

"You're not," he murmured, his gaze searching hers.

A heartbeat passed between them, heavy with unspoken words.

Then, without warning, he pulled her into his arms.

Her breath hitched as his lips found hers, soft yet insistent.

When they finally parted, his voice was rough with emotion.

"I love you."

The words wrapped around her like a promise.

Evelyn's heart raced, her earlier pain forgotten.

She opened her mouth to respond—

But a sudden knock at the door shattered the moment.

Alexander tensed, his grip tightening protectively around her.

The knocking came again, louder this time.

Urgent.

Demanding.

Evelyn swallowed hard, a chill creeping down her spine.

Something was wrong.