Chapter 236

Ethan Caldwell had been played by Vanessa Hart all this time. Now, he was desperate to clear the air with Evelyn.

He had confused Vanessa for the cellist.

But as he stood behind Evelyn and Alexander, Ethan found himself frozen, unable to take that final step forward.

Fear gripped him—no, it was more than fear. It was sheer terror. What would he even say to Evelyn after revealing the truth?

Evelyn was married to Alexander now, and he was bound to Vanessa.

Over the years, he had hurt Evelyn in ways he couldn’t undo.

Even if he stood before her, nothing could be fixed.

Frustration surged through him, and he kicked at the sand beneath his feet, the weight of his helplessness crushing him.

He was the one who had pushed Evelyn away.

He had no one to blame but himself.

Alexander, walking ahead with Evelyn, suddenly turned, his sharp gaze locking onto Ethan’s.

A silent warning flashed in Alexander’s eyes before he leaned in closer to Evelyn, shielding her from view.

Alexander whispered something into Evelyn's ear as he held her close.

Her cheeks instantly flushed crimson, and she hurried away, pressing both hands to her face.

She didn’t notice Ethan trailing not far behind her.

His heart lurched, and he immediately moved to follow—only for Nathan to step directly into his path.

"Uncle Nathan." Ethan’s gaze remained fixed on Evelyn.

The ocean breeze lifted the hem of her sundress, the vibrant fabric dancing like petals in the wind. She was radiant, mesmerizing, and Ethan couldn’t tear his eyes away. It was as if she had stolen his very soul.

Nathan’s expression darkened. He followed Ethan’s line of sight, then deliberately shifted to block his view.

"Do you like what she’s wearing?"

"Yes."

"I bought it for her." Nathan’s voice was smooth, laced with quiet possessiveness. "The moment I married Evelyn, I made it my mission to fill her wardrobe with every beautiful dress imaginable. She’s my wife. Spoiling her is my privilege."

Ethan stiffened. The words struck like a blade, twisting deep in his chest until he could barely breathe.

But pride refused to let his mask slip.

"Step aside."

Nathan let out a low, mocking laugh. "Did you just order me to move? Ethan, you’ve grown bold."

Under normal circumstances, Ethan would never dare challenge him.

Yet tonight, something reckless surged within him.

"Uncle Nathan," he said, lifting his chin, "are you afraid? Is that why you’re keeping me from her? Do you worry she still loves me? That you might lose?"

The night air carried a biting chill.

As the crowd thinned, the beach grew quiet, the rhythmic crash of waves against the shore the only sound. Foam hissed over wet sand, swallowing jagged rocks in its path—a breathtaking, untamed force.

Nathan didn’t flinch. His gaze remained steady, unreadable.

"Lose to you?" His lips curved, but his eyes were ice. "Ethan, you overestimate yourself. You’re nothing but a man my wife walked away from. What makes you think you stand a chance?"

Ethan met his stare head-on. "There’s a misunderstanding between us. Once it’s cleared, she’ll forgive me. We shared seven years, Nathan. Childhood sweethearts. That history doesn’t just vanish."

The tension between them was palpable, thick enough to slice through.

Ethan's smirk faltered as Alexander's cold gaze bore into him.

"We've shared every milestone together," Ethan insisted, his voice laced with arrogance. "The entire city of Cresthaven knows how much Evelyn adores me!"

Alexander's lips curled into a humorless smile, his fingers flexing slightly at his sides.

"Seven years," he mused, his tone deceptively calm. "And yet, you married Vanessa. Tell me, Ethan—do I need to remind you of all the ways you've wronged Evelyn over the years?"

He stepped closer, the weight of his presence pressing down on Ethan like an invisible force.

With deliberate slowness, Alexander placed a hand on Ethan's shoulder, his grip just shy of painful.

"Everyone in Cresthaven knows Evelyn is my wife," he murmured, his voice low and dangerous. "Not long ago, she was the one chasing me relentlessly. She loves you?"

A dark chuckle escaped him as he leaned in, his breath ghosting over Ethan's ear.

"Are you certain?"

The words hung between them, sharp as a blade.

Ethan's confidence wavered, his throat bobbing as he swallowed hard.

Alexander didn’t wait for an answer.

With one last dismissive glance, he turned and walked away, leaving Ethan standing there—his pride crumbling in the wake of undeniable truth.