Chapter 357

"How dare you pin your misfortunes on me?" Evelyn's voice dripped with icy disdain. "Vanessa, are you seriously delusional? After all the vile things you’ve done, karma will catch up with you sooner or later."

Without another word, Evelyn turned on her heel and walked away.

Vanessa watched her retreating figure, her nails digging into her palms hard enough to leave crescent-shaped marks. Rage vibrated through her entire body.

"You think you can expose me, Evelyn? You’re wasting your breath."

Her hand instinctively cradled her stomach.

"This baby is my golden ticket. The Caldwells will protect me at all costs. My father will stand by me no matter what. Even if that rat Damian changes his testimony, nothing will touch me."

Evelyn didn’t bother looking back. She only offered a chilling smile over her shoulder.

At that moment, Ethan stepped out from the shadows.

He had been trailing Evelyn since she left for her evening stroll in the garden. There was something about her—an invisible pull he couldn’t resist.

And so, he had heard every single word.

The moment Ethan Caldwell witnessed Vanessa Hart’s true nature, his world tilted.

Never had he imagined such venom could lurk beneath her delicate facade.

Her past sweetness? A carefully crafted illusion.

Her vulnerability? A calculated performance.

The realization struck him like a physical blow, leaving him reeling.

Vanessa’s face paled when she noticed Ethan standing there, but she quickly schooled her features into practiced innocence.

She approached him, her voice dripping with false remorse.

"Ethan, how long have you been here?"

Her fingers twisted nervously.

"Everything I said—it was just anger talking. Evelyn provoked me. You know how she is."

Ethan’s lips curled in disgust.

"Save your lies."

His gaze dropped to her stomach, his expression hardening.

"The thought of my blood running through your child’s veins makes me sick."

Vanessa’s breath hitched.

"Ethan, please—"

"You admitted it yourself," he cut in coldly. "One moment you’re confessing, the next you blame Damian for slander. Which is it?"

A beat of silence.

Then, with chilling finality, he delivered his verdict.

"Terminate the pregnancy. Name your price, and disappear."

He’d pay any amount to erase her from his life.

Tears welled in Vanessa’s eyes—but this time, they held no power over him.

The air between us crackled with tension.

"Ethan, how could you say those words in front of Evelyn?" My voice trembled with barely contained fury. "You know exactly how strained things are between us. You’re humiliating me!"

My hands instinctively cradled my stomach.

"You might not care about this baby, but I do. I’m keeping it."

Ethan’s lips curled into a mocking smirk.

"You always knew I’d leave you eventually. That’s why you’re using this child as leverage, isn’t it? Vanessa, you’re pathetic."

His words were like ice.

"Do you honestly believe my mother will still shield you after I expose everything?" His voice dropped lower, each syllable laced with venom. "I’ve held back out of pity. But now? There’s no reason to."

He turned sharply toward the door.

"Ethan!" I lunged forward, desperation clawing at my throat. "Where are you going?"

"Where do you think?" He didn’t even glance back. "To tell the Caldwells the truth about you."

"You can’t do this to me!"

Our voices clashed in the tense silence.

From the corner of the room, Evelyn watched us with detached amusement.

She didn’t intervene.

She didn’t need to.

The show was entertaining enough on its own.

The weight of old grudges had become exhausting.

Evelyn sighed, turning to leave.

Then—

A loud splash shattered the silence.

Whirling around, her breath caught in her throat.

Vanessa had just shoved Ethan into the water.

Evelyn stood frozen, disbelief coursing through her.

Did Vanessa really just do that?

Ethan was strong, solid—how could she overpower him so easily?

"I—I didn't mean to—!" Vanessa stammered, her face paling as she stumbled back. "Ethan, wait—I'll get help!"

Without another word, she spun on her heel and fled, not once looking back.

Secret Longing: A Love Reborn After Darkness (Evelyn) novel