Chapter 362

An intoxicating aroma permeated the air. Only then did Ethan Caldwell comprehend the reason behind his unusual physical reactions.

Moments ago, he had attributed his lack of self-control around Evelyn Carter to the depth of his feelings for her. Just being near her made restraint impossible.

He had kept conversing with her—not just to prolong their time together, but also to distract himself from the overwhelming urge to act recklessly. Crossing boundaries with her was the last thing he wanted.

But when Evelyn mentioned the strange scent lingering in the room, realization struck Ethan like lightning.

"This is my private chamber. No servant would dare interfere here," he thought, his jaw tightening.

"So why would Vanessa do this?"

"Could she be setting Evelyn up?"

A cold fury settled over Ethan’s expression.

Just then, the sound of approaching footsteps and murmurs echoed from outside the door.

A bitter chuckle escaped him.

He knew if word spread that Evelyn was in his room, the consequences would be disastrous.

Ethan Caldwell never imagined Vanessa Hart would sink this low—dragging him into her twisted game, using him as a mere stepping stone to achieve her ambitions.

But Vanessa had gravely underestimated just how much Ethan cherished Evelyn Carter.

Yes, he desired her.

Yes, he longed to be with her.

Yet he would never stoop to such dishonorable tactics to claim her.

Even as the intoxicating fragrance thickened the air, Ethan steeled himself against its effects.

A cold smirk curled his lips as he lifted his gaze to Evelyn. "Don't worry," he rasped, his voice rough with fever. "I won't let anything happen to you."

He forced himself upright, fighting the dizziness that threatened to pull him under. The icy plunge into the lake had left his limbs numb, his muscles sluggish. Every movement was a battle.

Ethan staggered forward.

But Evelyn didn’t reach for him.

Instead, she took a deliberate step back, maintaining the distance between them.

Her voice was calm, detached. "I don’t need your protection."

Emotional debts were the most dangerous kind—she refused to owe him anything.

Ethan’s eyes darkened with confusion. "Then what are you planning?"

"Ethan, who's in there with you? Don't be reckless. Open the door."

Almost simultaneously, Vanessa's voice pierced through, thick with tears as if she had endured some unspeakable injustice.

Audrey tried to soothe her, murmuring, "Calm down, or you'll upset the baby."

At the mention of the child, Vanessa's expression crumpled further into despair.

"They say men stray when their wives are carrying their child. I never imagined it would happen to me," she sobbed.

Eleanor immediately jumped to her son’s defense, snapping, "We don’t even know the truth yet, and you’re already spinning tales?"

Hearing this, Evelyn let out a sharp, bitter laugh.

She turned to Ethan, her voice dripping with icy amusement. "How does it feel to be betrayed by the woman you call your wife?"

Ethan’s jaw clenched, his words tight with barely restrained fury. "She was never my wife. We never even signed a marriage certificate."

Just then, Harold’s commanding voice boomed through the door. "Open it. Now."

A servant hurried forward with the key, ready to turn the lock.

Evelyn’s gaze flicked to the window behind her.

"It’s only two stories. A jump might twist an ankle, but it won’t kill me."

"But if anyone finds me in here with Ethan..."

Evelyn's fingers dug into the windowsill, her body poised to leap.

Ethan's expression turned stormy. "Evelyn," he hissed, voice low and urgent, "I promised I'd keep you safe. Don't do this."

She offered him one last fleeting smile—soft, bittersweet.

Then she jumped.

The hem of her dress whipped against the wind as she disappeared from view.

Ethan lunged forward, his heart slamming against his ribs, fingers grasping at empty air.

But before he could react further, the door burst open.

Secret Longing: A Love Reclaimed After the Fall (Evelyn)