Chapter 378

Ethan Caldwell never imagined he'd one day kneel so low, weeping desperately for a woman.

In his arms, Evelyn Carter instinctively raised her hand to strike him.

But his tears made her hesitate.

She exhaled sharply. "Ethan, Alexander didn't force me. I chose this. My heart belongs to him now."

"You're lying!" His eyes burned with unshed tears. "You can't just stop loving me! Evelyn, we're alone here. Say the word, and I'll take you away—forever!"

His voice trembled with raw desperation.

Forever.

The word almost made her laugh.

She pushed away from him. "You promise me forever, but what about Vanessa?"

"I despise her! I never loved her! Don't even say her name!" The venom in his voice was unmistakable.

"If you hate her so much, then testify against her. She orchestrated that kidnapping three years ago. She worked with Damian to ruin me."

The air between them grew heavier.

Ethan's jaw clenched. "You know I can't."

"Because you're still protecting her." Evelyn's voice turned icy.

"No! Because I have my reasons!"

She studied him—the man she once thought she knew. Now, he was a stranger.

"Reasons?" She tilted her head. "Or excuses?"

His silence answered for him.

Evelyn turned away. "Then we have nothing left to say."

His hand shot out, gripping her wrist. "Wait—"

She didn't look back. "Let go, Ethan."

His fingers tightened. "I can't lose you again."

"You already did."

With that, she pulled free and walked away, leaving him standing there—alone, just as he'd left her three years ago.

The irony wasn't lost on her.

Some wounds never truly healed.

And some choices couldn't be undone.

Ethan Caldwell altered his statement the moment he stepped into the police station, and you deliberately withheld crucial information from the authorities. Essentially, you gave Vanessa Hart a free pass."

Evelyn Carter lifted her gaze to meet Ethan's. "You claim to despise her, yet you show her mercy. Doesn't that strike you as absurd?"

He clenched his jaw. "I have my justifications!"

"Justifications?" Her laugh was bitter. "What could they possibly be? Is it because she's carrying your child? Or are you simply too weak-willed to act? Has your mother been pressuring you again? You're married to her now, yet here you are, chasing after me. I beg you—stay with her forever. Do us all a favor."

Without another word, Evelyn turned on her heel, her expression frosty.

"Evelyn! Just let me explain—"

"Enough." She didn't even glance back. "Stop this pathetic charade, Ethan. I've made myself clear—I love Alexander. We're over. Your persistence only makes me lose respect for you."

As she strode away, Ethan's bloodshot eyes burned into her retreating figure.

"Then why are you here, Evelyn?" His voice cracked. "You came to the hospital because you were worried about me, didn't you?"

"Your arrogance is astounding." She paused just long enough to throw the words over her shoulder. "I came for my own medical appointment. It has nothing to do with you."

The color drained from his face. In three long strides, he caught up to her, gripping her wrist. "You're sick? What's wrong?" The panic in his voice was raw, unguarded.

The memory of Evelyn emerging from the gynecology ward flashed through his mind, and realization struck like lightning.

His gaze dropped to her abdomen, shock widening his eyes. "Evelyn... are you expecting?"

Evelyn had no intention of confiding in Ethan.

She had already secured a dawn flight to Cresthaven, desperate to deliver the news to Alexander in person.

Her fingers brushed the emergency exit handle when Ethan's arms suddenly locked around her waist from behind.

A startled gasp escaped her as she instinctively drove her heel into his foot.

"Have you lost your mind? I'm Alexander's wife!"

"Evelyn, don't be angry." His breath was hot against her ear. "His wife? Do you honestly believe he loves you? You're just a pawn to him."

"What nonsense are you spouting?"

"You're so naive." His grip tightened. "Why do you think Alexander Whitmore married you? It's certainly not because—"

"I don't want to hear another word!" Evelyn wrenched free and delivered a stinging slap across his face.