Chapter 379

Evelyn summoned every ounce of her strength, her palm connecting sharply with Ethan’s cheek. The slap left a vivid red mark across his flawless skin.

"Stay away from me," she hissed, her voice trembling with fury. "This is your last warning."

Ethan’s expression darkened, his eyes turning stormy. The sting on his face was nothing compared to the ache in his chest.

She fought him like a caged animal, desperate to sever all ties between them.

But Ethan would never allow that.

A bitter chuckle escaped his lips. "You leave me no choice, Evelyn."

Before she could react, two towering bodyguards emerged from the stairwell, cutting off her escape.

Evelyn staggered back, her pulse racing. "What are you doing?"

His voice was raw with emotion. "You’re destroying me. What else can I do? I love you too much to let you go."

The bodyguards closed in, their presence suffocating.

Evelyn collapsed onto the cold concrete floor.

Nathan moved swiftly, his arms outstretched to catch her before she hit the ground.

Darkness swallowed her consciousness.

The narrow stairwell was now crowded with men, blocking any possible escape.

Nathan gazed down at Evelyn with a look of possessive adoration, as if she were a rare jewel he had finally claimed.

"Evelyn." His fingers traced the curve of her cheek with unsettling tenderness.

"This time, you won’t slip away from me again."

A sudden thud echoed from the door behind them—someone was forcing their way in.

Nathan’s expression darkened.

He had known for a while that someone was always watching over Evelyn from the shadows.

Out of respect for her independence—or perhaps out of fear of crossing a line—the mysterious protector kept his distance.

But Evelyn’s prolonged absence had clearly triggered his instincts.

Nathan suspected this was one of Alexander’s men, sent to guard her.

The two bodyguards exchanged knowing glances.

Having served Ethan Caldwell for years, they immediately grasped his unspoken command.

Ethan strode away with Evelyn Carter by his side.

The bodyguards lit cigarettes, leaning casually against the stairwell as they began to talk.

"After seven years with Mr. Caldwell, there's no way she's over him."

"Of course not. He was her first love. They were inseparable. She only married Alexander Whitmore out of spite when Ethan got involved with Vanessa Hart."

The man in black paused just outside the door, his hand freezing mid-motion.

"She must regret it now. That's why she's running back to Ethan, isn't it?"

"Obviously. You don't just walk away from a bond like theirs. Good thing she's leaving Alexander. There was never any real love there anyway. What's the point?"

The pieces clicked into place for the eavesdropper.

So this was why Evelyn had vanished without a trace.

She had orchestrated her disappearance to escape Alexander—only to reunite with Ethan.

His jaw tightened.

Without another word, he turned and walked away.

The silence stretched on for what felt like an eternity.

The two bodyguards exchanged glances, their ears straining for any sound from the other side of the door.

Nothing.

Not a whisper. Not a breath.

Satisfied, the taller one smirked and reached for the handle.

The room was empty.

Just as they had planned.

A low chuckle escaped the first bodyguard as he shook his head. "Damn, we're good. That performance deserved an Oscar."

His partner pulled out a cigarette, lighting it with a flick of his wrist. He took a long drag before grinning. "Seriously. Even I almost believed we were about to get our asses handed to us."

They both laughed, the tension melting away.

The shorter one nudged his companion. "Ethan Caldwell better give us a raise after this."

"Better be a damn big one," the other agreed, exhaling smoke. "That was next-level acting."

They leaned against the wall, basking in their victory.

For now, at least, their deception had worked perfectly.

But little did they know—their triumph wouldn't last.