Chapter 417

Zachary Black had been silently tracking the couple from the moment they stepped into view.

The way Ethan Caldwell transformed from arrogant bully to obedient puppy around Evelyn Carter fascinated him.

Ethan didn't even bother with formalities. "This doesn't concern you. Last I checked, Uncle Alexander is turning the estate upside down looking for you. You might want to disappear before he finds you."

Without waiting for a response, Ethan hurried after Evelyn, leaving Zachary standing alone.

A dangerous smirk curled Zachary's lips as he watched them go.

Years ago, Ethan had personally led the raid that destroyed Zachary's family - executing his parents to complete a government-sanctioned mission.

That blood debt would be repaid in full.

The Hawthorne Estate sprawled across acres of land, but locating Evelyn wouldn't be difficult.

Zachary circled the stone garden twice before melting into the shadows near the main villa.

Evelyn had searched most of the property without finding Alexander, and her anxiety grew with each passing minute. Something felt terribly wrong.

The rocky path twisted unexpectedly when a shadow lunged at her from behind the jagged stones.

Her heart stopped as she recognized Zachary Black's menacing face.

Memories of her previous abduction flooded back, triggering an involuntary scream that tore from her throat.

Zachary's calloused palm clamped over Evelyn Carter's mouth, but she reacted with feral desperation.

Without hesitation, she sank her teeth into his flesh until she tasted copper, twisting her body to deliver a brutal knee strike.

He anticipated her move.

Rage contorted his features as cold steel flashed in the sunlight - a switchblade materializing from his waistband with deadly intent.

The blade arced toward her abdomen with terrifying speed.

Evelyn's breath hitched. No escape. No time.

Then - impact.

But not against her skin.

Alexander Whitmore's muscular frame collided with hers, spinning them both as he took the full brunt of the attack.

A wet, crunching sound.

The knife buried itself to the hilt in Alexander's chest.

Crimson bloomed across his crisp white shirt like some grotesque flower. His face twisted in silent agony as-

Just before collapsing, Ethan delivered a brutal kick straight to Zachary's chest.

Taken completely by surprise, Zachary was sent flying backward. His head struck the artificial rock formation behind him with a sickening crack. He crumpled to the ground, knocked out cold.

Satisfied that Zachary could no longer pose a threat to Evelyn, Ethan finally allowed himself to exhale before his legs gave way beneath him.

The entire confrontation had unfolded in mere seconds, leaving Evelyn rooted to the spot, her mind struggling to catch up with the horror before her.

She knew with absolute certainty—had Ethan not thrown himself in front of her, that knife would have buried itself deep in her abdomen.

With her unborn child at risk, the thought alone made her stomach twist in dread.

A sharp gasp escaped Evelyn’s lips as her gaze landed on Ethan, now sprawled on the ground, the blade still embedded in his chest.

His face was drained of color, contorted in silent agony.

She dropped to her knees beside him, hands trembling as she reached for him. "Ethan! Look at me—are you okay?"

His body convulsed, muscles locking as he curled inward, fighting against the pain.

Ethan clenched his jaw, forcing himself to stay conscious for her sake. His voice was strained, barely audible.

"I’ll live… What about you? The baby—are you both—?"

His words cut off as a shudder wracked his body.

Evelyn’s pulse roared in her ears. She fumbled for her phone, fingers slick with cold sweat.

"Hold on, just hold on—I’m calling an ambulance!"

Her vision blurred as she dialed, her breath coming in short, panicked bursts.

The knife glinted under the harsh sunlight, a grotesque reminder of how close death had come.

Ethan’s hand twitched toward hers, his fingers brushing her wrist weakly.

"Evelyn…" His voice was a ragged whisper. "Promise me… you’re safe."

Her throat tightened.

The sirens wailed in the distance, but time had never moved slower.

Evelyn's head shook violently.

The blade remained lodged deep in Ethan's chest. There was no way he could survive this!

Blood pooled around them in a crimson tide, staining everything in its path. The metallic scent filled the air, making her stomach churn.

With steady hands despite the panic clawing at her throat, Evelyn fished Ethan's phone from his jacket pocket. "Stay with me," she whispered, fingers trembling as she dialed 911. "Help is coming."

Across the room, Alexander burst through the doorway, taking in the horrific scene with widening eyes.

His jaw clenched when he saw Evelyn clutching Ethan's limp form against her chest, her designer dress soaked scarlet.