Chapter 42

Evelyn crossed her arms defiantly. "Why on earth should I apologize to Ethan? I did nothing wrong!"

Richard's voice cut through the tension like a blade. "You physically assaulted him, Evelyn! That's entirely on you. You owe him an apology!" His words were laced with exasperation, his patience clearly worn thin.

After everything she had endured, Evelyn had reached a breaking point. She realized that swallowing her pride and staying silent only emboldened those who sought to trample over her.

Her thoughts burned with resentment. All these years, I've sacrificed everything for the Hayes family. And what did it get me?

A prison sentence.

How utterly absurd.

I was never in the wrong. So why should I keep retreating? Why let them treat me like dirt?

If the Hayes family refuses to see reason, then I'm done playing the obedient daughter.

In their eyes, no matter how perfectly I behave, Vanessa will always be the golden child.

Her jaw set with determination. She wouldn't back down—not this time.

The morning sunlight streamed through the curtains as I crossed my arms defiantly. "You really think Ethan wants an apology from me? The man got knocked out by a woman—he's the joke of the entire social circle now. If I go groveling to him, it'll just rub salt in his wounded pride!"

Richard's face darkened. "Evelyn, enough with the excuses! Do I need to drag you there myself?"

I sank deeper into the couch cushions, my voice dripping with frost. "Fine. I'll apologize to Ethan—on one condition. Vanessa apologizes to me first."

His nostrils flared. "What kind of ridiculous demand is that?"

A bitter laugh escaped me. "Oh, so we're just pretending the press conference never happened? Vanessa slept with my fiancé, and you and Mom love playing the impartial judges, don’t you?" I tilted my head. "So tell me, does she owe me an apology or not?"

Richard opened his mouth, then snapped it shut, his face turning an interesting shade of red.

"And about last night," I continued smoothly, "even the police ruled it self-defense. If you disagree, why not call them and have me arrested again?"

Silence.

Richard could only gape at me, completely at a loss for words.

I smirked, twirling a strand of hair around my finger. "Thought so."

The tension in the room thickened, but I refused to back down. Not this time.

Let them try to force me. I wasn’t the same pushover they remembered.

Not anymore.

The call ended abruptly as his temper flared.

Within moments, Evelyn's phone buzzed again—Margaret calling back.

It was obvious. Margaret and Richard were tag-teaming her, one playing the enforcer, the other the sympathizer.

"Did you actually declare yourself married in front of everyone last night? You can't just drop bombshells like that! And where have you been hiding these past few days?"

Evelyn exhaled sharply. "I am married. Why do you think I went back to Hawthorne Estate that morning? I needed my ID."

A stunned silence followed.

"I know what you're assuming. That I grabbed some stranger off the street. Well, you're right. He's broke, average-looking, and we've been squatting under a bridge. Want to visit?"

"Are you trying to give me a heart attack?" Margaret's voice trembled with shock.

"It's the truth, Mom! Ethan left me, so I stopped caring. Isn't this exactly what you and Dad expected?"

Margaret's face drained of color, fury tightening her features.

"You're absolutely insufferable!"

At that exact moment, Alexander Whitmore, who had just pulled up the home security feed to check if Evelyn Carter was awake yet, arched a brow in amusement.

Living under a bridge? He smirked. Now that's creative.

"Mr. Whitmore, the car is prepared. Shall we depart now?" Simon Graves rapped lightly on the study door.

Alexander shut his laptop with a decisive click. "How many of them have already descended upon the hospital?"

"Nearly the entire Whitmore clan, including Sir Whitmore himself. We're the last to arrive."

Ethan Caldwell had suffered minor bleeding the previous night, though his injuries weren't life-threatening.

After being examined, he'd opted to stay in the hospital's luxury suite—partly due to the late hour, and partly to avoid unnecessary complications.

The Whitmores, notorious for their theatrics, had turned the visit into a spectacle.

With the family gathered, Ethan couldn't exactly downplay his condition. So, he leaned into it, playing the role of the wounded heir to perfection.

The hospital corridors buzzed with hushed whispers and dramatic sighs.

Grace Caldwell dabbed at nonexistent tears while Harold Whitmore maintained his usual stern demeanor, though his gaze kept flickering toward the door—waiting.

Alexander arrived last, as expected.

His presence alone shifted the atmosphere, tension coiling tight in the air.

Ethan's jaw clenched when their eyes met.

No words were exchanged.

None were needed.

The game was far from over.

And Alexander?

He was just getting started.

The weekend getaway had been perfect.

Alexander arched a brow as he poured himself a drink. "What about Vanessa? She didn't join you?"

The ice cubes clinked against the crystal glass.

Evelyn curled her fingers around her teacup, the warmth seeping into her skin. "She claimed she had prior commitments."

A knowing smirk played on Alexander's lips. "How convenient."

The grandfather clock in the corner ticked loudly in the sudden silence.

Evelyn set her cup down with deliberate care. "I didn't press the matter. Honestly, I preferred the peace."

Alexander's gaze darkened as he swirled his whiskey. "After everything she's done, she owes you more than an apology."

Outside, the first drops of rain began pattering against the windows.

Evelyn traced the rim of her cup. "Some wounds don't heal with words."

The storm clouds mirrored the tension thickening between them.

Alexander drained his glass in one swift motion. "Then perhaps actions would suffice."

Lightning flashed, illuminating the determined set of his jaw.

Evelyn's breath caught. "What are you planning?"

Thunder rumbled as Alexander leaned forward, his voice dropping to a dangerous whisper. "Something long overdue."

The power flickered, plunging them into momentary darkness.

When the lights returned, Evelyn found Alexander's piercing gaze locked onto hers.

"Trust me," he murmured.

Her pulse quickened. After everything, she did.

Completely.

The storm raged on outside, but for the first time in months, Evelyn felt strangely at peace.

Whatever came next, they'd face it together.