Chapter 419

Evelyn's breath caught in her throat.

Her pulse quickened at the sight of Alexander standing across the street.

Without thinking, she took a step forward—only to freeze when she felt Ethan's weight against her shoulder.

Two weeks.

It had been two endless weeks since she'd last seen him, and now he stood there, his sharp features more defined, his presence more imposing than ever.

Alexander moved with purposeful strides, his stormy gaze locked onto them.

Every word of their conversation had reached him.

When their eyes met, Evelyn immediately recognized the dangerous glint in his.

Ice.

That was all she felt radiating from him—a bone-chilling coldness that made her fingers tremble.

Realization struck.

He had misunderstood.

"Alexander, wait—" she blurted, tightening her grip on Ethan's arm. "He's injured. That's the only reason I'm supporting him. The ambulance is coming."

Alexander stopped inches from her, his towering frame casting a shadow over them. His voice was razor-sharp.

"Is that really all you have to say to me?"

Evelyn's teeth sank into her lower lip.

I never intended to disappear for two whole weeks. I...I couldn't get through to you.

Alexander's fingers brushed gently beneath Evelyn's chin, lifting her face until their eyes met.

His lips curved into a smile that didn't reach his stormy gaze. "So you're saying Ethan abducted you and kept you prisoner?"

Evelyn nearly nodded, but one glance at Ethan's battered form made her hesitate.

She knew without doubt that if she confirmed Alexander's suspicions, he'd send Ethan flying across the room in his fury.

She'd never seen such darkness in Alexander's eyes before.

And Ethan was in no condition to survive Alexander's wrath.

After a tense pause, Evelyn whispered, "Alexander, please...don't hurt Ethan. I'll explain everything later, I promise."

Seeing her concern for him, Ethan managed a weak, triumphant smile.

"Evelyn...I knew you still cared..."

The temperature in the room seemed to drop ten degrees.

Evelyn's stomach clenched.

"Ethan, for God's sake shut up!" she hissed, shooting daggers at the injured man leaning against her. He was determined to make this disaster worse.

The air grew thick with tension as Alexander's jaw tightened. His knuckles turned white where they clenched at his sides.

Evelyn could practically feel the anger radiating off him in waves.

She'd missed him desperately these past weeks - his warmth, his laughter, the way his eyes crinkled when he smiled.

But this?

This terrifying intensity?

This she hadn't missed at all.

Ethan coughed weakly, breaking the silence. A trickle of blood appeared at the corner of his mouth.

Alexander's gaze flickered to the blood, then back to Evelyn's face. His voice came out dangerously calm.

"Tell me one good reason I shouldn't finish what someone else started."

Evelyn's heart pounded against her ribs. She tightened her grip on Ethan's shoulder protectively.

The wrong word now could spark an explosion.

She swallowed hard, searching Alexander's face for any trace of the man she loved beneath the mask of fury.

"Because I'm asking you," she said softly. "Because after everything, I need you to trust me just this once."

A muscle twitched in Alexander's cheek.

The silence stretched between them, heavy with unspoken words and half-truths.

Somewhere outside, a car alarm wailed into the night.

Evelyn held her breath.

The next move was his.

Evelyn’s sharp glare made Ethan pout, his expression wounded. But beneath that façade, satisfaction curled in his chest.

The air turned icy. Just then, the wail of sirens cut through the tension—an ambulance and police car arriving simultaneously.

Paramedics lifted Ethan onto a stretcher while officers hauled away the unconscious Zachary.

Alexander turned on his heel, his posture rigid. Instinctively, Evelyn moved to follow.

Her legs, numb from crouching too long, betrayed her. A startled gasp escaped her lips as she stumbled.

Alexander, already ten paces ahead, whirled around with lightning reflexes. His arms—strong as steel—locked around her, steadying her before she could hit the ground.

Fingers clutching his shirt, Evelyn pressed against his chest.

"Alexander," she whispered, tilting her face up. Her eyes shimmered, bright and wounded like a rabbit’s. "Do you have any idea how much I’ve missed you these past three weeks?"

Her gaze held nothing but him. "How can you be so cold? Didn’t you miss me at all? I called you so many times that day—not one answer. I was lost. I even booked a flight that night to chase you to Cresthaven." Her voice cracked. "Then Ethan took me."

Three revelations.

Three fractures in the silence between them.

First, Evelyn had finally responded to Alexander's email.

Her fingers trembled as she typed out the truth—that her sudden disappearance hadn't been by choice. Ethan Caldwell had taken her.

The words stared back at her from the screen, raw and accusing.

Second, the sting of Alexander's distrust cut deeper than she expected.

She had thought their bond was unbreakable. But his suspicion, his hesitation to believe in her... that hurt more than any physical wound.

The memory of his cold tone during their last call made her chest tighten.

And third—

Evelyn pressed a hand to her mouth.

She had missed him.

Not just his presence, but the way his laughter filled a room. The warmth of his hand in hers. The unspoken understanding between them.

Three simple truths.

One complicated mess.

The notification pinged—Alexander had read her email.

Now she waited.

The cursor blinked.

Her heart raced.

Would he answer?

Would he forgive?

Or had she lost him for good?

The weight of unspoken words pressed heavily between them.

First, Evelyn confirmed Alexander’s earlier suspicions—her sudden disappearance hadn’t been by choice. Ethan Caldwell had taken her. The admission left a bitter taste in her mouth, but the truth needed to be laid bare.

Second, the memory of Alexander’s cold detachment still stung. The way he had turned away from her, the distance in his eyes—it had carved wounds deeper than she cared to admit.

And third…

Her breath hitched.

She had missed him.

More than she could articulate. More than pride would allow her to say.

The silence stretched, thick with unspoken longing and unresolved tension.

Secret Admiration: Finding True Love After Prison (Evelyn)