Chapter 475

Evelyn found herself lost in thought, questioning where things had gone wrong.

Had she made any mistakes? The answer was clear—she hadn't.

Recalling the whispers circulating through Cresthaven, her gaze dropped to her stomach.

Did Alexander doubt her?

It seemed their relationship had shifted after Ethan Caldwell had taken her away for over twenty days.

Was it possible Alexander also believed the child she carried wasn’t his?

The room buzzed with chatter, but Evelyn heard none of it.

Her eyes remained fixed on the couple twirling gracefully at the center of the stage.

They looked like the perfect pair.

Evelyn lowered her lashes, her heart sinking deeper with each passing second.

So absorbed in their dance, they hadn’t even noticed her presence.

A heavy weight settled in her chest.

Perhaps she was the outsider here.

The pain in his chest was unbearable as he watched her. Ethan Caldwell's voice was barely above a whisper. "Evelyn, do you regret it? Does it hurt this much?"

Evelyn Carter turned slowly, meeting his gaze with a fragile smile that didn't reach her eyes.

"Regret?" Her voice was steady, though her fingers trembled slightly. "I made my choice. There's no room for regret."

The path had been hers to walk. If she had stumbled, she could always turn back. Regret was pointless—every step had shaped her. Even the pain had its purpose.

The memories, though bittersweet, had once been beautiful.

If given the chance, she would choose Alexander Whitmore all over again. He had given her moments of warmth, security, and love—things she would never erase, no matter how it ended.

A deep breath steadied her, but the tears still threatened. She refused to let them fall.

She wouldn’t make a scene. Not here. Not in front of everyone.

Ethan watched her struggle, guilt gnawing at him. If he had known it would wound her this deeply, he would never have—

"Evelyn," he said urgently, stepping closer. "My offer still stands. We can start fresh. Forget Alexander. Let me protect you. That’s what a man should do."

His words only made her lips curl into something cold and mocking.

"So this was your plan?" Her voice was sharp. "Show me this, break me, and then swoop in as my savior?" She shook her head. "You had my heart once, Ethan. You crushed it. There’s no second chance."

The rumors in Cresthaven—that the child she carried was his—had all stemmed from his own lips.

He had fed the whispers, let them grow into something monstrous.

If her marriage to Alexander shattered, Ethan was just as guilty as anyone else.

His methods were underhanded. Despicable.

Her eyes burned with unshed tears, but now, beneath the sorrow, fury simmered. She hated him in that moment.

Across the room, the music faded.

Isabella Morgan’s forehead glistened with a sheen of sweat. Alexander reached for a handkerchief from a passing waiter and handed it to her with a murmured word.

Evelyn looked away before she could see more.