Chapter 492

Claire exhaled softly, her voice laced with concern. "What about the baby?"

At that exact moment, Evelyn’s phone screen went black, the battery drained completely.

She stared at the lifeless device before pressing a trembling hand against her stomach.

That was the one question she still didn’t have an answer for…

Twenty minutes later, Evelyn stepped out of the taxi in front of Whitmore Manor.

Ethan had followed her the entire way.

Earlier, as he was leaving the hotel, he had spotted Evelyn hailing a cab on the curb.

And he had also witnessed that moment—Alexander carrying Isabella out of the building, his expression unreadable.

Ethan had offered her a ride, since they were both heading to the same place.

But Evelyn had refused instantly.

She insisted on taking the taxi alone.

Ethan didn’t push. Instead, he trailed the cab at a distance, keeping watch without her knowing.

He smirked bitterly to himself.

The old Ethan would have dragged her into his car without a second thought, whether she wanted to or not.

But now?

Now, he let her go.

Because they were both returning to Whitmore Manor.

And yet—

They weren’t going home to the same person.

The weight of everything finally hit Ethan Caldwell.

He realized Evelyn Carter had her own mind, her own choices. He had to respect her decisions, no matter how much it pained him.

Tonight's events played vividly in his mind.

Alexander Whitmore had shattered Evelyn's heart.

Ethan had seen the redness in her eyes, the unshed tears.

She was carrying Alexander's child. One moment, they were inseparable. The next, this.

No one could endure such betrayal without breaking.

Ethan hadn’t anticipated Alexander’s sudden return—or the reappearance of Isabella Morgan, his childhood sweetheart.

The pain in Evelyn’s expression twisted something inside him.

For a fleeting second, he questioned his own cruelty.

But pain wasn’t weakness.

He needed Evelyn to see the truth.

This was the only way she’d understand—Alexander wasn’t the man she thought he was.

Just as she had once realized Ethan wasn’t hers to keep.

Now, they stood on equal ground.

A fair fight.

Earlier, by the pool, Ethan had watched as Dominic Powell discreetly passed the bracelet to Isabella.

He knew exactly what Evelyn must have thought when she saw it.

That it was from Alexander.

The perfect deception.

Wasn't this misunderstanding actually working in his favor?

Ethan Caldwell couldn't believe his luck.

The situation should have been disastrous, yet somehow, Dominic Powell's interference had twisted things to his advantage.

He'd expected Alexander Whitmore to retaliate fiercely.

Instead, the man had withdrawn completely, leaving Evelyn Carter vulnerable and confused.

Ethan smirked, running a hand through his hair.

Fate truly worked in mysterious ways.

He'd spent months scheming, only for Dominic's petty move to achieve what he couldn't.

The divorce papers lay unsigned on his desk.

Evelyn's hesitation was palpable.

Every passing hour without her signature tightened the noose around Alexander's neck.

Ethan leaned back in his leather chair, staring at the ceiling.

Perhaps he should send Dominic a thank-you note.

The man's toxic personality had inadvertently become his greatest ally.

Downstairs, the grandfather clock chimed midnight.

Ethan's phone buzzed with a new message.

Vanessa Hart's name flashed on the screen.

"She's at Eclipse Lounge. Alone."

His fingers tightened around the device.

Perfect.

The pieces were falling into place.

All he needed was one final push.

And this time, not even Alexander Whitmore could stop what was coming.

The game had changed.

And Ethan?

He was winning.

Wasn't this misunderstanding between them so perfect that even fate seemed to be on his side?

Ethan couldn't help but admire Lucas's clever maneuver. If it weren't for the man's infuriating arrogance, Ethan might have even bought him a drink in gratitude. Unknowingly, Lucas had handed him the perfect opportunity.

Secret Longing: A Second Chance at Love (Evelyn)

The tension in the air was thick enough to cut with a knife.

Evelyn's fingers trembled as she clutched the divorce papers, her heart pounding like a drum in her chest. She had never imagined things would escalate this far.

Alexander's cold gaze bore into her, his expression unreadable. "Sign them," he said, his voice devoid of emotion.

She swallowed hard, her mind racing. Was this really how their story would end? Over a misunderstanding that could have been cleared up with a single conversation?

But fate had other plans.

Just as she reached for the pen, a sharp knock echoed through the room. The door swung open, revealing Nathan, Alexander's ever-loyal assistant, his face pale.

"Sir," he said urgently, "there's been a development."

Alexander's jaw tightened. "What now?"

Nathan hesitated, his eyes flickering to Evelyn before he spoke. "The documents you requested—they've been altered. Someone tampered with them."

A beat of silence.

Then, Alexander's gaze snapped back to Evelyn, sharp and assessing.

And just like that, the game changed.

Evelyn didn't know whether to laugh or cry.

Because for the first time in weeks, she saw something flicker in Alexander's eyes—doubt.

And doubt, she knew, was the beginning of a second chance.