Chapter 501

Evelyn gasped, a cold shiver running down her spine.

Was she imagining things?

Why did she hear Dominic's voice outside her hospital room?

She peeked out just as the door swung open violently.

Dominic sat in a wheelchair, pushed forward by a hulking bodyguard.

His presence made Evelyn's hands tremble uncontrollably.

Though they'd never met face-to-face, that voice haunted her nightmares.

Dominic was like a predator stalking its prey in the shadows, ready to pounce at any moment.

With his chiseled jawline, piercing eyes, and perfectly sculpted nose, he could have been a model - if not for the dangerous aura radiating from him.

"Dominic?" Her voice cracked. "W-why are you here?" Memories of that horrific night made her pull the hospital blanket tighter around herself.

Dominic smirked, his voice dripping with false sweetness. "I came to visit my beloved fiancée, of course."

Evelyn's throat went dry.

His gaze traveled slowly to her injured legs, feigning sympathy. "Such a tragedy. My heart breaks seeing you like this."

She knew better.

He was the reason she was here.

"What do you want?" Her pulse raced.

Being in the same room with him felt suffocating.

"Don't you wish Alexander was here with you?"

Dominic's tone was deceptively soft as he flashed a cruel smile.

In one swift motion, he pulled out a gleaming dagger and slashed it across her wrist.

"Call him. Tell him you're dying."

White-hot pain shot through her arm. Dominic watched with sick fascination as blood pooled on the sheets.

Tears blurred Evelyn's vision.

The man was utterly deranged!

Meanwhile, Claire arrived early at the fireworks festival.

Alexander had mentioned this annual Cresthaven event weeks ago.

The grand display would begin precisely at nine.

She hesitated about calling him when her phone rang.

"Claire, I'm sorry. I'm at the hospital and can't make it."

"Have the fireworks started? Are they spectacular?"

Claire froze as the first explosion lit up the night sky.

Brilliant colors painted the darkness, reflecting in her wide eyes.

After everything that had happened, she'd learned to control her emotions.

"They're breathtaking," she whispered into the phone. "Though they'd be more beautiful with you here."

Alexander fell silent.

He'd actually left work early, already at the festival grounds when Isabella's frantic call came through.

The doctors believed it was a suicide attempt based on the wrist wound's angle.

The scene they'd found was gruesome - blood everywhere.

As her emergency contact, Alexander had to sign the surgical consent forms. She was still in the OR.

For a professional violinist, this injury could be career-ending.

His fingers brushed against the velvet jewelry box in his pocket.

"I'll come get you when I'm done here," he offered gently.

"That won't be necessary," Claire declined immediately.