Chapter 512

Evelyn's fingers curled into tight fists, her knuckles turning bone-white.

Against all expectations, Alexander had missed the fireworks gala tonight because of Isabella.

A storm of conflicting emotions raged within Evelyn.

When that sports car had nearly hit her, when Dominic had taunted her mercilessly—even Ethan had preferred being dragged by the vehicle rather than watch her taken away.

Yet here was Alexander, attending to Isabella.

The ache in Evelyn's chest made her feel fragile, breakable.

But she didn't retreat. Instead, she marched toward them with determined steps.

Alexander was hers. She wouldn't surrender him without a fight.

She'd already contacted Leonard about moving out in two days. No more shared living space with Alexander. Even if this confrontation went poorly, she had an exit strategy.

At the very least, she refused to waste another moment in this emotional limbo!

Evelyn knew she'd done nothing wrong in her marriage to Alexander. The fault wasn't hers. She deserved answers.

Evelyn blinked back the tears threatening to spill and fixed the pair with an unwavering gaze.

"Alexander, what a surprise! Is this Isabella? Won't you introduce us?"

Their startled expressions when Evelyn appeared was almost comical.

Isabella had just emerged from surgery, her stitched wrist still numb from anesthesia.

Alexander immediately abandoned the wheelchair and rushed to Evelyn. "Your face—it's covered in blood! Are you hurt?"

The blood wasn't hers—it was Ethan's.

In that narrow alley earlier, Ethan had kept trying to touch her, his bloody fingers brushing her cheek without her realizing.

Seeing Alexander's concern for Evelyn made Isabella seethe with jealousy.

She let out a dramatic cry, "Alexander! The pain—it's unbearable!"

Evelyn had intended to discuss tonight's events, but Isabella's interruption changed her approach.

"Alexander, shouldn't you check on your friend? She seems to be in agony."

The sarcasm dripped from Evelyn's words, her displeasure unmistakable.

Alexander sighed, running a hand through Evelyn's hair. "Is that jealousy I hear? I didn't cancel our plans lightly. Isabella needed emergency surgery—I had to sign the consent forms." His expression hardened as he turned to Isabella. "And you deserve every bit of that pain. What possessed you to play with knives?"

Isabella had claimed the wound resulted from a kitchen accident involving a chef's knife.

She'd deliberately omitted Dominic's involvement, fearing retaliation.

Alexander's blunt statement—that she deserved her suffering—cut deeper than any blade.

Even severely injured, Alexander showed her no tenderness.

Isabella's face darkened momentarily before she forced a smile.

Remembering the auction bracelet Evelyn had coveted—now adorning her own wrist—Isabella extended her left arm with deliberate nonchalance.

"You must be Alexander's wife! What brings you to the hospital? Did you hear we were together?"