Chapter 528

"How could Ethan say those words to me with such brutal honesty? That his heart belongs to another woman?

Does my husband not care at all about how this makes me feel?

Is he rejecting intimacy with me because he's saving himself for Evelyn?

What a cruel joke!

My own husband, remaining faithful to someone else!"

Vanessa's humiliation burned like acid in her chest.

Across the mansion, Ethan lay in the guest room with his eyes shut tight, his mind a storm of dark thoughts.

Evelyn had met with Dominic again tonight. She'd even gone to Powell Manor.

"What happened between them?"

The memory flashed before his eyes—Evelyn begging Dominic to spare him as thugs dragged him toward a speeding car.

That reckless woman. Please tell me she didn't agree to any of Dominic's twisted demands just to protect me.

Dominic was a predator who recognized no boundaries.

The possibilities twisted in Ethan's gut until he could bear it no longer. He threw open his door and stormed toward the attic where Alexander and Evelyn stayed at Whitmore Manor.

Dark windows. No lights.

Ethan stood frozen in the shadows until a familiar voice cut through the night.

"Looking for someone?"

Alexander materialized from the darkness, his knuckles connecting with Ethan's jaw before the younger man could react.

"Get lost."

The punch landed with brutal precision, blooming fresh pain beside yesterday's fading bruise.

But Ethan wiped his bleeding lip and stood his ground.

"She's not back yet, is she? Alexander, do you even know where your wife is right now?"

Alexander didn't bother explaining Evelyn's orchestra rehearsal.

He lit a cigarette instead, the ember flaring in the night breeze.

"Ethan, you ever hear how I handled escape attempts at the police academy?" His voice was deceptively calm.

"One prisoner thought he could outrun me. I shattered both his kneecaps. He still can't walk without crutches. Want to test that theory?"

The threat hung between them like a drawn blade.

But Ethan couldn't walk away. Not with Evelyn in danger.

"Alexander, Vanessa saw Evelyn leaving Dominic's suite at Powell Manor tonight. You know what that monster's capable of. At this hour—"

Tires screeched before he could finish.

Alexander was already in his car, dialing Evelyn's number with shaking hands.

No answer.

The orchestra hall loomed ahead, its doors locked tight against latecomers. Security blocked Alexander at the entrance.

He redialed, desperation clawing at his throat.

This time, the line connected.