Chapter 585

Something wasn't right. Evelyn's phone displayed [No Signal] as if someone had intentionally severed her connection to the outside world.

Though spring had arrived, the night air still carried a biting chill. She instinctively wrapped her coat tighter around herself, but the icy wind cut through the fabric like knives. Even with the main doors securely locked, an unsettling tension hung heavy in the air.

Unable to gain entry, she retreated to the lounge. In the dead of night, the space felt unnervingly hollow, her voice bouncing off the walls when she called out. The lights had been switched off, casting eerie shadows across the empty room. Fear coiled in her stomach, making her curl into a tight ball on the couch. "Who would do this?" she wondered.

After careful consideration, she concluded it must be Cassandra. Earlier that evening, when she'd stepped off the bus, she'd caught a fleeting glimpse of someone who looked like Cassandra across the street.

Time dragged on mercilessly as the temperature continued to drop. Evelyn activated her phone's flashlight, hoping to signal someone outside.

But as her battery dwindled to single digits, no help came.

Resigned, she sank back into the couch, worrying how this sleepless ordeal might affect tomorrow's crucial orchestra auditions.

The relentless cold gnawed at her bones, making relaxation impossible. Her fingers had lost all sensation, and her legs felt like blocks of ice.

Suddenly, she remembered Alexander. They'd planned to have dinner together tonight.

"Will he realize something's wrong when I don't show up?" she thought.

Alexander arrived at the symphony hall precisely on time, waiting for Evelyn.

But as minutes turned to hours, there was still no sign of her.

Assuming she might be running late, he waited an additional twenty minutes.

Just then, Isabella emerged from the building. Spotting his car, she hurried over, her face lighting up with delight.

"Alexander! What a surprise to see you here!"

"I'm waiting for Evelyn. We have dinner plans."

Isabella's smile faltered. "Oh... I thought maybe you'd come to see me."

Alexander didn't respond, his gaze fixed on the building's entrance. Undeterred, Isabella opened the passenger door and slid in without invitation.

"Then I'll keep you company while you wait."

Alexander's expression flickered briefly, but he remained silent. After ten minutes, Isabella sighed dramatically.

"I'm starving. Why is she always so inconsiderate with other people's time?"

Alexander frowned. "I'm taking Evelyn out tonight. If you're hungry, you should go eat."

"But I hate dining alone. What's the harm in joining you?" Isabella pouted, her voice dripping with petulance.

"Isabella," he said firmly, "I've told you before. I don't want Evelyn getting the wrong idea. I'm a married man, and your presence would only create unnecessary tension. Surely you understand that?" Isabella fell silent. After a long pause, she lowered her head, tears welling in her eyes. "Alexander," she whispered, her voice trembling. "Do you know what today is?"

He turned to look at her, confused.

"It's my twenty-third birthday. Did you forget?"

She bit her lip, her fingers twisting together as if trying to hold herself together.

"Back home, birthdays were special. My parents would each give me presents, and I was the center of attention all day."

Her gaze drifted to the window, lost in nostalgic memories.

"But now... my family is gone. The only person who still celebrated with me was my brother Andrew."

Her voice broke with emotion. "And now... Andrew's gone too."

Tears streamed down her cheeks, splashing onto her tightly clasped hands.

She wiped them away gently, her movements as delicate as her fragile state.

Alexander froze.

He hadn't realized it was Isabella's birthday.

Reaching into the glove compartment, he pulled out tissues and handed them to her. "Here."

Isabella accepted them, dabbing at her eyes.

"Alexander," she said softly, "I just didn't want to spend my birthday alone. I promise, if you let me come, I won't interfere with your date." Alexander hesitated, a pang of sympathy stirring within him. "Fine. When Evelyn arrives, I'll explain the situation."

Isabella's tears transformed into a radiant smile. Without thinking, she reached for his hand.

From a short distance away, a man stood observing the entire exchange through the open car window.