Chapter 681

The elevator hummed softly as Vanessa and Evelyn stood in tense silence.

A mall employee's muffled voice penetrated the metal doors. "Ladies, is everything alright in there?"

Vanessa, still smarting from Evelyn's earlier rejection, snapped. "Do we look alright? We're trapped like rats! I'm suing this entire establishment!"

The apologetic voice continued. "The repair team is en route. Just five more minutes."

"Five minutes?" Vanessa shrieked, her pregnancy hormones amplifying her rage. "I could give birth in five minutes!"

Outside, hurried footsteps announced Ethan's arrival.

Vanessa's voice instantly turned saccharine. "Ethan darling, I'm seven months pregnant! My back is killing me and my ankles have swollen to twice their size!"

Ethan pressed his ear against the cold metal, listening intently. When he didn't hear Evelyn's voice, his stomach clenched.

If Vanessa was uncomfortable, how was Evelyn coping?

His voice came out strained. "And her? Is she okay?"

Vanessa's nails dug into her palms. Of course his first concern would be for Evelyn.

Through gritted teeth she replied, "Perfectly fine, as always."

Ethan exhaled sharply.

Vanessa leaned close to Evelyn, her whisper venomous. "Enjoying this? My husband still pines for you."

Tears pricked at Vanessa's eyes. She despised her own weakness - how could she still adore a man who so clearly loved another?

She'd initially pursued Ethan to spite Evelyn, but somewhere along the way, the charade had become reality. Now she was trapped in this loveless marriage, watching her husband's eyes follow another woman.

A choked sob escaped her lips as she collapsed against the elevator wall.

Evelyn turned, surprised by the sudden emotional outburst. Pregnancy hormones were one thing, but this seemed more profound.

She offered a tissue. "You might want to..."

"Save your fake concern!" Vanessa snapped, though she reluctantly accepted the tissue as the elevator doors began pinging - signaling imminent rescue.

The moment the doors parted, Ethan surged forward - only for Vanessa to intercept him dramatically.

"Ethan! I was terrified!" she wailed, clinging to him like ivy.

But Ethan's gaze remained locked on Evelyn as she stepped into the bright mall lights. "Evelyn, are you—"

Evelyn walked right past him without acknowledgment.

A flustered employee offered gift baskets. "Our deepest apologies—"

"Your cheap trinkets can't compensate for nearly killing us!" Vanessa screeched.

Evelyn froze mid-step.

Was that...? Among the retreating maintenance crew, a familiar silhouette made her blood run cold.

"Damian?" she called out.

The uniformed worker didn't flinch, disappearing around a corner.

Ethan stiffened at the name. He knew exactly what Damian had tried to do to Evelyn years ago.

His hands clenched into fists as he turned on Vanessa. "You're working with him again, aren't you?"

Vanessa paled. "I haven't seen him since prison!"

Evelyn's phone buzzed - a message to Alexander: [Saw Damian. Is he out?]

When no immediate reply came, Gale's call interrupted her thoughts. "Where are you? I've circled this mall twice."

Still shaken from the elevator incident, Evelyn opted for the stairs. "Meet me at the car. I'm taking the emergency exit."

Ethan watched her go, then abruptly disentangled from Vanessa to follow.

"Ethan!" Vanessa's cry went unanswered as she waddled after them, her pregnant belly slowing her down.

How did Evelyn move so effortlessly in her condition?

The stairwell swallowed both figures, leaving Vanessa alone with her crumbling marriage and the chilling possibility that Damian Cross was back.