Chapter 96

Ethan Caldwell had aimed for Evelyn Carter's lips, but she twisted away with surprising agility.

Her heel came down hard on his polished leather shoe, followed by a sharp knee aimed where it would hurt most.

Instinct made him block, forcing him to loosen his grip on her.

Evelyn didn’t hesitate—her palm cracked against his cheek with enough force to leave a sting.

She spun toward the elevator panel, fingers outstretched.

But Ethan was faster. His arms locked around her waist, hauling her back against him.

His breath was hot against her ear as he snarled, "Was the hospital visit with Ryan Fletcher just to provoke me?"

"And he drove you home?" His grip tightened. "Evelyn, you’re playing a dangerous game."

He had seen them from the office window.

Watched her slide into Ryan’s sleek Lamborghini, watched her take the wheel—

His jaw clenched.

She had never driven his car.

Never smiled at him like that.

Evelyn twisted in his hold, her voice icy. "Let. Me. Go."

Ethan didn’t.

Instead, he turned her to face him, his gaze burning. "You think Fletcher can protect you?"

Her laugh was sharp. "From you? I don’t need protection."

His fingers dug into her arms. "You belong to me."

Evelyn met his stare without flinching. "I belong to no one."

The elevator doors slid open.

Alexander Whitmore stood there, his expression darkening as he took in the scene.

Ethan didn’t release her.

Not until Alexander stepped forward, his voice lethally calm.

"Remove your hands. Now."

For a heartbeat, no one moved.

Then, with a scoff, Ethan shoved Evelyn away.

She stumbled—right into Alexander’s waiting arms.

Ethan smirked. "Enjoy your leftovers, Whitmore."

Alexander’s grip on Evelyn tightened, but she placed a hand on his chest before he could react.

Her eyes never left Ethan’s.

"You’re nothing to me," she said softly. "Not even a memory."

The elevator doors closed between them, cutting off Ethan’s furious glare.

Inside, Evelyn exhaled shakily.

Alexander’s thumb brushed her wrist. "You okay?"

She nodded, but her fingers curled into fists.

Ethan had crossed a line.

And this time—she wouldn’t let it slide.

The sleek black car sped down the road, carrying Evelyn and Ryan inside. Their laughter filled the air, carefree and bright.

From his own car, Ethan watched, his grip tightening on the steering wheel.

A bitter taste rose in his throat.

Evelyn—the woman who had chased him for seven years—was now smiling at someone else. And not just anyone. His own cousin.

The thought twisted inside him like a knife.

He barely registered Vanessa’s voice beside him, making some excuse about needing to leave. He dismissed her with a curt nod, his focus entirely on the car ahead.

He followed them, his pulse erratic, until finally, he saw Evelyn step out alone.

That was when he snapped.

Ethan strode forward, his dark eyes locking onto hers. "Is this some kind of game?" His voice was low, edged with something sharp. "You spent years chasing me, and now, suddenly, you're with him? Did you drag my cousin into this just to get back at me?"

Evelyn scoffed, crossing her arms. "You really think this is about you?" Her tone was ice. "News flash, Ethan—you stopped mattering to me a long time ago. This isn’t some petty revenge plot. I just don’t care anymore."

His jaw clenched. "Bullshit. You don’t just stop loving someone overnight."

She arched a brow. "Oh, I did. And honestly? It’s pathetic that you’re even here, acting like this means something." A dry laugh escaped her. "What, did you suddenly realize you have feelings for me?"

Ethan’s expression darkened.

But Evelyn didn’t wait for a response. She turned on her heel, leaving him standing there—stunned, furious, and utterly dismissed.

The elevator chimed softly as the doors slid open. Evelyn seized the opportunity to wrench herself free from Ethan's grasp and stepped out into the hallway.

A smirk curled her lips as she thought, "Ethan's already unraveling? Just wait until he finds out I'm marrying Alexander. He'll lose his damn mind."

Before she could take another step, Ethan lunged forward and caught her wrist again, his grip bruising. "Even if this isn't about me, you can't seriously go on a date with Ryan! You know he and I despise each other!"

Evelyn twisted her arm, trying to break free.

Their scuffle had grown too loud. The motion-activated lights flickered to life, flooding the corridor with sudden brightness.

Then—a door swung open behind them.

A warm glow spilled into the dim hallway, casting sharp shadows across Evelyn's face.

Alexander stood in the doorway, dressed in sleek silk pajamas, the top two buttons undone. The fabric draped loosely over his frame, revealing the sharp line of his collarbone and the tantalizing dip of his throat.

The light from inside illuminated faint red marks peeking beneath his collar—marks that unmistakably belonged to a woman.

Evelyn froze, her breath hitching.

"Alexander's home?"

Her mind spun.

"Ethan and Vanessa haven't even had their wedding yet. If word gets out that Alexander and I are together—living together—"

The thought sent a thrill down her spine.

The moment the door swung open, Evelyn's breath hitched.

She hadn’t expected Alexander to be standing there, his expression darkening as his gaze landed on Ethan’s grip around her wrist.

Ethan, equally stunned, blinked at his uncle. His mind raced. Evelyn was supposed to be going home… so why was Alexander here?

Then it clicked.

His eyes widened in disbelief as he looked between them. "You—you two—what the hell is going on?"

Alexander’s jaw clenched, his voice dangerously low. "That’s my line. What are you doing with my wife?"

The air thickened with tension.

Evelyn yanked her wrist free, but the damage was done.

Alexander’s fingers twitched at his sides, his knuckles white. The vein at his temple pulsed visibly.

Ethan took a step back, realization dawning. "Wait… you two are—"

"None of your business," Alexander cut in, his voice like ice.

Evelyn swallowed hard. This wasn’t how she wanted him to find out.

But the way Alexander was looking at Ethan—like he wanted to tear him apart—sent a shiver down her spine.

Ethan, still processing, shook his head. "Uncle, you can’t be serious. After everything—"

"I said," Alexander stepped forward, his presence suffocating, "it’s none of your concern."

Evelyn’s pulse pounded in her ears.

One wrong move, and this would explode.

And she wasn’t sure she could stop it.