Chapter 133

Alexander's sculpted features froze. His crimson eyes burned into her with terrifying intensity.

"Evelyn, what did you just say? Explain yourself."

She knew death was near. The foolish dream she had clung to for over a decade resurfaced. Tears welled in her eyes as she smiled bitterly at him.

"What I mean is, I won't let that fraud Victoria win. Even in death, I'll take the title of Mrs. Blackwood with me!" Evelyn's voice cracked, tears spilling despite her efforts to hold them back.

"Alexander, no matter how much you despise me, it won't change the fact that I am your wife!"

The words tore through her like a blade.

A lifetime of love, poured into this man. It began with passion—now it would end in ruin.

Yet why did her heart still ache so violently?

Was death truly her only escape?

Alexander's fury erupted. His hand shot out, gripping her throat. "Evelyn, you dare play games with me?"

She choked out a laugh, tears streaming. "Haven't you been toying with me for years, Mr. Blackwood?"

"Evelyn Sinclair!" His grip tightened.

Even in his rage, he was devastatingly beautiful.

She didn't fight. Didn't beg. Just stared into the eyes of the man who wanted her dead.

Hadn't he vowed to kill her himself?

Today was that day.

Darkness crept at the edges of her vision—then suddenly, he released her.

"Get out!" he snarled, shoving her away.

Evelyn collapsed onto a flowerbed, pain lancing through her abdomen. Gritting her teeth, she forced herself upright, meeting his stormy gaze.

"Alexander, don't regret sparing me today."

A cold smirk twisted his lips. "You think I'm trapped in this marriage because of my grandfather's promise? How naïve."

Her breath hitched.

What?

If not for his grandfather—then why?

Alexander reveled in her shock. He seized her chin, voice a venomous whisper. "From the beginning, this marriage was always mine to control. Did you really believe one night in my bed made you worthy of being my wife?"

He released her with a scoff, turning away.

Evelyn stood frozen, trembling in the cold night. A thousand questions screamed in her mind.

When she returned home, Sebastian was waiting at her door.

"I couldn't reach you. I was worried," he said gently, his handsome face softening with concern.

She hesitated, fingers hovering over the doorknob.

Sebastian sighed. "If I'd known Jeremy would destroy you like this, I would have stopped this marriage three years ago."