Chapter 219

A voice cut through the morning crowd, startlingly familiar.

Evelyn's pulse spiked instantly, though her expression remained perfectly composed. She continued walking toward Alexander with measured steps, betraying nothing.

"Mr. Blackwood, was breakfast your true motive for bringing me here?" Her lips curved into a practiced smile as morning light danced across her flawless features.

Alexander's gaze flickered toward the source of the disturbance before responding. "Would my future aunt show such restraint in public? Or are you concerned about Uncle Sebastian's jealousy?"

"Why would Sebastian care about something so trivial?" Evelyn's voice stayed even, though her heart hammered against her ribs.

That voice kept calling - "Evie!" - growing louder with each repetition.

Footsteps quickened behind her, but she kept pace with Alexander toward the café entrance.

"Evie!"

Just as Evelyn's foot crossed the threshold, a hand seized her wrist with desperate strength.

"Evie! It's really you!" Olivia trembled, tears ruining her carefully applied makeup as they streamed down her cheeks. Her grip tightened as if fearing Evelyn might vanish.

"Evie?" Evelyn arched one perfect brow. "You must be mistaking me for Evelyn Sinclair. Another case of mistaken identity?"

Olivia's tear-filled eyes widened in shock. "What do you mean 'mistaken'? Evie, what's happened? Why are you here with him of all people?"

Questions tumbled out between sobs, overwhelmed by the sheer impossibility of this reunion.

She threw her arms around Evelyn, feeling the solid warmth of her best friend's body after all these years. "You're alive," Olivia choked out. "Thank God you're alive!"

Then her expression darkened as she glared at Alexander. "Evie, why are you with this monster? He and Victoria nearly killed you! Come away with me now - don't stay another second with him!"

Olivia tugged at Evelyn's hand, but met unexpected resistance.

"You're mistaken," Evelyn said coolly, extracting her hand. "I'm not Evelyn Sinclair."

She produced a business card with practiced ease. "Vivian Prescott. Perhaps this will clarify your confusion."

Olivia stared at the embossed letters as if they might rearrange themselves. "This isn't funny, Evie. Look at me - your face, your smile, even that little dimple. How can you pretend you're someone else?"

Her voice cracked. "Has he done something to you? Taken your memories? It's me, Liv! Your best friend!"

Evelyn's smile remained politely distant. "I'm afraid I don't know you, Miss Bennett. And I'd appreciate if you stopped insulting Mr. Blackwood. Being mistaken for a dead woman grows tiresome."

The hope in Olivia's eyes dimmed with each indifferent word. She searched Evelyn's face frantically for any flicker of recognition, finding none.

"Evie... how can you say that? After everything we've been through?" Her voice dropped to a whisper. "I watched them lower your empty casket."

Evelyn turned away with finality. "Mr. Blackwood, my appetite has vanished. Would you mind taking me home?"

"Of course." Alexander offered his arm.

"Evie! Wait!" Olivia lunged forward, only to be blocked by Alexander's imposing frame. "What have you done to her, you bastard? She wouldn't act like this unless you'd done something!"

Evelyn didn't look back as Alexander guided her to the waiting car, leaving Olivia standing alone on the sidewalk, clutching a business card that felt like a betrayal.