Chapter 247

A trace of anguish flickered across Alexander's slightly inebriated face. "It's her."

After a prolonged silence, Evelyn finally received his answer.

It was her.

The woman he loved most was Victoria.

Evelyn's fingers tightened around the wine glass.

The flames of fury roared to life in her chest, yet they couldn't scorch away the bitterness clawing at her heart.

"Linnie, I'll never leave you. I'll protect you forever. I'll make you my bride—"

The little boy's promise was like the autumn wind outside the window—brushing past her ear before vanishing into nothingness.

Evelyn raised the glass and drained it in one swift motion.

A thousand needles pricked at her heart. Light, yet excruciating.

She grieved for her younger self—so naïve, so trusting. She had waited like a fool, believing in his vow. And what had she gotten in return? Nothing but his merciless cruelty.

Her icy gaze settled on the brooding man before her, hatred burning in her eyes.

Alexander, I thought you were just ruthless—never satisfied with what you had. But the truth is, you were never serious about me.

You keep clinging to Linnie, but it's all just an act.

Victoria Lancaster.

You love her, don't you?

Fine.

Then I'll make sure you love her until it destroys you.

—

Alexander didn’t know when he had dozed off on the sofa. When he woke, the room was empty—Evelyn was gone.

He rubbed his temples, fragments of their conversation resurfacing in his mind.

His fingers closed around the multicolored shell in his pocket, its smooth surface cool against his palm.

Memories flooded back—

His grandfather had taken him to the seaside for a holiday, but the weight of expectations had crushed any joy he might have felt.

Until she appeared.

A little girl who called herself Linnie.

Such a simple name—sweet, easy to remember.

He never forgot her.

Her crescent-moon eyes when she smiled, the faint dimples in her cheeks, the crystalline clarity of her gaze—so full of life.

She called him Lex. Her voice was honeyed, warm.

Hand in hand, they ran barefoot along the shore. Without realizing it, he had shed his burdens.

For the first time, he was truly happy.

Then his grandfather whisked him away without warning—no chance to say goodbye.

For years, he thought of her.

Until he met Victoria.

Victoria had dimples too, and that resemblance tricked him. When she claimed to be his Linnie, he believed her—though something always felt... missing.

Still, he indulged her. Protected her. All because she was the girl he had longed for.

Now—

Alexander clenched the shell.

He should throw it away.

The girl who gave it to him no longer held his heart.

The Linnie he loved now was Evelyn—the woman who had hurt him so deeply it felt like flaying.