Chapter 257

Alexander's warm breath caressed Evelyn's cheek. She froze, memories of his past cruelty flooding her mind.

He had been merciless. Ruthless. Every possible torment, he'd inflicted upon her.

Evelyn couldn't recall a single kindness he'd shown during their marriage.

As she lost herself in thought, she noticed Alexander leaning closer.

Her pulse quickened erratically. Anticipating a kiss, she prepared to flee when he suddenly pulled her into an embrace.

He buried his face in the crook of her neck, his entire body radiating exhaustion. This hug seemed to release pent-up tension she'd never known he carried.

Evelyn stiffened in his arms.

Her thin blouse did little to block his body heat. The warmth seeped through fabric, spreading across her skin like wildfire.

His breath tickled her ear. That familiar masculine scent invaded her senses, disrupting her breathing pattern.

Moonlight bathed them as Evelyn stared blankly at the sky.

Then the memories returned - all the pain, the betrayals.

Her racing heart stilled. The old passion was gone.

Eyes lowering, she studied the man leaning on her shoulder and pushed against his chest.

Alexander only tightened his grip. "Stay still," he murmured. "I won't hurt you."

"Mr. Blackwood, this is inappropriate. I'm to be your aunt." Evelyn emphasized the boundary between them.

Alexander lifted his piercing gaze, lips curving. "Shouldn't my future aunt comfort her nephew in distress?"

His deep voice slid over her like velvet, sending heat to her cheeks. With sudden force, she shoved him away.

Straightening her clothes, she glared. "Is this what you meant by doing something you never did with your wife?"

A bitter smile touched her lips. "You must have despised Evelyn. She bore your child, yet you never even held her like this." The words tasted like ash, though she couldn't explain the pang in her chest.

Moonlight illuminated the man she'd once loved with every fiber of her being. She'd given him everything - received nothing in return.

How pitiful.

Alexander watched her with quiet amusement. "True. I never held her this way."

"Why hold me now? Guilt over learning the truth? Trying to atone by pretending I'm her?" Evelyn's smile turned sharp. Accusation burned in her gaze.

"Alexander, do you think this absolves you? It doesn't. You helped destroy Evelyn!"

A cold wind swept between them.

Alexander frowned at her outburst. "You're unusually invested in my ex-wife."

Evelyn's breath hitched. She'd nearly revealed too much.

Tucking hair behind her ear to mask her panic, she recovered. "Perhaps because we look alike."

The excuse sounded weak even to her. Alexander's probing stare made her skin prickle.

"If you're recovered, I'll take my leave."

She turned, but Alexander caught her wrist.

His wind-chilled fingers pressed insistently against her skin, sending strange tingles up her arm.

"Vivian, I need to ask—"

A phone vibration interrupted.

Evelyn exhaled silently. Whatever question he'd planned would have been dangerous.

The secret wasn't ready to surface. Not yet.