Chapter 260

Alexander's heart clenched with unbearable agony.

The memory of Evelyn's tear-streaked face as she desperately tried to explain herself haunted him.

He felt like a monster beyond redemption.

How could he have been so cruel to the woman who loved him so deeply?

How had he only realized his feelings when it was already too late?

Now, he finally understood why Old Master Blackwood had asked that question when Evelyn mentioned divorce.

The old man had inquired if they had shared a bed after marriage.

Of course they had. Many times.

He claimed to despise her, yet he couldn't stop himself from touching her.

The truth was, he had been fighting his own emotions all along—only to recognize them when she was already gone.

Alexander exhaled shakily, his gaze falling upon the tombstone. "She looks just like you, so I keep getting confused. Last night, I held her... but I was wishing she were you."

His voice, usually so cold, now carried a tenderness he hadn't known he possessed. He closed his eyes.

"I need her to be you..."

After a long silence, he turned away, his silhouette casting a lonely shadow in the morning light.

Evelyn left the kindergarten and returned to her boutique.

It was still early, but a crowd had already gathered outside—reporters included.

Assuming this was fallout from last night's events, she slipped in through the back entrance.

The moment she sat down, her phone buzzed with a trending notification.

She tapped it open.

Sebastian's video from last night had gone viral, sparking outrage.

Netizens flooded Victoria's social media with condemnation.

The once-beloved Montgomery heiress now stood exposed for her vile deeds—an unforgivable stain on her reputation.

Many expressed sympathy for Evelyn's past self—wronged, silenced, and cyberbullied into oblivion.

Justice had come late, but at least it had come.

Evelyn scrolled through the comments, satisfaction curling through her.

"Victoria," she murmured, "this is only the beginning."

Her lips curved as she clicked into Victoria's profile, where the woman still flaunted her lavish lifestyle.

"Miss Montgomery? Let's see how long that title lasts."

Then she froze.

A family photo filled the screen—Victoria sandwiched between Eleanor and William, their eyes brimming with adoration.

Their precious princess.

Evelyn's finger hovered over the image, tracing their smiling faces.

Beneath that warmth lay the same people who had glared at her with pure hatred.

The same hands that had struck her so hard her cheek still burned at the memory.

Her chest ached.

A commotion outside snapped her back to reality. Opening time.

Employees unlocked the front doors, and the waiting crowd surged inside.

Evelyn straightened her shoulders and stepped out—chin high, posture flawless.

Gasps erupted.

"Oh my God, she's the spitting image of Mr. Blackwood's late wife!"

"No way—their vibes are totally different!"

"Exactly! Evelyn was so meek, but this woman... she radiates confidence!"

To everyone present, they might as well have been two different people.

Then—

"Evelyn!"

Olivia burst through the crowd, eyes desperate.

Evelyn blinked but quickly schooled her features. "You again. I told you, I'm not—"

"You are!" Olivia gripped her arms. "What happened? Is it amnesia? Or are you pretending not to know me?"

"Miss, I genuinely don't." Evelyn smiled politely. "I simply resemble Evelyn Sinclair."

"Fine." Olivia's expression hardened. "If you're really not her... prove it. Come with me to see someone."

Evelyn chuckled. "I'm afraid I don't have time for—"

"Evelyn."

A voice cut through the air—one that sent ice down her spine.