Chapter 273

The drive back to Blackwood Estate felt endless. Alexander couldn't shake his mother's words from the phone call earlier. They echoed relentlessly in his mind.

Without realizing, his foot pressed harder on the accelerator. The sleek black car roared through the gates in record time.

He stepped out of the vehicle with purposeful strides, heading straight for the grand foyer. Then he saw her.

Evelyn.

That breathtaking face he'd been dreaming about for months stood mere feet away, illuminated by the afternoon light streaming through the windows.

Alexander froze mid-step. His pulse quickened unexpectedly.

Evelyn looked up at his sudden entrance. A shy smile played on her lips, her expressive eyes dancing with unspoken emotions. "I was expecting Sebastian, but it's just you, Mr. Blackwood," she murmured softly.

The rapid beating of Alexander's heart stuttered to a halt. His lips curved into a practiced smile even as his eyes narrowed. "Were you waiting for my uncle?"

"Sebastian and I were supposed to arrive together," Evelyn explained calmly, "but he got called away unexpectedly. Since we need to speak with you anyway, this saves us another trip."

Alexander moved closer, his intense gaze locking onto hers. "What exactly do you need to discuss?"

Her eyes met his without flinching. "Our marriage."

Those two simple words struck Alexander like physical blows. The air seemed to leave his lungs as an inexplicable weight settled over him.

"You'll give us your blessing, won't you, Mr. Blackwood? After all, he is your uncle." Evelyn's smile widened as she watched his expression turn icy.

"Do you truly believe you'll find happiness marrying a man you don't love?"

Evelyn's eyes widened momentarily before her composed mask slipped back into place. "Do you think I'd find happiness marrying someone I love deeply, Mr. Blackwood?" she countered.

Noticing the shadow crossing his features, she continued, "From what I understand, your late wife Evelyn loved you desperately. What did that earn her? She loved the wrong man. Not only did she never receive your affection, she lost her life because of it."

Evelyn enunciated each word with precision, watching the subtle shifts in Alexander's expression. "The cruelest part? Everyone celebrated when she died. They thought the world was better off without her."

A bitter laugh escaped her lips. "So tell me, Mr. Blackwood, does loving someone guarantee happiness?"

Alexander stared at her, momentarily speechless. The question that had seemed so reasonable moments ago now tasted like ash in his mouth.

He remembered Evelyn's final moments - the desperate gasps for air, the way her fragile body had convulsed. The realization hit him like a physical blow.

No.

She hadn't been happy.

Meeting him had been the greatest tragedy of her life.

"If love brings nothing but pain," Evelyn's voice pulled him from his thoughts, "then I'd rather be the one who's loved than the one doing the loving."

The words settled between them like a death sentence. Alexander felt an invisible blade twist in his chest, the pain radiating outward despite the absence of blood.

"Sebastian."

Evelyn's sudden greeting made Alexander turn sharply. His uncle stood in the doorway, watching them with an unreadable expression.