Chapter 281

"Pfft." Evelyn couldn't contain her bitter laughter. "The woman you love most is your ex-wife Evelyn? Mr. Blackwood, this joke isn't remotely amusing."

Her laughter rang hollow, masking the sharp ache piercing her heart.

That old wound still bled, refusing to heal no matter how much time passed. The memories surfaced - nothing but blood and tears.

And what had he claimed back then? That he loved her?

If love's opposite was hate, then yes, he'd certainly 'loved' her. Loved her straight into the grave!

Alexander's lips curved into a humorless smile at her mocking expression. "You're right. Just a joke."

He laughed at himself, but the pain cut deeper than any blade.

Pathetic. So pathetic he could barely believe it himself.

Yet the truth remained undeniable.

"Joke's over. I'm leaving," Evelyn stated coldly, wrenching her hand from his grasp without hesitation.

But as she turned, Alexander blocked her path.

"Anything else to say, Mr. Blackwood?" Her voice remained carefully neutral.

"I told you to use my name when we meet." His gaze burned into her. "Think carefully about my proposal when you get home."

Their marriage. Again.

This man confused her more by the minute. "Alexander, why would I marry you? Won't seeing my face remind you of the ex-wife you despised? Won't it disgust you? Or are you just a masochist?"

His eyebrow arched slightly. "Assume I am then," he countered, opening the passenger door.

"It's too isolated here. I'll drive you home."

Evelyn studied his unreadable expression before sliding into the car silently.

Returning to her empty apartment, she searched online for their wedding photo from six years ago.

Staring at their younger selves, her mind drifted. Her calm heartbeat stuttered inexplicably.

The memories felt painfully fresh.

There he stood - arrogant yet elegant in his tailored suit, peerless as always.

She'd held his hand walking into the church, beaming with joy.

That smile never graced her face again after that day.

Six years. Six years of nothing but escalating pain after their marriage.

And now this?

That she was the woman he loved most?

"Hmph." Evelyn scoffed, her chest tightening.

'Alexander, it was bad enough you couldn't love me when I lived. Now you mock my memory with these jokes.

'The woman you've always loved is that two-faced witch Victoria!

'Even knowing every horrible thing she did to me, you merely canceled your engagement. Do you think that makes up for your cruelty?

No.

'The suffering you and Victoria endure now is nowhere near enough!'

The kindergarten stood bathed in dusk's glow when Evelyn arrived.

After collecting Amelia, her eyes instinctively searched the playground for Ethan among the scattering children. But he was nowhere in sight.

Her shoulders slumped slightly as she turned to leave - only to freeze at the sight of Eleanor Kingsley emerging with Ethan.

Their eyes met. Fury twisted Eleanor's elegant features.