Chapter 301

A sardonic smile played on Evelyn's lips, her eyes glinting with irony.

"How can you still say such things, Alexander Blackwood?"

"Whether as my past self or who I am now, what did I ever do to deserve Victoria's cruelty?"

"In your eyes, is everything she does justified?"

Evelyn's fingers tightened around her wineglass stem while Alexander remained lost in thought.

After a long pause, he lifted his intense gaze to meet hers.

"I owe her," he finally admitted.

Evelyn's brow furrowed. "What could you possibly owe her?"

Alexander's eyes drifted from Evelyn's luminous gaze to the distant horizon over the sea.

"I failed to keep my promise to her. This is my way of making amends."

A bitter chuckle escaped Evelyn's throat.

'So you couldn't fulfill your vow to Victoria, and now you're compensating her?'

'But Alexander, when have you ever kept your promises to me? When did you ever try to make things right?'

'You dismissed my memories of our childhood meeting and trampled every pledge you ever made to me.'

"I'm afraid I can't accommodate your request." Evelyn's smile didn't reach her eyes as she stared ahead. "Everyone must face the consequences of their actions."

"You wanted to thank me for saving you the other day," Alexander countered swiftly. "Consider this your gratitude—drop the charges."

Evelyn's eyes widened momentarily before a cold, mocking laugh bubbled up. She studied the handsome features before her.

'Oh, Evelyn Sinclair.'

'Is this really the man you pined for all these years? This man who can't even distinguish right from wrong?'

"Very well." Evelyn set down her glass with deliberate slowness, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "You must love Victoria Lancaster desperately to go to such lengths. Why don't you stop pretending and just marry her already? You two are truly... 'meant to be.'"

She emphasized the last words with heavy irony.

Turning on her heel, Evelyn moved to leave, only for Alexander to seize her wrist.

"I won't let your sacrifice be in vain." His warm breath brushed her ear. "Name anything, Vivian, and I'll do it—no questions asked."

"You're really going all out for Victoria." Evelyn's lips curled in derision. "Remember those words, Alexander. You'll regret them soon enough."

Regret.

That word again.

Alexander's heart clenched as he studied her striking features, his gaze unreadable.

He refused to make choices he'd later regret.

The night deepened, and the wine disappeared—mostly consumed by Alexander.

As far as Evelyn was concerned, he'd summoned her just to drown his sorrows over Victoria.

What was so special about that woman that Alexander felt compelled to protect her?

He'd claimed he would end their engagement. Yet every action since had been for Victoria's benefit.

The absurdity wasn't lost on Evelyn.

If this was true love, then love was utterly ridiculous.

Checking her watch, Evelyn noted the late hour. Her phone buzzed from inside the car, but as she reached for the door, Alexander suddenly pushed her inside.

Evelyn scowled, irritation coloring her tone. "Alexander, what—"

Her protest died as she turned to find his face mere inches from hers, his dark eyes clouded with alcohol. He was clearly intoxicated.

Trapped between his body and the car, Evelyn found no escape from his proximity.