Chapter 306

Sebastian turned slowly, the golden hues of dusk accentuating the sharp contours of his face. Concern softened his aristocratic features as he studied Vivian's determined expression.

"Just one question, Vivian." His voice carried the gentle warmth of a summer breeze, though his piercing gaze held something fiercer. "Are you absolutely certain about this path? You barely escaped that monster's grasp. Do you truly wish to chain yourself to him again?"

Evelyn hesitated momentarily before cold resolve hardened her delicate features. "The pain and humiliation I endured mean nothing compared to what they did to my child's ashes. That is a debt that must be repaid in blood."

Her fists clenched so tightly her nails left crescent marks in her palms. The fire of vengeance burned bright in her eyes - the sole purpose that had sustained her through rebirth.

Sebastian didn't argue further, recognizing the unshakable conviction in her stance. Instead, he lifted her hand, pressing a chaste kiss to her knuckles. "Promise me you'll protect yourself. If anything goes wrong, come to me immediately."

The ice in Evelyn's eyes thawed slightly under his tenderness. A fragile smile touched her lips as she met his shimmering gaze. "Thank you, Sebastian. When this is over, Amelia and I will return with you to France. We'll build a simple, happy life together."

"Very well." His lips curved in a faint smile as he drew her into an embrace. But hidden in the shadows of his affectionate gesture, darker intentions lurked.

Meanwhile, Victoria had settled comfortably into Alexander's mansion. Her treatment of Ethan had undergone a complete transformation as she played the doting mother to secure Alexander's proposal. Each morning she rose early to prepare breakfast and personally drove the boy to school.

Yet Ethan remained unresponsive to her saccharine overtures, his silent rejection only fueling her resentment. During their drives, Victoria prattled incessantly while the child remained mute, engrossed in his tablet.

Victoria's smile twisted into a sneer when she glimpsed the strange app on his screen - numbers and coordinates she couldn't comprehend, culminating in a blinking red dot that miraculously coaxed a rare smile from the usually expressionless boy.

As the car halted at the kindergarten gates, Victoria barely had time to feign maternal concern before Ethan bolted from the vehicle. Her eyes narrowed in irritation until she spotted Evelyn waiting at the entrance.

Shock turned to fury when she saw Ethan's face light up at the sight of that woman. Victoria lunged forward to grab him just as a car came careening toward them.

"Ethan!" Evelyn's scream pierced the air as she saw the out-of-control vehicle barreling toward the child. Victoria's first instinct was to shove the boy aside and dive for cover.

Time seemed to freeze as Evelyn sprinted toward danger, her heart pounding against her ribs. The world narrowed to one thought - she couldn't lose him again.