Chapter 333

The moment the words left Victoria's lips, an icy wave of violence crashed over her.

Her body trembled uncontrollably.

Before she could even process what Alexander might do, his fingers closed around her throat like steel.

Air vanished from her lungs.

"Al—Alexander—!"

Her eyes widened in shock, disbelief flooding her as she stared at the man choking her.

How?

How could he do this to her?

For her—for Evelyn Sinclair!

"Do you have any idea what you've done?" His voice was a blade of frost, slicing through the space between them. "Did you think my past indulgence gave you the right to cross this line?"

Victoria clawed at his hand, her vision darkening.

She couldn't breathe.

Couldn't think.

Yet no matter how she struggled, his grip only tightened.

His eyes were black with fury, the devil himself staring back at her.

"Alexander—please—!"

He released her only when her knees buckled.

She collapsed, gasping, greedily gulping air.

It was that name—Evelyn's nickname for him—that had finally made him relent.

Of course.

Even now, it was always about Evelyn.

Tears burned in Victoria's eyes, a toxic mix of fear, jealousy, and hatred.

She hated how Evelyn had stolen Alexander's heart—then and now.

Hated that no matter what she did, Evelyn was the one he truly loved.

"Return her to me," Alexander said, his voice devoid of warmth. "And I might consider letting you walk away."

Victoria coughed, her fingers trembling as she clutched his pant leg.

"Why—why are you doing this?" Her voice cracked, tears spilling. "The woman you love has always been me!"

Alexander's expression darkened. "I won't repeat myself. What I felt for you was never love."

"It was!" she screamed, desperation clawing at her. "Alexander, we can start over! I'll do anything—just forget the past!"

Her nails dug into his arm.

"You hated Evelyn! She was nothing but a scheming, shameless woman who forced her way into your life! How can you possibly love her? It's just pity because she's dead! The one you truly love is me!"

Alexander's jaw clenched.

Every word she spat about Evelyn was gasoline on the fire of his rage.

But he held back.

Barely.

"Give me her ashes. And the ring." His voice was lethally calm. "Or you'll regret it."

Victoria's tears stopped.

Her lips curled into a bitter smile.

"So this is really how it ends?" Her voice shook. "After everything, you feel nothing for me?"

Alexander scoffed. "You're lucky you're still standing here. If not for our past, you'd already be in prison."

Victoria went still.

Numb.

Then, she laughed—a hollow, broken sound.

"Fine. I'll give Evelyn back to you." She lifted her chin. "But I have one condition."

For the briefest moment, as he looked at her, Alexander remembered the girl she used to be.

The one who had once smiled at him with innocent warmth.

Against his will, something in his chest softened.