Chapter 334

"Go ahead."

"Honor your promise to me. Make me your wife," Victoria demanded without hesitation.

Alexander's face darkened instantly. His stormy eyes bore into hers, swirling with unreadable emotions.

"Alexander, you know how deeply I love you. I'm obsessed with you. My life means nothing without you. From the moment we first met, I knew I wanted to spend eternity with you."

Victoria gazed at him with desperate longing.

"You're my only reason to keep breathing. If I can't have you, I'd rather die. If you break your promise, I'll take Ethan with me when I go. And you'll never find Evelyn's ashes."

Alexander let out a dark chuckle. "Is this a threat?"

Victoria shook her head, her eyes glistening with tears. "I would never threaten you. I just want to be with the man I love. Even if it means becoming the villain in your story."

His expression turned glacial. "You'll get what you want."

Victoria's eyes widened in shock. "Alexander... you're really agreeing to marry me?"

He roughly pulled his hand away. "Return Evelyn's ashes before I change my mind."

Her momentary joy shattered.

She laughed bitterly, lowering her empty hands.

After all these years of waiting, he was only agreeing because of Evelyn - now reduced to mere ashes.

Victoria's laugh turned self-deprecating. "Alexander, hate me all you want. But you won't get Evelyn's ashes until after our wedding."

His piercing glare could have frozen hell itself.

She trembled under his gaze but met his eyes with tragic determination. "I love you, Alexander. Even if you already regret this decision..."

With a murderous glare, Alexander stormed out, the door slamming behind him. His imposing figure disappeared like a phantom in the night.

The tires screeched as he accelerated through the empty streets. His destination: Evelyn's old apartment.

Though her presence had long faded from the space, he still traced every inch like a pilgrim at a shrine. Maybe, just maybe, he could still catch her lingering warmth.

He flipped through Evelyn's diary, his heart clenching at the love pouring from every word. The brief joy turned to anguish as tears blurred his vision.

The city lights twinkled mockingly outside the window, their cheerfulness only making his heart grow colder.

Evelyn stood by the floor-to-ceiling windows, unable to shake the memory of Alexander's bizarre morning visit.

She hadn't investigated who lay in that grave. Nor could she decipher the meaning behind those roses.

Her phone vibrated abruptly.

Alexander's name flashed on the screen.

After a hesitant moment, she answered. Before she could speak, his drunken voice slurred, "Evelyn..."

Her grip tightened on the phone, her pulse quickening.

"Where are you? Where did she hide you..." His words slurred together.

Evelyn steadied her breathing. "Alexander, are you drunk? Where are you?"

Silence answered her.

She stared at the screen, perplexed. Was he truly intoxicated?

No.

Even drunk, he wouldn't call her name.

She didn't exist in his dreams anymore.

Ending the call, she contacted Sebastian, who was still out, to track Alexander's location.

The address that appeared moments later made her blood run cold.

That place.

It couldn't be.

She rushed out, her heart pounding. Standing before the familiar door, her hand shook as she reached for the handle. With a deep breath, she pushed it open.