Chapter 335
The moment Evelyn pushed open the door, the pungent scent of alcohol assaulted her senses.
Three years.
It had been three long years since she last stepped foot in this place.
What shocked her even more was that everything remained unchanged—the decor, the furniture, even the faint scent of cedarwood lingering in the air.
It was as if time had frozen.
Her pulse quickened as she took slow, deliberate steps forward. The apartment wasn’t large, and within seconds, her gaze landed on him.
Alexander was slumped against the sofa, his long legs stretched out on the floor. His eyes were closed, his dark lashes casting shadows over his flushed cheeks.
His white shirt was unbuttoned at the collar, revealing the sharp line of his collarbone.
His lips, usually so composed, were slightly parted, glistening with traces of wine. Two empty bottles sat on the coffee table in front of him.
Evelyn arched a brow.
What the hell are you doing, Alexander?
Drowning your sorrows in alcohol?
She approached cautiously. "Alexander."
Her voice was soft, barely above a whisper.
His eyelids fluttered open at the sound of her voice.
For a moment, his gaze was unfocused, clouded by intoxication. Then, as if struck by lightning, his eyes cleared—sharp, intense, burning with recognition.
In one swift motion, he surged forward and yanked her into his arms.
Evelyn gasped as she collided against his chest. His body was scorching, the heat of his skin searing through the thin fabric of her dress.
She tried to pull away, but his grip only tightened, his arms like steel bands around her.
"You're back," he murmured against her ear, his voice rough with emotion. His lips brushed her skin as he spoke. "You're finally back."
His breath was warm, laced with the scent of wine.
"Don't leave me again," he pleaded, his voice breaking. "Please."
Evelyn stiffened.
He was mistaking her for someone else—Victoria, perhaps, or that woman he had been so eager to give roses to.
"I'm sorry," he whispered, his fingers tangling in her hair. "It's all my fault. Just... give me another chance. Let me love you properly this time."
His words sent an unexpected pang through her chest.
Then, just as she was about to shove him away, he spoke again.
"I love you."
Three simple words.
Three words that shattered something inside her.
Her breath hitched.
Tears pricked at the corners of her eyes, but she refused to let them fall.
She remembered another time, in this very room, when he had pinned her to the floor, his voice dripping with disdain.
"Did you really think I could ever love you?"
"You were nothing more than a pawn, Evelyn. Nothing."
Her fingers curled into fists.
With a sharp push, she broke free from his embrace.
Alexander collapsed back onto the floor, his body limp with exhaustion—or perhaps surrender.
She stared down at him, her chest heaving with suppressed fury.
Then, just as she turned to leave, something caught her eye.
A small, glimmering object lay beside his outstretched hand.