Chapter 391
The man standing before her radiated an icy detachment, his sculpted features giving nothing away as his piercing gaze locked onto hers.
Autumn winds howled through the cemetery, their chilly fingers brushing against visitors' faces with ghostly caresses.
Evelyn offered a composed smile to the unexpected visitor. "What brings you here, Alexander?" Her voice carried just the right mix of casualness and surprise, carefully masking the tension coiling in her stomach.
Alexander moved closer, his attention shifting to the weathered tombstone. "I could ask you the same question. Who rests here? This is your first time in Willowbrook, isn't it? I wasn't aware you had any connections buried in this city."
Feigning shock, Evelyn countered, "Don't tell me you don't recognize this, Alexander? Evelyn Sinclair was technically your ex-wife. Surely you remember her grandfather?"
"My ex-wife's grandfather?" His eyes dropped to the engraved name, where 'Grandfather of Evelyn Sinclair' was clearly visible in the corner.
"Why would you suddenly visit and pay respects to my former wife's relative?"
"Call it compassion," Evelyn responded without hesitation, her gaze lingering on the fresh flowers she'd placed. "Lately, I've found myself thinking about Evelyn Sinclair often. The man she loved with all her heart never returned her affection. She died branded as a disgrace, with even your family believing death was too kind a punishment—"
She punctuated her words with a practiced smile before kneeling to light the memorial candle.
"Perhaps because we look so alike, and now that I've fallen for the same man she adored, I can't help but empathize with her tragic story. I had someone research her background. When I learned about her grandfather's resting place, I thought someone should honor her memory."
Her explanation held no apparent flaws.
Alexander stood frozen beside her. The flickering candlelight seemed to ignite something deep within his dark, fathomless eyes.
"Oh, were you here to leave roses for someone too, Alexander?" Evelyn rose gracefully, brushing imaginary dust from his shirt collar with familiar ease.
"This wind is giving me a headache. Shall we head back?"
Meeting Evelyn's crescent-eyed smile, Alexander gave a silent nod.
As they walked away, Evelyn studied his impassive profile. Not a single emotion had broken through his carefully constructed mask.
Had he bought her story?
Most likely.
If he suspected anything, surely he wouldn't remain so composed—not with how intensely he'd once despised her.
...
Days later, headlines about Victoria's conviction dominated every newspaper.
Following close behind was the shocking revelation about Victoria stealing the Montgomery heiress's identity. Public outrage swelled—sympathy for the Montgomery family mingled with heartbreak for young Ethan.
Such a bright, courageous child deserved better than a monster for a mother.
While scanning the news, Evelyn's attention snagged on the Montgomery family's social media post about their ongoing search for their lost daughter.
The description mentioned a distinctive butterfly-shaped birthmark on the missing woman's waist.
Evelyn immediately worked to suppress the story's visibility.
Alexander couldn't see this—not now.
The post reinforced her determination to accelerate her plans for vengeance.
Right on cue, Alexander arrived with news—he'd set a date to introduce her to his parents.
On the appointed evening, Evelyn dressed meticulously. As the sun dipped below the horizon, she entered Blackwood Estate on Alexander's arm, her fingers lightly resting in the crook of his elbow.
How different from her first unwilling arrival at this very place.