Chapter 448

"Don't touch me," Evelyn sneered, recoiling from Alexander's reach. "Your hands have been all over other women. It makes my skin crawl."

The sharp intake of Alexander's breath was audible.

Her words pierced through him like shards of glass. Who knew a single word—"disgusted"—could carry such devastating weight?

Yet he'd wielded that very word against her countless times before.

When Alexander remained silent, Evelyn drew a steadying breath. Her fiery gaze locked onto his, burning with barely contained fury. "What's wrong? Doesn't feel good when the tables are turned, does it?" Her lips curled into a mirthless smile. "Remember all those lovely names you called me? A shameless whore? A disgrace to the Blackwood name? Or how you said I wasn't fit to be Alexander Blackwood's wife?"

Alexander's brow furrowed as her accusations rained down.

Every cruel word he'd ever spoken to her came rushing back. His sins against her were innumerable.

He said nothing, simply drinking in the sight of her—this phoenix risen from ashes he'd created.

The crimson in his eyes held oceans of remorse, love, and unspoken apologies.

But the Evelyn before him now would never see them.

Only the flames of hatred danced in her striking eyes, making them glow with terrifying intensity.

Evelyn stepped forward, her statuesque frame radiating power despite their height difference.

"Since you're so desperate for proof," she challenged, fingers gripping the collar of her silk blouse. With one sharp motion, she tore it open.

The delicate hollow of her throat came into view, followed by the smooth curve of her shoulder. Alexander's gaze dropped to the distinctive mole gracing her collarbone—that small, familiar mark he'd kissed countless times.

Her grip on the fabric tightened, her smirk growing more venomous.

"Recognize it now, Alexander? Or should I remind you how you used to trace this very spot with your lips?"

A bitter laugh escaped her.

"I'm not Vivian Prescott. Not some ghost from your past. I'm Evelyn Sinclair—the woman you despised, the wife you discarded. And I've come back to collect what you owe me."

Though her words dripped with venom, Alexander felt something fragile bloom in his chest.

After three years of endless winter, spring had finally come.

His throat worked as unshed tears burned behind his eyes. Against all odds, a smile touched his lips.

"I've waited so long to hear you say that," he murmured, voice thick with emotion. "Welcome home, Evelyn."

"So you knew." She adjusted her blouse with deliberate calm. "Good. Then let's skip the pretenses. For Henry and Ethan's sake, I'll leave Blackwood Estate untouched. But everything else that bears your name? Consider it mine now."

Her tone was arctic, her eyes devoid of warmth.

"That marriage certificate with Vivian Prescott? Worthless. The pregnancy rumor? A lie. Nothing happened between us at Pinecrest Heights that night—it was all part of the act."

She paused, the temperature in the room dropping further.

"This is your reckoning, Alexander. You destroyed my life. Now I'll return the favor by stripping away everything that defines yours."