Chapter 45

Tears blurred Evelyn's vision.

She couldn't believe Alexander could be so heartless.

That child had been full of life. Could he truly have done something so monstrous?

Victoria yanked Evelyn's short hair with vicious force, her nails digging into her scalp. Staring down at Evelyn's bare, still-beautiful face, jealousy twisted Victoria's features. "Look at you, Evelyn. Pathetic. I'm the one who's Miss Montgomery now. Soon, I'll be Mrs. Blackwood. What can you possibly do against me?"

With a cruel smirk, she kicked Evelyn, who was too weak to fight back. "You wanted your child back, didn't you?"

Evelyn's breath hitched. Through her tear-filled gaze, she saw Victoria holding a small glass jar—no bigger than her fist—filled with a fine white powder.

"Here's your child."

What?

The words struck Evelyn like a blade. Her blood turned to ice. Her flesh seemed to wither away, leaving only hollow bones behind.

Darkness threatened to swallow her vision, but Victoria's mocking voice cut through the haze. "Such a shame. A newborn, plump and perfect—flesh and blood one moment, nothing but ashes the next."

She tilted the jar, letting the powder shift inside. "Alexander said the bastard deserved it. After all, you kept upsetting me."

A cruel laugh escaped her lips. "Oh, did you know? It was a girl. But Alexander didn’t even glance at her before ordering her disposal."

Her fingers loosened. "Since you want her so badly… here."

The jar shattered against the floor.

Ashes scattered across the tiles, some landing on Evelyn's face, her trembling hands.

Her scream tore through the room—raw, guttural, filled with agony. Blood stained her teeth from the beating, her body battered, her soul shattered.

Alexander reached the door just as that harrowing cry pierced the air.

His chest tightened inexplicably.

Inside, a woman knelt on the ground, desperately clawing at the powdery remains, her movements frantic, unhinged.

When she lifted her head, his breath caught.

Evelyn.

Bruised. Bloodied. But her eyes—those clear, defiant eyes—locked onto his with unbearable accusation.

Before he could react, she lunged at him, her ash-covered hands gripping his collar. "Alexander! How could you? She was ours! How could you be so cruel?"

He stared at her, stunned. His voice came out cold, detached. "What child? Evelyn, have you lost your mind?"

Victoria stepped forward, feigning distress. "Alexander, I didn’t mean to hurt her like this. But when I think of our lost child… I just—I couldn’t control myself."

Alexander's gaze flickered between them.

Evelyn's grip tightened, her voice breaking. "Liar! She was alive! You killed her!"

Victoria's lips curled in triumph.

And Alexander—for the first time—hesitated.