Chapter 463

Eleanor Kingsley was already sobbing uncontrollably after Evelyn spoke. William Montgomery could no longer hold back his tears either.

They remembered the day they visited Evelyn in the prison visitation room after Sophia's murder.

Evelyn's face had been ghostly pale, her eyes hollow. That haunting image kept replaying in their minds, along with the cruel way they had treated her.

They had hurled insults and accusations at Evelyn, all to protect Victoria. William had even struck Evelyn so hard that she collapsed to the floor, weak and broken.

Now, the memory tore through their hearts like shards of glass.

The weight of their remorse was unbearable.

Eleanor and William couldn't fathom how Evelyn had remained so composed in that moment.

Yet here she stood, just as strong as ever. A faint smile touched her lips as she recalled her painful past.

"It's all behind me now," she said softly, though disappointment flickered in her eyes.

"I don't blame you for falling for Victoria's carefully crafted lies. What hurts is that my own parents couldn't see the truth. Even after learning the depths of her cruelty, you still chose her side."

"Evelyn—"

"When that pendant fell from me, I stole Mrs. Kingsley's toothbrush from the hospital to test our DNA. I knew there was something unusual between us, but you were so convinced I had stolen Victoria's pendant. Maybe it was fate. We were meant to meet, but never meant to be family."

Her gaze swept over Eleanor before settling on William, whose regret was palpable.

"Even though I never got to know a parent's love, I still thank you for bringing me into this world. The one thing I wanted most was a family. The person I loved most was never truly mine. I won't beg for what wasn't meant to be."

Without another word, Evelyn turned and walked away.

"Evelyn! Evelyn!" Eleanor wailed, stumbling after her with William close behind. But Evelyn didn't stop.

From behind, she looked untouchable. Free.

Yet tears blurred Evelyn's vision, though neither Eleanor nor William could see them.

The dim glow of streetlights cast long shadows as she walked, her steps steady despite the ache in her chest.

Eleanor rushed outside just in time to see Evelyn's car disappear into the night.

Overcome, Eleanor collapsed onto the icy pavement, her cries raw with grief. "Evelyn, my daughter—I'm sorry! Please, forgive me!"

William dropped to one knee beside her, pulling Eleanor into his arms as she wept.

Snow began to fall, delicate flakes swirling around them. The cold seeped into their bones, but it was nothing compared to the agony in their hearts.

—

Evelyn's phone buzzed on the drive home.

She glanced at the screen. Alexander Blackwood.

She ignored it. Without hesitation, she blocked his number.

Back at her apartment, she showered and slipped into bed, exhaustion pulling her under.

The next morning, Sebastian Whitman called.

Evelyn dressed quickly and headed to Blackwood Enterprises.

When she arrived, Sebastian greeted her with a rare smile, his dark eyes warm like polished onyx.

She returned the smile before leading him to the office that had once belonged to Alexander.

Sebastian gazed out the floor-to-ceiling windows, watching snowflakes dance between skyscrapers before settling over the city below.

A smirk tugged at his lips. "This position was never Alexander's to begin with."

His voice carried quiet resentment, his eyes flashing with something darker.