Chapter 492

The moonlight cast long shadows as their gazes collided in the darkness. Evelyn's frosty stare cut through the night as she parted her rose-colored lips. "The deaf heard the mute say that the blind saw love."

Alexander's bloodshot eyes widened at her words.

"Perhaps because you never meant what you said, Alexander," she continued, her voice dripping with ice. "That's why you treat promises like pranks and declarations of love as jokes. But I remember every word."

A bitter pause stretched between them, the mockery in her eyes intensifying.

"You told me Victoria holds an irreplaceable place in your heart," she recited, each syllable sharp as a blade. "That the moment you saw her, you knew she'd be the only woman you'd ever love and protect."

Repeating his own words back to him, Evelyn's smile twisted with contempt.

"You swore Victoria was your one and only, yet now you claim it's always been me?" A cold laugh escaped her. "If this is your version of love, Alexander, I want no part of it."

Without waiting for a response, she spun on her heel and disappeared into the night.

Left standing alone, Alexander's lips curled into a self-loathing smirk as he watched her retreat.

The past was an inescapable prison.

How could he possibly explain that his indulgence of Victoria's whims stemmed from childhood debts he could never repay?

Snow began its silent descent from the inky sky.

Though the flakes fell without sound, Alexander heard something vital shatter within him.

The night stretched endlessly before him.

Sleep refused to come as he kept vigil by Ethan's bedside.

Guilt gnawed at him as he studied the familiar features on the sleeping child's face - features that mirrored his own.

Each thought of Evelyn's struggles during her pregnancy with Ethan pierced his heart like shards of glass.

Dawn finally broke, bringing sounds of movement from downstairs.

Alexander's pulse quickened - Evelyn had returned.

Descending the stairs, he found her exactly where he'd hoped: moving gracefully through the kitchen.

The weight on his shoulders lightened slightly, but he dared not interrupt. She was here for Ethan, not him.

Determined not to provoke her further, Alexander waited until Ethan woke before helping the boy dress. Hand in hand, they went downstairs.

Spotting them, Evelyn ignored Alexander completely, her face softening as she smiled at Ethan. "I made your favorite breakfast, sweetheart. Shall I take you to school after?"

Ethan's hopeful eyes darted between them. "Can you both take me today?"

"Of course," Alexander answered quickly, relieved when Evelyn didn't object.

After breakfast, they drove to the elementary school together.

Upon arrival, Ethan proudly tugged his teacher's sleeve, pointing excitedly. "Miss Carter, these are my parents! Isn't my mom the prettiest?"

His classmates murmured in agreement. "Ethan's mom is so beautiful!"

"His dad looks like a prince!"

Ethan beamed with pride, his joy warming Evelyn's heart.

Her son would never again be the withdrawn child he once was.

As Ethan disappeared inside, Evelyn turned to leave - only to find Alexander following. "Where are you going? Let me drive you."

A sleek car pulled up just then.

Sebastian emerged, barely glancing at Alexander before opening the passenger door for Evelyn.

Seeing her move toward the vehicle, Alexander reacted instantly. His arm snaked around her waist, pulling her firmly against him. "She's not going anywhere with you. My wife rides with me."