Chapter 53

His deep baritone voice echoed in Evelyn's ears, making her pulse quicken. But she refused to let herself fall into those naive fantasies again. The love she once felt for Alexander had long been consumed by bitter hatred.

Evelyn never expected Henry Blackwood to welcome her so warmly despite her prison sentence. The elderly patriarch encouraged her to start anew and rebuild her life with Alexander.

This surprised Evelyn deeply. Given his traditional values, she'd anticipated disgust or rejection. Instead, she found unexpected kindness that reminded her of her late grandfather.

Dinner at Blackwood Estate was tense. While Henry treated her with respect, everyone else - especially Margaret Blackwood - made their disdain obvious.

Once Henry retired, Margaret's mask slipped. "If you had any decency," she sneered, "you'd file for divorce and stop interfering with Alexander and Victoria's wedding plans."

Her contempt was palpable. "After what you did to Victoria's child, you should be begging to leave this family."

Evelyn finally understood their game. She glanced at Alexander, who remained silent. Clearly, they wanted her to initiate the divorce to avoid Henry's disapproval.

The timing couldn't have been more perfect when Victoria arrived, leading a rosy-cheeked little boy by the hand. The sight stabbed at Evelyn's heart, reminding her of the daughter she'd lost.

If only fate had been fair, her child would be about the same age now.

Victoria's triumphant smirk made Evelyn's blood boil. "Why should I be the one to file for divorce?" she challenged.

The question wiped the smug expression off Victoria's face. Alexander merely watched with quiet amusement, his gaze making Evelyn's skin prickle.

"Alexander," she said pointedly, "I won't divorce you. After all the effort I put into getting into your bed, that would be such a waste."

Her crude words had the intended effect - Victoria flinched while Margaret gasped in outrage.

"Evelyn! Have you no shame?" Margaret snapped.

Unfazed, Evelyn watched Victoria's eyes darken with barely contained fury.

"I'm so sorry," Victoria simpered, playing the victim. "This is all my fault. You and Alexander are legally married, after all. I'm the intruder here."

"If you know you're the other woman," Evelyn shot back, "why don't you leave? Are you proud of being a homewrecker?"

Victoria's facade cracked. After a dramatic pause, she fled in fake tears, the child toddling after her.

Evelyn was sick of the theatrics, though they clearly worked on the Blackwoods.

Alexander gave her an unreadable look before following Victoria. Margaret stormed off muttering curses.

As Evelyn left, she encountered Victoria's son again. The boy's cherubic face was a cruel reminder of what she'd lost. Why did this child get to live while hers had perished?

The injustice burned through her veins. Clenching her fists, Evelyn approached the unsuspecting child, her heart pounding with a dangerous mix of grief and rage.