Chapter 66
Dominic's words still hung in the air when Evelyn's blouse tore apart with a sickening rip.
Pain radiated through her battered body, sapping what little strength remained. Just as she thought Dominic would succeed in his vile intentions, the door exploded inward with a thunderous crash.
The hinges gave way completely as the heavy wooden door collapsed onto the concrete floor.
Evelyn turned her head weakly, her vision swimming until it focused on Alexander's face - breathtakingly handsome yet terrifying as the devil himself.
When their eyes met, the sheer malice in his gaze sent ice through her veins.
Alexander crossed the room in three strides, yanking Dominic off Evelyn with enough force to send him sprawling.
"You dare lay hands on my son? Have you lost your will to live?"
His fist connected with Dominic's jaw with a sickening crack. A tooth went flying as blood sprayed from the man's mouth. A brutal kick sent Dominic crashing into the wall, where he crumpled, unable to rise.
Evelyn lay trembling on the cold floor, desperately trying to cover herself with the tattered remains of her clothing.
Alexander looked down at her with undisguised revulsion. "Evelyn, you've sunk lower than I ever imagined possible."
His disgusted sneer burned into her memory as he turned toward the back room.
Moments later, he emerged carrying a sleeping Ethan.
Seeing the boy unharmed, Evelyn exhaled in relief - until Alexander's murderous glare returned to her. Her stomach twisted with fresh dread.
"Alexander, please," she begged, voice raw with desperation. "I had nothing to do with this-"
A cold, mocking laugh cut her off. "Do you take me for a fool, Evelyn? You deserve worse than death."
With that, he turned away, cradling Ethan protectively.
Evelyn forced herself upright despite her body's protests. She stumbled after them into the pouring rain.
The icy droplets stung her wounds as she reached the car window.
"Alexander, this was Victoria and Dominic's scheme! They've known each other for years! They were lovers - Victoria had two abortions because of him! I'm telling the truth! They're framing me!"
Her bloody fingers left streaks on the glass as she pleaded. The pallor of her face made her swollen eyes appear even more crimson.
She needed just one sign - the smallest flicker of belief in his eyes.
But Alexander didn't even grant her that. His sidelong glance held only contempt.
"What did Victoria ever do to deserve a sister like you?"
His words dripped with unwavering loyalty to Victoria and utter disdain for Evelyn.
"If not for her mercy, you'd have been dead long ago. A wretch like you shouldn't even draw breath."
Each syllable pierced her heart like shards of glass.
Her grip on the window frame slackened.
"Alexander," she sobbed, voice breaking, "am I truly so worthless in your eyes? Then why did you make me those promises all those years ago?"
Alexander's brow furrowed in genuine confusion before his lips curled in derision. "Seek psychiatric help, Evelyn. There is no 'back then' between us. I've only ever made promises to one woman - Victoria Lancaster."
The window rolled up, cutting off her final plea.
His chiseled profile blurred behind the rain-streaked glass as the car pulled away.
Evelyn collapsed into the mud like discarded trash, letting the storm rage over her broken form.
No physical wound could compare to the agony of his final words.
Every cherished memory - his whispered promises, their hands entwined on moonlit beaches - turned to ash in that moment, leaving only bitter emptiness.