Chapter 85
The moment Evelyn saw Alexander and Victoria walking in together, her hands clenched into fists. A dangerous glint flashed in her eyes, but she could do nothing about it.
Then she spotted Sebastian.
Her breath caught in her throat.
That man was Alexander’s uncle.
Unease twisted inside her. She hadn’t expected the man who had defended her that day to be Alexander’s own family.
Worse—he had sent her a lawyer’s letter threatening to sue.
She swallowed hard, forcing herself to stand still, pretending nothing was wrong.
Sebastian noticed her too. His gaze flickered over her before he calmly looked away.
Alexander pulled Evelyn down beside him, while Victoria took the seat on his other side. The moment she sat, she began pouring his wine and serving him food like the perfect doting wife.
Evelyn’s appetite vanished. The table was laden with dishes, but her stomach couldn’t handle anything heavy.
“Try this,” Alexander suddenly said, scooping a spoonful of spicy curry into her bowl. “My mother’s specialty. You’ve never had it before.”
She knew this was just another act—another way to control her. But her body couldn’t take the spice, and she hated curry.
“Thank you, darling,” she said softly, “but I don’t like this.”
His expression darkened.
“Evelyn,” Victoria chimed in sweetly, “Mrs. Blackwood made this dish specially. You can’t refuse. Besides, I know you love curry. Why lie?”
Evelyn nearly scoffed. Since when did she like curry?
Across the table, Mrs. Blackwood’s face twisted in displeasure. “Eat it or don’t. I don’t care.”
“Evelyn.” Alexander’s voice was sharp. “Are you eating or not?”
He was forcing her.
Victoria smirked behind her wineglass.
Evelyn’s fingers tightened around her spoon. She didn’t know how to escape this.
She couldn’t eat it.
“Evelyn’s been working hard and barely ate lunch,” Sebastian interjected smoothly. “Spicy food will upset her stomach. Something mild would be better.”
He reached over and placed a serving of steamed vegetables on her plate. “Try this instead.”
Evelyn blinked in surprise. “Thank you, Uncle.”
Alexander’s jaw clenched.
His uncle had chosen to sit beside Evelyn. Now he was serving her food.
A storm brewed in Alexander’s eyes.
“Uncle,” he said coldly, “do you think it’s appropriate to serve my wife?”
His gaze locked onto Evelyn, dark and threatening. “You know what you should be eating.”
A dull ache pulsed in her temples. Since when did she lose the right to choose her own food?
Not wanting to drag Sebastian into this, she forced herself to take a bite of the curry.
Fire exploded in her mouth, burning down her throat. Her stomach twisted violently.
She swallowed, but the heat only spread, churning inside her.
Victoria, ever the instigator, scooped more onto her plate. “Eat it while it’s hot, Evelyn. The flavor’s best when it’s fresh.”
Cold sweat beaded on Evelyn’s forehead. Her stomach cramped.
“Why aren’t you eating?” Alexander demanded.
“She can’t handle the spice,” Sebastian said, noticing her discomfort.
Alexander laughed, sharp and mocking. “Can’t handle it? You devoured those tacos with Nathaniel last time. You seemed fine then.”
The memory stung.
Evelyn picked up the bowl, her fingers trembling.
She took a sip.
Then her stomach rebelled.
Heat surged up her throat—
And she coughed violently, blood splattering onto the table along with the curry.