Chapter 99

Alexander's brows furrowed as every word from Evelyn's lips struck him like a blade. His heartbeat stuttered, erratic and uncontrolled.

"Alexander, if you don't kill me today, I swear I will make you pay for my child's life."

Her gaze, clear and unyielding, held the same resolve as before.

A cold smirk curled his lips. "I'll be waiting."

With that, he rose and walked away without another glance.

As his retreating figure vanished from sight, Evelyn felt the last of her strength drain away. She slumped against her grandfather's urn, her body numb, her heart hollow.

Tears spilled over, but she barely registered them. The pain had long since dulled her senses.

But fate wasn't done with her yet.

Victoria appeared, a glint of malice in her eyes as she crouched beside Evelyn. A fruit knife glinted in her hand.

She yanked Evelyn's short hair, forcing her head back. "Tsk, tsk. I warned you not to cross me. Are you scared now?"

Evelyn's lips curled into a bitter smile. "Victoria, you venomous snake. If you have the guts, just kill me."

Victoria's laughter was sharp, mocking. "Oh, but death would be too kind. Alexander said you ruined his precious son's face. I think it's only fair I return the favor—doubled."

A searing pain sliced across Evelyn's cheek.

Her body trembled violently, but she refused to make a sound. She clenched her teeth, enduring the agony in silence.

Clang!

Victoria tossed the knife onto the floor in front of Evelyn, then delivered a brutal kick to her ribs.

"Disgusting wretch. You should've died long ago."

With that, she turned on her heel and left.

Evelyn dragged herself upright, her fingers trembling as they brushed the fresh wound on her cheek. The pain was distant, as if it belonged to someone else.

Blood dripped between her fingers, staining the snow beneath her crimson.

At her last gasp, she collapsed against her grandfather's ashes. Snowflakes drifted down, each one a fleeting memory of happier times—times with Alexander.

But like the snowflakes melting in her palm, those moments were gone, leaving only unbearable agony behind.

Evelyn lay unconscious for three days.

When she finally stirred, the first face she saw was Olivia's.

Olivia's eyes were red-rimmed, her expression shattered. She didn't know the full extent of what Evelyn had endured, but the bruises and wounds told enough of the story.

Yet Evelyn only smiled weakly. "Olivia, don't cry for me. If there's a next life, let's be sisters again."

Olivia sobbed, pulling Evelyn into a desperate embrace. "I don't want the next life. I want this one—I want you to live!"

Evelyn's lips parted, her voice barely a whisper. "This life... is already too long."

Her tears had long since dried.

There was nothing left.

After a few days of rest, Evelyn returned to work, the wound on her cheek no longer bandaged but still raw and angry.

Her short hair made it impossible to hide the scar.

Whispers followed her wherever she went.

Two colleagues approached under the guise of concern, but their eyes gleamed with morbid curiosity.

A video of Evelyn attacking Victoria in the hospital had gone viral. The narrative had twisted—now, people believed she'd gotten what she deserved for bullying Victoria.

The stares grew heavier, the questions more pointed.

Only Catherine spoke up, her voice sharp with indignation. "Those videos are fake. Evelyn's scar isn't from some petty revenge. Right, Evelyn?"

But even Catherine's words were laced with curiosity.

Evelyn met their gazes, her smile serene. "That's right. I hit Victoria because she deserved it. And if I could, I'd do far worse."