Chapter 758

Preston's message was crystal clear.

He was willing to endure this injustice. If Evelyn held even the slightest affection for him, his unrequited love wouldn't be in vain.

But Evelyn wasn't like other women.

Even if Preston poured a hundred times more effort into her, she wouldn't necessarily soften. She was urging him to move on, yet he couldn't.

The hospital room was so silent you could hear a pin drop.

Evelyn's chest tightened as if a boulder pressed against her heart. Breathing became an unexpected struggle.

Watching her torn expression as she searched for the right words, Preston suddenly laughed.

He hated putting her in this position.

"How about this?" he offered. "Repay me with one condition."

Evelyn lifted her gaze to meet his.

Preston's lips curved slightly. "Promise me you won't push me out of your life. Don't reject my affection. If you ever feel uncomfortable, tell me. But if you feel even a flicker of something more—you have to tell me that too."

They could try this, whatever the outcome.

Preston would accept it, no matter what.

Evelyn studied him for a long moment before nodding. "Okay."

This time, she wasn't just humoring him.

For the first time, she considered that maybe dating wasn't off the table.

Preston had given her space, no pressure—just an open door.

Evelyn wasn't planning to stay single forever. Was she really supposed to never love anyone but Nathan?

No. She just hadn't met the right person yet.

A slow smile spread across Preston's face, the shadows in his eyes lifting like morning mist. He was elegance and warmth, charm and nobility wrapped into one.

The fact that she hadn't refused was progress enough.

Evelyn couldn't handle the intensity of his gaze any longer and fled.

Back in her own room, she found it empty except for Lucas lounging on the bed, flipping through a quarterly report from Dominic Kingsley.

He arched a brow as she entered. "What took so long?"

Evelyn rolled her eyes. "Why didn’t you escort your goddess home, huh?"

It wasn’t like Lucas to pass up a chance to fawn over Natalie.

He sighed dramatically and tossed the report aside.

"I had to stay and keep my dear sister company, of course—"

"Right."

Evelyn scoffed.

More likely, Natalie had refused his chivalrous offer.

The next day, Preston was discharged. He bid Evelyn farewell and returned to his hotel to handle business.

After all, he was a Wall Street prodigy who made millions by the minute. Even without physical assets, his influence in venture capital was undeniable.

Evelyn spent the next few days in peaceful recovery. Aside from her healing leg, she was nearly back to full health.

Only recently had Bennett started bringing documents that required her immediate attention.

Seated in her wheelchair, she watched snowflakes drift past the window as Bennett updated her on the latest project developments.

Everything was progressing smoothly.

"Any updates from Sandford?"

After all this time, there should be movement.

Bennett hesitated, lips pressed tight. "Chairman Sterling said not to disturb your rest with trivial matters—"

Evelyn shot him an unamused look. "Bennett. Are you going to tell me or not?"

He sighed. "There’s concrete evidence against the hit-and-run suspect. He killed three construction workers. At first, he refused to talk, but he confessed later. Rumor has it someone anonymously submitted evidence to the court."

Evelyn smirked. "Who’s feeling so generous?"

"Mr. Blackwood."

Her smile froze, then faded. "Go on."