Chapter 907

Preston's grip was firm yet gentle, enveloping Evelyn's slender fingers that still carried the chill of winter. His dark eyes burned with quiet resolve.

"I want to try, Evelyn. I want to erase every shadow of your past and replace it with light. I want to see you unshaken, untouchable—just like the woman I first met."

His voice softened. "Even if it's difficult, every moment with you is worth it."

At the very least, he could be the warmth that thawed the ice around her heart.

Winter still clung to the air, but the sun had begun its slow victory, casting golden streaks across the room.

Evelyn felt it—the quiet, persistent heat of Preston's devotion.

Maybe she should have let go of the past long ago.

Maybe happiness had been standing right in front of her all this time, waiting for her to stop looking back.

The weight in her chest lifted, just a fraction.

"Why keep suffering for Nathan? Why let him dictate my life?"

Preston saw the hesitation flicker in her eyes and mistook it for regret. His fingers tensed, ready to pull away—

But Evelyn caught his hand before he could.

He froze, stunned.

A faint smile touched her lips, still edged with uncertainty.

"Disappoint me, and I'll drop you without a second thought."

She was still Evelyn Sinclair, after all. Even in surrender, she refused to be anything less than formidable.

Her earlier promise—giving him a chance—had been nothing but an excuse.

But this? This was real.

Starting over wasn't as terrifying as she'd imagined.

Preston went rigid. For a heartbeat, he didn't react.

Then—joy exploded across his face. His usual composure shattered into pure, unfiltered elation.

His grip tightened, fingers lacing with hers as if afraid she'd vanish. His voice was rough with disbelief. "Wait—does this mean... you're saying yes?"

Evelyn almost laughed at the sheer disbelief in his eyes.

But the raw hope there stopped her.

That cautious, fragile hope—it hurt more than she expected.

She held his gaze and nodded.

Preston's breath hitched.

Then, abruptly, he stood.

Evelyn blinked.

He ran a hand through his hair, grinning like a man who'd just won the world. "I—I need a minute."

And then he was gone.

Evelyn stared at the empty space where he'd been.

"...That's not how this usually goes on TV."

Shouldn't he have swept her into some grand, dramatic embrace?

Not that she would have protested.

Men were incomprehensible.

The door burst open moments later, revealing Isabella and Natalie, their expressions alight with mischief.

Isabella smirked. "Preston just walked past us grinning like an idiot. Care to explain?"

Natalie folded her arms. "Did you finally put him out of his misery?"

Evelyn sighed.

These two were worse than tabloid reporters.

"Why ask when you already know the answer?"

Isabella's grin widened. "Because watching you squirm is half the fun."

Natalie winked. "The other half is teasing Preston mercilessly."

Evelyn rolled her eyes—but she couldn't quite suppress her own smile.