Chapter 1777

No.1

Alexander stood rooted to the spot, utterly at a loss.

He had no idea how to respond.

The words escaped Alexander Kingsley's lips before he realized what he was saying.

"I never meant to hurt you."

Evelyn Sinclair's mouth curved into a mocking smile.

Never meant to?

Then why did every memory of him after their breakup feel like retaliation?

No.2

As if she'd committed some unforgivable sin...

"Do you like the roses?" Alexander suddenly asked.

Evelyn froze.

The unfamiliarity and confusion in her eyes made his brow furrow.

She didn't like them?

"I don't know what game you're playing," Evelyn met his gaze, self-mockery outweighing bewilderment in her eyes. "Alexander, we're over. Isn't this pathetic?"

When she'd begged, he'd withheld.

No.3

Now that she wanted nothing, he forced it upon her.

No treasure could tempt her now...

Her lips, crimson as blood, formed words sharp as blades.

Alexander had never faced this version of Evelyn.

This Evelyn reminded him of the spoiled princess he'd first met - beloved by her parents, secure in her status, looking down her nose at him.

Back then, no amount of scheming could earn him her glance.

The loss of control agitated him.

No.4

He seized her shoulders.

"Take it back! I never agreed to break up!"

"Let go!" Evelyn winced at the pain. "I don't appreciate this joke!"

Alexander always resorted to force when emotions ran high.

At Royal Gardens, whether in good moods or bad, he'd left marks on her body.

She'd foolishly mistaken it for love.

Now she knew better - it was pure possessiveness.

No.5

He'd never treated her as human, just a disposable object.

"On what grounds?" Her laugh was icy. "You gave me the choice to break up. I chose. Now you regret it. Alexander, what am I to you?"

Might as well lay everything bare today.

So he couldn't accuse her of poor communication later.

"I gave you a choice?" Alexander laughed bitterly. "I only asked for an apology, and you threw a breakup at me!"

"Amnesia?" Evelyn held her ground. "You were the one who..."

The one who forced her to choose.

No.6

Now he twisted the narrative?

"Whatever." Sudden exhaustion washed over her.

She'd promised herself to move on.

To stop dwelling on the past.

Her lips twisted. "So in your eyes, I was being unreasonable. Thanks for clarifying."

His people had struck her.

Why should she apologize?

No.7

"That's not..." Alexander knew the truth.

He knew it was about the Butterfly Brooch.

"Answer me," Evelyn gritted through shoulder pain. "At the sanatorium, was it Madam Zade who helped recover my memories?"

Alexander's pupils constricted.

"Why did you never tell me about my past? Why hide even my parents' history?"

She'd grown close to Julian Ashford only to rediscover her roots.