Chapter 1925
No.1
Each movement felt like walking on knives.
"Evelyn..."
Julian called again, his voice hollow as a ghost's whisper.
She didn't look back.
Finally standing before Alexander, she tilted her head up to meet his stony profile.
"Move."
Alexander turned sharply.
Evelyn followed, flinching at the sound of shattering glass behind them.
The hallway brimmed with Kingsley Group employees.
Ethan Miller's disdainful stare burned into her.
No.2
The elevator descended in suffocating silence.
Watching the floor numbers blink, Evelyn suddenly spoke. "Alexander, actually..."
The words died on her lips.
How could she tell him that the child he'd long misunderstood was actually his own flesh and blood?
"Enough." Alexander Kingsley cut off Evelyn Sinclair's explanation with a raised hand.
He strode to the sofa and sat down.
"Come here."
Evelyn's chest tightened at the sight of his spread legs.
"Must I repeat myself?" His gaze darkened when she didn't move. "Or should I 'invite' you myself?"
She finally understood—he'd been waiting for this moment.
No.3
Waiting for a justified reason to punish her.
"Alexander, if my mere existence is a mistake, then your anger is justified." All her unease evaporated.
The ice walls rebuilt themselves around her heart.
He didn't care about her feelings at all.
"Come. Here." He gritted his teeth.
Evelyn turned her face away.
"Don't want the child anymore?" His voice could freeze hell over.
She closed her eyes briefly.
When they reopened, only desolation remained.
No more resistance.
No.4
During his repeated pleas, during his rare apologies, the ice around her heart had thawed slightly.
Because she'd loved him once.
Because she'd waited.
Even after deciding to leave, his relentless pursuit had stirred something in her.
And then... she'd carried his child.
Their marriage had been a twist of fate.
Evelyn had wondered—if he could be a decent husband and father, she might have stayed.
But now...
His repentant words were laughable.
Alexander had promised to trust her.
No.5
Now he wouldn't even let her explain.
She stepped forward.
His hand shot out, yanking her wrist and forcing her to her knees.
"Know what to do?" Dark tempests churned in his eyes.
Evelyn stopped struggling.
For the child's sake.
She lowered her head...
...
Humiliation gave way to numbness in seconds.
She couldn't even feel his fingers threading through her hair.
No.6
When it ended, Evelyn stood.
"What were you going to say earlier?" Alexander's voice was lazy with satisfaction.
"Nothing."
Her tone was glacial.
Only after taking his fill did he bother asking?
Too late. She had nothing left to say.
"That unlucky colleague of yours—how should we handle him?" Alexander watched her stiff back.
Her entire body radiated coldness.
It extinguished any urge to be gentle.
But Alexander was done placating her.
No.7
He'd heard she was working late and brought dinner.
Only to find her with Julian Ashford.
Didn't matter who initiated it.
They'd been alone. Julian had pressed her hand to his chest.
They'd nearly embraced while discussing their child...
She'd hidden her pregnancy from him, yet told Julian.