Chapter 108

Ethan Sullivan pushed open the private dining room door. Warm golden light spilled across the dark hardwood table.

Evelyn Laurent strode directly to the window seat in her stilettos, fingertips tapping the tabletop. "Cut to the chase, Mr. Sullivan."

A server placed two glasses of lemon water between them. Condensation slid down the chilled surfaces.

"The engagement." Ethan unbuttoned his suit jacket as he sat, his Adam's apple bobbing.

Evelyn's head snapped up, dark hair sweeping her shoulders. "Found your unrequited love?"

His fingers absently traced the rim of his glass. "Possibly—"

"Fantastic!" She clapped suddenly, delight brightening her features. "Shall we terminate the engagement tomorrow?"

The glass tipped abruptly, spreading a dark stain across the linen tablecloth.

Ethan's breath caught as he noticed the faint pink birthmark behind her ear. That butterfly-shaped mark glowed under the ambient lighting.

"You—" His voice tightened. He stood so abruptly his chair toppled over.

Evelyn leaned back warily. "What's gotten into you?"

Instead of answering, he circled behind her and flung open the window. Night air rushed in, carrying osmanthus fragrance and ruffling his disheveled bangs.

"Too warm." The excuse came out hoarse, but his gaze remained locked on that telltale mark.

The little girl from the rainstorm a decade ago now sat before him—eager to sever their connection.

"So when exactly are we dissolving this arrangement?" Evelyn tapped her watch impatiently.

Ethan suddenly seized her wrist. "What if I told you—"

"Hmm?"

His words died as he drowned in her clear eyes. That damned contract between them might as well be a blade, mocking his past foolishness.

"Food's getting cold." He released her mechanically, returning to his seat.

Evelyn frowned at his erratic behavior. "Don't tell me you're having second thoughts."

The chandelier's light fractured into icy shards in his eyes. "Eat first."

"Ethan!" She stood abruptly, her napkin fluttering to the floor. "Are you toying with me?"

Fireworks exploded outside, illuminating his ashen face. After ten years of searching, his answer now trembled on his lips—yet remained unspoken.