Chapter 197

"Do you remember Shadow?" Evelyn's voice was icy. "That stray dog I raised for three years. He gave his life protecting me when I was bullied."

Her gaze remained fixed on Ethan's bleeding fingers, utterly indifferent.

"How many years have we known each other? You watched me get humiliated. You handed my opportunities to the people who hurt me." Her lips curled into a cold smile. "You're worse than a dog."

Ethan stood frozen. Blood dripped onto the floor like withered petals.

He waited. For her final judgment.

"It ends here." Evelyn turned away. "I don't want to hate you anymore. I don't want to love you either. From now on, we're strangers."

Her retreating figure vanished down the hallway without looking back.

Ethan remained motionless. Until the sunset faded. Until his expression twisted from anguish into something dark.

He pulled out his phone.

"The number you have dialed is not in service..."

The automated voice repeated mechanically.

A sinister smile touched his lips as he dialed another number.

"Add another million," his voice was like a whisper from hell. "I'm buying another life."

Evelyn pushed open her front door. Thick cigarette smoke assaulted her senses.

She stiffened, instinctively turning to flee.

"Eve."

That familiar voice rooted her to the spot. When the lights flickered on, she saw Lucian leaning against the foyer.

A wine-red shirt hung loosely on his frame, revealing a glimpse of collarbone. A half-smoked cigarette dangled between his slender fingers, smoke curling around his unreadable gaze.

"How did you get in?" She exhaled in relief.

Lucian stubbed out the cigarette. "Came to pick you up. You didn't call. Thought you stayed over."

Evelyn noticed the ashtray overflowing with cigarette butts.

"Lost my phone," she said, sitting down. "Ethan wanted me to stay for dinner. I refused."

Lucian's fingers tightened imperceptibly.

She saw his Adam's apple bob, his jawline tensing.

"You knew I was there?" she asked softly. "Why didn't you come for me?"

She remembered how he'd limped into the hospital on his injured leg, swearing to protect her.