Chapter 458

"It's not too late to go now. Will you join me?" Ethan Sullivan gazed at Evelyn Laurent, hope flickering in his eyes.

Evelyn bit her lip, her gaze lingering on his unhealed wound. "Your injury..."

"It's nothing." The corner of his mouth lifted as his fingers brushed a stray lock of her hair. "I'll be careful."

Seeing his determination, she finally nodded.

Before departure, Evelyn stocked up on supplies. Upon hearing the news, Victoria Langley and Richard Langley immediately decided to accompany them, along with Evelyn's six brothers, who put aside their work to join the trip.

Ten Range Rovers stood in formation by the helipad, their engines roaring. Bodyguards loaded the supplies with practiced efficiency before the convoy snaked toward the outskirts of Cloudhaven.

Evelyn watched the scenery blur past the window, as if lifetimes had passed. Half a year ago, she had been a girl struggling to survive in White Stone Village. Now, she had a family bound by blood—and... She stole a glance at Ethan beside her.

"Is this where you grew up, Evelyn?" Victoria clutched her handkerchief, her eyes reddening at the sight of the rugged mountain road. "If only we had found you sooner..."

The convoy slowed as it navigated the winding mountain path. When they rounded a particular bend, Evelyn suddenly chuckled.

"Remember this place?" She poked Ethan's arm.

He followed her gaze, memories flooding back—the stormy evening, the mud-streaked girl with a bloodied shovel, and his assistant Harrison Whitmore nearly fainting in terror.

"Someone called the police and accused me of murder," Evelyn teased, narrowing her eyes.

Ethan's ears reddened, but he maintained a straight face. "Anyone would have misunderstood in that situation." He lowered his voice. "After all, my little fiancée looked like..."

"A psychopath who'd just disposed of a body?" she finished.

A chorus of coughs erupted in the car. Up front, Alexander Langley silently raised the partition.

With a sigh, Ethan pulled her into his arms, murmuring against her ear, "Like the angel who saved me."

The convoy rumbled over the muddy path as the outline of White Stone Village emerged in the distance. Evelyn stared at the place she'd called home for ten years, her fingers tightening around Ethan's sleeve.

"What's wrong?" He sensed her unease instantly.

"I'm afraid..." Her voice was barely audible. "Afraid this is all a dream."

Ethan interlaced their fingers, their hands clasped tight. "Then I'll stay in this dream with you—forever."