Chapter 5

Adrian abruptly shoved away Vanessa’s hand as she clung to him, then hurried over to Evelyn and caught her by the arm. His voice was tight with panic.

“Evelyn, I only wanted you to apologize. Please, don’t do this.”

Evelyn let out a cold laugh. She grabbed the hem of her second layer of clothing and took it off without hesitation.

The cold air swept over her bare skin, raising goosebumps along her arms.

She didn’t even furrow her brow. Instead, she lifted her eyes to meet his.

“Is this enough?”

He bent down to pick up the clothes she had thrown on the floor. His long fingers gripped the fabric so tightly that his knuckles turned white. Even his gaze trembled.

“Evelyn Hart! Stop!”

She ignored him and reached for the last remaining piece of clothing.

“I said, that’s enough!”

The last of Adrian’s composure shattered.

He yanked off his suit jacket and wrapped it around her, holding her so tightly that his entire body seemed to tremble.

She could feel the shaking of his fingers even through the fabric.

Then he lifted his head and swept his gaze over the onlookers, struggling to contain his surging anger.

“Everyone, move along.”

Beyond the crowd, Vanessa had already stormed off, her face twisted with displeasure. Adrian didn’t even notice.

He simply lowered his head, his voice sounding as though he were trying to convince himself as much as her.

“Evelyn, just give me some time…”

Evelyn pushed him away, bent down, and picked up her clothes one by one, putting them back on.

Without sparing a glance at the crowd of people wearing all kinds of expressions, she took the keys from the hospital bed and headed straight for the underground parking garage.

Adrian turned to his assistant, Logan Pierce, and hurriedly ordered, “Keep an eye on Ms. Sinclair.”

Then he called after Evelyn and quickly chased her.

She didn’t look back.

She had just reached her car when hurried footsteps sounded behind her.

The instant her hand touched the door handle, a hand shot out from behind and clamped around her wrist.

He pulled her around halfway, pinning her back against the cold car door. When she looked up, she met a pair of eyes that were trembling ever so slightly.

Adrian stood before her, breathing hard, his disheveled fringe falling across his brow.

Looking at him, Evelyn suddenly remembered his birthday party two years ago.

In front of all the guests, Margaret had smiled mockingly at her.

“The Whitmore family has no shortage of lawyers, young lady. If you want people to respect you, you don’t have to put on an act by pretending to work.”

Amid the guests’ laughter, Evelyn had turned and walked away.

Adrian had immediately abandoned his mother and the entire gathering to chase after her into the torrential rain.

Rain had soaked him through, but he hadn’t cared. He pulled her into his arms and begged her again and again not to leave.

Back then, his voice had been so earnest as he promised that no one would ever bully her. Not even his own mother.

The memory felt as vivid as yesterday. Evelyn drew a deep breath.

“Let go, Adrian.”

She tugged at her wrist, but his grip only tightened.

She looked into his pleading eyes, trying to find even a trace of remorse.

Unfortunately, there was none.

Evelyn raised her hand.

She put all her strength into the slap, but Adrian didn’t dodge.

After releasing the violent surge of emotion, Evelyn regained her composure.

She shook out her stinging hand, no longer sparing him a glance, and turned to open her car door.

This time, he didn’t stop her.

Instead, after she settled into the driver’s seat, he silently walked around to the passenger side and got in.

The car pulled smoothly away from the hospital. Inside, the only sound was the low hum of the air conditioner.

With her hands on the steering wheel, Evelyn suddenly spoke.

“Are you following me because you’re afraid I’ll go after Vanessa again?”

The man in the passenger seat swallowed, his Adam’s apple bobbing as he prepared to deny it. But before he could speak, his phone rang.

Adrian glanced at the incoming call, his finger hovering over the decline button. Evelyn’s voice stopped him.

“Answer it.”

She spoke indifferently and brought the car to a smooth stop outside their villa.

“If you don’t answer, she might actually die this time.”

Before she had even finished speaking, Vanessa’s piercing screams erupted from the phone.

“Adrian! Help me!”

Adrian’s breathing turned ragged, and his voice trembled with fury.

“How much do you want? Name your price! I’ll have someone deliver it immediately.”

The kidnapper on the other end let out a sinister laugh.

“Your wife has something we want. We’ll exchange her for it!”

Adrian answered without a second thought.

“No way…”

“Why shouldn’t you agree?

“Either way, you’ll end up choosing to trade me for her, won’t you?”

Evelyn’s sudden words cut him off completely.

He turned to her stiffly, all the color draining from his face. For a moment, he looked utterly blank, as though he couldn’t comprehend what he had just heard.

“How could you think that?”

She didn’t answer. She simply looked at him calmly.

Her silence cut deeper than any accusation. Adrian closed his eyes, then suddenly let out a quiet, bitter laugh.

“Evelyn Hart, do you think the eighteen-year-old me is just as much of a bastard?”

With that, he turned and stormed out, slamming the door behind him with a dull thud.

Dusk settled over the world.

When Adrian returned to the house, his steps were heavier than ever.

He stood in the shadows outside and looked up at Evelyn. His Adam’s apple moved with difficulty as he swallowed.

“Evelyn, I…”

He didn’t need to finish. She already knew why he had come.

“Don’t bother. My opinion doesn’t matter anyway, does it?”

Adrian crossed the distance between them in a few quick steps and crouched in front of her, clasping both her hands tightly in his.

His voice was muffled against her palms, thick with restrained sobs.

“I’m sorry. I’m so sorry, Evelyn.

“I promise, even if it costs me my life, I won’t let you get hurt. Not even a little…”