Chapter 109

Evelyn Roland reclined lazily on the leather sofa, her fingers tapping lightly on the armrest.

She lifted her gaze to the man approaching her, a slight frown creasing her brow.

Her heartbeat quickened uncontrollably. A year had passed, yet this man could still make her pulse race.

"Mr. Valentine, please leave," she said coldly, turning her face away.

The reunion had come too soon. She had deliberately avoided the main hall to prevent running into him.

Yet fate had other plans—she had crossed paths with him on her very first day back.

Adrian Valentine took a seat across from her. Time had lent him an air of maturity, but it couldn't mask the arrogance in his bones.

His lips curved slightly. "I seem to recall telling you not to let me see you again."

A full year of silence. And now she had returned—with Sebastian Cortez by her side, that gentle pianist.

Evelyn let out a cold laugh, her fingers trembling. "You drove me into a corner, Mr. Valentine. Impressive. But you'll be disappointed—this time, I'm staying. Do your worst."

Every word cut like a blade. She had spent a year swearing to forget him, vowing never to shed another tear for him.

Yet in the dead of night, the memory of his icy gaze still left her breathless with pain.

Adrian studied her. Had Sebastian given her this newfound confidence?

"Evelyn, I'll admit—landing Sebastian is quite the feat. But does he know you're the woman I discarded?" His tone was mocking, but his heart bled.

"Just because you threw me away, I don't deserve happiness?" Evelyn arched a brow, stunningly beautiful.

"As long as Isabella stays out of my way, we can coexist peacefully. But if either of you crosses me—" She stood abruptly. "I'll make sure you regret it for the rest of your lives."

A year's worth of suppressed anguish surged forth. The torment of her pregnancy, the agony of two days in labor.

Back then, the only thing keeping her going was the child in her womb—yet her thoughts had been filled with him.

The cruelest blow? On the day she gave birth, the news had shown Adrian taking Isabella on a luxury yacht getaway.

That pain had seared itself into her soul.