Chapter 143

Adrian Valentine instantly recognized Evelyn Roland's silhouette and sprinted after her.

Zachary Deross and Nathan Aldridge barely caught a glimpse before Adrian vanished down the corridor.

Zachary scoffed. "In such a hurry. Must be rushing to meet Isabella."

Nathan's voice dripped with disdain. "That bastard deserves a beating every time I see him. Hope I never run into him again."

Adrian reached the stairwell just as Evelyn missed a step.

Her body tumbled down the concrete stairs.

She struggled to rise, but pain immobilized her. Tears blurred her vision, yet her gaze remained fixed on the empty space below.

This accident was her carefully orchestrated trap.

He came—but refused to show himself.

That retreating figure wasn't the one she longed to see.

Agony lanced through Evelyn's chest with each ragged breath.

"Don't go... please..." Her whisper barely carried.

Adrian reached her side as the plea escaped her lips.

Who was she waiting for?

Who was worth this self-destruction?

His heart constricted violently. He gathered her into his arms. Blood soaked through her hospital gown from reopened wounds.

"Evelyn! Have you lost your mind?" His roar echoed off the walls.

Her eyelids fluttered open. Recognition flashed—then revulsion. "Get away! Don't touch me!"

"You'd rather die?" He'd never seen her like this.

Fragile. Broken. Sobbing as if her soul had shattered.

So she could weep like this—for someone else.

Adrian's gaze darkened as he studied her.

She remained an enigma.

Evelyn forced herself upright. One glance confirmed it—Alexander Durand's assistant, not the man himself.

He was truly gone.

Her scheme to provoke Adrian into wounding her had served two purposes: revenge against Isabella, and luring Alexander from hiding.

Her childhood protector would never ignore her suffering.

Yet he hadn't come.

A sharp inhale. The truth cut deeper than any blade.

She staggered to her feet, eyes hollow. Years of waiting—for nothing.

Ignoring Adrian, she gripped the railing. Each step upward tore at her injuries.

The pain in her heart eclipsed all physical wounds.

Adrian watched her stubborn retreat, fury igniting in his chest.

In three strides, he swept her off her feet.

The agony twisting her features silenced his reproach.