Chapter 261

Evelyn looked up and recognized the man across from her. Adrian Valentine lounged lazily in his chair, his shirt collar slightly open, revealing the faint outline of his collarbone. Those peach-blossom eyes remained icy, yet they locked onto her with unsettling intensity.

She set down her chopsticks, her appetite gone.

"Seems like you didn't learn your lesson from that kick earlier today."

This man was like a ghost she couldn't shake.

"Can you just leave me alone?"

Her voice dripped with irritation. Once she made up her mind to walk away, there was no turning back.

Adrian's lips curled into a cold smirk. "So you're really going to be with that Langley guy?"

A flicker of pain flashed in his eyes.

Evelyn scoffed. "What's it to you? We've been divorced for two years. Who I marry is none of your business. Stay away from me."

His shirt collar gaped slightly as his Adam's apple bobbed, his entire body radiating danger. Long fingers tapped lightly against the table, his gaze burning into her.

"I just want to ask you one thing," he said, his voice low. "What's your real name?"

Even her name had been a lie.

"Does it matter?" Evelyn kept her expression blank. "It's all in the past."

For the sake of him being her child's father, she had held back. But he was the one who cheated. She was the one who lost.

"In that marriage, I was the one who was deceived." Adrian took a step closer.

Evelyn met his gaze head-on. "You were the one who played with my feelings. If I'd known it was all just a gamble, I would never have let you near me."

"Now that you've moved on, stop coming back to disgust me."

She had deliberately chosen this out-of-the-way restaurant to avoid him. Yet here he was. Some fates were truly cursed.

"Evelyn!" Adrian suddenly snapped, his temper flaring. "Don't you feel even a shred of guilt for Christian Lefèvre's death?"

He had sent her to prison—because she was his wife.

A sharp pain pierced Evelyn's chest. "Why should I feel guilty? The only thing I regret is that day—"

Her phone rang, cutting her off. Gabrielle was calling.

"Evelyn, Sophia has a fever. She keeps calling for you."

"I'm coming right now."

She grabbed her bag and bolted downstairs. Adrian chased her into the alley, seizing her wrist.

"Evelyn, answer me!" His palm burned against her skin. "Do you really feel nothing for Christian?"

"Why should I—" Her phone rang again.

"Evelyn, Sophia just threw up. Hurry back!"

She wrenched her hand free and flagged down a taxi. Adrian stood frozen, his fists clenched so tightly his knuckles turned white.

Evelyn, you're truly unforgivable.

But the worst part was—he still couldn't let her go.