Chapter 35

The familiar scent lingered around her. Evelyn didn't need to turn around to know it was Adrian.

She forced herself to face the man who walked the line between light and darkness.

Four years had passed in the blink of an eye.

Her heart clenched as if gripped by an invisible hand, the pain stealing her breath.

"Adrian, let go." Her voice was ice-cold.

His lips curled into a mocking smile. "Evelyn, I underestimated you. Even Grandmother's shares aren't safe from your greed."

The words stabbed through her chest like a knife.

So this was how he saw her—utterly despicable.

Betrayed first, then slandered. How blind she'd been.

Her hand instinctively moved to her abdomen, her eyes frosty. "Adrian, you're not worthy of me. I didn't take your money because it's beneath me. If you want those shares, I'll buy them just to throw in your face."

As she turned away, her eyes burned red, her face deathly pale.

Adrian's expression darkened. "Evelyn, we need to talk."

She almost laughed.

What had he said when she'd begged to talk all those years ago?

"Evelyn, there's nothing to discuss. It was just a joke—don't tell me you took it seriously?"

Now the words belonged to him.

She turned back. Only then did Adrian see the pallor of her face. His heart twisted violently.

"Adrian, what's there to talk about? We're divorced. Still clinging to me—could it be regret?"

"You've changed," he said, frowning.

She used to hang on his every word. Now she was all sharp edges.

"Oh?" Evelyn arched a brow, her smile cold. "How should I be, then? Drowning in tears to satisfy you?"

"Even in hell, I'll keep my eyes on the sky."

Those sunless days had drained her of tears long ago.

"Your things are still at the villa. Come get them."

He'd returned home to find she'd taken nothing but her personal belongings.

For four years, she'd been like the wind—here one moment, gone the next.

"You bought them. I have no right to take anything. Burn them or toss them—I don't care."

"Evelyn—"

"Enough!" She shook off his hand. "No touching after divorce."

Pain had taught her life must go on.

Adrian stared into her cold eyes. "Did you ever love me?"

Evelyn laughed, tears glistening. "I did. I wouldn't have married you otherwise. Thank you for pulling me from the abyss those three years. That's why I accepted it when you called our marriage a joke."

"Whether it was real or just a bet to you, it's over now. May your future be bright."

As she turned away, the dam broke.

She'd survived the worst. Time would heal all wounds.

Watching her retreating figure, Adrian felt a hollow ache in his chest.