Chapter 135

The words hit Evelyn like a dagger to the chest, each syllable twisting deeper with every beat of her aching heart. The pain was so visceral she could taste copper in her mouth, as if she'd bitten through her own tongue.

She blinked rapidly, refusing to let even a single tear fall. Not for Liam. Never again for Liam.

She'd long known about his complicated history with Victoria. She'd forced herself to ignore their lingering touches, their whispered conversations. But hearing someone else voice the truth made it impossible to keep pretending.

Liam hadn't denied the accusation. When Victoria had threatened suicide, he'd caught her in that dramatic embrace, murmuring reassurances under the doctor's supervision.

He considered it a humanitarian act, devoid of emotion. In his mind, he'd broken no vows, betrayed no trust.

Yet Julian's words shattered Liam's composure. His eyes turned glacial as he spat, "You and Victoria make quite the pair. Two peas in a pod."

Julian looked genuinely startled.

Liam released his grip on Julian and seized Evelyn's wrist instead, storming away with barely contained fury. Tears blurred Evelyn's vision as she stumbled after him toward the car. His fingers dug into her flesh like iron manacles.

Back at Blackwood Manor, Victoria approached with outstretched hands. "Liam, where have you been? I've been—"

He shoved her away with such force she crashed to the marble floor.

The entire household froze. Servants rushed to help Victoria while shooting Liam disapproving glances for his uncharacteristic outburst.

Liam ignored them all. Without breaking stride, he dragged Evelyn upstairs, his grip unrelenting.

The tension in the bedroom was suffocating. Evelyn's pulse pounded in her ears as Liam slammed the door so hard the walls shook.

The moment he released her wrist, she scrambled backward until her shoulders hit the wall. She'd never seen him like this - a storm given human form, every muscle coiled with barely restrained violence.

His lips curled into a mirthless smile when he noticed how far she'd retreated. "So this is why you're leaving?"

Evelyn's breath hitched. His accusation made no sense.

He advanced with deliberate steps, his voice dropping to a dangerous whisper. "You haven't even filed for divorce yet, and already you're throwing yourself at your ex?"

Her hands balled into fists. "That's rich, coming from you."

"We did nothing wrong," Liam stated coldly.

A bitter laugh escaped her. The absurdity of his double standards would be funny if it didn't hurt so much.

His expression darkened. In three strides he had her pinned against the wall, his forearm braced beside her head. "You're the one who demanded loyalty. And now I find you in another man's arms?"

Fear and fury warred in Evelyn's chest. No woman truly in love could remain indifferent after discovering her husband's texts professing love for another woman.

For Margaret's sake, she'd turned a blind eye. And now he dared accuse her? For one platonic hug with Julian?