Chapter 196

The morning sun cast golden rays through the floor-to-ceiling windows of Blackwood Manor. Evelyn Carter stood by the window, her fingers tracing the intricate patterns of frost on the glass. The cold mirrored the turmoil in her heart.

Liam Blackwood entered the study, his military boots clicking against the hardwood floor. His stormy gray eyes locked onto Evelyn's slender frame. "We need to talk," he said, his voice rough with barely contained emotion.

Evelyn turned slowly, her artist's fingers still pressed against the chilled glass. "About what, Commander Blackwood?" Her tone was deliberately light, but her knuckles had turned white.

Liam crossed the room in three strides. He pulled a folded photograph from his breast pocket and slapped it onto the mahogany desk. "Explain this."

The image showed a younger Evelyn - no, Wanda Wright - standing beside Julian Whitmore in a laboratory. Test tubes filled with glowing blue liquid surrounded them. The date stamp read three days before the infamous Aldenria chemical attack.

Evelyn's breath hitched. "Where did you get this?"

"Does it matter?" Liam's jaw tightened. "You swore you had no memory of your past. Yet here you are, working with the man responsible for thousands of deaths."

The grandfather clock in the corner ticked loudly in the tense silence. Evelyn reached for the photograph, but Liam snatched it away. "I remember now," she whispered. "But not what you think."

Outside, a car door slammed. Victoria Dawson's shrill voice carried through the open window. "Liam! Darling, I brought your favorite from the patisserie!"

Liam didn't take his eyes off Evelyn. "This isn't over," he growled before striding toward the door.

Evelyn's fingers curled into fists. The truth was more complicated than Liam could imagine. She had been working against Julian, not with him. But proving it would require revealing secrets more dangerous than her forgotten past.

The front door burst open. Victoria's laughter echoed through the manor, a sharp contrast to the storm brewing between Evelyn and Liam. Somewhere in the house, a phone began to ring insistently.

Evelyn glanced at the antique clock. Ryan Sullivan would be calling with updates on their investigation. Time was running out - for her, for Liam, and for the fragile peace between Aldenria and Valtoria.

The photograph still lay on the desk, a silent accusation. Evelyn reached for it again, her hand trembling. This single image could destroy everything. Or, if handled correctly, it might be the key to stopping Julian Whitmore once and for all.

Evelyn was stunned.

Alexander's expression darkened. "Don't tell me you've forgotten me just because I've gotten more attractive?"

Her heart skipped a beat, and she shook her head.

He reached out and pinched her soft cheeks in one swift motion. "The name's Alexander."

She shook her head again.

The man sighed and sat up straight. Gently ruffling her hair, he murmured, "Don't be scared. As long as I'm here, nothing bad will happen to you."

"Do we... know each other?" she asked hesitantly.

A bitter smile twisted his lips. "First you forget my face, now you don't even remember my name? You're absolutely heartless."

She bolted upright. Tears blurred her vision. "I lost my memory three years ago. Do you know who I am? Please, tell me."

He studied her carefully. The genuine confusion and fear in her eyes convinced him she wasn't lying.

"Aren't you Wright? Cassandra Wright? Liam always called you 'Chubs'."

Evelyn gaped at him for a long moment before shaking her head. "I don't know who I am," she whispered. "But I'm not Cassandra Wright. She's currently in Aldenria." Alexander pinched her cheeks again.

"Ow! That hurts!" She slapped his hand away and scooted backward, glaring.

"You're not Chubs?"

Another head shake.

"Then you're her exact double. Same features, just slightly thinner."

"Many people say I resemble her younger self," Evelyn admitted with a sigh.

He pressed his lips together, staring intently. After a prolonged silence, he asked softly, "Did you marry Liam Blackwood?"

"Yes." She nodded.

"Then you're definitely Chubs," he declared, rising to light another cigarette. "That man would never marry anyone else."

Evelyn suddenly processed his name. "You're Alexander Blackwood?"

He didn't answer. His face darkened as he slowly lit his cigarette and took a deep drag. Exhaling smoke, he checked his watch.

"Keep making noise. We can't let the guards outside think I'm underperforming!"

She complied, though her moans sounded painfully stiff.

Alexander rolled his eyes. "Didn't Liam teach you anything after marriage? The man must be truly incompetent."

Evelyn's cheeks burned. Alexander had absolutely no filter. Lowering her voice, she asked, "Why are you here, Alexander? Can you get me out?"

"Can't extract you."

"Then what?" Panic edged her voice. "You can't possibly stay here indefinitely?"

"Already sent word. We'll wait an hour or two. See if Liam sends reinforcements."

Evelyn knew better. This wasn't Aldenria. Liam had no jurisdiction here. He couldn't possibly mobilize enough forces to storm the compound. Any insufficient attempt would be futile.

"This is Valtoria, not Aldenria, Alexander. Political constraints prevent Liam from rescuing us," she said nervously. "Isn't there another way?"

Alexander studied her intently. After a thoughtful pause, he asked, "I heard you got accepted into Solterra's prestigious institute, Chubs."

He continued, "Do you know chemistry? Could you isolate diacetylmorphine from an impure mixture?"

She hesitated, then nodded. "I have some chemistry knowledge. I could try."