Chapter 217

Liam didn't hesitate. "I want you."

"Me?" Evelyn froze. Just as anger flared within her, his next words extinguished it.

She stared at him in shock. Had she misheard?

His voice was deep, his gaze burning with intensity. "I refuse to divorce because what I want is you."

Her breath caught. Her heart pounded wildly in her chest.

A blush crept up her cheeks as she stammered, "You... Do you realize what you're saying? Would you dare repeat that in front of Victoria? Don't you find this ridiculous?"

Liam's expression darkened. "I'll say it to anyone. I don't want to divorce you. I want to be with you. Why is that ridiculous?"

Evelyn's mind reeled at his direct words. She knew he still loved Victoria - that much was certain.

Taking a shaky breath, she forced calm into her voice. "You won't divorce me, yet you're still involved with Victoria. How blind I was not to see what kind of man you truly are!"

Liam released her hand. Running frustrated fingers through his hair, he moved to the bed and sat heavily, rubbing his temples.

The picture of misery, he drew several deep breaths.

An aura of loneliness and sorrow clung to him.

He was exhausted. Love had never been his strong suit, and now he faced a woman who couldn't remember their past. He'd shown her his heart, only to have it thrown back at him.

Seeing his distress, Evelyn felt an ache in her chest.

Was he torn between his marriage and Victoria?

"You don't have to struggle with this decision," she said quietly. "You don't have to give up Victoria."

She turned toward the door. "This marriage was never my choice to begin with."

His firm voice stopped her. "I'm not struggling. There's no other woman in my heart. And we can't divorce based on your whims."

Evelyn turned back. "What do you mean?"

Liam straightened, meeting her gaze. "Look up the Aldenrian Military Marriage Laws," he said quietly.

Shock held her motionless for several seconds. Without another word, she opened the door and left.

As it clicked shut behind her, Liam collapsed backward onto the bed. He pressed his hands over his eyes, fighting back tears.

The last time he'd cried was ten years ago when Cassandra left him. Now, even without her memories, she could still break his heart.

On the subway ride home, Evelyn searched military marriage policies on her phone.

Her stomach dropped when she discovered she needed her military spouse's consent for divorce. The only exceptions required proof of abuse, infidelity, or drug use.

Frustrated, she immediately called her divorce attorney, Natalie.

"I thought you said your husband was involved with another woman?" Natalie asked.

Evelyn hadn't anticipated such difficulty. "He's in love with someone else and still sees her. But I have no proof of cheating."

"Then get some. Secret photos would work. Even military marriages can end with evidence of adultery."

"Would it count if I saw him hugging her?"

"It counts, but barely. You'd need something more substantial - hand-holding, kissing, or catching them in bed together." Natalie paused. "If you want a quick divorce, you could provoke him into hitting you. That would make things easier."