Chapter 220

Evelyn couldn't understand why her heart raced so violently at the thought of sharing a bed with him. They'd slept beside each other before.

Liam noticed her stiff posture and chose to give her space. He mirrored her position, propping himself against the headboard with a book in hand.

The bedroom settled into a comfortable silence. Harsh overhead lights illuminated the space as both pretended to focus on their reading.

Though their eyes scanned pages, their senses remained hyper-aware of each other's every breath and movement. The sound of turning pages echoed unnaturally loud in the tense atmosphere.

Evelyn finally broke under the pressure. She lifted her gaze just as Liam looked up from his book. Their eyes locked, sending her pulse into overdrive.

"Why isn't he reading?" she wondered, her fingers tightening around her book's spine.

He quickly averted his gaze, feigning sudden interest in his novel.

"Are you... going to sleep soon?" Her voice cracked slightly.

"Yeah."

He snapped his book shut and placed it on the nightstand. With a click of the remote, darkness swallowed the room as he slid beneath the covers.

Evelyn followed suit, turning her back to him as she settled in.

Minutes later, his deep voice rumbled through the darkness. "Should we talk?"

Liam had always been a man of few words. Romance didn't come naturally to him, nor did expressing emotions. He hoped conversation might bridge the growing distance between them.

"It's fine. I'm tired." Her reply came clipped and final.

He exhaled quietly before turning to study her silhouette in the dim light. Desire burned through him - the woman he'd loved for two decades lay beside him as his wife, yet remained untouchable.

Even a simple embrace might send her recoiling in disgust. The thought paralyzed him.

His mind raced. Despite her memory loss, she still adored his grandmother and admired Alexander just as before. Only memories of him had vanished completely.

"Did I leave no impression at all?" The question haunted him.

Hours crawled by in painful silence. Finally, Evelyn's whisper cut through the darkness. "Liam? Are you asleep?"

He remained perfectly still.

Satisfied he slept, she moved with exaggerated care, reaching for his phone on the nightstand. Holding her breath, she pressed his thumb to the biometric sensor.

She knew it was wrong, but desperation had stripped away her morals.

The screen unlocked. She ducked under the covers, illuminating her face with the dim glow.

Liam opened his eyes, watching the suspicious lump in the blankets. Had she been checking his phone out of jealousy, it might have pleased him. But he knew the truth - she'd only returned to his side to gather evidence for their divorce.

The knowledge sat like a boulder on his chest, making each breath an effort.