Chapter 249

Evelyn turned her face away as Liam leaned in for a kiss. His lips barely brushed the corner of her mouth.

"I need to shower," she whispered, her voice trembling.

Heat flooded Evelyn's body, her cheeks burning crimson as she avoided his intense gaze. The atmosphere between them grew thick with unspoken tension, her pulse racing wildly.

Liam exhaled sharply through his nose before pushing off the bed. Evelyn scrambled up and fled to the bathroom without another word.

Once inside, she cranked the shower to full blast, letting the steam fill the room as she tried to steady her breathing.

This was inevitable, she told herself. Since she'd already confessed everything to Liam, he shouldn't be shocked by her condition now.

With this reassurance, Evelyn scrubbed herself meticulously. Tonight would be her first time, and she wanted it to be perfect for them both.

Thirty minutes later, she emerged in fresh silk pajamas only to find the bedroom empty.

She checked the balcony, the walk-in closet - nothing. A cold dread settled in her stomach. Had he gotten cold feet? Had he run?

Evelyn padded down the hall to the study. The door stood slightly ajar, revealing Liam hunched over paperwork at his desk.

She raised her hand to knock, then hesitated. Maybe she shouldn't push him right now.

Inside the study, Liam's gaze flickered to the doorway where Evelyn lingered. He stared blankly at the documents before him, not really seeing them.

Only when he heard her retreating footsteps did he finally look up, watching her leave with a pained expression.

Liam shoved the papers aside and rubbed his tired eyes. Leaning back in his chair, he took several deep breaths to quell the storm inside him.

Running wasn't his style. But he'd left to spare Evelyn further distress. She was right - once her true identity came out, their marriage would be legally void.

And in a nullified marriage, he had no right to touch her. Until he could be certain of Evelyn's feelings, he wouldn't risk hurting her.

That night, Liam deliberately avoided their shared bedroom. Meanwhile, Evelyn tossed restlessly in the oversized bed, sleep eluding her.

Morning light revealed the other side of the bed still pristine and untouched. Evelyn dressed mechanically before venturing out.

"Has Mr. Blackwood left already?" she asked the housekeeper in the living room.

"Left right after breakfast, ma'am," came the reply.

"Where did he sleep last night?"

"The guest suite, ma'am."

Evelyn's lips pressed into a thin line as she nodded.

The housekeeper added, "Mr. Blackwood said you're not to leave the estate today. There are reporters camped outside. If you must go out, take the security detail."

"Understood," Evelyn murmured.

At the breakfast table, she scrolled through news sites on her phone. Yesterday's explosive headlines about her scandal had vanished completely.

She searched every variation - "General's wife", "Evelyn Carter", "the Carter family" - but found nothing. It was as if the entire incident had been erased from existence.

Liam's ability to scrub the internet astonished her. But no amount of deleted articles could stop the rumor mill.

Her phone buzzed with an unknown number. "Hello?"

"Good morning, this is Aldenria Daily News. May I speak with Ms. Carter?"

Evelyn ended the call without responding. When it rang again moments later, she answered in silence.

"Hello? This is National Truth Network calling about..."