Chapter 263

Evelyn waited endlessly, yet the response she longed for never came.

A strained smile touched her lips as she murmured, "It changes nothing. Our marriage remains invalid."

"I do—" Liam's voice cracked with urgency, his words raw with emotion. "I adore you. I'm utterly in love with you."

When she lifted her gaze, she found his eyes bloodshot, his chiseled features flushed crimson. Even the skin behind his ears burned scarlet.

Guilt prickled her conscience—why push this stoic soldier to verbalize feelings when declarations weren't his strength?

He'd probably find it easier to complete a twenty-mile tactical march with full gear than articulate his heart.

Evelyn worried her lower lip between her teeth, vision blurring with unshed tears. Her pulse hammered against her ribs.

This would be her only inquiry—never again would she demand such vulnerability.

She knew Liam cherished her. Had loved her fiercely for over a decade.

Even when she became Evelyn Carter, some inexplicable magnetism drew him to her rather than the impostor Victoria Dawson.

As for her? Her soul must have remembered, falling for him anew despite amnesia's veil.

Biting back emotion, she teased with feigned indifference, "Well... thanks for loving me, I suppose."

His expression crumpled. Clearly dissatisfied with her flippant reply, the light in his eyes dimmed noticeably.

Hands clasped rigidly behind his back, he regained military composure.

After a weighted pause, Evelyn continued, "We'll annul this marriage when convenient."

"Understood," he replied evenly, though his breath hitched.

"Then you'll have been married twice," she jested.

A bitter smile twisted his lips. "The number means nothing. Only whether I can remarry you."

Her breath caught. Heartbeats turned erratic.

In that moment, she yearned to recall their shared childhood—those lost memories must have been magical, euphoric. Nothing less could inspire such devotion.

Tears welled as she met his gaze shyly. "Liam... I'll marry you again as Cassandra Wright," she whispered.

His hands trembled violently. Chest heaving, eyes glistening, he rasped, "Truly?"

Evelyn nodded, smiling through tears. "A simple ceremony—would that suffice?"

"Anything," he choked out, emotion roughening his voice.

Yet conflict shadowed his features. "Are you certain? Does present-day Evelyn want this? Before your amnesia... was there someone else?"

Silence stretched between them.

With visible effort, he steadied his voice. "It's been ten years."

"After you left Aldenria, you grew distant—claimed studies kept you from calls. Then... nothing." His throat worked. "I held no place in your heart. Should we wait for your memories to return?"

True affection wouldn't ghost a decade.

Liam understood perfectly—pre-amnesia Evelyn had felt nothing for him. He refused to let her commit from obligation rather than desire.

His selflessness shattered her.

Here stood a man of integrity—passionate yet principled. Though yearning for her, he prioritized her genuine happiness over his own longing.

Voice thick, she confessed, "I don't need those memories, Liam. I'm content now."

"These past three years contain all I require. Because in them... I've loved only you."