Chapter 273

"Evelyn, wait up!" Rosalind's frantic voice cut through the air as she sprinted to catch up. Her breath came in ragged gasps as she finally reached Evelyn, doubling over with hands on her knees.

Adrian arrived moments later, his military boots crunching on the gravel path.

Evelyn hesitated under Liam's piercing gaze. The weight of dozens of watching eyes made her throat constrict with unspoken apologies.

She never meant to hurt him. But the truth remained - she couldn't give him what he wanted. All she had left were hollow words of regret.

Liam's eyes flickered briefly to Rosalind before returning to Evelyn. "Evelyn? Is that your real name?"

The question caught her off guard. Memories of her past life flashed through her mind. "It's... a pen name I used when publishing research papers," she admitted quietly.

Of course she'd been published. The woman excelled at everything.

Liam's intense stare never wavered. "You haven't changed. Always extraordinary." With those final words, he turned and entered the waiting vehicle without looking back.

Ryan took the driver's seat while Adrian occupied the passenger side. The car pulled away, leaving Evelyn standing motionless as hot tears blurred her vision.

Rosalind finally caught her breath and leaned in close. "Evelyn, tell me you're not in love with him. That's Liam Blackwood - Aldenria's youngest Defense General!"

Evelyn exhaled shakily. "I'm not," she lied through clenched teeth.

"Thank God." Rosalind pressed a hand to her chest. "Can you imagine the complications if you were?"

"Let's go." Evelyn turned sharply, blinking away stubborn tears.

The sleek black sedan glided through the city streets. Despite the summer heat, the car's interior felt frigid with tension.

Liam reclined with eyes closed, his expression hollow. Up front, Adrian's grip tightened on the steering wheel. "I can't believe her nerve!" he exploded.

"After everything General Blackwood sacrificed - risking his career to extract her from Shadowmire, putting his life on hold every time she needed help - this is how she repays him?"

Ryan placed a calming hand on Adrian's shoulder. "Easy. Let him rest."

Adrian glanced at the rearview mirror, his anger dissolving into concern at Liam's exhausted profile. Seven sleepless nights at Evelyn's bedside, three more days clearing his backlogged workload, then straight back to the hospital - the man was running on fumes.

"You know he could have made her stay," Adrian muttered. "With his connections, it would've been simple."

Ryan shook his head. "That's not love. Real love means wanting someone's happiness, even if it's not with you. The General understands that better than anyone."

Adrian fell silent, turning to stare out the window as the city blurred past.

Thirty minutes later, they arrived at Blackwood Manor. Ryan turned in his seat. "Sir, we're home."

Adrian added softly, "General Blackwood?"

Liam rubbed his bloodshot eyes. "Where?"

"Blackwood Manor, sir." Ryan's voice held quiet concern. "You need proper rest. This can't continue."