Chapter 298

Liam's bloodshot eyes shimmered with desperate hope. Evelyn couldn't bear to witness his heartbreak, yet the truth remained trapped behind her clenched teeth.

"Was there ever real love between us?" Liam's voice cracked despite his forced composure.

Evelyn's teeth sank into her lower lip. Seconds stretched into eternity as she wrestled with her conscience. "What difference does it make now that you're engaged to Victoria?"

"I understand." The meaning behind her evasion struck him like a physical blow.

A bitter smile twisted his lips as he bowed his head. Darkness seemed to pour over him like spilled ink.

Evelyn's heart shattered silently. She knew Liam would never comprehend the truth - that she loved him fiercely, but their worlds stood galaxies apart.

She could never become the wife of an Aldenrian general. Accepting his proposal meant abandoning her groundbreaking research in Solterra.

Love paled against the weight of national security. She'd already sacrificed her claim to the Wright fortune - how could she jeopardize more?

"Liam, you deserve better than Victoria. She's exploiting my identity, and I won't let this marriage happen."

Liam's laugh held no mirth. "She's already used her connections to have your Solterran identification papers reissued."

Evelyn's breath caught.

"While she wouldn't dare apply for citizenship," Liam continued, "she can use your identity to marry in Aldenria. Even without me, she'll find someone to secure the Wright inheritance."

"You have two choices - publicly reclaim your identity as Cassandra Wright, or let Victoria marry under your name and activate your grandfather's will."

Evelyn's nails bit into her palms. "She will not use my identity to marry you. Never."

Cicadas screamed in the heavy silence.

Each word pierced Liam's heart like shrapnel. He turned toward the inky horizon, letting the night breeze dry his unshed tears.

In the dim amber light, Evelyn missed his anguish. "If I can't stop her, I'll expose my identity. I can maintain the amnesia charade with Julian as long as he remains unsuspecting."

"You'd rather risk everything than let Victoria marry me as you?" Liam's whisper dissolved into the wind.

"Cassandra Wright can never be your bride."

"Understood." Liam strode forward, forcing Evelyn to quicken her pace.

His voice emerged calm despite the bleeding wound in his chest. "I won't marry Cassandra Wright or Victoria Dawson since you object."

"Thank you, Liam." Her gratitude barely stirred the air.

Silence engulfed them as they traversed winding garden paths. When they pushed open the door to an elegant private room, every head turned. Evelyn froze mid-step.