Chapter 301

"Where are you taking me?" Evelyn asked as they walked through the moonlit gardens.

Liam remained silent, his grip firm yet gentle around her wrist. The crisp night air carried the scent of jasmine as they approached a secluded gazebo in the Blackwood Estate.

When he finally released her hand, Evelyn noticed how his fingers lingered for just a heartbeat too long.

She took in their surroundings - the manicured hedges, the marble fountain glistening under strategically placed lanterns. It was too perfect, too intimate.

Liam sank onto the wrought iron bench with a quiet sigh. "Stay with me," he said, his voice rough with emotion.

Evelyn's pulse quickened. "Liam, what are you talking about?"

His gaze burned into hers as he gave a humorless chuckle. "I won't touch you. Just...sit with me. That's all I ask."

She could feel the heat rising in her cheeks. Turning away, she focused on a climbing rose bush. "It's late. This isn't...proper."

"Proper?" Liam's laugh held an edge of bitterness. "We shared a bed for months when we were married. I never once took advantage. And now you think I'd hurt you?"

Evelyn's fingers tightened around her phone until her knuckles turned white.

Liam leaned back, the moonlight casting shadows across his face. His voice dropped to a whisper. "Evelyn or Cassandra - it doesn't matter. My heart only knows you."

A shudder ran through her body. His words struck like arrows, each one finding its mark.

"I thought I was the kind of man who moved on easily," he continued. "But I've spent a lifetime loving one woman. That won't change, no matter what name you go by."

Evelyn's breath caught. The night air suddenly felt too thick, too heavy in her lungs.

"You're drunk," she managed to say, noticing the flush creeping up his neck.

Liam pressed his fingers to his temples. "I'm not drunk. Just tired of pretending."

His next words came out raw, unfiltered. "I'm not asking you to love me. Just...don't disappear again. Don't cut me out completely like you did before."

Evelyn's vision blurred. She blinked rapidly, staring at the gazebo's ornate ceiling.

"Text me sometimes," Liam whispered. "Let me know you're happy. That's all I need."

The pain in her chest was physical now, sharp as broken glass. She turned away before he could see the tears spilling over.

"Liam, you should rest. I'll call Ryan to take you home," she said, voice trembling.

"I've booked a suite here for the weekend." His smile didn't reach his eyes. "Go if you need to. But answer me one thing first."

Evelyn's fingers shook so badly she could barely operate her phone. More tears fell, hot against her chilled skin.

"Can't we at least be friends?" The vulnerability in his voice shattered what remained of her composure.

She hadn't expected it to hurt this much. Hadn't realized how deep the wounds still ran. The phone slipped from her numb fingers, clattering against the stone path.

In the silence that followed, only their uneven breathing and the distant chirp of crickets filled the space between them.