Chapter 386

The following morning, the Blackwood family traveled to Blackwood Manor to see Liam. By midday, Ryan was driving them back to the Blackwood estate.

As they arrived at the gates, Ryan nearly collided with Evelyn.

Evelyn had just stepped out from the main house when she spotted Ryan. She rushed toward him, calling out his name urgently.

Ryan halted abruptly, his brow furrowing as he regarded her.

"How is Liam?" she asked anxiously, fingers twisting together.

"Thanks to Ms. Wright's intervention, General Blackwood is recovering well," Ryan answered tersely.

Evelyn exhaled shakily, though her chest remained tight with unspoken worries she couldn't articulate.

"The entire Blackwood family visited him at dawn," Ryan continued pointedly. "They've only just returned. So why were you coming from inside the residence?"

Evelyn gestured toward the garden pavilion. "I went to see Donovan."

Ryan inhaled sharply through his nose. He planted his hands on his hips, complexion paling.

The thought of ever falling for someone as callous as Evelyn made him consider self-strangulation a preferable alternative.

"Ms. Wright," he ground out between clenched teeth, "exactly how much does General Blackwood inconvenience you that you must avoid him like some contagious disease?"

Evelyn's expression darkened with confusion. "What are you implying?"

Crossing his arms, Ryan studied her innocent face with exasperation. "Anyone acquainted with General Blackwood knows his first love - the woman he cherished deeply - was Victoria Dawson. Or rather, Cassandra Wright."

Evelyn recoiled as if struck.

"You're aware of this too," Ryan pressed on. "You know exactly how he feels about you. Yet you treat his affection like some burdensome obligation to be dodged at every turn."

"General Blackwood respects you. He's given you space and freedom. When he finally moved on and chose to start anew, you suddenly risked your life to save him. What did you expect him to feel?"

Evelyn stood frozen, the weight of his words pressing down on her.

So Liam had truly moved on within a month, already building a new life. Perhaps with Victoria being his longtime confidante, transitioning into a relationship came easily.

As Ryan continued listing her "transgressions," Evelyn's despondency deepened.

"He took a bullet for you. Risked everything. Yet you couldn't even wait at the hospital long enough to see him wake. Insisted on leaving immediately. Claimed you were returning to Solterra, yet here you remain in Aldenria."

"You have time to visit Donovan, but none for General Blackwood? Is your schedule so precious you can't spare him a single moment?"

A bitter smile twisted Evelyn's lips, her heart turning to ice. "Ryan, do you despise me so much? Have I offended you somehow?"

"Not at all," Ryan muttered, clearly displeased.

"Could've fooled me," Evelyn countered with that same wounded smile.

Ryan exhaled sharply. "Did you notice I'm trying to get you to visit General Blackwood?"

Evelyn lowered her gaze, fingers plucking nervously at her hemline - a telltale sign of internal conflict Ryan recognized immediately.

He was thoroughly exhausted. "Even if it were a complete stranger who saved your life, wouldn't visiting them be the decent thing to do?" he reasoned.

Evelyn blinked as realization dawned. Of course visiting her savior was appropriate.

Victoria's opinions shouldn't matter. This was about checking on an injured person, not stealing someone's partner. Why hesitate?

Meeting Ryan's gaze with newfound determination, Evelyn asked, "Could you drive me to Blackwood Manor?"

Ryan's grin appeared lightning-fast. With exaggerated politeness, he swung the car door open. "Ms. Wright, your chariot awaits."

The complete attitude shift made Evelyn suspect his earlier anger had been performative. Shaking her head ruefully, she climbed in, even requesting stops at a florist and gift shop en route.

By their arrival at Blackwood Manor, dusk had fallen.

Clutching her bouquet, Evelyn drew a steadying breath before rapping lightly on the door.

"Enter," came a weary, hollow voice from within.

Hand trembling slightly, Evelyn turned the knob and stepped inside.