Chapter 92

Evelyn's soft voice sent a shiver down Liam's spine.

He kept his gaze lowered, afraid he wouldn't be able to resist pulling her into his arms.

"Yes, I just returned," Liam murmured as he carefully wrapped the bandage around her hand. "There's some dried blood near the wound. Did you apply the ointment?"

Evelyn remained still, glancing sideways at her injured hand. "Abigail helped me earlier."

"What did Victoria say to you?" Liam's voice darkened.

Evelyn tensed, her face paling.

Liam frowned. "You can't tell me?"

She turned to him slowly, tears glistening in her eyes. "I don't want to talk about it."

Victoria's words had cut too deep.

Evelyn didn’t know how to face the past she couldn’t remember. The accusation that she had once been cruel, heartless—capable of something unspeakable—haunted her.

Victoria had claimed Evelyn had terminated a pregnancy at seven months. That she was a murderer. A monster.

Liam had his suspicions about what Victoria had said, so he didn’t press for answers.

"It's still dark outside. Try to get some rest," he said gently, tucking her hand beneath the blanket.

Evelyn discreetly wiped her tears with her other hand. "Are you really sending Victoria to prison?"

Liam exhaled in frustration. "The Hoffis family won’t let anything happen to her. She’ll be out within a day."

Evelyn frowned in confusion.

Liam studied her tenderly before lying down beside her. "Do you know who the Hoffis family is?"

She nodded. "They're the wealthiest family in Aldenria."

Liam hummed in agreement. "The Hoffis family is one of the richest in the world, and the most powerful in our country."

"Victoria’s grandfather, Archibald, has close ties to the President. And Victoria is his favorite granddaughter. Do you think he’d let anything truly bad happen to her?"

Evelyn turned to him, curiosity flickering in her gaze, silently urging him to continue.

Liam wasn’t usually talkative, but under her expectant stare, he found himself wanting to share more.

He sighed. "Archibald adores her, but he was also strict. Victoria never had a normal childhood. From the moment she could walk, she was being tutored—mathematics, arts, subjects I’ve never even heard of. She had over a hundred tutors just for extracurriculars."

Evelyn’s eyes widened. "Did she ever have time to just… be happy?"

Liam let out a quiet chuckle. "Her only happiness back then was me. Her grandfather liked me, so he allowed me to take her out sometimes."

"Back then, Victoria was brilliant, sweet, and obedient. At fourteen, she was accepted into a prestigious university abroad. Her parents and uncle moved with her, and after that… we lost contact."

"Three years ago, her parents died in an accident. When Archibald went to retrieve them, all he found were two gravestones. He never even got to say goodbye."

"Now, he’s poured all his hopes into Victoria. But she’s let him down in ways he never expected."

Evelyn began to understand Liam’s conflicted feelings toward Victoria. Softly, she asked, "Are you disappointed in her too?"

Liam’s expression darkened. "Yes. Without Archibald’s guidance, she changed completely. She abandoned her studies, became reckless, selfish—turned into the person she is now."

Evelyn studied him closely, noticing the way his eyes dimmed with regret. It was clear how much he had once cared for Victoria—and how deeply her betrayal had wounded him.

As memories resurfaced, Liam’s chest grew heavy. He closed his eyes, letting the emotions wash over him.

The breeze from the window rustled the curtains—and tugged at Evelyn’s heart.