Chapter 38

Evelyn's eyes snapped open, her fingers gripping the edge of the photograph with white-knuckled force. Her voice was glacial. "Adrian, I'll ask you one last time. Who gave you this photo?"

Her eyes were bloodshot, as if they might bleed at any moment.

Adrian's lips curled into a mocking smile. "Does it matter? Your heart has always belonged to this man. Evelyn, don't take it so seriously. I was just playing with you."

Each word cut like a knife, slicing into Evelyn's already battered heart.

Just playing.

And she had been foolish enough to believe him.

Her gaze shattered as she stared at Adrian. "If I find out you had anything to do with Alexander's death..." She spoke each word with deadly precision. "I'll kill you myself."

She turned and walked away without another word.

The matter of the necklace was long forgotten.

A flash of madness crossed Adrian's eyes as he snatched the photo and tore it to pieces. The fragments fluttered to Evelyn's feet like snowflakes.

"No!" Evelyn dropped to her knees, her trembling hands scrambling to collect the pieces. "Alex..."

Adrian stood watching her unravel over a mere photograph. His fists clenched until his knuckles cracked, murderous intent swirling in his eyes.

Four years.

This was the first time he'd seen her in such agony.

And it was for another man.

Evelyn carefully gathered the fragments in her palms and stumbled to her feet. Tears streamed down her face, unstoppable no matter how hard she wiped at them.

She collapsed into her car, forehead pressed against the steering wheel. Muffled sobs echoed in the confined space until her voice gave out. Only then did she start the engine.

Adrian watched from the window as she drove away. His lips pressed into a thin, bloodless line, his eyes burning crimson.

She would kill him for that man.

Fine. Just fine.

A cruel smile twisted his lips. Let her try.

At home, Evelyn painstakingly taped the photo back together. But no matter how carefully she worked, it would never be whole again.

Just like Alexander. Gone forever.

She fell onto her bed and into a fitful sleep.

In her dreams, a young man smiled warmly at her. "Don't cry, Evie. I promised I'd always protect you."

"Alex..." she murmured in her sleep, tears soaking the pillow.

For three days, Evelyn locked herself in her room.

Sophia and Victoria fretted outside her door, but no amount of knocking could rouse her.

On the fourth day, when Victoria brought food, she spotted the framed photograph on the nightstand. Her eyes welled with understanding as she quietly retreated.

"Miss Evelyn is thinking of Master Alexander again," Victoria whispered tearfully. "No wonder she's so heartbroken."

Sophia's expression darkened. "Four years, and she still can't move on."

They stood in heavy silence.

By evening on the fourth day, Evelyn finally emerged. Her face was pale, but her eyes were colder than ever.

"Boss." Sophia hurried forward.

Evelyn mechanically chewed her food before speaking abruptly. "What's the update on Melanie Evans?"