Chapter 442

Sebastian Orlando pushed open the door to find Evelyn Roland curled up in the corner.

"Sebastian?" She looked up, surprise flickering in her eyes.

He lifted a takeout container. "Heard someone's on a hunger strike?"

Evelyn forced a smile. "I'm not hungry."

"Liar." Sebastian crouched before her. "Your right fingertips tremble when you lie."

Her fingers curled into fists.

A guard unlocked the iron gate as Sebastian entered with armfuls of bags.

"Did you raid the entire convenience store?" Evelyn eyed the array of food.

He arched a brow. "This is how an Orlando heir rolls. Understand?"

A genuine laugh escaped her lips.

Unwrapping the packaging, he slid steaming shrimp balls toward her. "Alexander used to say you hate wasting food."

Her hand froze mid-air.

"If he saw you like this—" Sebastian suddenly gripped her chin, "—it would break his heart."

Tears splashed onto the container.

"He promised to bring back diamonds..." Her voice cracked. "Liar."

Sebastian crushed her against his chest. Her tears soaked through his shirt.

"Shh..." His palm smoothed circles on her back. "I'm here."

The faint scent of cedar enveloped her—for a disorienting moment, she thought it was him.

Sebastian pressed a secret kiss to her hair.

"Eat." He thrust the container forward, leaving no room for refusal.

Evelyn took the chopsticks, chewing mechanically.

"Alexander always said—" Sebastian chuckled suddenly, "—you eat like a chipmunk."

She choked on her food.

"What else did he tell you?"

"Plenty." His gaze softened. "Like your fear of the dark, hatred of celery, that collection of three cabinets filled with snow globes..."

Her chopsticks hovered.

Dust-covered memories resurrected—New Year celebrations where elite families' children gathered in the old mansion's courtyard. Alexander Durand teasing her relentlessly while Sebastian read under the maple tree.

"So you both remembered..." she whispered.

Sebastian wiped a grain of rice from her lip. "Some people are impossible to forget."

Moonlight streamed through the window, illuminating their intertwined shadows.