Chapter 260

Nathan's lips parted slightly, but no words came out. Lucas threw his head back and took another deep swig of whiskey. His words were careless, fueled by alcohol and grief.

"Material possessions? The world at her feet?" Lucas scoffed. "When Evelyn was studying in Europe, our father hired eight nannies to take care of her. She fired every single one behind his back."

"Alexander flew thirty times a month just to cook for her. He sent her every research bonus he ever earned."

"And me?" Lucas let out a bitter laugh. "I only took film roles in locations near her. Even then, we thought that was the farthest she'd ever drift from us. But then—" His voice cracked. "She married you."

"For three years, she cut us off. No calls. No visits. Nothing. Nathan Blackwood, she chose you over her own family. And what did you do?" Lucas's voice trembled as tears streamed down his face.

He wiped them away roughly and drained the bottle. Harrison and the pilot sat frozen in the front, not daring to move.

The silence was suffocating. Nathan couldn't hear his own heartbeat, but he felt it—shattered, crushed, ground into dust.

Lucas stared at Nathan's ashen face. The alcohol made his chest burn with reckless fury.

Everyone said it wasn't Nathan's fault. That he didn't cause the accident. That he couldn't have controlled fate.

But Lucas couldn't stop thinking—if not for Nathan, Evelyn would never have been on that plane. She'd still be here. Still alive. Still spending his money on yachts and mansions and whatever else she wanted.

Lucas stood abruptly. The wind whipped at his clothes, tangling his hair.

With a careless flick of his wrist, he hurled the empty bottle into the sea.

"Nathan Blackwood, just go home. Whether it's guilt or something else—it's too late now. Go back to your life."

Nathan's voice was raw. "I'm not leaving. If she's still alive—"

Lucas laughed coldly, tears still falling. "You don't know her at all, Nathan. Evelyn couldn't swim."

His words were final.

"There is no if."

The endless ocean had already swallowed her whole.

The silence turned icy. Lucas's last words were the final blow. Nathan's face drained of color.

His fists clenched so tight his arms shook, veins bulging.

A person who couldn't swim—falling into the sea. Was the outcome really a surprise?

No.

He didn't know her. He knew nothing about her. Not even this.

What a joke.

The helicopter's roar suddenly deafened him.

No. Maybe Lucas is lying.

Nathan lurched forward, desperate to ask—

Then his body swayed. His grip on the cabin door slipped.

For one terrifying second, he hung halfway out, staring into the dark abyss below.

And there—he saw her.

Evelyn, smiling at him.

Yes. This is how it should be.

I should have been on that plane with her.

"President—!"

The wind slashed at his face. Salt spray stung his skin.

Lucas grabbed Nathan's arm and yanked him back hard, slamming the door shut.

The sea vanished behind metal.

"Damn it, Nathan! What the hell was that?" Lucas snarled. "You think my sister comes back if you die? She's gone! Who are you trying to fool?"