Chapter 446

"Wow! This place looks straight out of a fairytale!" Theodore's constant chatter snapped Evelyn out of her nostalgic reverie.

She sighed, losing all interest in admiring her familiar surroundings. Her pace quickened.

Why did Father insist on sending Teddy along? Evelyn stopped before an elegant cottage at the rear of campus, turning to face her unwanted companion.

"You and Marcus wait here. I won't be long with my professor."

Teddy scrunched his face, teeth gritted. "But Ms. Sinclair, is your professor male or female? I should get a gift—we must represent Montecito hospitality properly!"

Evelyn rolled her emerald eyes. "I already brought perfume." She gestured to her bag. "Hand it over."

Perfume? Must be a woman! Teddy thought triumphantly as he passed the designer handbag. "What a privilege to meet your mentor! Take your time—we'll be perfectly fine out here."

As if I'd worry about them. Evelyn shot Teddy a withering look but restrained herself—this serene setting deserved better than her temper.

She snatched her bag and disappeared inside. Teddy exhaled in relief, immediately texting Nathan: "Mr. Blackwood, Ms. Sinclair visited her female professor today. She sighed seven times during the walk—clearly pining for you! Get well soon!"

Message sent, Teddy bounded toward Marcus. "Ice cream? My treat!"

"Buzz off," Marcus grunted.

Inside the library's deepest corner, Evelyn found a gaunt man hunched over a laptop, fingers flying across keys as incomprehensible code filled the screen. Memories flooded back.

Some things never change. Her shoulders relaxed. "Sebastian?"

The typing stopped. He turned, revealing messy brown hair and several days' stubble. Exhausted eyes brightened upon seeing her. "Evie?"

Evelyn's lips curved into a genuine smile as she embraced him. "I didn't announce my Paris trip, but knew you'd be here."

Sebastian chuckled. Though handsome beneath the dishevelment, he'd never cared for appearances. His sharp hazel eyes, however, remained eagle-like in their intensity—the same genius Harvard professor who'd taken a research position here.

At first glance, no one would guess his credentials. He lounged casually, legs crossed, wearing that trademark roguish grin.

"You're still my only student worth teaching," he said. "Everyone else exhausts me."

Evelyn produced a velvet box from her bag. "The limited edition Parfums de Marly you've been collecting."

Sebastian's smile faltered. He accepted the gift with trembling fingers. "Thank you for remembering, but...he passed three months ago. He'll never see this collection complete."

Evelyn froze. After everything they'd endured to be together—Sebastian moving continents for his love—their story ended so abruptly.

Sebastian forced a smile, clutching the box. "He'll know when I tell him though."

"I'm so sorry, I didn't—"

"It's alright." He waved her off. "Now, what brings you here?"

"Just visiting."

"Really?" His eyebrow arched. "With that dashing Mr. Blackwood you're so fond of?"

"The man I loved is dead," Evelyn said softly, the words hanging between them like ghosts.