Chapter 69

Nathan Blackwood felt his chest tighten.

His vision darkened momentarily as realization struck him.

He knew nothing about Evelyn Sinclair. Not her hidden talent for the violin. Certainly not her smoking habit.

"I never smoked around you," Evelyn said casually, exhaling a thin stream of smoke. "I assumed you'd disapprove."

Every blood donation left Evelyn weakened. While Nathan accompanied Vanessa Holloway, Evelyn's only comfort had been these cigarettes. The habit became her crutch during those unbearable days.

A wry smile touched Evelyn's lips, though her eyes remained shadowed. Just as quickly, her expression smoothed into its usual composed mask.

She studied Nathan's downcast eyes with amusement. "Care to hear my terms?"

Without waiting for response, she continued. "I want Vanessa to return every drop of blood I've given her. She can take a year to repay it all."

Nathan's head snapped up. "What?"

Evelyn chuckled. "I've reconsidered. My blood is valuable - better spent saving worthwhile lives than wasted on that viper. I was foolish before, but it's not too late to correct that mistake. Return my blood, I'll give you the pipe, and we're square."

Vanessa had manipulated the situation for years - feigning illness, demanding transfusions purely to torment Evelyn. Nathan remained oblivious to the charade. Where once this deception had wounded Evelyn, now it barely registered.

This repayment would sever her final ties to the past, make her whole again.

"Vanessa returns soon, doesn't she?" Evelyn's smile turned predatory. "I do so want to make her suffer." She watched Nathan closely. Would he choose his family heirloom or his mistress?

With deliberate slowness, she stubbed out her cigarette and stood. "No need to decide immediately. Think it over."

As she walked away, Nathan's gaze grew turbulent. Just how deeply did Evelyn despise Vanessa? How much had she come to loathe their marriage that she demanded restitution in blood?

Nathan summoned his assistant immediately. "Harrison, compile records of every transfusion Evelyn gave Vanessa."

"Right away, sir," Harrison responded.

The report came within minutes. "Sir, Ms. Sinclair donated approximately 14,400 milliliters total. Given average adult blood volume is 4,000-5,000 ml..."

Harrison hesitated before continuing. "This equates to completely draining her body's blood supply three times over."

The phone slipped from Nathan's grasp.

Three times. She'd bled herself dry for him three times.

All those years of silent suffering, and he'd been blind to it.

An invisible weight crushed Nathan's chest, making each breath painful.

Evelyn's one-year repayment condition proved deliberate - she wanted Vanessa to experience prolonged suffering, just as she had.

Outside, Evelyn found Dominic Kingsley on a call. Noticing her, he quickly concluded his conversation. "Ms. Sinclair, pleasant meeting?"

"For me," Evelyn smiled faintly. "Though I doubt the gentleman inside shares the sentiment."