Chapter 153

Vivian Dempsey’s message popped up just as the high-speed train entered a tunnel.

"Do you regret exposing her in public?"

Evelyn Carter watched the flickering scenery outside the window, her fingers hovering over the screen for a moment.

Did she regret it?

The image of Mr. and Mrs. Anderson—bent and pleading before Alexander Hamilton—often surfaced in the quiet of night.

The Andersons were a respectable family. Mr. Anderson had built his fortune from nothing, and Mrs. Anderson was a piano teacher at the conservatory. Yet those dignified people had knelt in the hallway, weeping as they begged for their daughter.

Vivian’s voice message followed swiftly: "She didn’t even care about her parents. Why should you? She faked a suicide attempt just to force them to grovel before Alexander."

Evelyn sighed softly.

"I loved him once."

Vivian scoffed. "People who really want to die do it quietly. Back then, I—"

The message cut off abruptly.

They both remembered what happened senior year.

Back then, Vivian hadn’t been the unshakable woman she was now. Simon Stapleton had stolen her scholarship recommendation, costing Evelyn her chance too. In despair, Vivian had gone to the beach alone.

Evelyn had searched for her all night.

At dawn, she found Vivian on the rocks, writing a suicide note. The sea wind scattered the pages as Vivian sobbed uncontrollably.

"Evelyn," Vivian’s voice softened suddenly, "if it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t be here."

Evelyn chuckled. "Someone promised to take care of me for life back then."

"And I am! Isn’t that what I’m doing now?" Vivian’s tone shifted. "Annabelle was just putting on a show, using her parents to manipulate Alexander."

Evelyn watched the fields rushing past the window and didn’t respond.

"How’s your sister, by the way?"

At the mention of Emily Anderson, Evelyn’s brow furrowed.

With only two months left before college entrance exams, Emily’s grades had plummeted. Their parents blamed a teenage romance and begged Evelyn to come home.

Vivian tsked. "Doesn’t this sound familiar?"

It did. History was repeating itself.

"Met the boy yet? Hope he’s not another Simon."

"I’ll see when I get back." Evelyn rubbed her temples.

"Alright, handle your family first. As for Alexander—"

"I don’t need updates." Evelyn cut her off. "It’s time we both moved on."

The train announcement echoed through the cabin, calling out the name of her hometown.