Chapter 171

"I got engaged to Annabelle because—"

"The reason doesn't matter." Evelyn cut him off. "It has nothing to do with me."

Alexander's knuckles turned white as he gripped her shoulders. "You won't even let me explain?"

"You call this talking calmly?"

Evelyn glanced at the crumpled fabric of her blouse.

He released her abruptly, regret flashing in his eyes.

She rubbed her sore shoulders, her voice steady. "I made myself clear on the phone. We were just coexisting. Now that your unattainable love is back, I'm stepping aside."

"That's not how it is—"

"Then what is it?" Evelyn smirked. "Annabelle married someone else, so you settled for me. Now that things fell apart between you, you remember your backup plan?"

Alexander suddenly seized her wrist. "Did these three years mean nothing to you?"

"Let go."

"I'm hurting too!" His voice cracked. "Every night I dream of you covered in blood, accusing me of killing our child—"

Evelyn jerked her face away.

"No one expected things to turn out this way." His Adam's apple bobbed. "Annabelle changed. The baby came at the wrong time... You can hate me, but at least hear me out."

"Finished?" She checked her watch. "I have plans."

"Going to celebrate that man's mother's birthday, right?"

Evelyn's pupils constricted. "What else do you know?"

"You don't love him."

"I don't love anyone." She curved her lips. "Happy now?"

A dark fire ignited in Alexander's eyes. "In three years of marriage, you never... Yet today you knelt before him—"

"What?" Evelyn arched a brow. "Annabelle wouldn't?"

"Stop mentioning her!"

"First," she raised a finger, "if your sex life is lacking, fix it yourself. Second—"

She leaned in suddenly, her red lips brushing his ear. "Those three years weren't anything special either."