Chapter 178

"What do you want from me?" Annabelle's voice trembled with tears. "I know I've wronged you. These days, I've barely dared to breathe..."

Alexander Hamilton's lips curled into a cold smirk. "Here we go again. The same old act whenever things don't go your way. Last time, you dragged Evelyn toward traffic outside the restaurant. Planning a repeat performance?"

His gaze was sharp as a blade, slicing through her facade.

"Is this what they taught you at law school overseas? Emotional blackmail with suicide threats?"

Tears spilled down Annabelle's cheeks. "You've changed! The Alexander I knew would never treat me like this!"

"Thanks to you." He turned to leave. "The paperwork's done. We're even."

"You're in love with her, aren't you?" Annabelle suddenly shrieked. "She's already riding in someone else's car!"

Alexander's back stiffened.

"What's so great about her? A workaholic, ice-cold, from a dirt-poor family!" Her voice turned hysterical. "She doesn't even lo—"

"Shut up!" Alexander whirled around, eyes blazing with fury.

Annabelle stumbled back but pressed on: "I saw her in the restroom with that man—"

"What else did you see?" He seized her wrist. "If this gets out—"

"Too late!" She wrenched free, tears mixing with vindictive triumph. "She's already moved on while you're still lying to yourself!"

——

By the basketball court, Peter Harrison parked and pointed. "Over there."

Evelyn Carter followed his gaze. Kyle Carter dashed across the court in a red jersey while Emily Anderson clutched a drink, her eyes shining like stars.

"They come often?"

"Yeah." Peter smiled. "That kid's got skills."

Evelyn stood quietly under the trees. She knew nothing about basketball, but even she could see the boy who'd once bowed awkwardly now glowed on the court.

Peter stepped beside her, gaze distant. "Youth is something else."

"Envious?"

"Of course." His voice was barely a whisper. "No mortgages, no car loans. Just pure, unfiltered passion."

Evelyn watched her sister's radiant smile. "But passion fades."

"At least they had it." He turned to her. "What about you? Ever felt that heartbeat racing?"

Her lashes fluttered slightly.

"Don't tell me... it was your ex?" Peter ventured.

The wind rustled through the leaves, filling the silence.