Chapter 253

Evelyn's fingers turned cold as she gripped her phone. "Richard told me everyone called you 'Alex the Boss' in high school."

The line went silent except for heavy breathing.

"That's the real you, isn't it? The kindness, the gentleness—you forced yourself to become that person because Annabelle liked it. After marrying me, you kept playing that role while using me as her substitute..."

"No!" Alexander interrupted urgently. "I—"

"Enough." Evelyn's voice remained steady. "We agreed—keeping contact was only for Simon's matter. Once this ends, we go our separate ways."

Only static filled the silence.

"I'm tired. Goodnight."

Vivian stood nearby, arms crossed. "He dared to contact you? Did his precious Annabelle throw another tantrum?"

Evelyn summarized Alexander's message briefly.

Vivian slammed the table. "That bastard Simon! Trying to trap Lora with a pregnancy? I could hear his scheming from the next city over!"

"At least he only broke your heart, not your body."

"Should I thank him for showing mercy?" Vivian gritted her teeth. "Predators like him target naive girls—cheating them out of love and money! Evelyn, let's report him!"

"With what evidence?" Evelyn shook her head. "Lora's already safe. The police can't touch him."

Vivian's eyes reddened with fury. "So we let him walk free? I want to skin that scum alive!"

"First, help Natalie finalize the divorce." Evelyn grasped her trembling hand. "There'll be other chances."

Gregory interjected calmly, "Evelyn's right. The divorce takes priority now."

"I know!" Vivian scrubbed her face roughly. "I just... can't swallow this injustice."

Gregory turned to Evelyn. "You should rest. I'll stay tonight."

"Thank you."

Vivian suddenly said, "I'm staying too."

Gregory looked puzzled, but Evelyn understood.

Eighteen-year-old Vivian had been shattered by Simon, nearly ending her life. Though she pretended indifference over the years, the scar never faded.

Natalie was a mirror reflecting her most painful memories.

Back then, Evelyn had helped Vivian heal. Now Natalie only had her aging father. Vivian wanted to pull her from the darkness—to redeem the girl she once was.

The night wind bit through Evelyn's coat as she tightened it around herself.

At the curb, a familiar car waited. Peter leaned against it, smiling warmly. "Cold?"

He produced a baked sweet potato from his coat. "Eat it while it's hot." Then offered a spoon. "Brought this just for you."