Chapter 116

Evelyn Sullivan's fingers turned icy as she answered.

"You ungrateful wretch! I should've left you at the orphanage—"

She stabbed the end-call button, knuckles whitening.

August sunlight filtered through the curtains but couldn't dispel the chill around her.

"Is this how the Jacksons raise their daughters?" Ethan Sullivan's wheelchair halted in the corridor shadows, his voice glacial.

Evelyn pocketed her phone and turned to leave.

"Stop."

His calloused fingers clamped around her wrist with bruising force.

"Mr. Sullivan, mind your manners."

She wrenched free, frost crystallizing in her eyes.

"I'm your husband!"

"Husband?" Evelyn laughed abruptly. "You've always enjoyed watching me suffer, haven't you?"

Ethan's expression darkened.

Water drummed against the shower tiles.

The mirror reflected Evelyn's red-rimmed eyes. She scrubbed her face roughly.

When she emerged, Ethan remained motionless, shadows carving his sharp features.

"Breakfast is served."

Coffee aroma drifted through the dining room.

Dr. Evan waved from a corner table. "Over here!"

Evelyn pushed the wheelchair forward, catching Ethan's gritted "Whatever."

Porcelain clinked sharply.

"The film crew's relocating this afternoon?" Evan asked suddenly.

Ethan set down his fork. "Three o'clock flight to Rongcheng."

Elevator numbers blinked upward.

"I'm sorry."

The apology rumbled in Ethan's chest.

Evelyn's grip on the wheelchair tightened slightly.

"It's over."

She missed seeing Ethan's whitened knuckles as she turned away.

An open suitcase sprawled across the bed.

Her phone vibrated violently.

"Evelyn Sullivan! How dare you call the police?" Lily White's shriek nearly shattered her eardrum.

"Isabella gave you this number?"

"Stop playing dumb! Every online exposé is true!"

Evelyn chuckled softly. "Then explain yourself to the officers, Miss White."

The call ended with a decisive tap.

Outside, sirens wailed in the distance.