Chapter 206

Evelyn Sullivan froze mid-step, her fingertips trembling slightly. She took a deep breath before turning around, her eyes now icy cold.

"Mr. Sullivan, please behave yourself."

Ethan Sullivan's grip was scorching, his fingers locked around her wrist like a vise. His pale lips pressed into a thin line, dark emotions churning in his gaze.

"Is Sean Reynolds more important than me?"

The words made Evelyn's chest tighten. She wrenched her hand free, leaving faint red marks on his skin with her nails.

Colin Keller stood awkwardly by the door, holding a glass of water.

"Ms. Sullivan, Mr. Sullivan needs someone to take care of him right now..."

"Then hire a professional nurse." Evelyn picked up her bag, her voice as cold as steel. "I'm not the right person."

Ethan suddenly laughed. He released her, the light in his eyes dimming bit by bit.

"Get out."

Evelyn didn’t look back as she walked to the foyer. Only after the door slammed shut did Ethan violently sweep the glass off the nightstand.

Shards scattered across the floor.

Colin flinched. "Mr. Sullivan, I—"

"You too. Get out."

Elm Cove was eerily quiet at night. Evelyn stood by the floor-to-ceiling window, absently tracing the rim of her glass.

Zoe Zade's soft snores drifted down from the second floor.

She shouldn’t have softened. But seeing Ethan weakened against the pillows always cracked the walls she’d built.

Her phone buzzed. Sean Reynolds' name flashed on the screen.

"Let’s meet tomorrow," she murmured. "There are things we need to clarify."

At the café, sunlight gilded Sean’s white shirt. He slid a caramel macchiato toward her, his smile painfully gentle.

"I’m sorry about yesterday," Evelyn said, staring at the latte art.

Sean suddenly grasped her hand.

"Evelyn, the truth is I—"

"Call me Ms. Sullivan." She jerked her hand back, coffee splashing onto the tablecloth in a dark stain.

His expression darkened.

"Four years ago, in the MY elevator, I already—"

"Enough!" Evelyn stood abruptly, her bag knocking over the sugar jar. "This is strictly professional."

The glass shattered on the floor—just like her chaotic thoughts.

A waiter rushed over to clean the mess. Amid the noise, Sean’s voice cut through clearly:

"But I want this to be real."