Chapter 287

Evadne's crimson lips parted slightly, her heart hammering against her ribs.

She had assumed the battlefield horrors they'd endured together, the way they'd clung to each other for survival, had left an imprint only on her. But Thaddeus? He hadn't forgotten either. And he'd never stopped chasing her.

With his power, any other woman would've been found in days.

Yet the "Paloma" he'd been desperately hunting was none other than her—the Ashbourne heiress, his ex-wife.

After leaving Zenithia, Evadne had erased every trace of herself, especially while dodging her father's surveillance. Volunteering with Doctors Without Borders? A fake identity. A pseudonym.

Her cunning had made her impossible to track, even for a man like Thaddeus.

"Evadne?" His voice softened when she stayed silent. "Did I upset you? I just—I needed you to know. Paloma saved my life. I never had ulterior motives."

Her almond eyes darkened. A cold smile curled her lips. "Right. Because back then, you were too busy being obsessed with Acacia. Arguing with your grandfather for her. Losing sleep over her. How could you spare a glance for anyone else? Even the woman who saved your life wasn't a woman to you, was she?"

Every word was a needle. Every phrase struck a nerve.

Thaddeus couldn't take it. He sat up abruptly, startling her.

Their gazes locked. His burned into hers.

Her breath hitched. The cotton wool slipped from her fingers as he seized her hand, squeezing until her knuckles whitened.

"Thaddeus! That hurts!"

"I've made mistakes." His voice was rough, eyes shadowed with pain. "I regret them. I'm trying to make amends. I know forgiveness won't come easy. So I'll chase you forever—until my heart stops."

A bitter laugh escaped her. "Forever? How many women have heard that from you? You must've whispered the same sweet nothings to Acacia. Made the same grand vows. Didn't you swear to my face that she was the only woman you'd ever marry? And yet—"

Her voice cracked. Tears welled but didn't fall.

Thaddeus had carved wounds too deep to heal.

Even now, with his life-saving act, his apparent remorse—the ghost of Acacia haunted her. The memory of his devotion to that woman was a knife twisting in her chest.

His jaw clenched as she pried his hand away. Each finger felt like it was being ripped off.

"Once, I was your wife. Legally. But you were never mine. Now you come back with pretty words? You think I care? Chase me all you want. Just stop talking about it."

Her voice broke on the last word.

"Alright." He swallowed hard. "I won't say another word."

Then he did something unimaginable.

He knelt before her. Took her hand. Pressed a searing kiss to her knuckles.

Evadne's pulse skyrocketed. Heat flooded her cheeks.

"Forgive me, Ms. Evadne." His voice was velvet, eyes pleading. "I talk too much. I'm too nosy. Just...forgive me this once?"

Her breath caught.

This wasn't the ruthless tycoon of Elmsworth. Not the unshakable CEO.

This man was...humbled. Desperate.

And it sent a thrill through her.

She cleared her throat, refusing to acknowledge the forgiveness he sought. But her anger had dulled.

"What were you thinking tonight?" She jabbed his forehead. "Letting your father beat you like some helpless child? You're thirty years old. Fight back!"

His lips curved. "Do you...care?"

"It's my Hippocratic Oath. You're my patient." She lifted her chin.

His smile widened. "So you do care."

He looked at her like she was the sun. "One beating for a single word of concern? Worth it."

Evadne scoffed. "You're insane. Maybe I should check you for brain damage."

Meanwhile, Jareth was breaking every speed limit to reach the hospital, Mari cradled in his arms.

From the moment they'd left the car, he hadn't let her go. His eyes were wild, jaw clenched.

Lily trailed behind, watching the usually unflappable man unravel.

Mari was special. She'd thawed his icy heart.

"Mr. Jareth," a nurse stammered, "our top specialists are off-duty—"

"Get me a doctor. Now." His voice was lethal. "Or I'll turn this place into my next nightclub."

The nurse fled.

Jareth's grip tightened around Mari. Sweat soaked through her gown.

"Mari?" He brushed her hair back. "Does it still hurt?"

She didn't answer. Just winced, tears streaking her cheeks.

Each one felt like a blade to his chest.

"Mr. Jareth," Lily murmured, "her hearing was damaged by Glynnis's slap. She can't hear you."

Rage ignited in his veins. He wanted to rip Glynnis apart.

"If Mari loses her hearing," he growled, "I'll gouge out Glynnis's eyes and shove them into her ears."

Then he pressed a kiss to Mari's damp forehead.

Ten minutes later, a terrified medical team examined Mari.

"Ruptured eardrum," the doctor explained. "From trauma. Some cases lead to permanent tinnitus."

Jareth's blood ran cold.

"But Mari's damage is minimal," the doctor added hastily. "With surgery and rest, full recovery is likely."

"Likely?" Jareth's voice dropped.

"Certain!" The doctor paled. "Absolutely certain!"

Jareth turned to Mari. His voice gentled. "You'll be fine. I promise."

But Mari shook her head violently. "No surgery! I hate hospitals!"

Lily noted her terror. Something in her past had left scars.

Jareth knelt before her. Took her hands. "Mari. If you don't do this, you'll never hear me again. Never hear your brother. Please. For me?"

Her resistance wavered.

Finally, with a shaky breath, she nodded.