Chapter 9

The sleek black steering wheel felt cool beneath Evangeline's fingers as she sped down the deserted road, the haunting melody of "Vengeance Burns in My Soul" blasting through the speakers.

She didn’t care if Thaddeus was tracking her. What baffled her was why—after three years of treating her like invisible air—he suddenly cared now, when their marriage was already in ashes.

Typical man. Ignore them, and they chase. Show interest, and they flee.

A flicker in the rearview mirror caught her attention.

Her grip tightened.

Thaddeus’ Lamborghini was tailing her, relentless.

"You think you can keep up?"

A smirk curled her lips as she slammed the accelerator.

Her La Voiture Noire sliced through the night like a shadow, vanishing in seconds.

"Faster!" Thaddeus barked from the passenger seat, his jaw clenched.

Gordon’s knuckles whitened on the wheel. He’d never driven like this before—his heart threatened to leap out of his chest.

Finally, the faint glow of Evangeline’s taillights reappeared. Thaddeus exhaled, though his expression remained stone-cold.

"Mr. Thaddeus, Mrs. Ashbourne drives like she’s in Fast & Furious! That ‘See You Again’ track suits her perfectly."

Thaddeus frowned. "Since when does she drive like this?"

"You didn’t know?" Gordon’s excitement bubbled over. "She’s obsessed with racing films. Every time I visited, The Fast and the Furious was playing. I always thought she was delicate—turns out she’s a speed demon!"

Thaddeus’ stomach twisted.

His own secretary knew his wife better than he did.

"Damn it—she’s pulling away!"

"If you lose her, I’m docking your salary."

Gordon paled. He feared for his paycheck—but more for his life.

Two sharp turns later, Evangeline’s car disappeared entirely.

"She’s… gone."

Thaddeus slammed his fist against the window, veins throbbing at his temple.

"Evangeline… what else are you hiding?"

That night, Cassian and Adrian arrived at their sister’s private villa.

In the open kitchen, Cassian expertly flipped a sizzling pan while Adrian chopped vegetables. Evangeline lounged nearby, a lollipop dangling from her lips as she watched her brothers cook.

"Victory! Four kills!"

She grinned at her gaming screen, triumphant.

"Still unbeatable, I see." Adrian flashed her a warm smile—the gentlest of the Ashbourne brothers.

"Like a surgeon with a scalpel—precision every time."

She knelt on the chair, arms propped on the table, the lollipop bobbing as she spoke.

"Don’t get cocky. Rematch tomorrow—I’ll show you real skill."

"You forfeited last time. No point challenging me." Cassian handed her a slice of seared beef.

"Only because of that emergency mission! We would’ve won!" Adrian huffed.

"Evangeline, you’re smoke-sensitive. Go wait in the living room." Cassian’s tone softened.

Her chest tightened.

She hadn’t told them—though allergic, she’d cooked for the Abernathys for three years. Her hands bore calluses; her body had built resistance.

If they knew how the Abernathys treated her…

She swallowed the bitterness.

At least she was free now.

Cassian’s phone buzzed.

He wiped his hands, pulled it from his apron, and sighed.

"Evangeline… it’s your ex-husband. Again."

"Seriously? He won’t quit!"

Her face flushed. The lollipop clattered onto the table.

"Thaddeus is still harassing you?" Adrian plucked the candy from the table and popped it into his mouth. "After mistaking Cassian for your boyfriend at Evergreen Meadows?"

"Yes."

Adrian snorted. "The man’s blind."

"What’s wrong with me being her boyfriend?" Cassian arched a brow.

"You look more like her dad."

Evangeline groaned.

"Answer it?" Cassian asked.

"No!"

"Do it."

Cassian hit speakerphone.

"Where’s my wife?" Thaddeus’ voice dripped with possessiveness.

Adrian nearly exploded. Evangeline silenced him with a glare.

"Mr. Abernathy, Evangeline isn’t your wife anymore. Remember the divorce?" Cassian kept his tone neutral.

"She knows the truth." Thaddeus’ voice turned icy.

Evangeline snatched the phone, stormed into another room, and hissed, "What do you want?"

"Why change your number?"

"Fresh start. Clean break."

"What if Grandfather needs you? Give me your new number."

"Call President Ashbourne if you need me."

"Is this your revenge?" His voice darkened. "Running to Cassian the second you leave me?"

"Thaddeus!"

"You think this affects me? I don’t care who you’re with—just don’t embarrass Grandfather before his birthday."

She hung up, trembling.

Leaning against the wall, she fought the sting in her eyes.

"Thirteen years… was it all a lie?"