Chapter 40
Sebastian Blackwood had once been a cadet at the nation’s most prestigious military academy. After graduating, he served three years in the army before stepping into the business world. Even now, his military discipline kept him as formidable as ever.
Sebastian Whitmore’s punch barely fazed him, leaving only a faint bruise at the corner of his mouth. Zachary didn’t even flinch.
Damn it! Another rival? Lucian Ashford thought, though he wisely kept his mouth shut.
The memory of Evelyn Sinclair’s earlier taunt resurfaced—homewreckers had no right to arrogance.
Enraged, Sebastian Whitmore swung again, but this time, Zachary was ready. He dodged effortlessly, his movements sharp and precise.
“Zachary, didn’t I warn you to stay away from Evelyn?” Sebastian Whitmore snarled, his breath ragged, eyes burning with fury. “If anything happens to her, I swear I’ll make you pay—and your precious Blackwood Enterprises will burn with you!”
“Mr. Whitmore, you’re overreacting. It’s just a dislocation,” Lucian interjected, desperate to prevent another brawl.
“Just a dislocation?” Sebastian Whitmore scoffed, glaring at Lucian. “You and your kind play with women’s hearts like they’re toys. How could you possibly understand?”
His voice cracked with raw emotion. “I love Evelyn more than anything. I vowed to protect her for the rest of my life. So get the hell away from her, you worthless bastard!”
Every word was true. Even if he married someone else one day, Evelyn would always come first.
Zachary was taken aback by the sheer intensity of Sebastian Whitmore’s declaration. He could never confess love so openly, so fearlessly.
Since their divorce, Evelyn had transformed—radiant, magnetic. First, Nathan Whitmore entered her life. Then Lucian. Now, even Zachary couldn’t deny the pull she had on him.
A bitter realization settled in his chest. He had discarded something priceless, only to watch others fight for it. And now, he wanted it back.
“Mark my words, Zachary. I will sue you,” Sebastian Whitmore spat, already plotting to send Julian Whitmore after him.
“Go ahead,” Zachary replied coolly, meeting his glare. “But let me correct you—Evelyn and I haven’t finalized the divorce. Legally, she’s still my wife.”
Lucian nearly choked. Zachary had a gift for delivering insults with surgical precision.
Sebastian Whitmore clenched his fists, resisting the urge to lunge again. He had too much dignity for that.
“Mr. Whitmore.”
A soft voice cut through the tension. All three men turned.
Evelyn stood there, poised and elegant despite the cast on her left arm. Her face was pale, but her composure was unshaken.
Zachary’s throat tightened inexplicably.
She stood alone, her luminous eyes filled with quiet strength. Every man present felt the instinct to shield her.
Suddenly, a hazy memory flickered in Zachary’s mind—Evelyn, but different. Younger. Fragile.
Evelyn…
A sharp pain lanced through his skull, vanishing as quickly as the memory.
Sebastian Whitmore rushed to her side, his anger melting into concern. “Does it still hurt?”
“Not much,” she murmured, offering him a small, reassuring smile. “Let’s go home.”
For a heartbeat, Zachary was mesmerized by that smile.
Sebastian Whitmore wrapped a protective arm around Evelyn’s waist, guiding her away without so much as a backward glance.
Jealousy flared in Zachary’s chest. He moved to follow, but Lucian stopped him.
“Enough, Zachary. You’ll only make things worse. She called him here—not you. She wants him right now. Let it go.”
Zachary watched them disappear, fists clenched so tightly his knuckles turned white.
Moments later, Tristan Gallagher arrived, breathless. Sebastian Whitmore had summoned him urgently, leaving him clueless about Evelyn’s condition.
“What happened, Ms. Sinclair?” Tristan demanded, eyes scanning her cast. “Who hurt you?”
