Chapter 93
Evelyn’s expression turned to ice in an instant. A sudden chill radiated from her, making the air between them frigid.
“Seems Ms. Delacroix has indulged you too much. You’ve grown even more insufferable than before.”
“Leave others out of this,” Zachary snapped, his voice sharp with irritation.
“Stay away from me if you don’t want to hear the truth! I want nothing to do with you, Mr. Blackwood! The only time you should contact me is when it’s time to finalize our divorce. Goodbye!”
For three years, Zachary had grown accustomed to Evelyn gazing at him with adoration. Her eyes had always sparkled with warmth whenever he entered the room. Now, they held nothing but frost and disdain. The shift was like a knife to his chest.
“You’re not leaving.”
Evelyn let out a bitter laugh. “Am I supposed to obey just because you command it? What am I to you—a pet? Expected to heel at your every whim?”
“Stop twisting my words. You know that’s not what I meant,” Zachary growled, his brows furrowing in frustration.
“Twisting your words? Oh, how dense can you be? Do you really not recognize sarcasm when you hear it? Let me spell it out for you—I despise you, Zachary Blackwood. Save your breath.”
Her eyes burned with unshed tears as she tried to wrench her wrist free from his grasp.
But Zachary was relentless. The more she struggled, the tighter his grip became, uncaring of the pain he inflicted.
A sharp hiss escaped Evelyn’s lips.
She clutched her injured wrist with her other hand, beads of sweat forming on her forehead.
Only then did Zachary realize what he’d done. He released her instantly.
His gaze dropped to his palm, where faint traces of blood smeared his skin. His breath hitched at the sight.
In his desperation to drag her out of the hotel, he’d forgotten about her injury.
“I’m taking you to the infirmary. Now.” His voice was rough, his expression darker than before.
“Get out of here, or I’m calling the police,” Evelyn spat, stepping back furiously.
“Evelyn—”
“Get lost!” she screamed, her voice raw with pain—both physical and emotional.
For three years, she had loved him, endured his indifference, and suffered his neglect. Now that they were divorced, he suddenly couldn’t stay away. The irony was cruel.
Zachary stiffened at her outburst, his handsome face turning to stone.
“You dare order me around? You were the one who begged to marry me! Where was this defiance when you were still my wife?”
“Because I loved you then,” Evelyn sneered, her lips curling into a bitter smile. Her eyes were red with fury.
A dull ache settled in Zachary’s chest, making his breaths heavier.
“When I loved you, I endured everything. But now? You don’t deserve my patience.”
“Did you really think I’d still treat you the same after the divorce? The old Evelyn is gone, Zachary. I don’t love you anymore. You mean nothing to me.”
With that, she lifted her chin defiantly and turned to leave.
“If it weren’t for Grandfather, I wouldn’t have come looking for you at all! Do you have any idea how much he misses you? He hasn’t slept in five days because he can’t reach you!”
Zachary’s eyes darkened as he lashed out, aiming to wound her just as she had wounded him.
“You claim to care about him, yet look at what you’ve done! You’re a liar, Evelyn! Did you think you could play with his emotions just because he’s old?”
Evelyn’s breath caught in her throat. Her fists clenched.
Archibald would always be the tie that bound her to Zachary. She could never abandon him.
Evelyn was a woman of her word. If she promised something, she would see it through—no matter how painful the wait.
She had sworn to Archibald that she would finalize the divorce only after celebrating his birthday with him. And she would keep that promise.
“I won’t break my word. I’ll visit him in the next two days.”
“Now.”
“What?”
“I said now. He hasn’t slept properly in days. He barely eats. He needs to see you.”
Zachary’s patience was fraying, his frustration palpable.
“Don’t disappoint him, Evelyn.”
In the end, she relented.
It was true—she had initially taken care of Archibald with ulterior motives. Back then, she hadn’t even wanted to marry Zachary. She just wanted to help him—and, selfishly, to be near him.
But over time, Archibald had carved a place in her heart.
Despite his age, he was sharp and wise, offering guidance that even the most seasoned executives valued.
Evelyn had learned much from him. She had shared those lessons with Nathan and even applied them in running the hotel.
