Chapter 9
My previously calm demeanor shattered Instantly, leaving me in a foul mood.
Istubborily refused to say a word.
Jullan’s patience frayed further, and he reached out to grab me.
“Don’t touch me!” I shouted, my voice echoing across the walling area and drawing the attention of every patient and nurse nearby.
Countless eyes turned toward us, eager to witness the dran unfolding,
Julian’s expression darkened even more. He stepped closer lowering his voice to a menacing growl. “Come with me. Whatever it is, we’ll talk about it at home.”
I took a step back, raising my voice again. “No!”
His gaze turned icy, his tone sharpened. “Evelyn, have you grown bold? Do you want me to Just leave you here and stop caring altogether?”
His voice, now raised, carried a heavy, unmistakable threat
Turning my head away, I said coldly, “That would suit me just fine. I don’t need you to care.”
Julian reached out again, but his hand froze mid–air as his eyes landed on the bandage slung across my shoulder.
For the first time, he seemed to realize what he had done.
His tone softened, almost pleading. “I admit, I hurt you earlier. It was unintentional. It’s normal for you to be upset, but I was only thinking of your well–being. Be good and come home with me.”
I said nothing, the corners of my mouth curling into a faint, scornful smile.
Julian waited, clearly expecting me to give in, but my silence stretched on.
His brows furrowed deeply.
I knew this was his version of an olive branch. According to Dolly, the old me would have forgiven him in a heartbeat, long before he even attempted an apology–tears flowing, begging for reconciliation.
But I wasn’t that Evelyn White anymore.
I wasn’t going to endure another day of being beaten down emotionally only to be tossed a hollow apology as a balm.
My silence finally snapped Julian’s last shred of patience, leaving him visibly furious.
Julian let out a cold laugh. “Fine, Evelyn. If you’re so unwilling to come home, suit yourself. Let’s see if anyone in Riverdale will take you in.”
I replied calmly, without a hint of warmth, “That’s not something you need to worry about, Mr. Moore.”
Suddenly, Julian leaned in, his tone low and menacing, sending a chill down my spine.
“Evelyn, don’t regret this bravado. I’ll be watching to see how long you can keep up this act.”
“Mr. Moore?”
A gentle voice cut through the tension like a knife, diffusing the standoff between us.
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Jahan narrowed his sharp eyes, his gaze aliifting to Miles Risdemeanor changed mustantly, voice softening with ford unpleasant scene. It must be embarrassing to witness my
bo stood nearby holding an Iteinized bill.
politeness. “Mr. Wynn, I apologize for this fe’s antics…
He sighed, a calculated gesture meant to shift the blame onto me, fueling my simmering anger.
Miles approached us, his expression calm. “You’re being too harsh, Mr. Moore. Evelyn is like a sister to me. If someone mistreats her, It’s only right that I stand up for her.”
It wasn’t just me–Julian appeared taken aback as well.
His face shifted from shock to suspicion as his gaze darted between us.
He pointed at me, his tone laced with disbelief. “Mr. Wynn, you know her?!!
Miles gave a slight nod. “Not only do I know her, but we’re quite close.”
Julian’s expression darkened, disbelief etched into his features.
“Dr.
I instinctively stepped behind Miles, letting him shield me from Julian’s intimidating presence.
Julian’s mouth opened to question further, but Miles gently took my hand and spoke to me with quiet care Reed said you need to avoid moving your arm too much, and you’ll need an MRI tomorrow for the head injury.
He was still detailing the instructions when Julian interjected, “Mr. Wynn, don’t let her fool you. There’s nothing wrong with her.”
I was about to retort, but Miles lifted his head and locked eyes with Julian, his calm gaze suddenly sharp and unyielding.
Miles’s calm and springlike demeanor shifted in an instant. His presence grew cold and commanding as if the temperature around us had dropped several degrees.
Julian, startled at first, quickly masked his surprise, his expression darkening.
Miles fixed his gaze on Julian, his tone slow and deliberate Mr. Moore, Evelyn is your wife. If there’s even the slightest possibility she’s injured, shouldn’t your first instinct be to confirm the truth instead of accusing her of lying? That approach seems… inappropriate.”
Julian hadn’t expected Miles to take my side so openly. For a moment, his composure faltered, but he recovered with a sharp laugh, his voice icy.
“Mr. Wynn, you’re a prominent figure here in Riverdale. Why such an interest in my wife? Whatever happens between us is my family’s business and has nothing to do with you.” He emphasized “family” with a pointed edge.
Miles‘ lips curved into a faint, almost mocking smile as he adjusted his glasses. “Oh? You’re right, it’s your family’s matter. But let me remind you, Mr. Moore, Dr. Reed’s diagnosis is right here, and facts don’t lie.
“Also, Evelyn’s injuries are severe. How do you plan to explain this to her brother?” Miles let the question hang in the air as Julian’s face grew visibly more strained.
Then, as if twisting the knife, Miles added, “Even if Nicholas doesn’t want to acknowledge her, she’s still the only heiress of the White family.”
Julian’s expression darkened further, his jaw tightening.
He turned his piercing gaze to me, enunciating each word with frigid precision. “Evelyn. Come home. Now.”
I could see his patience had reached its limit.
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The old Evelyn, before the memory loss, would have folded at this point, obediently following him just to appease
hini.
But now, all I wanted was to put as much distance as possible between myself and this man.
1
Turning my face away, I tugged lightly on Miles‘ sleeve. “Miles, let’s go.”
Miles opened his mouth to speak, but before he could, a sharp, painful pull wrenched my arm.
1 spun around in shock, only to be met with Julian’s glare lark, menacing, and filled with an anger that seemed ready to consume everything in its path.
He pulled me into his arms without giving me a chance to resist, his grip firm as his hand pressed against my lower back.
Julian’s tone was icy as he threw out a curt remark. “Thank you for your help today, Mr. Wynn. I’ll arrange dinner to properly express my gratitude another time.”
With a final, clipped farewell, “Until next time, Mr. Wynn, he dragged me away, leaving no room for protest.
I glanced back in haste, catching a glimpse of Miles standing in the same spot, holding the paperwork.
His expression was too distant to read, though I couldn’t shake the feeling there was a flicker of disappointment in his eyes.
Julian didn’t release me until we reached the underground parking lot.
The moment his grip loosened, I turned on my heel and strode toward the elevator.
His voice boomed behind me, laced with fury. “Evelyn White, take one more step, and I’ll break your legs.”
I let out a cold laugh, spinning around to face him. “Thanks to you, my arm is already half–twisted out of its socket. Now you want to go for my legs? Go ahead!”
I took a step closer, staring directly into his eyes. “Do it. If you don’t break my legs today, you’re no man.‘
I fully expected Julian to explode in anger, his temper igniting like wildfire. I even braced myself for a blow.
But before anything could happen, a soft, melodic voice interrupted us from behind. “Julian, how could you speak to Evelyn like that?”
I froze, startled.
Stepping past Julian, I saw her a slender figure seated elegantly in his car.
It was Chloe.
She gracefully exited the vehicle, her movements poised as she placed herself between Julian and me.
I let out a mocking laugh. “Impressive, Mr. Moore. You really don’t go anywhere without Chloe, do you?”
A flicker of discomfort crossed Julian’s face.
He attempted a weak defense. “Chloe needed a ride to the theater for her rehearsal today, so I gave her a lift. It’s on my way.”
I chuckled dryly, my tone dripping with sarcasm. The bitterness in my laugh only deepened.
Julian’s expression darkened, clearly agitated by my reaction, and he seemed ready to lash out again.
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Chapter
But before he could, Chloe’s delicate hand gently clasped, her touch calming him instantly.
She turned to me with what appeared to be sincere concern “Miss White, please don’t misunderstand. I insisted on coming along with Julian. I heard about your injury and was worried about you.”
I stared at their intertwined hands, a bitter irony welling up inside me.
The world must truly have gone mad.
Whether Julian and Chloe were involved with each other or not, nothing in my eighteen years of memory had prepared me for the audacity of a mistress openly flaunting her connection to a husband in front of his wife.
Was this heartfelt display deliberately staged for me to witness?
Without a word, I pulled out my phone, snapped a photo of the two of them, and saved it. The click of the camera felt like the only control 1 had left.
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